I couldn't sleep that night, and that wasn't only because of the fact I was in a room full of snoring boys, I had a lot on my mind. I wondered if mom was truly worried or not. I wondered if anyone would continue to feed my precious Persian, Foofie. I wondered if dad would just tell everyone I'd died in a fire, like he had when Anthony ran away.
I felt a sharp pain in my leg interrupting my trail of thought as my bunkmate, Birdy, kicked me in the leg in her sleep. I whimpered as I pulled it up to my chest and cradled it.
This was a bad idea.
--
I awoke the next morning to the sound of Kloppman screaming at the top of his lungs.
"GET UP! GET UP! C'mon boys, lets go!" He called smacking and pushing boys as he made his way down the isles.
I grunted and turned onto my side where I was met face to face with Birdy. Her face lit up and a cheery smile crossed her face.
"G'morning!" She chirped.
I sighed and hulled my aching body out from under the scratchy covers. I began reaching for a skirt in my open trunk but I was stopped by the sound of Echo's voice.
"You can't wear dat!" She cried slamming the luggage shut. "You'se gotta dress like a newsie."
"And wear a raggedy old dress?!" I said in horror, "No way!"
Echo laughed and slapped me on the back.
"Nah, you'se need a pair of knickers and some suspenders!"
Pants? I have to wear pants?!
"Wha…" I struggled for something to say as a pair of baggy brown trousers hit me in the face.
"Just wear em wid one of my shirts for now. We could help you pick out s'more button-ups in town, you look like you'se got da cash. I think Snoddy just grew out of an ol pair of suspenders he's been tryin to get rid of. . . Hey, Snoddy!"
I'd never seen anyone talk so much in my life.
Getting ready in a giant smelly bunkroom full of rambunctious boys wasn't as nerve-wracking as asking a slimy old man to sell you newspapers. I found my new life just kept getting worse.
"What'll it be, Princess." The creep teased as he flashed me a dirty smile. I could hardly look at him as I found myself trying to keep my breakfast of half a cup of coffee and a roll down.
"Ask for a hundred. Headlines are swell taday." Jack Kelly instructed in my ear.
I nodded, "100 newspapers please, sir." I set a dollar bill thoughtfully onto the counter as 'Weasel' shook his head.
"Don't got much change. I could pay you back, that is, if I even see you here again."
I nodded once more.
"A decent proposal." I concluded. I picked up my papers and scurried down the wood steps.
"A decent proposal." Jack mimicked in a squeaky voice, "You don't need ta be nice ta 'im. He's just a grubby adult ya know."
"We must show respect for adults, but Wease is an acceptation." Birdy ensured me with a kind smile. "Will you need any assistance selling?"
"Yes!" I exclaimed. I had no idea where to begin.
Jack smirked and put his free hand into his pocket, "I can teach ya for free."
"What do you mean 'for free'?"
By now a small crowd had gathered. I noticed this happened a lot when someone began to ask questions.
"Well, ya made Davey split the profit." Mush said.
"Davey?" I questioned.
"Some kid from awhile ago. He's gone back to school now." Jack told me.
An uncomfterble silence fell all around.
"I think da harbor is an easy place to start sellin papes." Echo suggested as she swung an arm around me.
If 'da harbor' was considered an easy location to sell my newspapers, then I couldn't imagine how hard it must be to sell in other parts of the city. For example, I had to scream ridiculous things at the top of my lungs and you have no idea how self-conscious I am. Then I have to try and act injured or poor for sympathy and I was neither of those things. At last, I have to walk how ever many miles back to some cheap restaurant called "Tibby's" to buy a greasy sandwich and a flat glass of soda. After all the horrors of the poor New York city streets I hadn't had much of an appetite; but I needed energy and the food still smelt good.
"You look thin for a former rich girl." Birdy teased taking a bite of her pig in a blanket. I couldn't help but notice her own perfect body size. She wasn't skinny, but oh, not fat. She had just the right size and curve. And she had that long curly gold hair… Why weren't the boys all over her?
"I don't feel the need to indulge ever." I stated taking a tiny bite of sandwich. I swallowed. "Well I see you know my background well, what about yours?"
Birdy shifted in her seat uncomfortably. She leaned inward towards me.
"Can you keep a secret?" She whispered nervously.
"Of course."
She glanced back over her shoulder at Echo who was stuffing her face at the moment. "Elizabeth Geringer. It's a pleasure to meet you, Angela Kennedy."
I gasped, "The mayors daughter?"
She nodded.
"Your life was perfect! I envied you… Why did you leave?!" I spat questions left and right at the poor girl.
"Oh my life was far from perfect. It was just too boring. I was pretty sick of life as the mayor's daughter, being forced to attend stiff and boring society events, and forced to find a rich husband. I love my father, but he couldn't really change how things were. Besides, I never got the courage to tell him that I hated it. Eventually, My father decided I needed a proper education as I was sent to a boarding school and became very lonely and sad. All of the girls there were brats. One day, I met up with Echo on the street, whom I had met years before at an orphanage. I found out she was plotting something big. Shes always hated the orphanage she was confined to and she had finally decided to do something about it. She was going to run away to the lodging house and invited me along. I felt horrible when I accepted it, my poor father was probably heartbroken but he just didn't understand my need for freedom and expression…" Birdy fell silent and I placed my hand over hers for comfort. She looked up and smiled at me. "You probably left for a more decent reason, didn't you?"
"Not exactly…" I mumbled. She gave me this curious look and I figured I had to tell her why I came. "My mom wasn't so friendly." I started, "She never seemed to care about my opinion on things. She bought all my dresses and made all my decisions for me. I hadn't really known it was unfair at first, it was what I'd always known. But when my brother and I turned 10 together, he'd run away in the night and I never saw him since. I remember, before that he'd complain about how he wanted to do things for himself.
"After he left… I felt empty. My twin was like a part of me, and I could only take so much more of my mother. Especially when she'd told my poor father to tell people he had died in a fire while visiting relatives out of state. When I met Echo I wanted to go. But I was so scared. I'm always too scared, but I made myself go."
Birdy's mouth opened but she didn't say anything as we were both grabbed up by the sleeves.
"Lets go ladies." Echo said pulling us out of our booth. For a tiny girl, she was sure strong. She grinned and put her arms around the two of us. "I can't wait until the evening edition tonight!"
I groaned and Birdy rolled her eyes.
Welcome to your new life!