More you are with me the more that I'm alone. (C)

[Copper]

"Hey!" Copper exploded, taking one step towards Racetrack and jutting out a finger. "I've written, buddy! She the one ignorin' me!"

[Sapphy]

"No!" Sapphy said, taking Copper by the wrist and effortlessly pulling him back even though he was a good foot taller than her and probably doubled if not tripled her in weight. He was a well-toned younger brother, for sure. ((I'm just "borrowing" a lot of my brother for Copper, heh.)) "I've been checking the forwarding address and Mrs. Blake hasn't gotten any letters from you!"

[Racetrack]

Race's eyes were bouncing between the two of them like a tennis match as his peacemaking instincts kicked in. "You know, the mail is very unreliable. Prob'ly all a big misunderstanding." He looked at the guy--Kevin, presumably? Only not in California? "Uh, so...how come you're on the Brooklyn Bridge?"

[Copper]

"You're awfully nosy, buddy." Copper observed, eyes narrowing before glancing at Sapphy for a reaction.

[Sapphy]

She just rolled her eyes.

"What happened?!"

[Copper]

Copper outwardly winced.

"Oh... Yeah. I thought you were ignoring me 'cause... Well... You didn't get my letters... So... We hit some trouble in Missouri -- Ma and Dad are still there, don't worry! They found some 'sanctuary' for the time being. Got set up until they earn more money to keep heading west."

[Sapphy]

"More money? But, we had enough..." She looked at Copper, eyes suddenly narrowed. "...What did you do?" she accused.

[Copper]

"Hey, I was itchin', big sister, you know how it--" Before he could finish, Sapphy jumped on him again, but this time fists were flying.

[Racetrack]

Race finally recovered his wits enough to dive in and pull Sapphy off her brother, even though he was really starting to want to punch the guy himself. "All right! Let's just--can we please at least not do this on a bridge?"

[Copper]

For once, Copper didn't fight back with Sapphy. He huffed, adjusting his clothes as he looked at her, part enraged and part guilt.

"I said I was sorry -- in all those letters you didn't get -- I couldn't tell ya how many times I said it. I'm sorry, Shaye, okay? I'm sorry! I was an idiot!"

[Sapphy]

Sapphy had burst out into angry tears. She let out a long, shaky breath, staring her brother down.

"Come on. Let's go home," she said, taking his hand in hers. She immediately rest her head on his shoulder -- she knew he meant it, and was probably dying over his mistake -- she could tell when he didn't slug her back.

[Racetrack]

Race was definitely on board with the going-home idea. He had decided this could not possibly get more awkward. The two of them could catch up back in the lodging house, and he could go up on the roof and smoke a cigar and recover from this ridiculously stressful night. From her alternate extremes of joy and rage after Kevin showed up, he figured Sapphy would be safe from despair for a while.

[Copper]

"So... Who's this guy again?" Copper asked, jutting his thumb over at Racetrack. "Why're you out with my sister so late, exactly? Where is this 'home' of yours?"

The interrogation didn't stop there.

"And the fuck you call her? Sapph? The fuck is that?"

[Sapphy]

"Shut up, Kevin. I told you. He's Racetrack. We sell papers with, like, thirty other kids. He was just helping me home."

[Copper]

"Oh, I'm so sure he was... And you call me Kevin, I'll give ya an Irish kiss," he said, brandishing a fist in Racetrack's direction. "It's Copper to you, buddy."