My first days in Manhattan went by surprisingly quickly. Before I knew it, I'd been with the Learys for around two months. I felt confident enough to wander around our borough with ease. I loved the mornings the best when the vendors began to sell their wares and the streets went from empty and silent to bustling and loud.
I had time to myself early in the mornings and late in the afternoons. My tasks ranged from looking after Nelly, to fixing the shop and looking after customers. The Learys were a cheerful family for the most part and as business picked up, Mr. Leary became even more jovial than I remembered him from our first meeting.
I had resolved to visit Mama and Eliza every month. I left the house at dawn, and would reach Brooklyn by early morning if I walked fairly quickly. They were looking well and even though I missed them terribly, I was glad they didn't have me to worry about. Eliza and I sent each other letters almost weekly to keep in touch.
I was sitting in my room reading through my letters when Molly bounded in. Her face was flushed and it was obvious to see that she couldn't wait to tell me something.
"Who on earth let you in?"
"Haha. I have something of interest." She gestured to a piece of paper in her hand. "Let me read this." She threw herself onto my bed with an "Ooof. Alright. It says here.
The Congress Theater Cordially invites the Young Ladies and Gentlemen of Manhattan To A Show Featuring our Lovely Medda Harper. June 23rd. From the hours of eight o'clock to ten o'clock. Tickets 0. 10.
She looked up and grinned. "Well?" She said excitably "Tell me you can go." She thrust the bill in my hands. I grabbed it and said,
"I. I don't know. I mean, I've never asked the Learys if I can stay out for things like this."
"But, you want to go. Right?"
"Well, yes I do."
"Sneak out," she said as she gestured to the window.
"I can't risk it. They might be so angry that they'll kick me out. I'm going to have to ask them."
"Well, then. It's settled!" Molly bounded off the bed and pointed her finger at me. " All you got to do is convince the Learys to let you go." She clasped her hands together and walked around the room dreamily. " Oh, it's going to be great fun. I promise! And if you haven't met the newsies of Manhattan, you haven't met anybody. I mean Racetrack. All the girls love him. And Kid Blink, I've met him and can't forget Jack Kelly of course. And..."
"Wait. That last name sounded familiar."
"What? Oh, don't tell me you've met the great Manhattan newsie leader already," Molly scoffed as she put her hands on her hips. I felt my stomach drop. What?
"There's nothing to be jealous about," I said weakly. Molly rolled her eyes at this but let me continue in a small voice. "He's. I'm quite sure, the one who was accused of stealing my coin purse." Molly's mouth rounded in surprise.
"I'd hate to be in your shoes."
"My first day in Manhattan and I make the leader of Manhattan out to be a thief!" I groaned and fell onto my bed. "I can't go to that theater. He'll set all the newsies of Manhattan on me."
"No. You can't say thaaat! I'm sure he's forgotten by now. He won't even remember you, I'm sure. Look. At least try to get permission from the Learys and then decide...How 'bout it?" I frowned and shook my head vehemently. She continued hopefully, "Well, I suppose you could, say, I don't know, arrange to bump into him and apologize. Maybe meet him at the Newsie Lodging House and strike up a conversation?"
"Oh, Molly. That's a terrible idea. I tried to apologize last time. I really did but that git just walked off." She sat on the bed dejectedly. I sighed, sat up and said, "Alright, I'll talk to the Learys and then decide." She gave a happy squeal and jumped up and hugged me.
"Tell them you'll walk home with me and one of me brothers. D'you have any errands to run?"
"A bit, yes. I have to take Nelly to her aunts and deliver packages for some customers."
"Why aren't you ever free?"
"I am," I laughed, "But then you're always busy."
"Argh. I should be off anyway. Can I jump out your window?" I laughed and said,
"Sure. Try it." She went over and jumped feet-first onto the ground below.
"Not even a scratch!" She waved good-bye and left.
My first task was taking Nelly to her aunts. Carrying a bulky basket full of packages and a squirming child wasn't my idea of fun so dropping Nelly off was a bit of a relief. My next task, or I should say, tasks were to deliver packages to customers who'd asked for delivery. There weren't many. The Learys only provided the service to those who were very old or very sick. Once, I delivered the last package to Patrick O'Conner on Second St. with the broken leg, I tucked the wicker basket underneath my arm and set on home. Dusk was falling and getting caught on the streets of Manhattan at night was the last thing I wanted to do.
As I passed by Main St., a sign on a building that read, Manhattan Lodge House caught my eye. I stopped and looked around. I started thinking about what Molly had said earlier. Bump into him. So I swallowed my pride and walked back in the direction of the Lodge House. I passed by once and then twice to survey the entrance. There didn't seem to be anyone there.
I stepped up to the front and peeked in. I saw a wooden counter much like the one at the grocery and a staircase leading to a top floor. There was no one in the front but I heard murmurs from upstairs and dull thuds. A ledger sitting on the counter caught my attention. Being nosy and wondering if it would reveal anything about Jack's whereabouts, I went over and flipped through the pages. Before I could fully absorb the information or even make out the spidery writing, the book was suddenly closed. I yanked my hand away seconds before my fingers were slammed. I looked in surprise up to see a smirk on a boy's face only inches away. Then his face grew serious.
"Koppelman ain't here. State yer business." He lit a cigar and leaned on the counter.
"Um," I said dumbly, wondering who was Koppelman and if I should ask this boy where Jack was. I decided to go through with it. "I want Jack Kelly. Its of the utmost importance." He snorted and said,
"You and tha rest of the goils in Manhattan." Suddenly someone else bounded down the stairs. The boy waved him over. He said, grinning all the while,
"Hey, Mush. Come 'ere. This is rich. This girl thinks she wants Jack. Now, I don't know about ya, Mush, but in a choice between Racetrack Higgins and Jack Kelly I think I would 'ave the final pick. Now tell me, tell me that ain't true." Mush chuckled. I groaned.
"You know exactly what I meant," I snapped. "I'll see myself out, thank you." I left Racetrack Higgins smirking by the counter but Mush bounded after me, took off his cap and put out his hand. I shook it.
"Mush. Nice t'a meet ya"
"Katie Morgan. Same to you." So my gamble had been an utter failure. Walking home, I fumed thinking that this Racetrack was likely to relate the story to Jack. And of course I had given them my real name. I was rather vexed with myself the rest of the way home.
Quick Note: I'll try to update fairly soon. I do have some of the story typed out but need to edit and fix a few things here and there. I am rather slow at this process, I'll admit :p
