Even the King of Brooklyn Needs a Queen
When I heard my father's snores from his room, I tip-toed to my window while trying to avoid the creaky floorboards of the old house under my feet. Once I could feel the draft from the other side of the glass on my face, I slowly scraped the window open. I then swung my feet over the ledge and jumped onto the fire-escape with my bag in tow. The December air chilled me to my core even through my floor-length wool coat. Without making a conscious decision, I began to run. I had planned this out so many times; I could run it in my sleep. I ran 6 miles through Philadelphia from my humble home on Tulip Street. I became tired and settled on walking briskly along the Delaware in the dark. The breeze from the water made me shiver and I picked up my pace on Vine Street. I then crossed the Schuylkill and I cloud see my first destination: 30th Street Station. I passed sleeping bums and beggars and watched drunks stumble through the night. I sprinted to buy a ticket to catch the last train of the night. I reluctantly pulled out my life savings to pay the drowsy clerk. I was going to New York. It was far enough from home but not too far so I could afford it.
I kept my eyes down to "mind the gap". I stepped into the carriage and I was alone with the conductor. He quickly blew a whistle and hurried into a different car, leaving me to my thoughts. I stared out the window in to the black void of night but gave up on a count of I couldn't see anything and it was a little creepy. My head lolled back as I fell into the first nightmare-less sleep I'd had in months.
I woke up, what I assumed was hours later, at another station. I could see a sign under a lantern next to the tracks. It read, "Trenton". Three people clambered into my car. They were boys. Two looked about my age and also very tired. The first had long-ish brown hair that parted in the middle to fall to either side of his face. His hair framed his chocolate eyes, ski-slope nose, light pink lips, and strong jaw. The second one was slightly shorter and had short honey brown, curly hair that dangled just above his thick brow and steel blue eyes. I couldn't help but stare almost longingly at his carnation colored lips and prominent Cupid's bow. The third boy was much smaller. He had very little features. His straight mousy brown hair hung low on his face almost covering his glistening chestnut eyes. They all had newsy hats on but removed them when they noticed my presence.
"Hi" the small one said, "my name's Les!" he exclaimed with an outstretched hand. I shook it with a smile. "This is my brother, David" he said pointing to the curly, blue eyed one "and this is our friend, Jack" he introduced.
"Hi Les, David, and Jack, I'm Rae." I said as they sat across the aisle from me. Jack waved in my direction before pulling his hat down so it covered his eyes and leaning against the window.
"Where do you get off?" Les inquired while putting his feet in the aisle so he faced me.
"Grand Central," I answer, mirroring his position.
"That's where we get off too. Are you from Manhattan?" David asked, joining our conversation.
"No, I'm from Philadelphia. I'm running away at the moment . . ." I trailed off, wondering if I should trust people that I just met.
"What are you running from?" Les asked me, looking concerned but David kicked him in the shin to shut him up. I gave him a wary but thankful smile.
"Do you guys know of anywhere I could stay?" I asked and Jack gave up on trying to sleep.
"You could stay with Medda." Jack offered.
"Who?" I asked but felt stupid because Les and David had nodded eagerly at his suggestion and I didn't even know who they were talking about.
"She's a friend of ours and owns a place we like to hang out at." He explained and handed me a flyer. There was a picture of a beautiful woman with auburn hair and blue eyes, on a stage, with a gorgeous dress. I gawked at the backup dancers and colorful lights; wishing I could be doing that. It's been my dream to be on stage, not to be famous but to have fun and make people happy.
"Oh wow, do you think she's hiring? It's my dream to be on stage." I asked Jack after coming out of my daydream.
"I'm sure she'd have to consider a beautiful girl like you." Jack flirted but was quickly stop by David who elbowed him in the ribs and whisper-yelled "You're dating my sister!"
I felt awkward so I thanked them and went back to sleep in an uncomfortable up-right position.
Once again, when I awoke, we were at a new station but this time I had Les almost in my lap screaming,
"Rae! Rae, wake up! We're here!"
"I'm up, Les." I mumbled and stood to grab my bag but found it was already on the floor next to a antsy Les, a groggy Jack, and a smiling but indifferent David. I picked it up, tossed it over my shoulder and hiked up my skirt to walk down the steep steps in my heels. I got an odd look from a man, who had tried to help me down the stairs, when I ignored him and jumped down from the second-to-last step. I walked expeditiously in front of the boys to get to the large staircase the lead up to the street.
I gasped when we reached the street level. I had been to NYC when I was young with my aunt many times because she was on Broadway before she died, but the city that never sleeps never ceased to amaze me.
The boys lead me up 5th Avenue and through Central park to the Newsies' Lodging House at W 96th and Broadway. Here, Jack ran inside saying he was too tired and handed me off to a boy he called Racetrack. David and Les had to go home as well, so Racetrack walked with me down Broadway to Medda's. Race was a smart-mouthed Italian boy with, what looked to be, the softest mocha hair I'd ever seen ,that he often ran his hands through, and big black-coffee-colored eyes that sparkled with mischief. He also had a cigar in his hand that I eyed with wanting. We walked silently until I spoke up,
"Race, got anymore cigars?" I asked him pathetically because I hadn't had a smoke in, seemingly, forever.
He almost laughed before digging into a pocket inside his jacket. He pulled out a cigar and gave it to me. I placed it in my mouth and without my having to ask; he pulled out a match as well and lit my cigar. I giggled, "Thanks," I smiled up at him.
He was about to reply when we arrived outside of Medda's. He knocked and the woman I had seen on Jack's flyer appeared at the door. She ushered us inside to escape the cold on night.
"Racetrack, would you like to introduce me to your friend?" She asked though it wasn't really a question.
"Yes ma'am, this is Rae. Cowboy, Davey, and Les met her on the train." Race informed her and then added, "She needs a place to stay a– "
I cut him off, "and ma'am, if there's an opening, I'd like to inquire about a job as well." I said bashfully even though that trait was nowhere near my usual self.
"I can certainly find room for Miss Rae." She then turned toward Race, "Thank you for bringing her but it's late and I believe you have papes to sell tomorrow." She finished in a motherly tone. Racetrack nodded at us both and put his hat back on his head to walk into the night.
I was then let alone with Medda and she smiled down at me. "Thank you so much!" I squealed and put out my cigar to hug her.
"It's no problem at all and I actually need a new dancer because my best quit yesterday." She smiled at me and continued, "But you probably won't be able to sleep here for very long. All I have besides my bed is a couch which you will have to sleep on." Her smile turned apologetic as she informed me of this.
"A couch is perfectly fine until I can find other arrangements." I assured her.
"Well dear, I know it's late and you must be tired, but the girls are on stage now practicing for tomorrow night's show and you have to learn it." I thought she was kidding but her face showed no such emotion and I quickly made my way to the stage and tried to follow along with the other girls.