Rain poured down on the city of New York making the already cold night nearly impossible. People ran if they even dared to face the freezing temperatures outside. Event the newsies, master's of the streets, took cover indoors.
Two boys made a sprint from the awning of an old ware house to the lodging house across the street. As they stumbled inside they shook water everywhere causing uproar.
"Skittery!" yelled a young newsie trying to hide from the flying water.
"It ain't like ya didn't get wet enough out dere Boots." Skittery said to the newsie splashing water on him. The young newsie faked a laugh and went to dry off. Skittery lugged his way upstairs followed by his younger "shadow".
"Hey Skitt, we'se did good taday didn't we?" stated the young boy bouncing around the room.
"Yeah Tumbler, we did good. Now get outta dem wet clothes befoah ya catch ya death." Tumbler nodded and headed down the row of bunks to his. After digging around he produced a new pair of trousers and a dry shirt. Quickly he changed and hung his wet clothes near the furnace.
"Hey Skitt…" Tumbler began.
"Yeah?" Skittery turned to face the young newsie.
"Nothin'." he said shaking his head slightly. Skittery knew it wasn't nothing. It was never nothing with Tumbler but he let it slide. Kloppman had a big fire going by seven o'clock and dinner, normally provided by the day's wages, was on the house.
As the night ticked away poker game after poker game was played. Racetrack racked in dollar after dollar of other newsies' hard earned money. Skittery'd given up playing a long time ago. He had more important things to think about now. He had Tumbler.
By nine o'clock most of the newsies, either bored or broke, headed upstairs to hit they hey.
"Tumbler, get some rest." Skittery said pushing the boy up the stairs.
"Skitt…where's me real family?" the boy asked timidly. He knew Skittery had taken care of him since he was about three but he didn't know his history like the other newsies did.
Skittery knew this day would come. He'd known it for a while now that Tumbler was curious about his background. He also knew what Tumbler's real brother had done to protect Tumbler. His eyes were fixed on the small boy. What do I do? Skittery frantically thought.
"Well…ya family…well. I'se nevah really saw ya askin' dat question. Boy." he ran his fingers through his curly brown hair. "Well let's see. Ya fadder went west ta find land an' ya mudder past away waitin' for him ta send for you'se. Dats all I'se know 'bout ya family history now get ta bed."
Mush looked up from watching Racetrack con some more bets outta Specs and Snoddy. Dutchy stopped in his tracks right beside Skittery. Both he and Mush exchanged looks of udder shock at Skittery's our right lie. The lie seemed to work for Tumbler who smiled and header upstairs.
"Why did ya lie tad a kid Skitt?" Dutchy asked. His blue eyes met with Skittery's brown eyes. A tear rolled down Skittery's cheek.
"I'se can't tell him da truth. It'd kill 'em."
"I'se bet he'd wanna know da truth no matter how bad it is."
"Stuff it Dutchy!" said Skittery his temper raising. It'd been nearly a day since he'd had a smoke and he was shot.
"Alright. Relax." Dutchy said backing down. Skittery knew Dutchy was right about telling him the truth. Jack handed him a smoke. Gladly Skittery accepted the cigarette and braved the icy cold to enjoy it.
After a minute or two the enjoyment was gone and Skittery stood in the rain whishing for another. Soon the cold drove him back in to the house and he grudgingly headed up stairs. He'd barely heaved his body onto his bed when a scream erupted into the bunk room.
"Wats da matta?" he asked his words slurred with exhaustion.
"It's Tumbler, AGAIN! Skittery get da boy ta shut up." said Blink fiercely.
"You shut up!" Skittery shot back at the one eyed newsie. Sliding out of bed he waltzed down to Tumbler's bed. The young newsies was sweating bullets and was crying for his mother. Skittery sank down beside the bed and faced Tumbler.
"Help me Skitt! They're after me!" he whined. The older newsie looked at the boy with sympathy.
"Who's aftah ya?" he asked even thought he already knew they answer. For the past month Tumbler'd been having nightmares about his brother.
"Skitt…I'se so scared. Make it go away." he pleaded. His eyes were filled with tears and his voice shook slightly.
"Tumbler ya don't have ta worry 'bout dem comin' aftah ya any more. I'se ain't gonna let anyone hurt ya any more got it?" he asked ruffling his hair. Tumbler nodded slightly. "Good no get ta bed."
Skittery walked back to his bed. After hoisting himself up to the top bunk he sat in the darkness thinking.
"He deserves ta know da truth, ya know he does." came a whisper from behind him. Skittery almost fell off the bunk in fight. He turned to find Dutchy staring him in the face.
"Yeah, I'se knows. I'll tell him tomorrow 'kay?!" he hissed back and laid down drifting into an uneasy sleep. He'd have to tell Tumbler soon even if it scared him. Dutchy was right Tumbler deserved to know.