Here is the epilogue to this story! It takes place five months after the previous chapter.
I hope you enjoyed the story :)
o O o O o O o O o
"I just wanna tell you know, we're publishin' your article."
David sat up straight in the chair. Had he heard right? He hadn't been able to get many of his articles published in the town paper since he and Jack had come to Santa Fe. He was initially hired as an editor, but David also wanted to report. So far, most of his articles had been rejected for being too "East Coast" and uptight. Since writers for this Santa Fe newspaper got paid by the article, David hadn't been making much money lately.
"Thank you." David said.
Mr. Pierce smiled warmly at the teenager and handed David a check. "Well, it seems you've lost yer uptight way of writin'. That's what we were waitin' for from you. We knew you were good at writin'; we just knew you could be better. And this is it."
As David left the newspaper office, he started whistling. Some of the townfolk waved at him as he past them, and he waved back. He liked it here. He was more free, safer, and could do whatever he wanted. He lived how he wanted, and although David and Jack said they were friends who lived together, no one judged them. They figured that someday they would move from their apartment when they saved up enough to move even more into the country, maybe a few miles from town.
Santa Fe was definitely a lot different than New York City, but it was a good kind of different. Everything was slower; everyone was more patient. Best of all, Jack and David weren't at the mercy of a corporate captian.
When the two arrived in Santa Fe and went looking for jobs, David had found the job at the small newspaper, and Jack found a job at a diner. It was a good job for him - he was personable and the manager and townspeople liked that. Now that David had loosened up his writing a little, he and Jack both enjoyed their jobs.
No one knew about him and Jack. As far as everyone else in town was concerned, they were looking for "gals." But really, they were happy living on their own. Being able to kiss Jack every morning and night (not to mention do other stuff with him) was amazing.
Despite how happy he was, David missed his family and the other newsies. His family wrote letters to the boys a lot. David's father's arm had healed and he had gone back to work; however, he had found an even better job at another factory that treated its workers and product better. They actually promised Meyer that they wouldn't fire him if he got injured. David's dad was lucky to be there.
When he walked through the door of their small apartment, David found Jack, sitting at the table, leafing through the mail. David joined him at the table. "Anything good?"
Jack handed him an envelope. "It's a letta from da newsies."
David was kind of surprised. Not all of the newsies could write and read, so he wondered how in the world they had gotten a letter written up. But when he opened the envelope and took out the piece of paper, it was clear. The newsies had taken turns writing words and a few sentences. Between bits and pieces of writing he got the message of the letter.
"Peter was put in an insane asylum!" David exclaimed, unable to hold back a smile.
"Good! Dat bastard deserves it." Jack said, grinning too. "Good thing I didn't soak 'im! I wouldnt'a wanted 'im to pass up dis chance of a lifetime!"
Laughing, David handed the letter to Jack, who read it over. "Ya could go back to New Yoik if ya wanted since he's not there anymore." Jack said as he read the letter. "Nothin' would be keepin' you here. I know ya miss your family."
True. He did miss his family. And he could go back if he wanted. But as he looked at Jack, who looked at him curiously, he knew that he was right where he belonged. He stood up, making sure all the windows were covered, walked over to Jack, and planted a kiss on his lips. "I don't think so. I've got a good thing going here. I've got a good job. My new article's actually getting published." At Jack's that's-nice-but-what-about-me smile, he continued. "And, I have a great guy who stuck by me despite how bad things were when we were in New York. And I kind of want to show him my appreciation."
Jack needed no more hints. He stood from his place at the table, and took the hand David held out to him. Together, they walked to the bedroom, shutting the door behind them.