Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies and this is an AU story. Les is only 3 and it happens AFTER the strike
For the Jacob family it started off as a normal day. Sarah woke up and saw her brothers off to work. David was 14. Sarah 18. Les was only 3 years old. He was the heart of the family. Their parents were going to a meeting to see if their dad could get his job back so it was up to Sarah and David to care for Les.
None of the Jacob's knew that by the end of the day their lives would be changed forever.
"I packed a lunch for you," Sarah told David, "I put a special treat in it." David laughed.
"Wouldn't it have been better to put a special treat in LES'S lunch," he asked.
"David do you think I'm stupid. Of course I did that too," she said, "I would never leave Les out." She laughed and gave Les his lunch as Les entered the room.
"See you later boys," Sarah said smiling.
It was a short walk to the newspaper house but David carried Les. He didn't want his little brother getting tired. David who was 11 years older then Les was the perfect big brother. He always very protective of Les even so far as taking the blame for some of the stuff Les did. He also did most of the work when it came to selling the papers.
"Hey Davey," Jack said, "Ova here" Davey jogged to meet up with Jack.
"Hey kiddo," Jack said to Les.
"Hey cowboy," Les said hugging Jack.
"So you ready to do an awesome job selling paps today," Jack asked.
"Always ready cowboy," Les said, "Split 50-50."
"60-40," Jack teased.
"Only if we get the sixty," Les retorted. Jack laughed. He would never forget the first time they divided up the money. "Hey Les," Jack said, "You wanna divvy up the money?"
"Sure," Les said. Jack handed him the pile of pennies. Les carefully counted out 50 cents and then on the other side 50 cents. He handed one of the piles to Jack.
"Don't you remember buddy," Jack said, "It's sixty-forty."
"Nope," Les said, "We worked as hard as you. We should get as much as you." Jack sighed but he wasn't going to argue with a 3 year old.
"How the hell is he three years old," Jack asked Davey later.
"What does that even mean," Davey asked.
"Children that age aren't supposed to be as mature as he is," Jack said, "Certainly not as well spoken"
"Well after my father's accident," David said, "We all had to grow up pretty fast. Dad couldn't afford to continue to send us to school and get day care for Les so we all had to go to work until dad can get his job back. He got hurt on the job. They had no use for him anymore so they just fired him. He had no union to protect him. I try to protect Les as best I can but even he was exposed to the hardships- which breaks my heart"