Chapter 1
I slapped the fifty-cent piece down on the counter, "Hundred papes, Weasel."
"Ah, so nice to have you back, Cowboy," Weasel replied with a pang of sarcasm in his voice.
"Yeah, well I needed a little break."
"A break?" David came up behind me, "It was a strike."
"Exactly, so we took a break till they gave in," I humbly patted Dave on the chest as I took my papes and sat down to check out the headlines. The front page made me smile, "REFUGE WARDEN STEALS CHILDREN'S RIGHTS". It completely degraded Snider, I loved it.
"Some headline, huh, Jack?" I looked up to see Race reading over my shoulder. I nodded in content and went back to looking over the other headlines. Medda's performance review, Pulitzer's confession, and some story about what happen to a guy that stood up to Trolley workers. Today was not going to be a bad selling day, I could tell.
"Can you believe that?" Blink asked from behind me. I stood up and looked at him in confusion.
Skittery hit my shoulder, "Say something, you have to be exited."
"I don't know what you're talking about, the sun's rays must be getting to ya heads," I walked down the ramp and met up with David and Les, "Ya ready?"
"Jack," David pointed to a story sidebar. It read, "From Sullivan, to Kelly, to Strike Leader, 4B" I dropped all my papes except one and turned to 4B as quick as I could. There was a small article with a picture of me at the rally.
I began to read it: " Manhattan, NY. Francis Sullivan was a boy on his own. No mother and the irresponsible father was locked up in the state penitentiary. He had no where to go and no one to help him. After having a brutal run in with the refuge he escaped and left that life behind him. Francis Sullivan then became Jack Kelly, an independent leader of the Manhattan Newsies. There he made hardly enough to seek shelter and feed his empty stomach. When Joseph Pulitzer was not satisfied with what money he was already prying from the Newsies' fingers, he raised the distribution price. Kelly would not stand for it. That's when he became the, now well known, strike leader. He pulled all the Manhattan Newsies into the idea of a strike. After projecting his voice, with the help of his friend David Jacobs, they got more than just all of the state's Newsies to join the cause. Kelly also managed to show children under forced labor that they didn't have to take it. There are now strict child labor laws and Kelly's goal was fulfilled. The news world is now just once again, thanks to the young leader and his supportive friends."
"Ya famous, Jack!" Bumlets shouted from behind the crowd that had gathered around me. I was too stunned to responded, all I could do was gawk at the pape in my hand.
"Even more than Spot!" Blink added. That brought me out of my daze.
"No, don't say that--" I began starting to pick up my papes.
"Yeah, Spot would kill us all," Race finished laughing.
"Look, nothings changed let's just sell our papes. C'mon David, Les," I headed toward the streets.
"Geez, don't let the fame get to ya, Cowboy," Race yelled after me sarcastically. I ignored him, him and the other fellas tend to blow things out of proportion.
"My name was in the paper," I heard David say excitedly under his breath. I smiled at his childish excitement as we walked to a crowded part of town.
I held up a paper, "Extra! Extra! Heartless warde--" I began to yell, but was cut off by a man.
"Hey! It's the strike leader! I'll buy your paper!" He and about a dozen other people ran over and were buying papes. People saw that crowd and came to see what was going on. Most ended up buying a paper themselves. David and I were not prepared for a reaction like this, people were swarming us for papes and wanting to shake our hands. One girl wanted me to sign her newspaper!
After the huge rush David, Les, and I went to Tibby's. There weren't any other Newsies there, although we did finish pretty early, and they probably wouldn't be here for a while. A few people were staring at us and I heard my name as well as David's being whispered a couple times.
"I don't think we'll have trouble selling papers anymore," David smiled taking a sip of Coke.
"I liked how it use to be," I countered leaning back in the booth.
David looked at me, "What?"
"I dunno. It's just....I feel all weird, ya know?" He obviously didn't by the way he was looking at me and not saying anything, "It's like...ya know those dreams where ya naked and every one is staring at ya, but ya can't do nothing about it?" David let out a little laugh, but went silent and let me finish, "It feels kind of like that. I think it's awesome a story about me was in the papes, but now every one knows about my life and I ain't exactly proud of it."
"Not proud? But you helped children all over," Les piped up, looking at me with those little eyes that sold papes so easily.
"Yeah, come on, Jack. You're looked up to," David's eyes momentarily drifted to Les before looking back to me, "People respect you. Besides what happened happened, it's over. Nobody cares about the past, it's what you do now that matters."
"See! That's the problem! I don't want to always be watched and judged by people who don't even know me! I'd rather be unknown to them completely, or just that Newsie hassling them for money. I want things to be how they were," I explained a little louder than necessary.
David leaned in closer so he could talk softer, "Jack, do you really care what all those people think? I mean, you have to set priorities. Think about whose opinion you care about most and do what you think would please them and.....I know this may sound cheesy, but most importantly do what Jack Kelly would do. Be yourself, that's who people respect and you got their respect by being yourself. You don't have to put on a front to please others."
"You're going to make a good shrink someday, Davey," I smiled sipping my Coke.
"Yeah, then I'll be filthy rich and have my own newspaper," David leaned back folding his arms behind his head.
"Oh! Hey, let's divvy up," I pulled all the coins from my pocket and Davey did the same. After counting we both sat there rubbing our brows.
"This can't be right," David said more to himself than me.
I tried to talk this through, "Let's see, we bought two hundred papes, right?"
"Right," Les confirmed.
"But there's three dollars here all together," David pointed out.
"An extra dollar? Was in your pocket to begin with?" I asked looking for a rational answer.
"No, the only money I had was fifty cents for the papers," He answered looking at the pile of coins.
"Did I forget to give people change?" I asked myself.
"You couldn't forget that many people. You never forget, period. This is so strange," David commented crossing his arms over his torso.
"Well, I'm not complaining. Let's see that's...a dollar fifty for you," I shoved his pile toward him, "And a dollar fifty for me," I smiled putting the coins in my pocket.
David started at me blankly, "You're not curious as to how we got a whole dollar more than we were suppose to?"
"Of course I am, but I'm just not too bothered by it, it's money," I widened my eyes at the word. Les laughed a little, which brought David's attention to him.
"Les you got any ideas?" He asked talking the coins off the table. Les immediately stopped laughing.
Les sipped his drink, "About what?" He asked innocently.
"About how we got the money?" David explained more thoroughly. Les didn't answer, he was concentrating on his drink. "Les!" David tried to get his attention.
"What?" I couldn't help but laugh at Les' response. David threw his arms up into the air, exasperated.
"Did you have something to do with why we have extra money?" David asked grabbing Les' shoulders, forcing him to look at David. Les avoided eye contact with his older brother.
"Just leave him alone, David. It don't matter," I commented taking a last swig of my Coke.
"I made a promise...." Les voice barely drifted to my ears. Dave and I both looked at him, he was staring into his glass of ice.
"Les..." David warned brotherly-like.
"I just wanted to help."
"What did you promise?" I asked slightly butting in on the conversation.
"That...well, it was more of a promise to myself. I promised I'd make money by myself for once and I did."
"What did you do!?" David asked getting impatient.
"I took a few coins from several people's pockets," Les confessed meekly. I couldn't help but laugh. Here I thought it was a big deal and all he did was pick-pocket.
"You stole this money," David whispered harshly, not wanting others to hear. It was obviously a big deal to David, but I still couldn't stop slightly laughing.
"Well, Jack taught me how to with out getting caught," His comment made me stop laughing completely.
David looked at me with disbelief, "You did?"
"That was a long time ago and I never thought he actually would or would need to," I stammered trying to get myself out of the ditch.
"Jack..." David sighed frustrated.
"Look, I'm sorry. I'll un-teach him," I offered sincerely.
David looked at me, "Un-teach him?"
"Yeah, ya know you just--" I began.
"I won't do it any more, I promise and you know I keep them, too," Les pleaded, "Just don't tell papa, please?" David looked at me.
The look on my face must have told him my answer, "Fine, but you better keep that promise."
"I will."
"We can just tell your Pop that we bought more papes than usual, simple as that," I suggested shrugging my shoulders.
"I guess," David took the last sip of his drink, "That reminds me, my family is having a big dinner at the end of this week for Sarah's birthday and---"
"It's Sarah's birthday this week!" I almost choked on my own spit at that comment.
"Yeah, and you're invited if you want to come," David finished calmly.
I began to panic, "But I don't have a gift, or enough money to get her one. Why didn't you tell me sooner!?" I roughly ran my fingers through my hair.
"Jack, it's all right. I can loan you money," David offered.
"Just like you, I don't take charity from anyone."
David tried to comfort me, "She'll understand. You don't have to get her anything."
I rolled my eyes, "She's my girlfriend, of course I have to get her something."
"I could help you get more money," Les smiled mischievously.
"No," David answered immediately.
"I'll worry about it later, it's lunch time," I licked my lips and looked at the menu.
"Jack, could you come to dinner tonight, too? It's just that Sarah's friend from Philadelphia is coming for a week because of her birthday and I think Sarah wanted Elizabeth to meet you," David interrupted my hunger fantasy.
"Uh, yeah, sure," I agreed putting my menu down.
"We should probably head to my place at--"He began.
"Heya, Jack! David!" I looked to the front door where Blink, Mush, and Skittery were coming in.
"Hey, fellas!" I greeted back. Blink scooted next to me in the booth, while Mush and Skittery pulled up two chairs. We exchanged greetings as dozens of the others filed into Tibby's for lunch.
"We should be there at six, all right?" David finished quickly. I nodded slightly distracted by the amount of people trying to cram around us.
"So, Jack. How was the work today?" Snoddy's voice came from behind my head.
I looked at him in the next booth, "Quick."
"Of course it was, people know who ya are now and respect ya," Mush pointed out.
"Don't start that again," I pleaded resting my chin on my hand.
"What's the matter, Cowboy?" Blink asked putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Aw, it's nothin'. Forget about it," I paused and there was an awkward silence, "So, where's Racetrack?"
"Where else?" Mush asked, "He's at the tracks."
"Said it was a sure thing," Boots added from behind David.
"It's never a sure thing, he'll lose," Skittery commented eating some of David's left over ice. Various statements of agreement filled the restaurant.
"Well, let's get some food," I demanded sitting up straighter. Every one agreed with that. We called the waitress over and gave her our orders. The plates barely hit the table before the food was gone and our stomachs were satisfied.
The doors rang as Race sauntered into the restaurant, looking a little glum.
"Race! Come over here!" Blink yelled making a gesture with his arm.
Race came and leaned against the back of Mush's chair, "Heya."
"Bad day at the tracks?" Snoddy asked for all of us.
"What do you think?" Race asked glaring at him.
"Sorry, Racetrack," I apologized leaning onto the table.
Race looked at me, "Don't be, Cowboy," he paused, "You know how I said that this horse would be a sure win?"
"Yeah," I responded sadly.
"Well, it was!" Race yelled jumping up. He pulled out a handful of coins, "Check it out boys!"
I stood up in shock, "How much is that?" I asked leaning over Blink to get a better look.
"Yeah, how much?" Blink repeated shoving me back.
"Four dollars! I told you it would pay off sooner or later!" Race answered excitedly.
"That's great, Race," I congratulated pushing Blink so I could get out of the booth, "Sorry to run, but I got to go back to the Lodging House. Dave, you wanna come?"
"Yeah, sure. Come on, Les," David made his way out of the booth with Les.
"See ya, Cowboy," Blink waved.
"Bye, Cowboy," Race said sliding in next to Blink. Every one continued to say some form of departure to me and David.
"See ya, fellas," I exited Tibby's with David and Less behind me.
"So, what are doing?" David asked pulling Les to his side.
I scratched my head, "I got some cash stored away. I want to see if it's enough to get Sarah something."
"Isn't that your Santa Fe fund?" Les asked looking up at me.
"It was, but I ain't going to Santa Fe anymore, remember?" I asked messing his hair up.
"Jack, she wouldn't want you to use that money," David commented looking at the dirt road.
I groaned, "Look, I don't need it for anything. I ain't going to Santa Fe."
"Yeah, but you spent a long time saving up for all that money," David said. I stayed silent till we got to the Lodging House. It was pretty deserted, although I guess that's because all the others were at Tibby's.
"This is the Lodging House?" David asked.
"Yeah...." I looked at him oddly.
David looked up at the sign, "So, I finally get to see where Jack Kelly lives?"
"That's right, you've never been here, have ya?" I laughed at my own mistake.
"Nope," David confirmed.
"Well, then don't say I didn't warn you," I smiled going through the doors. In a way I regretted asking David to come along. He has a nice apartment that's all clean and organized. I have a messy, smelly bunkroom that I share with tons of others. I mean, I'm lucky to even have my own bed. Plus, I always made it out like I had it just as good as he does, but my life isn't hardly as nice as his.
"This is where you sleep every night?" David asked when we entered the bunkroom.
"Yeah, nice isn't it?" I asked trying to make the best out of an awkward situation.
"Uh, yeah," I could tell he was lying. That's Dave for you, trying to make others feel good.
"Where is it?" I asked myself as I rummaged through my bag that hung from my bunk. I finally pulled out a small drawstring-pouch.
"Look, Jack. I really don't think you ne--"
"Yes, I do. I have to show Sarah how much I care for her. Ya know?" I cut David off before he could even finish. I hoisted myself onto my bunk and poured the coins out in front of me.
"She knows you care about her...Les?" David called out looking around the room. I heard David sigh and walk towards the washroom. I was too busy counting my funds to help David look for his perfectly safe, curious little brother. Sometimes I think Dave worries too much.
"--ever sneak off like that again with out telling me, okay?" I heard David lecture Les as they came to my bunk, "So how much do you have?"
"Six dollars. Plus, the dollar-fifty I made today. Then minus fifty for papes tomorrow. So, I got seven dollars. Ya think that's enough to get her something?" I asked starting to put my coins back into the pouch.
"Yeah, that's way more than enough, but don't spend all of it," David said lifting Les up to the top bunk of the bunk next to mine.
"Why not?" I asked dropping the pouch back in my bag.
"Well, you got to eat don't you?"
"I heard ya can live a week with out eatin'. Besides the nuns are suckers for starving orphans and I eat at your house every other day, anyway. Don't worry about it," I assured him leaning back against the head board.
"Then how are you going to pay to stay here?" David inquired leaning against the bunk.
"Look, I'm a Newsie if you haven't forgotten. I will be making money."
David sighed, "But you won't have any emergency money."
"David, I appreciate you looking out for me, but I'll be all right. I've been on my own since I was seven, I think I know how to take care of myself," I hoped down and patted David's back.
"I'm just trying to help," David commented.
I lifted Les off the bunk, "I know ya are and I appreciate it," I set Les down on the ground, "But ya ain't always gonna be there for me to fall back on."
"I'll try to be for as long as I can," David promised as we headed out of the bunkroom.
I put my arm around his shoulders, "Ya too kind, Davey."
"Well, you're my best friend and a fellow Newsie. We got to back each other up, right?"
"See, now ya just gettn' mushy on me," I snickered playfully shoving him away from me.
David laughed, "Sorry."
"Just don't let it happen again," I ordered in mock seriousness.
David just shook his head, "So, where are we going now?"
"We don't got a lot of time before we gotta be at ya house, so why don't we just catch a boxing match?" I suggested.
"Yeah!" Les agreed immediately.
"Oh, hey. David, would you come with me tomorrow to find something for Sarah?" I asked before I forgot.
"Sure, after we sell our papers?"
"Of course," I assured him as we approached the boxing ring.
Thirty rounds and a nap later it was time to go to David's. I stood up sleepily from my nap position by a few barrels and brushed the dust off my pants.
"Sleep good there, Jack?" David asked with an amused look on his face.
"Yeah, what did I miss?" I asked looking at the boxing ring.
David smiled, "Not much. The last ten rounds were just like the twenty before them. You hungry?"
"I am!" Les piped up.
"Yeah, me too," I ruffled his already ruffled hair. I wiped the tiredness out of my eyes and walked along side Les and David to their apartment building. "So, what's ya mum making?"
"I'm not sure, but she said to come home hungry," David shrugged.
"Great, I'm starving," I could feel my mouth already watering as we entered the building.
"Papa got his job back, so she probably made a feast," Les commented jumping up the stairs two by two.
"Let's hurry," I suggested racing Les up the steps. David lagged behind us. "C'mon, Dave!"
"It's just dinner!" David yelled back jogging behind me and Les down the hall.
"Yeah, ya mother's cookin'! It can't get any better than that!" I yelled suddenly running into Les who had stopped with out my noticing. "Sorry, Les." I helped him up from the ground.
"It's, okay."
We both looked at the door as David's pop opened it up, "What were you doing? It sounded like thunder."
"Thanks for the compliment, Jack. I'm glad you like my cooking," David's mother said setting plates at the table. I blushed not realizing I had been so loud. David came up behind me and patted my back as he shook his head in disbelief.
"We're just hungry that's all papa," David said answering his previous question. I shook David's pop's hand as I entered the apartment.
"Hi, Jack," David's mother greeted coming over to me.
"Hi, Mrs. Jacobs," I kissed her cheek. Les ran in and sat at the table, while David went to his room. I heard the window shut and turned to see Sarah and, who I assumed was, Elizabeth. I scolded myself for looking twice at Elizabeth. She had lighter hair than Sarah, was a little taller than her, but their stature was basically the same. They both wore their hair up in buns, Elizabeth letting a few stray strands frame her face.
"Jack," Sarah smiled kissing me lightly. She turned to Elizabeth. "This is my friend from Philadelphia, Elizabeth."
"Nice to finally meet you. Sarah won't shut up about you," Elizabeth greeted shaking my hand.
"Yeah, nice to meet ya too."
"The accent's cute," She commented to Sarah more than me. I had forgotten that the Jacobs don't carry the accent like I did, so the statement surprised me momentarily.
"Shall we eat?" Mrs. Jacob's asked wiping her hands off on a towel.
"Yes!" Les exclaimed. Sarah smiled at her little brother. She slipped her hand in mine and we sat at the table together. David came out of his room and took his place next to me, while Elizabeth took her place next to Sarah. I picked up my fork, but dropped it when I felt Sarah's elbow in my side. I looked around and everyone was holding hands. I blushed, I had forgotten again. I held David and Sarah's hands as Mr. Jacobs said grace.
"Amen," Everyone said in unison.
"Amen," I said a slightly afterwards. I looked at Sarah, who was already looking at me with a smile that obviously meant she was trying to hold in laughter. I lightly kicked her foot under the table as a warning.
"So, how was selling today?" Mrs. Jacobs asked serving the potatoes.
"Oh! That's right you are Newsies, right?" Elizabeth asked looking at me with a smile.
"Yeah," I answered as David answered his mother's question.
"It went really good. I made a dollar fifty," David responded.
"Wow," Mr. Jacobs raised his eye brows.
"Looked like a good day for selling so we bought a hundred extra," I commented knowing David would mess it up if he tried to explain. he was never good at lying. I looked at Les who quickly took a bite of the potatoes. When Mrs. Jacobs served the steak, I swear I thought I died and went to heaven.
"Well, that's good," She said putting a slab on my plate. I took a drink instead of digging in right away. I didn't want to look too eager.
"Good way to end," Mr. Jacobs stated cutting his meat. David and I looked at each other before David looked at his father.
Dave cleared his throat, "Uh, what?"
"I enrolled you back into school. Now that I got my job back you don't have to work."
"No!" David exclaimed voicing my thoughts. I looked over at Les who was silently crying already.
"I'm not going to have my sons being two bums their whole life." His words took me aback.
"Papa!" Sarah yelled over her Father's words. I know it wasn't intended for me to see, but Sarah gestured me to her father.
"Well, some people are just more cut out to be scholars than Newsies. David and Les deserve better than that," He explained then quickly added, "Don't get me wrong, Jack. You deserve better than that, too. You just don't have the opportunity to go to school."
"Excuse me, Sir, but the life as a Newsie is actually very fulfilling. You get paid to spend time with your closest friends and you learn a lot from them. I've learned more from David this past month than I've learn from my life before it. So, even if I had the chance to go to school I wouldn't give up the life I have now," I explained softly. I looked to Sarah who was smiling proudly at me.
"If that's the way you wish to live your life..." Mr. Jacobs said taking a bite of his food.
"I'm not going back," David stated firmly.
"Me either," Les sniffed crossing his arms.
Mr. Jacobs set his fork down, "That is not for you to decide." I took a bite of my own food as their conversation went on. I looked at Elizabeth who was already looking at me. I knew we both felt some-what awkward not being part of their family while they had this debate.
As David's father started talking once again about the life as a Newsie, Sarah laid a hand on my knee and leaned in to whisper, "Don't listen to him." I kissed her forehead and went on eating silently.
"So, if I go back to school, when will I start?" David asked bitterly.
"You will start school again tomorrow," Mr. Jacobs ordered.
David sighed exasperated, "I can't just quit my partner with Jack."
"Sure you can. You wouldn't mind, would you, Jack?" He asked me.
"Well, I--" I began.
"See, he doesn't," Mr. Jacobs said to David.
"You didn't even let him finish!" David argued. I finished my dinner as they continued to argue. Les by now was bawling silently.
"Sarah?" Mrs. Jacobs asked coming over to Sarah's seat.
"Yes, mama?"
"Why don't you take Jack and Elizabeth up to the roof?" She whispered, "I apologize, Jack."
I shrugged, "It's okay, thanks for dinner."
"You are very welcome."
"Yeah, let's go onto the roof," Sarah said escorting me and Elizabeth onto the roof as the debate persisted. As soon as we hit the fire escape it was like a gigantic amount of weight was lifted from my shoulders. The roof was even better, you couldn't hear the arguing from up there.
"Ya pop doesn't like me, does he?" I asked openly.
"Jack, I am so sorry. My father didn't realize what he was saying back there. He does like you," Sarah assured me.
"He likes me? Or my fame?" I asked sitting on the cement railing. Sarah didn't say anything.
"You're famous?" Elizabeth asked breaking the silence.
"Didn't I tell you?" Sarah asked in shock.
"You told me everything about him, but that."
"He's the Newsie who lead the strike," Sarah explained.
Elizabeth's eyes grew big, "Oh! You're Jack Kelly?"
"Yeah," I nodded.
"I knew your name was Jack, but I didn't know you're last name at all," She smiled at me.
I nodded and wanted to move onto a subject I actually enjoyed, "So, Sarah what do ya want for ya birthday?"
"I was wondering the same thing," Elizabeth commented.
"Oh, you two don't have to get me anything," Sarah assured us.
"It's your eighteenth birthday!" Elizabeth exclaimed throwing her hands in the air.
"Yeah, ya officially an adult," I agreed standing up.
"I will be, won't I?" Sarah pondered.
"Yeah, so are ya still gonna want to go out with a little kid?" I asked in a pouty voice and shuffling my feet.
"Of course not," Sarah replied in mock superiority.
I gasped indignantly, "Well then. I'll just run off with Liz here." I went over to Elizabeth and put my arm around her. "I'm sure we'll be very happy together." I said trying to hold in fake tears.
Sarah came and pulled me away, "No, I think Liz would enjoy that a little too much."
I turned to Elizabeth, "I think she's jelous of our blooming relationship." Elizabeth smiled and laughed when Sarah playfully punched me in the gut.
My smile faded as I saw Les come up with a tear-streaked face and go to Sarah, "Mama and papa want to talk to us."
"All right," She said wiping the tears off his cheeks and turning to me and Liz, "I'll be right back."
I watched them go down to their apartment before turning to Liz, "It's times like these that I'm glad I don't have a family."
"The only reason they are fighting is because their parents just want to do what they think is best for them," She smiled coming to lean on the railing next to me.
"I guess," I sighed.
"It'll be all right," She assured me putting a hand on my arm, "If I know the Jacobs, and I do, they will come up with a fair solution."
"Thanks for the support, but I'm not so sure."
"It'll work out. Stop worrying, it causes wrinkles," She smiled pointing to my furrowed brow. I looked at her seriously for a moment, but couldn't it hold back. I broke into a smile and slight laugh. Liz laughed, too.
"I guess I shouldn't worry. I mean, even if Dave and Les do go back to school, I'll still see them and definitely come over to eat," I smiled at her. She laughed more and then there was some silence. I decided to brake it, "So, where are ya staying? Are ya staying with the Jacobs' while ya here?"
"Uh, no. I rented a little apartment down the street ," She pointed to where it supposedly was.
"Oh. Yeah, where I live is down that way a ways," I commented.
"Do you have an apartment?" She asked curiously. I shifted my weight uncomfortably. She probably wouldn't appreciate where I live.
I scratched the back of my neck, "Not exactly. I live in, uh, a Newsboys Lodging House."
"Oh, with all of your friends?"
"Yeah," I confessed.
Liz smiled, "Sounds like it would be fun." I looked at her, not expecting her to respond that way. Most people find it disgusting or subordinate. I personally find it simple and comfortable.
"It is fun. No one telling ya what to do or anything. Just ya sitting around with ya closest friends."
"Wait, you said the Newsboys Lodging House?" She asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," I confessed ruefully. Liz was probably thinking of something else. I knew no one responded to a Lodging House like that.
"Hey! My apartment building is across the street from a Lodging House!" She said excitedly.
"Oh, really?" I replied relieved by her answer.
"Yeah," She smiled from ear to ear.
"That's awesome, so I'll probably see ya around more often."
She looked at me innocently, "Wouldn't want to escort little-old-me to my apartment building would you?"
"Sure. I mean it's not like I'd be going out of my way or anything," I agreed sincerely.
"Great! I don't know my way around here very well and I hear it can get kind of rough at night," Liz shrugged.
"Yeah, especially if you're a pretty girl," I could have kicked myself for saying that. I didn't exactly intend for it to come out that way. Liz just laughed at my comment.
"What's so funny?" Sarah asked coming onto the roof.
"Uh, nothing," I walked over to her and gave her a kiss on the forehead, "Is everything all right? With...you know?"
Sarah's face dropped, "No, David and Les still have to go back to school."
"Ya serious?" I sighed. I turned away from her, not wanting her to see the disappointment that was visible on my face.
She kissed my cheek and leaned her chin on my shoulder, "It will be okay, I promise."
"Ya know, I told Liz that even if they did have to go back to school it would be all right, but I only said that because I thought they wouldn't end up going. It won't be okay, Sarah. They'll become caught up in their school work and our friendship will drift," I admitted openly.
"It will only drift if you let it," She said taking my hands and turning me to look at her, "Don't tell me Jack Kelly, the strike leader, can do all that you've done and now be afraid of losing a friendship? The Jack Kelly I know would not stand for that."
"Ya and Dave should go into business together as shrinks," I smiled running my fingers through her hair.
"What?" She laughed.
"Never mind," I shook my head, "Well, I better get going. Ya mind if I take Liz home?"
"Of course not," She smiled.
"I'll see ya tomorrow?"
"Most likely," She kissed me goodbye.
"Ready, Liz?" I asked parting from Sarah.
"Yeah," She came to stand next to me. I walked over to the ladder and was about to descend down it when David and Les came up.
"Hey, Jack," He sighed sadly, "It looks like our partnership is off."
"Nah, it's just being postponed till ya got some free time," I smiled at him. He smiled back and nodded. I looked down at Les who looks like he had been crying again.
"I'll miss you, Cowboy," He said hugging around my waist.
"Hey, I'm still gonna see ya. Maybe not as often, but I'll still come by to at least eat," I said hoping to cheer him up. That got a little laugh out of everyone.
"You better," He said trying to sound threatening. Les let go and looked up at me, forcing a smile.
"I'll see ya guys around," I said helping Liz onto the ladder.
"We still on for tomorrow," David asked throwing a side glance at Sarah, which she didn't notice.
"Of course, four o'clock?" I suggested.
"Yeah, I should be out of school and home by then," David replied grudgingly.
"All right, I'll meet ya two at Tibby's," I confirmed starting to follow Liz down the ladder. We said our final good-byes and Liz and I went down the fire escape to the street.
"You are too cute with Les, he really looks up to you," Liz commented as we headed down the road.
"Obviously not the best thing for him," I replied.
"Of course it is. You are kind and polite, why shouldn't he look up to you?" She asked nudging my side.
"Well, when I first met him I taught him how to lie and then I taught him how to pick-pocket," I confessed cocking an eyebrow.
"Minor detail," She smiled throwing me a look.
"He's a good kid, I hate to see him crushed like that."
"That's real sweet of you," Liz said softly as she slipped her hand into mine. My stomach lurched at the surprise of her touch. I slowly pulled my hand away, pretending to have an itch on my other arm. I took a silent deep breath to bring my heart beat back to normal speed. I couldn't tell if that was just an act of friendship or something else. I've never really had a girl that was just my friend, except for Medda, but that's different. She's more like an aunt to me.
"Jack?"
"Huh?" I asked coming back to reality and looking at her.
Liz smiled, "I said, would you like to meet me for lunch tomorrow?"
"Oh, uh, I'm not sure. I'm going to be selling papes like I always do," I replied quickly. She didn't have to know how quick I can sell them all.
"And you don't brake for lunch?" She inquired raising her eyebrows.
"Well, I do, but if I'm doing pretty good then I keep going, so the time I eat varies," I said improving the truth a little. I always stop no matter what around twelve-thirty or one.
"Oh, well maybe if I help you sell it will go faster and then we can go to lunch."
I was at a loss for words, but I couldn't agree to that even if she was just being friendly, "Nah, ya wouldn't want to. It can be very slow and boring."
She laughed slightly, "How can it be boring if you are selling with somebody?"
"Well, if ya sell with somebody it's not like ya always stick together. Normally me and David stay on the same street as each other, but we spread out an sell our papes," I explained hoping to discourage her.
"I don't mind," Liz smiled looking up at me.
"Aren't ya going to be with Sarah tomorrow?" I asked hopefully.
"I don't have to be," She explained slyly.
"Well, I don't want ya to blow her off," I smiled nervously.
"It's not like we had plans anyway. Besides I need some one to show me around Manhattan and I thought you would be the perfect person." Weighing my options I decided I'd rather just go to lunch with her than be with her all day. She stopped in front of her apartment building and smiled at me, "So?"
I rubbed my chin pretending to think, "Ya know, I don't see why I can't set a time to meet ya at Tibby's."
"Great, be there at noon," Liz smiled and kissed my cheek before heading towards the door. I also headed towards my own door. "Jack!"
I turned around to face her again, "Yeah?"
"What is Tibby's and where is it!?"
"Oh! It's a restaurant by the north end of Central Park. Ya can't miss it!" I called out walking backwards
"Well, goodnight!" She yelled kissing her hand and waving. I just nodded and went into the Lodging House. When I got into the bunkroom the others greeted me warmly, I just smiled back. I hopped up on my bunk and laid down. Tomorrow was going to be a nightmare. "This is great," I sighed to myself before drifting off to sleep. (Next Chapter Coming Soon! Please give me feedback!)
I slapped the fifty-cent piece down on the counter, "Hundred papes, Weasel."
"Ah, so nice to have you back, Cowboy," Weasel replied with a pang of sarcasm in his voice.
"Yeah, well I needed a little break."
"A break?" David came up behind me, "It was a strike."
"Exactly, so we took a break till they gave in," I humbly patted Dave on the chest as I took my papes and sat down to check out the headlines. The front page made me smile, "REFUGE WARDEN STEALS CHILDREN'S RIGHTS". It completely degraded Snider, I loved it.
"Some headline, huh, Jack?" I looked up to see Race reading over my shoulder. I nodded in content and went back to looking over the other headlines. Medda's performance review, Pulitzer's confession, and some story about what happen to a guy that stood up to Trolley workers. Today was not going to be a bad selling day, I could tell.
"Can you believe that?" Blink asked from behind me. I stood up and looked at him in confusion.
Skittery hit my shoulder, "Say something, you have to be exited."
"I don't know what you're talking about, the sun's rays must be getting to ya heads," I walked down the ramp and met up with David and Les, "Ya ready?"
"Jack," David pointed to a story sidebar. It read, "From Sullivan, to Kelly, to Strike Leader, 4B" I dropped all my papes except one and turned to 4B as quick as I could. There was a small article with a picture of me at the rally.
I began to read it: " Manhattan, NY. Francis Sullivan was a boy on his own. No mother and the irresponsible father was locked up in the state penitentiary. He had no where to go and no one to help him. After having a brutal run in with the refuge he escaped and left that life behind him. Francis Sullivan then became Jack Kelly, an independent leader of the Manhattan Newsies. There he made hardly enough to seek shelter and feed his empty stomach. When Joseph Pulitzer was not satisfied with what money he was already prying from the Newsies' fingers, he raised the distribution price. Kelly would not stand for it. That's when he became the, now well known, strike leader. He pulled all the Manhattan Newsies into the idea of a strike. After projecting his voice, with the help of his friend David Jacobs, they got more than just all of the state's Newsies to join the cause. Kelly also managed to show children under forced labor that they didn't have to take it. There are now strict child labor laws and Kelly's goal was fulfilled. The news world is now just once again, thanks to the young leader and his supportive friends."
"Ya famous, Jack!" Bumlets shouted from behind the crowd that had gathered around me. I was too stunned to responded, all I could do was gawk at the pape in my hand.
"Even more than Spot!" Blink added. That brought me out of my daze.
"No, don't say that--" I began starting to pick up my papes.
"Yeah, Spot would kill us all," Race finished laughing.
"Look, nothings changed let's just sell our papes. C'mon David, Les," I headed toward the streets.
"Geez, don't let the fame get to ya, Cowboy," Race yelled after me sarcastically. I ignored him, him and the other fellas tend to blow things out of proportion.
"My name was in the paper," I heard David say excitedly under his breath. I smiled at his childish excitement as we walked to a crowded part of town.
I held up a paper, "Extra! Extra! Heartless warde--" I began to yell, but was cut off by a man.
"Hey! It's the strike leader! I'll buy your paper!" He and about a dozen other people ran over and were buying papes. People saw that crowd and came to see what was going on. Most ended up buying a paper themselves. David and I were not prepared for a reaction like this, people were swarming us for papes and wanting to shake our hands. One girl wanted me to sign her newspaper!
After the huge rush David, Les, and I went to Tibby's. There weren't any other Newsies there, although we did finish pretty early, and they probably wouldn't be here for a while. A few people were staring at us and I heard my name as well as David's being whispered a couple times.
"I don't think we'll have trouble selling papers anymore," David smiled taking a sip of Coke.
"I liked how it use to be," I countered leaning back in the booth.
David looked at me, "What?"
"I dunno. It's just....I feel all weird, ya know?" He obviously didn't by the way he was looking at me and not saying anything, "It's like...ya know those dreams where ya naked and every one is staring at ya, but ya can't do nothing about it?" David let out a little laugh, but went silent and let me finish, "It feels kind of like that. I think it's awesome a story about me was in the papes, but now every one knows about my life and I ain't exactly proud of it."
"Not proud? But you helped children all over," Les piped up, looking at me with those little eyes that sold papes so easily.
"Yeah, come on, Jack. You're looked up to," David's eyes momentarily drifted to Les before looking back to me, "People respect you. Besides what happened happened, it's over. Nobody cares about the past, it's what you do now that matters."
"See! That's the problem! I don't want to always be watched and judged by people who don't even know me! I'd rather be unknown to them completely, or just that Newsie hassling them for money. I want things to be how they were," I explained a little louder than necessary.
David leaned in closer so he could talk softer, "Jack, do you really care what all those people think? I mean, you have to set priorities. Think about whose opinion you care about most and do what you think would please them and.....I know this may sound cheesy, but most importantly do what Jack Kelly would do. Be yourself, that's who people respect and you got their respect by being yourself. You don't have to put on a front to please others."
"You're going to make a good shrink someday, Davey," I smiled sipping my Coke.
"Yeah, then I'll be filthy rich and have my own newspaper," David leaned back folding his arms behind his head.
"Oh! Hey, let's divvy up," I pulled all the coins from my pocket and Davey did the same. After counting we both sat there rubbing our brows.
"This can't be right," David said more to himself than me.
I tried to talk this through, "Let's see, we bought two hundred papes, right?"
"Right," Les confirmed.
"But there's three dollars here all together," David pointed out.
"An extra dollar? Was in your pocket to begin with?" I asked looking for a rational answer.
"No, the only money I had was fifty cents for the papers," He answered looking at the pile of coins.
"Did I forget to give people change?" I asked myself.
"You couldn't forget that many people. You never forget, period. This is so strange," David commented crossing his arms over his torso.
"Well, I'm not complaining. Let's see that's...a dollar fifty for you," I shoved his pile toward him, "And a dollar fifty for me," I smiled putting the coins in my pocket.
David started at me blankly, "You're not curious as to how we got a whole dollar more than we were suppose to?"
"Of course I am, but I'm just not too bothered by it, it's money," I widened my eyes at the word. Les laughed a little, which brought David's attention to him.
"Les you got any ideas?" He asked talking the coins off the table. Les immediately stopped laughing.
Les sipped his drink, "About what?" He asked innocently.
"About how we got the money?" David explained more thoroughly. Les didn't answer, he was concentrating on his drink. "Les!" David tried to get his attention.
"What?" I couldn't help but laugh at Les' response. David threw his arms up into the air, exasperated.
"Did you have something to do with why we have extra money?" David asked grabbing Les' shoulders, forcing him to look at David. Les avoided eye contact with his older brother.
"Just leave him alone, David. It don't matter," I commented taking a last swig of my Coke.
"I made a promise...." Les voice barely drifted to my ears. Dave and I both looked at him, he was staring into his glass of ice.
"Les..." David warned brotherly-like.
"I just wanted to help."
"What did you promise?" I asked slightly butting in on the conversation.
"That...well, it was more of a promise to myself. I promised I'd make money by myself for once and I did."
"What did you do!?" David asked getting impatient.
"I took a few coins from several people's pockets," Les confessed meekly. I couldn't help but laugh. Here I thought it was a big deal and all he did was pick-pocket.
"You stole this money," David whispered harshly, not wanting others to hear. It was obviously a big deal to David, but I still couldn't stop slightly laughing.
"Well, Jack taught me how to with out getting caught," His comment made me stop laughing completely.
David looked at me with disbelief, "You did?"
"That was a long time ago and I never thought he actually would or would need to," I stammered trying to get myself out of the ditch.
"Jack..." David sighed frustrated.
"Look, I'm sorry. I'll un-teach him," I offered sincerely.
David looked at me, "Un-teach him?"
"Yeah, ya know you just--" I began.
"I won't do it any more, I promise and you know I keep them, too," Les pleaded, "Just don't tell papa, please?" David looked at me.
The look on my face must have told him my answer, "Fine, but you better keep that promise."
"I will."
"We can just tell your Pop that we bought more papes than usual, simple as that," I suggested shrugging my shoulders.
"I guess," David took the last sip of his drink, "That reminds me, my family is having a big dinner at the end of this week for Sarah's birthday and---"
"It's Sarah's birthday this week!" I almost choked on my own spit at that comment.
"Yeah, and you're invited if you want to come," David finished calmly.
I began to panic, "But I don't have a gift, or enough money to get her one. Why didn't you tell me sooner!?" I roughly ran my fingers through my hair.
"Jack, it's all right. I can loan you money," David offered.
"Just like you, I don't take charity from anyone."
David tried to comfort me, "She'll understand. You don't have to get her anything."
I rolled my eyes, "She's my girlfriend, of course I have to get her something."
"I could help you get more money," Les smiled mischievously.
"No," David answered immediately.
"I'll worry about it later, it's lunch time," I licked my lips and looked at the menu.
"Jack, could you come to dinner tonight, too? It's just that Sarah's friend from Philadelphia is coming for a week because of her birthday and I think Sarah wanted Elizabeth to meet you," David interrupted my hunger fantasy.
"Uh, yeah, sure," I agreed putting my menu down.
"We should probably head to my place at--"He began.
"Heya, Jack! David!" I looked to the front door where Blink, Mush, and Skittery were coming in.
"Hey, fellas!" I greeted back. Blink scooted next to me in the booth, while Mush and Skittery pulled up two chairs. We exchanged greetings as dozens of the others filed into Tibby's for lunch.
"We should be there at six, all right?" David finished quickly. I nodded slightly distracted by the amount of people trying to cram around us.
"So, Jack. How was the work today?" Snoddy's voice came from behind my head.
I looked at him in the next booth, "Quick."
"Of course it was, people know who ya are now and respect ya," Mush pointed out.
"Don't start that again," I pleaded resting my chin on my hand.
"What's the matter, Cowboy?" Blink asked putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Aw, it's nothin'. Forget about it," I paused and there was an awkward silence, "So, where's Racetrack?"
"Where else?" Mush asked, "He's at the tracks."
"Said it was a sure thing," Boots added from behind David.
"It's never a sure thing, he'll lose," Skittery commented eating some of David's left over ice. Various statements of agreement filled the restaurant.
"Well, let's get some food," I demanded sitting up straighter. Every one agreed with that. We called the waitress over and gave her our orders. The plates barely hit the table before the food was gone and our stomachs were satisfied.
The doors rang as Race sauntered into the restaurant, looking a little glum.
"Race! Come over here!" Blink yelled making a gesture with his arm.
Race came and leaned against the back of Mush's chair, "Heya."
"Bad day at the tracks?" Snoddy asked for all of us.
"What do you think?" Race asked glaring at him.
"Sorry, Racetrack," I apologized leaning onto the table.
Race looked at me, "Don't be, Cowboy," he paused, "You know how I said that this horse would be a sure win?"
"Yeah," I responded sadly.
"Well, it was!" Race yelled jumping up. He pulled out a handful of coins, "Check it out boys!"
I stood up in shock, "How much is that?" I asked leaning over Blink to get a better look.
"Yeah, how much?" Blink repeated shoving me back.
"Four dollars! I told you it would pay off sooner or later!" Race answered excitedly.
"That's great, Race," I congratulated pushing Blink so I could get out of the booth, "Sorry to run, but I got to go back to the Lodging House. Dave, you wanna come?"
"Yeah, sure. Come on, Les," David made his way out of the booth with Les.
"See ya, Cowboy," Blink waved.
"Bye, Cowboy," Race said sliding in next to Blink. Every one continued to say some form of departure to me and David.
"See ya, fellas," I exited Tibby's with David and Less behind me.
"So, what are doing?" David asked pulling Les to his side.
I scratched my head, "I got some cash stored away. I want to see if it's enough to get Sarah something."
"Isn't that your Santa Fe fund?" Les asked looking up at me.
"It was, but I ain't going to Santa Fe anymore, remember?" I asked messing his hair up.
"Jack, she wouldn't want you to use that money," David commented looking at the dirt road.
I groaned, "Look, I don't need it for anything. I ain't going to Santa Fe."
"Yeah, but you spent a long time saving up for all that money," David said. I stayed silent till we got to the Lodging House. It was pretty deserted, although I guess that's because all the others were at Tibby's.
"This is the Lodging House?" David asked.
"Yeah...." I looked at him oddly.
David looked up at the sign, "So, I finally get to see where Jack Kelly lives?"
"That's right, you've never been here, have ya?" I laughed at my own mistake.
"Nope," David confirmed.
"Well, then don't say I didn't warn you," I smiled going through the doors. In a way I regretted asking David to come along. He has a nice apartment that's all clean and organized. I have a messy, smelly bunkroom that I share with tons of others. I mean, I'm lucky to even have my own bed. Plus, I always made it out like I had it just as good as he does, but my life isn't hardly as nice as his.
"This is where you sleep every night?" David asked when we entered the bunkroom.
"Yeah, nice isn't it?" I asked trying to make the best out of an awkward situation.
"Uh, yeah," I could tell he was lying. That's Dave for you, trying to make others feel good.
"Where is it?" I asked myself as I rummaged through my bag that hung from my bunk. I finally pulled out a small drawstring-pouch.
"Look, Jack. I really don't think you ne--"
"Yes, I do. I have to show Sarah how much I care for her. Ya know?" I cut David off before he could even finish. I hoisted myself onto my bunk and poured the coins out in front of me.
"She knows you care about her...Les?" David called out looking around the room. I heard David sigh and walk towards the washroom. I was too busy counting my funds to help David look for his perfectly safe, curious little brother. Sometimes I think Dave worries too much.
"--ever sneak off like that again with out telling me, okay?" I heard David lecture Les as they came to my bunk, "So how much do you have?"
"Six dollars. Plus, the dollar-fifty I made today. Then minus fifty for papes tomorrow. So, I got seven dollars. Ya think that's enough to get her something?" I asked starting to put my coins back into the pouch.
"Yeah, that's way more than enough, but don't spend all of it," David said lifting Les up to the top bunk of the bunk next to mine.
"Why not?" I asked dropping the pouch back in my bag.
"Well, you got to eat don't you?"
"I heard ya can live a week with out eatin'. Besides the nuns are suckers for starving orphans and I eat at your house every other day, anyway. Don't worry about it," I assured him leaning back against the head board.
"Then how are you going to pay to stay here?" David inquired leaning against the bunk.
"Look, I'm a Newsie if you haven't forgotten. I will be making money."
David sighed, "But you won't have any emergency money."
"David, I appreciate you looking out for me, but I'll be all right. I've been on my own since I was seven, I think I know how to take care of myself," I hoped down and patted David's back.
"I'm just trying to help," David commented.
I lifted Les off the bunk, "I know ya are and I appreciate it," I set Les down on the ground, "But ya ain't always gonna be there for me to fall back on."
"I'll try to be for as long as I can," David promised as we headed out of the bunkroom.
I put my arm around his shoulders, "Ya too kind, Davey."
"Well, you're my best friend and a fellow Newsie. We got to back each other up, right?"
"See, now ya just gettn' mushy on me," I snickered playfully shoving him away from me.
David laughed, "Sorry."
"Just don't let it happen again," I ordered in mock seriousness.
David just shook his head, "So, where are we going now?"
"We don't got a lot of time before we gotta be at ya house, so why don't we just catch a boxing match?" I suggested.
"Yeah!" Les agreed immediately.
"Oh, hey. David, would you come with me tomorrow to find something for Sarah?" I asked before I forgot.
"Sure, after we sell our papers?"
"Of course," I assured him as we approached the boxing ring.
Thirty rounds and a nap later it was time to go to David's. I stood up sleepily from my nap position by a few barrels and brushed the dust off my pants.
"Sleep good there, Jack?" David asked with an amused look on his face.
"Yeah, what did I miss?" I asked looking at the boxing ring.
David smiled, "Not much. The last ten rounds were just like the twenty before them. You hungry?"
"I am!" Les piped up.
"Yeah, me too," I ruffled his already ruffled hair. I wiped the tiredness out of my eyes and walked along side Les and David to their apartment building. "So, what's ya mum making?"
"I'm not sure, but she said to come home hungry," David shrugged.
"Great, I'm starving," I could feel my mouth already watering as we entered the building.
"Papa got his job back, so she probably made a feast," Les commented jumping up the stairs two by two.
"Let's hurry," I suggested racing Les up the steps. David lagged behind us. "C'mon, Dave!"
"It's just dinner!" David yelled back jogging behind me and Les down the hall.
"Yeah, ya mother's cookin'! It can't get any better than that!" I yelled suddenly running into Les who had stopped with out my noticing. "Sorry, Les." I helped him up from the ground.
"It's, okay."
We both looked at the door as David's pop opened it up, "What were you doing? It sounded like thunder."
"Thanks for the compliment, Jack. I'm glad you like my cooking," David's mother said setting plates at the table. I blushed not realizing I had been so loud. David came up behind me and patted my back as he shook his head in disbelief.
"We're just hungry that's all papa," David said answering his previous question. I shook David's pop's hand as I entered the apartment.
"Hi, Jack," David's mother greeted coming over to me.
"Hi, Mrs. Jacobs," I kissed her cheek. Les ran in and sat at the table, while David went to his room. I heard the window shut and turned to see Sarah and, who I assumed was, Elizabeth. I scolded myself for looking twice at Elizabeth. She had lighter hair than Sarah, was a little taller than her, but their stature was basically the same. They both wore their hair up in buns, Elizabeth letting a few stray strands frame her face.
"Jack," Sarah smiled kissing me lightly. She turned to Elizabeth. "This is my friend from Philadelphia, Elizabeth."
"Nice to finally meet you. Sarah won't shut up about you," Elizabeth greeted shaking my hand.
"Yeah, nice to meet ya too."
"The accent's cute," She commented to Sarah more than me. I had forgotten that the Jacobs don't carry the accent like I did, so the statement surprised me momentarily.
"Shall we eat?" Mrs. Jacob's asked wiping her hands off on a towel.
"Yes!" Les exclaimed. Sarah smiled at her little brother. She slipped her hand in mine and we sat at the table together. David came out of his room and took his place next to me, while Elizabeth took her place next to Sarah. I picked up my fork, but dropped it when I felt Sarah's elbow in my side. I looked around and everyone was holding hands. I blushed, I had forgotten again. I held David and Sarah's hands as Mr. Jacobs said grace.
"Amen," Everyone said in unison.
"Amen," I said a slightly afterwards. I looked at Sarah, who was already looking at me with a smile that obviously meant she was trying to hold in laughter. I lightly kicked her foot under the table as a warning.
"So, how was selling today?" Mrs. Jacobs asked serving the potatoes.
"Oh! That's right you are Newsies, right?" Elizabeth asked looking at me with a smile.
"Yeah," I answered as David answered his mother's question.
"It went really good. I made a dollar fifty," David responded.
"Wow," Mr. Jacobs raised his eye brows.
"Looked like a good day for selling so we bought a hundred extra," I commented knowing David would mess it up if he tried to explain. he was never good at lying. I looked at Les who quickly took a bite of the potatoes. When Mrs. Jacobs served the steak, I swear I thought I died and went to heaven.
"Well, that's good," She said putting a slab on my plate. I took a drink instead of digging in right away. I didn't want to look too eager.
"Good way to end," Mr. Jacobs stated cutting his meat. David and I looked at each other before David looked at his father.
Dave cleared his throat, "Uh, what?"
"I enrolled you back into school. Now that I got my job back you don't have to work."
"No!" David exclaimed voicing my thoughts. I looked over at Les who was silently crying already.
"I'm not going to have my sons being two bums their whole life." His words took me aback.
"Papa!" Sarah yelled over her Father's words. I know it wasn't intended for me to see, but Sarah gestured me to her father.
"Well, some people are just more cut out to be scholars than Newsies. David and Les deserve better than that," He explained then quickly added, "Don't get me wrong, Jack. You deserve better than that, too. You just don't have the opportunity to go to school."
"Excuse me, Sir, but the life as a Newsie is actually very fulfilling. You get paid to spend time with your closest friends and you learn a lot from them. I've learned more from David this past month than I've learn from my life before it. So, even if I had the chance to go to school I wouldn't give up the life I have now," I explained softly. I looked to Sarah who was smiling proudly at me.
"If that's the way you wish to live your life..." Mr. Jacobs said taking a bite of his food.
"I'm not going back," David stated firmly.
"Me either," Les sniffed crossing his arms.
Mr. Jacobs set his fork down, "That is not for you to decide." I took a bite of my own food as their conversation went on. I looked at Elizabeth who was already looking at me. I knew we both felt some-what awkward not being part of their family while they had this debate.
As David's father started talking once again about the life as a Newsie, Sarah laid a hand on my knee and leaned in to whisper, "Don't listen to him." I kissed her forehead and went on eating silently.
"So, if I go back to school, when will I start?" David asked bitterly.
"You will start school again tomorrow," Mr. Jacobs ordered.
David sighed exasperated, "I can't just quit my partner with Jack."
"Sure you can. You wouldn't mind, would you, Jack?" He asked me.
"Well, I--" I began.
"See, he doesn't," Mr. Jacobs said to David.
"You didn't even let him finish!" David argued. I finished my dinner as they continued to argue. Les by now was bawling silently.
"Sarah?" Mrs. Jacobs asked coming over to Sarah's seat.
"Yes, mama?"
"Why don't you take Jack and Elizabeth up to the roof?" She whispered, "I apologize, Jack."
I shrugged, "It's okay, thanks for dinner."
"You are very welcome."
"Yeah, let's go onto the roof," Sarah said escorting me and Elizabeth onto the roof as the debate persisted. As soon as we hit the fire escape it was like a gigantic amount of weight was lifted from my shoulders. The roof was even better, you couldn't hear the arguing from up there.
"Ya pop doesn't like me, does he?" I asked openly.
"Jack, I am so sorry. My father didn't realize what he was saying back there. He does like you," Sarah assured me.
"He likes me? Or my fame?" I asked sitting on the cement railing. Sarah didn't say anything.
"You're famous?" Elizabeth asked breaking the silence.
"Didn't I tell you?" Sarah asked in shock.
"You told me everything about him, but that."
"He's the Newsie who lead the strike," Sarah explained.
Elizabeth's eyes grew big, "Oh! You're Jack Kelly?"
"Yeah," I nodded.
"I knew your name was Jack, but I didn't know you're last name at all," She smiled at me.
I nodded and wanted to move onto a subject I actually enjoyed, "So, Sarah what do ya want for ya birthday?"
"I was wondering the same thing," Elizabeth commented.
"Oh, you two don't have to get me anything," Sarah assured us.
"It's your eighteenth birthday!" Elizabeth exclaimed throwing her hands in the air.
"Yeah, ya officially an adult," I agreed standing up.
"I will be, won't I?" Sarah pondered.
"Yeah, so are ya still gonna want to go out with a little kid?" I asked in a pouty voice and shuffling my feet.
"Of course not," Sarah replied in mock superiority.
I gasped indignantly, "Well then. I'll just run off with Liz here." I went over to Elizabeth and put my arm around her. "I'm sure we'll be very happy together." I said trying to hold in fake tears.
Sarah came and pulled me away, "No, I think Liz would enjoy that a little too much."
I turned to Elizabeth, "I think she's jelous of our blooming relationship." Elizabeth smiled and laughed when Sarah playfully punched me in the gut.
My smile faded as I saw Les come up with a tear-streaked face and go to Sarah, "Mama and papa want to talk to us."
"All right," She said wiping the tears off his cheeks and turning to me and Liz, "I'll be right back."
I watched them go down to their apartment before turning to Liz, "It's times like these that I'm glad I don't have a family."
"The only reason they are fighting is because their parents just want to do what they think is best for them," She smiled coming to lean on the railing next to me.
"I guess," I sighed.
"It'll be all right," She assured me putting a hand on my arm, "If I know the Jacobs, and I do, they will come up with a fair solution."
"Thanks for the support, but I'm not so sure."
"It'll work out. Stop worrying, it causes wrinkles," She smiled pointing to my furrowed brow. I looked at her seriously for a moment, but couldn't it hold back. I broke into a smile and slight laugh. Liz laughed, too.
"I guess I shouldn't worry. I mean, even if Dave and Les do go back to school, I'll still see them and definitely come over to eat," I smiled at her. She laughed more and then there was some silence. I decided to brake it, "So, where are ya staying? Are ya staying with the Jacobs' while ya here?"
"Uh, no. I rented a little apartment down the street ," She pointed to where it supposedly was.
"Oh. Yeah, where I live is down that way a ways," I commented.
"Do you have an apartment?" She asked curiously. I shifted my weight uncomfortably. She probably wouldn't appreciate where I live.
I scratched the back of my neck, "Not exactly. I live in, uh, a Newsboys Lodging House."
"Oh, with all of your friends?"
"Yeah," I confessed.
Liz smiled, "Sounds like it would be fun." I looked at her, not expecting her to respond that way. Most people find it disgusting or subordinate. I personally find it simple and comfortable.
"It is fun. No one telling ya what to do or anything. Just ya sitting around with ya closest friends."
"Wait, you said the Newsboys Lodging House?" She asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," I confessed ruefully. Liz was probably thinking of something else. I knew no one responded to a Lodging House like that.
"Hey! My apartment building is across the street from a Lodging House!" She said excitedly.
"Oh, really?" I replied relieved by her answer.
"Yeah," She smiled from ear to ear.
"That's awesome, so I'll probably see ya around more often."
She looked at me innocently, "Wouldn't want to escort little-old-me to my apartment building would you?"
"Sure. I mean it's not like I'd be going out of my way or anything," I agreed sincerely.
"Great! I don't know my way around here very well and I hear it can get kind of rough at night," Liz shrugged.
"Yeah, especially if you're a pretty girl," I could have kicked myself for saying that. I didn't exactly intend for it to come out that way. Liz just laughed at my comment.
"What's so funny?" Sarah asked coming onto the roof.
"Uh, nothing," I walked over to her and gave her a kiss on the forehead, "Is everything all right? With...you know?"
Sarah's face dropped, "No, David and Les still have to go back to school."
"Ya serious?" I sighed. I turned away from her, not wanting her to see the disappointment that was visible on my face.
She kissed my cheek and leaned her chin on my shoulder, "It will be okay, I promise."
"Ya know, I told Liz that even if they did have to go back to school it would be all right, but I only said that because I thought they wouldn't end up going. It won't be okay, Sarah. They'll become caught up in their school work and our friendship will drift," I admitted openly.
"It will only drift if you let it," She said taking my hands and turning me to look at her, "Don't tell me Jack Kelly, the strike leader, can do all that you've done and now be afraid of losing a friendship? The Jack Kelly I know would not stand for that."
"Ya and Dave should go into business together as shrinks," I smiled running my fingers through her hair.
"What?" She laughed.
"Never mind," I shook my head, "Well, I better get going. Ya mind if I take Liz home?"
"Of course not," She smiled.
"I'll see ya tomorrow?"
"Most likely," She kissed me goodbye.
"Ready, Liz?" I asked parting from Sarah.
"Yeah," She came to stand next to me. I walked over to the ladder and was about to descend down it when David and Les came up.
"Hey, Jack," He sighed sadly, "It looks like our partnership is off."
"Nah, it's just being postponed till ya got some free time," I smiled at him. He smiled back and nodded. I looked down at Les who looks like he had been crying again.
"I'll miss you, Cowboy," He said hugging around my waist.
"Hey, I'm still gonna see ya. Maybe not as often, but I'll still come by to at least eat," I said hoping to cheer him up. That got a little laugh out of everyone.
"You better," He said trying to sound threatening. Les let go and looked up at me, forcing a smile.
"I'll see ya guys around," I said helping Liz onto the ladder.
"We still on for tomorrow," David asked throwing a side glance at Sarah, which she didn't notice.
"Of course, four o'clock?" I suggested.
"Yeah, I should be out of school and home by then," David replied grudgingly.
"All right, I'll meet ya two at Tibby's," I confirmed starting to follow Liz down the ladder. We said our final good-byes and Liz and I went down the fire escape to the street.
"You are too cute with Les, he really looks up to you," Liz commented as we headed down the road.
"Obviously not the best thing for him," I replied.
"Of course it is. You are kind and polite, why shouldn't he look up to you?" She asked nudging my side.
"Well, when I first met him I taught him how to lie and then I taught him how to pick-pocket," I confessed cocking an eyebrow.
"Minor detail," She smiled throwing me a look.
"He's a good kid, I hate to see him crushed like that."
"That's real sweet of you," Liz said softly as she slipped her hand into mine. My stomach lurched at the surprise of her touch. I slowly pulled my hand away, pretending to have an itch on my other arm. I took a silent deep breath to bring my heart beat back to normal speed. I couldn't tell if that was just an act of friendship or something else. I've never really had a girl that was just my friend, except for Medda, but that's different. She's more like an aunt to me.
"Jack?"
"Huh?" I asked coming back to reality and looking at her.
Liz smiled, "I said, would you like to meet me for lunch tomorrow?"
"Oh, uh, I'm not sure. I'm going to be selling papes like I always do," I replied quickly. She didn't have to know how quick I can sell them all.
"And you don't brake for lunch?" She inquired raising her eyebrows.
"Well, I do, but if I'm doing pretty good then I keep going, so the time I eat varies," I said improving the truth a little. I always stop no matter what around twelve-thirty or one.
"Oh, well maybe if I help you sell it will go faster and then we can go to lunch."
I was at a loss for words, but I couldn't agree to that even if she was just being friendly, "Nah, ya wouldn't want to. It can be very slow and boring."
She laughed slightly, "How can it be boring if you are selling with somebody?"
"Well, if ya sell with somebody it's not like ya always stick together. Normally me and David stay on the same street as each other, but we spread out an sell our papes," I explained hoping to discourage her.
"I don't mind," Liz smiled looking up at me.
"Aren't ya going to be with Sarah tomorrow?" I asked hopefully.
"I don't have to be," She explained slyly.
"Well, I don't want ya to blow her off," I smiled nervously.
"It's not like we had plans anyway. Besides I need some one to show me around Manhattan and I thought you would be the perfect person." Weighing my options I decided I'd rather just go to lunch with her than be with her all day. She stopped in front of her apartment building and smiled at me, "So?"
I rubbed my chin pretending to think, "Ya know, I don't see why I can't set a time to meet ya at Tibby's."
"Great, be there at noon," Liz smiled and kissed my cheek before heading towards the door. I also headed towards my own door. "Jack!"
I turned around to face her again, "Yeah?"
"What is Tibby's and where is it!?"
"Oh! It's a restaurant by the north end of Central Park. Ya can't miss it!" I called out walking backwards
"Well, goodnight!" She yelled kissing her hand and waving. I just nodded and went into the Lodging House. When I got into the bunkroom the others greeted me warmly, I just smiled back. I hopped up on my bunk and laid down. Tomorrow was going to be a nightmare. "This is great," I sighed to myself before drifting off to sleep. (Next Chapter Coming Soon! Please give me feedback!)