Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies.

If you were to ask me what I was doing back, I wouldn't have been able to give you a straight answer. Why did I go to New York again? Why did I willingly walk through the cold, cobblestone streets, shuddering at the thought of running into the old ghosts that haunted me? Well, the proper answer would be this: I was visiting a friend in Maine, and taking two trains was a lot easier. The first one happened to stop there. But perhaps it was something more. Maybe it was to say goodbye. New York was such a big chapter of my life. Eighteen years there, and it seemed to be a story without end. Maybe it was my closure. Maybe it was what I needed. Maybe it didn't matter. Even as I look back on this, I don't know. Either way, it was not what I initially planned. It's just how it happened. Besides, my trip wasn't that long. One night and that was all. The second train was scheduled to leave the next morning. It's amazing just how much happened in twenty-four hours.

I wandered around. I didn't know where I was going, I just walked. I still knew the city well. I knew I wouldn't get lost, and that even if I did, I could just ask for directions. The gloomy sky above and the towering buildings flashed by like a moving picture film. I didn't look at the people I passed by, but I knew they were there, the colors of their clothes and faces blurred by me. Everything looked so familiar, but that was only a trick. New York had changed. I had changed. We weren't connected anymore. Honestly, I didn't really care. While I felt that I should've, I just didn't.

I stopped in front of the old Lodging House. It looked the exact same as before, but the inside probably wasn't. It felt so much different. It used to be my place, my home. But I saw in then and knew that I was merely an outsider, not a part of it anymore. I don't feel sad about that, that idea just seems to cross my mind.

"Jack?" a voice called out, breaking my thoughts.

It sounded familiar. I knew that person. "Dutchy?" It was him. And he wasn't alone. The little blonde boy had Pie-Eater and Snoddy at his side. We exchanged hugs. It felt weird and out of place after so many years apart, but it was definitely more appropriate for the situation. A handshake would've just been too formal, and a spit shake would've had the opposite problem. We were too old for that.

"You're going for a visit?" Pie-Eater asked, motioning to the Lodging House.

"Oh, no. I was just walking around and I happened to pass by." I figured that most of the people I knew were probably gone anyway. Oh the memories. Of sleeping with dozens of smelly boys around me, and the hustle of waking up in the morning, and playing poker with Racetrack. The bum. The gambling, wisecracking, horseracing-obsessed, swindling, bum. And of course one of my good old friends. I wondered what was going on with him, and what happened to Mr. Kloppman. For all I knew, he could be dead. He was so old the last time I was there, in his seventies I could tell, even though he refused to tell us his age.

"Ah. We were just heading off to lunch. You want to join us?"

"No, I wouldn't want to get in the way of your plans." I knew that it would be awkward. I hadn't seen or talked to them for seven whole years. And I didn't want to interrupt their day out.

But then they insisted I join them. I was actually hungry, and catching up with them did seem good. Of course I was hesitant and had my doubts, but eventually agreed.

"Aw come on, Jack," Snoddy whined.

"Okay, okay."

The four of us set off for Tibby's.

Tibby's looked exactly the same as it always did, but the waiters that once looked familiar were either much older or weren't there anymore. Time passes after all. I thought, How long ago did we last come here together? When was the last time I came at all? It was probably a week or two before going to Santa Fe, so I must've been around eighteen. That seemed like a lifetime ago.

"How have you been?" Snoddy asked.

"Good I guess." I didn't know what to say. I left. I wouldn't want them to think my life was that much better without them. Truth be told, I really did like Santa Fe. The farm life suited me well, and I met some nice people. But it wasn't perfect, and definitely different from what I was used to. It wouldn't be lying to say that some things in my life weren't so great, but overall, I was happy there. Maybe I was just overthinking everything. My response didn't matter much I bet. "What's going on with you guys?"

"Nothing much. We work in a textile factory," Snoddy replied.

"What about the others?"

Dutchy answered my question. "Everyone is still in the city. Boots and Les are newsies, David works for the Sun and he lives with Crutchy. I think everyone else works in factories like us. Except for Specs, he moved to the country. I think Spot left too. No one's seen him in ages. It's like he disappeared."

"And the Delancey brothers?"

"Surprisingly, they're actually okay. They both got married and have kids. I haven't seen Morris in a while, but Oscar's still around. I say hi to him on the street."

"Really? They're nice?"

"Yeah," Snoddy confirmed. "He doesn't mess with anyone anymore."

"Interesting." It was kind of odd, thinking of the Delancey brothers in a way that didn't involve them beating someone up.

We continued to talk as we ate. When we finished our food, Mush walked out from the back. "Hey guys."

"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you," Dutchy added. "Mush works here." That really surprised me. "He's a waiter."

That was obvious. He was carrying a tray of drinks (for a different table.) He finished up with that and joined us. "Wow. Jack Kelly. It's really Jack Kelly! Haven't seen you here in a long time."

"Yeah, it's nice to see you."

"You know, my shift is over, and I'm going to visit David and Crutchy. Do you want to come with me?"

"Um…Sure."

Author's Note: I finished this story, but it's cringy and needs some serious editing, so this is probably all there is. Hopefully you enjoyed this little part at least.