A.N. This is set in Manhattan in 1918. As a historical note, this is during WWI. America entered the war in 1917, so this is a country at war. Enjoy! -Pippin.
The girl sat in the kitchen of the small four-room apartment, waiting. Waiting for her uncles, but also from any news from her parents—both were off to war, her mother as a nurse, her father as a soldier.
Caroline Kelly was a fouteen-year-old girl with deep, soulful blue eyes and her father's dirty blond hair. People who didn't know her assumed she was more like her mother, Sarah-a soft-spoken creature who mostly fought behind the scenes. But those who did know her knew she took after her firey-tempered father heart and soul.
Caroline brushed her hair out of her face. Mostly it was past her shoulders, but she had shorter side pieces that brushed her chin and always got in her eyes.
A knock on the door made her jump. She went to open it, and beamed at the sight of her two uncles, Dave and Les.
"any news from Jack or Sarah?" aked Les, a handsome 28-year-old young man,
"No, I ain't heard nothin' recently from Momma or Poppa," Caroline replied sadly. "So, what amazin' place we off to today?"
"A reunion, of sorts," Dave said. "A bunch of us who worked together-the strikers. God knows they're going to miss your poppa, though. he was our leader. So, are you ready? We're going to Tibby's. It's where we ate as newsies."
Caroline scrawled something on a piece of paper, and held it up for her uncles to see: "Letters or telegrams to Caroline Kelly at Tibby's Diner."
Caroline, Dave, and Les walked slowly though Manhattan. When they arrived at the diner they stood outside for a moment, watching the mess of men, women, and children inside.
"David and Les!" A tall blonde man with a patch over one eye appeared in front of the trio. He pulled at Dave and Les, leading them away from Caroline. David shot Caroline an apologetic glance over one shoulder as he was led away.
Caroline stood alone for a moment. Then she muttered, "Ready or not, here I come," pushed open the doors, and walked inside.