Polio : "a Crutchie story"
disclaimer : I do not own Newsies
please feel free to leave a review this is my first story ever !
Chapter 1 " Alone "
"Mama what's wrong? Can I get you some water? You're burning up with fever…" Crutchie said as he leaned over his mother, shaking her awake.
You see, Crutchie's father had left him and now as a result he was the one staying up late into the night trying to do anything to get his mother back to health. Crutchie felt a soft brush on his shoulder as his mother Mumbled her reply. "What? Where am I…. what- what's going on? Why is the room spinning?"
"Don't worry…." Crutchie said as he paused waiting for what to say next "It's ok you're safe, I'll take care of you." Replying he sat down in his mother's rocking chair. He too felt that the room was spinning not because he had a fever but because he had an awful feeling that his mother might not make it through the night.
The next morning Crutchie awoke to a quiet room. He didn't smell the fresh sweet scent of warm pancakes. Nor did he hear the beautiful sound of the chirping birds outside. Instead there was just a sense of quiet and calm , a calm that puts a knot in your stomach. A sense of calm that when you feel it, you no something is wrong! Then slowly Crutchie got up out of the chair and walked over to his sickly mother. She awoke but she wasn't the same as last night. No! She was far worse, and with her last breath she told Crutchie that she loved him and that it wasn't his fault and, it was her time. So she closed her eyes, and fell into her deep eternal sleep. A tear ran down Crutchie's' face as he pulled the blanket over her trying to stay strong.
A few weeks later Crutchie found himself on the corner of William Street, and Duane Street. Ahead Crutchie saw a building about 7 stories high and noticed a sign that was slanted slightly toward the ground. It said "NEWS BOYS LODGING HOUSE." Crutchie paused for a minute, before walking forward to take in the busy bustling street. Crutchie took another step and continued until he entered the building and Once in the building, Crutchie noticed a small wooden desk surrounded by medal railing, and to his left a tall boy around the age of 17 waiting for his turn to talk to the superintendent . When The tall boy smiled at Crutchie, then noticing how nervous he was the tall boy decided to introduced himself,
"Hi the name's Jack Kelly, So, what's your name kid?" He asked with a kind grin on his face "My-My names Crutchie"
He said as he looked up meekly. The superintendent who went by the Name of Mr. Kloppman entered when jack asked for a room to stay in for the night and if he could have a key for the wash room, hence he had a rough day of selling pape's. Mr. Kloppman handed him the two keys and said in a deep growling voice "You're room will be up two floors and the third door down you can pick a bed in the fourth section if you like . '' Crutchie watched Jack walk off without him; he felt a deep ache because since his mother's death Jack was the only one who seemed to give him the time of day. Crutchie's thoughts were interrupted when Mr. Kloppman waved his hand in front of his face and asked. "Hi, so do you have a name?" When Crutchie realized that the Old man was talking to him he told the Man his name and also asked "Is there a place where I can sleep, and is the Mess hall still open? "yep sure Is." Replied the old Man " Here is your key .If you continue up the those stairs and turn right you will see a door with a sign that reads wash room. I expect you to wash up before your super and I also expect that there will be no chewing of any Tobacco if you need anything else please ask one of the boys.
Crutchie looked at the man and nodded turning around and carrying himself dreadfully up the small staircase and turning right he entered the wash room and quickly washed the grime off his face., when jack walked into the room and startled Crutchie as he asked. "So Crutchie, has you had super yet? If not do you wana go down to the Hall with me I can maybe in-ro-duce you to someone."
"Yeah sure that be great." Crutchie replied as he walked out of the wash room and down the stairs with Jack .
Once the two boys had entered the mess hall Crutchie whispered to jack and asked "Jack.. Why are there so many boys here do you all live here?'' Jack looked around at the room that was filled with hundreds of boys and slowly replied "Wells yeah.. I guess we's do." Crutchie nodded and before he could ask jack another question, a small boy with black short hair entered the hall and shouted "Hey jack so's do you know where I can get myself a good Cigar?"
"Sorry Race ... Well actually if you go to the white way then's maybe you could find someone to still anoder off of. "
"Ok thanks. '' Race said as he took a double take at Crutchie " Hi so what's your name ?"
"My names Crutchie."
"Aww ,crutchie is it'' but you don't seem crippled " Race rubbed his head in confusion as he looked Crutchie up and down .
" I knows , But My muder used to call me it when I was little and I hurt my leg I guess It just kinda stuck ."
"oh ok I see well lets hope you don't ever really need that sort of a name. '' Race said as he walked out of the mess hall .
OK thanks for reading! ( please send reviews ) I'd love to know if you guys would want me to continue .