Title: The Book of Life

Author: sabor ice

Summary: 26 newsies. 26 emotions/feelings/attitudes of life. 26 stories.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, but I do own this story.

Author's Note: Please read and review. Thanks!

One: Adultery

Pie Eater noticed his left shoe was untied for the second time. Why he had such trouble keeping them tied was behind him. Perhaps it was because they were beginning to fall apart. He couldn't afford new ones, though, so the young man made due with what he had. He reached up and removed his dark gray cap; his forearm swiped over his slightly sweaty forehead. Sighing, he knelt on one knee, setting his pile of papers on the ground beside him. He used his hands to push the papers together until they were in a neat pile. He set his cap on top of them, before proceeding to tie his shoe. Suddenly, the shadow of another person appeared over the top of his papers. The young man raised his head and squinted, as now he was blinded by the sun. He picked up his hat and replaced it on his head. When he realized the person before him was a woman, he quickly stood up. She chuckled lightly at his action.

"Excuse me, miss. I's didn't mean to be in the way of your walkin'," Pie Eater said.

The woman was young, perhaps twenty or twenty-one. She was nearly as tall as him, but still quite petite. Her fair face was highlighted by her rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes. Her hair was the color of wheat, and prettily done up and tucked under her white and blue hat. She was dressed in a finely tailored dress, with a matching light blue handbag and gloves. Pie Eater gulped quietly, knowing just by looking at her that she must have been wealthy.

"Are those your newspapers to sell?" she wondered, the tone in her voice light and flirty.

The dark-haired newsie's mouth was slightly agape as his lips tried to form the words he wanted to say.

"Y-y-yes," he finally answered, then lowered his head slightly as he felt himself blush.

The woman kept her intense blue gaze on him. Her sweet lips curved upward into a smile. He watched out of the corner of his eye as she reached into her bag for her coin purse. Her slender fingers opened it, retrieved a silver coin, and offered it to him.

"I'd like to buy a paper, please, young man," she said.

"Very good, miss," Pie Eater replied.

He quickly bent over to collect his papers off the ground. Once he had them, he took out one paper for her, before slinging to rest over his shoulder. She watched him curiously; he finally managed to raise his shy, brown gaze to meet hers. He glanced from her to the coin she held out for him.

"Well, what's the matter?" the young woman wondered.

"That's a dime. It's too much for just one pape," he noted.

She laughed flirtatiously and shrugged.

"I know. But, let's pretend I didn't notice," the young woman answered, with a wink.

Pie Eater shook his head slightly and held out the paper for her.

"One nickel, please, miss," the newsie said.

The pretty woman watched him a few moments, amazed. She had never met an honest newsie before. She was offering him more money than his paper was worth, and he refused it. Slowly, a smile formed on her lips again; she tucked the dime back into her coin purse. Pie Eater silently wanted to kick himself, thinking he had offended her and now she didn't want a paper at all. His eyes curiously looked back at her to see what she was going to do next.

"What's your name?" she inquired, after putting her coin purse back into her bag.

"My name?" he repeated, then replied: "Pie Eater."

"Pie Eater?" the woman mused, with an amused chuckle. "Well, Pie Eater, my name is Roseanna, Rose for short."

The newsie watched as she extended her hand out to him. Her gloves were light blue in color, and very clean. He glanced down at his hand; it was quite dirty. He looked at her apologetically; he didn't want to soil her glove with his filthy hand.

"Well," Rose added, and folded her hands in front of her torso. "Would you mind walking me back to my apartment? It isn't far. And, I promise to make it worth your while."

"All right," Pie Eater responded, nervously.

He folded the single paper he had been holding and placed it over the others on his left shoulder. As they turned to begin walking, Rose slipped her arm into his. Pie Eater couldn't believe that someone like her would want to be seen walking with someone like him. He wasn't going to complain, though. Rose was a gorgeous lady.

Once they reached the next street over, Pie Eater could tell she must've lived in this neighborhood somewhere. The houses weren't as shabby and much taller. They stopped in front of a tall, brick building - one that mirrored all the buildings around it. It was an apartment building - a very nice apartment building. The dark-haired newsie finally managed to pull his gaze away from the fine home, and looked back at her.

"Won't you come up?" Rose asked, politely, as she began to walk up the stairs.

Before Pie Eater had the chance to answer, she had all ready disappeared inside. He glanced around to make sure no one was watching. The last thing he needed was to be caught entering such a fine building and being arrested. He blew out a deep sigh and reluctantly followed the young woman into the building. He didn't notice when she took him by the hand and led him up the stairs. She took out the key for her apartment from her bag and opened the door; she left it open for Pie Eater. After a few moments, he went inside and closed the door behind him. The apartment was rather large and nicely furnished. The newsie kept watching his step, not wanting to ruin the carpets. Rose walked over to a closet to put away her coat and hat. She glanced over her shoulder at him.

"So, how old are you, Pie Eater?" she asked.

"Nearly nineteen," he answered, walking along the wooden part of the floor to get where she was across the room. "Do yous live here alone?"

Rose was silent a moment; she finally smiled.

"Of course," she replied, quietly. "Make yourself at home. There should be some tea cakes left on the table. Help yourself. I'll be right back."

The young man's brown eyes followed her as she disappeared into the other room. He blew out another deep sigh as he set his papers down on the arm of a couch. He scratched the back of his neck as he looked around again, before going to sit down in the chair across from the coffee table.

"Nice place yous got here," he said.

Something caught his attention as he glanced over at the fireplace. Furrowing his dark brows, he walked over and inspected the mantlepiece. He picked up the smoking pipe that lay there. Why would she have a smoking pipe? He turned his head towards the direction of the room she had went into.

"Are yous sure yous live alone?" he asked.

"Of course, silly," came the reply. "Make yourself comfortable; I'll be right out!"

Looking at the pipe again, Pie Eater finally shrugged and set it back down. Walking over to the couch this time, he sat down on it. He bounced in place a couple of times; it was nice and soft. He smiled to himself as he reached out for one of the tiny cakes on the plate on the table. He couldn't wait to tell the others about his day. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Just as he finished the tasty, little cake, he heard the door open. He raised his gaze to see Rose standing there in a rather revealing night shift. His mouth fell agape, and he was unable to tear his eyes away from the beautiful sight. She began to slowly move her way across the living room towards him. Her wavy, blond hair fell in waves down her back. Her make-up had been removed, but she was still pretty.

"Do you like me?" Rose asked, in a seductive tone of voice.

Pie Eater could only nod his head yes as he continued to watch her. She moved over to where he was on the couch. He leaned back as she crawled onto his lap and straddled him with her slender legs. Her hands moved up his broad chest and over his shoulders. She pushed his hat from his head; her slender fingers gently tangled through his short, dark brown hair. Her free hand roamed down his chest again, and continued downwards until she found his most sensitive spot. Pie Eater groaned; his hands moved to caress her soft, white legs. Rose pressed her lips to his in a fierce kiss; he responded with equal intensity.

Suddenly, a loud knock was heard on the front door, causing the two to gasp and lift their heads towards it. The handle started shaking as well, and the deep, loud voice of a man was heard shouting from the other side.

"Oh, no! My husband!" Rose gasped, as she rolled off the young man in front of her.

"You're husband?!" Pie Eater exclaimed. "I thought yous said yous lived alone!"

"I lied!" she replied as she went to retrieve her house-coat.

She turned around and made a shooing gesture with her arms. He buttoned the top of his yellow-stripped shirt and pulled his suspenders back up.

"You've got to get out of here! He'll kill you if he finds you!" she replied.

Pie Eater quickly retrieved his papers from the arm of the couch. He followed her as she led him to the nearby window. There was a fire escape. He opened the window and climbed out.

"Your hat!" Rose exclaimed in a hushed voice.

She retrieved it off the floor behind the couch and rushed over to him where he was all ready half-way out the window. He took it from her, and he smiled. She couldn't help but smile back, and leaned inward to kiss him once.

"Now get out of here!" Rose said.

He replaced his hat on his head and tipped it to her.

"Thank you, miss," the newsie answered.

He climbed the rest of the way out the window and hastily made his way down the fire escape. Once he hit the bottom, he raced out of there as quickly as he could. Pie Eater hadn't made a nickel yet today, but he still felt like the wealthiest guy in New York.

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