Chapter 7
The next morning was brutal. I had woken up with the worst back sores---from sleeping on the floor. My whole body ached in fact. Trey insisted that I use his bed, but no. I insisted that he NOT insist. I sat up and stretched. I heard my back crack and I know a few of the guys heard it too. Skittery walked up to me, cleanly shaven and dressed in nicely ironed clothes. "Ay," he said, "are you all right?"
I shook my head. "This floor is awful bedding!"
He chuckled. "I hope ya ain't in much pain." He walked out the door as I grabbed the nearest bed to pull myself up.
My hand grabbed a skinny leg. I looked up to see Race. He stood up and went to the bathroom. "I'm…" I stopped myself. I grabbed the bed this time and helped myself up.
Trey came out of the bathroom area. "All clear of nakedness," he proclaimed.
"Oh nuts," I chuckled. He shook his head, walking to his bed. I stretched my arms all the way back and placed the back of my palms on the floor. Then I did a few quick stretches, trying to make the sores vanish.
Jack came from the bathroom area. "Uh, whaddaya doin'?" he inquired.
"Just… trying to… get… some… of these… sores… away," I got out.
He nodded, shrugged, and then walked out the door. I glanced back at Trey. He was sitting on top of his bed, examining me. "Does dat really help?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Not right now it's not," I sighed, getting back up.
Racetrack came from the bathroom and it got me thinking; I wonder if he could give massages. I chuckled. "What?" He glared at me, looking madder than I had seen him before.
I shrugged, walking past him into the bathroom area. "I was just thinking about…"
Before I had even started talking he was out the door and down the stairs. I guess he really is angry. I explained to him though. And I still don't know what to do. John is expecting me back soon. What if he comes here to look for me? He wouldn't. Would he?
I told Trey he didn't have to wait for me. I gave myself a long and needed cleansing. I felt the need to look absolutely beautiful for Racetrack. Maybe he wouldn't be so mad. I guess it wouldn't be right to win his friendship back over with a lot of cleaning and nice clothes. But it's worth a try. It works in books.
I headed out onto the streets, scanning the faces of everyone. I stopped when my eyes met up with a familiar face---Oscar Delancey. He gave me a half smile and walked towards me. "Ay," he said.
"'Ello. How have you been?"
He nodded in reply. "OK. I was just about ta get some breakfast. Ya want sumpin'?"
"Uh, sure." I grinned. "Where do you eat breakfast?"
"Where else?"
I groaned, "'Tibby's'."
He chuckled and shook his head. "Yeah, ya Manhattan pals eat der. But we ain't aloud ta. I usually get a bagel from da Bakery and eat it back on my way to da Distribution Office."
"So what is it with you all anyway? I mean, the Manhattan newsies make it seem like you really reek. And you seem to think that they do. Frankly, I enjoy you and them. So I'm puzzled."
"I'm curious about dat too. But dat's just da way tings are ya know?"
No I didn't. But I nodded, too thoughtless to be thoughtful. We walked to the "Vienna Model Bakery" and I bought the both of us a cream-covered raisin bagel. Oscar said he'd pay me back as soon as possible. We headed out the door and I walked Oscar to the Office. "So you sell here and then go home to Delancey?"
He shook his head. "Morris and I just give da papes to da newsies here. Den we head home and sell da evenin' addition. But sometimes we'll just stay here with Uncle Weisel."
"Ah." I nodded. "Seems like a very costly job."
"It is. We gotta pay ta get around so we don't have ta walk. Carriages only get ya so far ya know?"
We reached the Distribution Office. "Um… do you know Racetrack?" I inquired.
He nodded. "Yeah, he ain't dat bad; Jack's da one who starts all da trouble. How come?"
"Just a spur-of-the-moment question."
"Aight. Well, I hope ya have a good day and maybe I'll see ya lata'."
I grinned. "Definitely before I have to leave," I stated.
"When ya leavin'?" he inquired.
I replied with a deep sigh, "I think maybe tomorrow."
He shook his head. "I'll come see ya den." He half smiled again, walking inside.
I wonder if Racetrack is thinking about me. Although, what does that have to do with anything? Arg. I'm making myself mad. I can't think about him.
The rest of the morning was spent searching for Racetrack. I told myself not to talk to him, but I knew I had to. He just didn't understand still. I had to make everything clear before I left. I wonder what John is doing right now. I bumped into Jack a few minutes after starting my walk. "Ay," he grinned, "you look all polished up."
I smiled back. "Thank you." He tilted his head, looking into my eyes. "Uh, do you know where Racetrack is?" I inquired.
He nodded. "I saw him a little bit, lookin' fa you. I told him dat if I saw you I'd tell ya, so here I am, tellin'," he laughed.
I cracked a smile. "Well thanks." I was all excited. Racetrack was looking for me this time.
I walked the streets a bit more, really looking at things, making sure I wasn't seeing Racetrack and thinking I saw someone else. When I turned a corner we bumped right smack into each other. I shook my head as it throbbed with pain. Racetrack hopped up. "I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed, reaching a hand out to me. I grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry!" he said again.
I cracked a smile. "This is the part where I make fun of you for apologizing too much."
"Ah, da memories," he chuckled.
Silence.
"I've been looking for you," we both said at once.
"I…"
"Go 'head," Racetrack urged.
I shook my head. "I insist that you go."
He looked down at the pavement. "Well," he began, leaning against the street post, "I just wanted ta say dat I unda'stand. And I hope you and John are happy together. But I also want ya ta know dat…" He looked up and cleared his throat. "Uh… I…" He cracked his neck. "I think… no… I know dat… I… I love ya."
I was shocked. In all this time, I realized that John had never said those three special words to me. Ever.
Racetrack went on, "I know dat you probably don't tink da same, but… I will always love ya… but if you love someone else… I'm OK with dat and…"
My heart was racing. I knew I loved Racetrack back, but what about John? Didn't I… Before I could answer anything in my own head, my lips were pressed against Racetrack's. Wait; was he still talking? No, it's my imagination. Or is it?
"And I… I love you and… and I… uh…"
"Shut up." I held tight to his lips for a good minute and then pulled away. Then I hugged him. I just wanted to hold him. I held onto him for a long time and then decided that he was probably loosing a good amount of air. "Sorry," I whispered.
His awed face changed quickly. He smiled. "Nah, no more sorries. I'm OK wit all dat." He chuckled, "I'm really OK wit dat."
I opened my mouth, ready to tell him everything, but I stopped myself.
"What were you gonna say?" he inquired.
What the hell? "I was just going to say that… well… I'm glad you understand now Race."
He grinned. "Well tank God fa dat, but, uh, what about ya fiancée?"
"Well," I began, "I guess I'll have to do something about him."
"What?"
I shrugged. "Hopefully he won't make his way over here and find out without an explanation. I'll have to send him a letter. It won't get to him soon, but it's my only chance."
"What if he does get ova' here? What if you decide ta go back wit him…"
I shook my head. "I've finally realized that I love you too Race." They were the words. Racetrack is the one for me, or else I wouldn't have said them. I gave him a kiss and we walked around, searching for Trey. As we veered a corner, Trey bumped into the two of us "Ugh, all of these corner bumps are definitely scrambling my brain," I sighed. Realizing that we had found Trey, I jumped up, pulling Racetrack up with me. "I've decided to stay here with Race!" I informed. "And you," I added with a wink.
Trey looked confused. "Uh… actually, you have a visitor ova' at da lodgin' house. Jack said he saw him ask Kloppman where you was."
Racetrack sighed, "How did I know?"
Trey put in, "I tink it's ya fiancée."
I took a deep breath and let go of Racetrack's hand. "I'll go talk to him," I stated, "He'll understand."
Read on!
The next morning was brutal. I had woken up with the worst back sores---from sleeping on the floor. My whole body ached in fact. Trey insisted that I use his bed, but no. I insisted that he NOT insist. I sat up and stretched. I heard my back crack and I know a few of the guys heard it too. Skittery walked up to me, cleanly shaven and dressed in nicely ironed clothes. "Ay," he said, "are you all right?"
I shook my head. "This floor is awful bedding!"
He chuckled. "I hope ya ain't in much pain." He walked out the door as I grabbed the nearest bed to pull myself up.
My hand grabbed a skinny leg. I looked up to see Race. He stood up and went to the bathroom. "I'm…" I stopped myself. I grabbed the bed this time and helped myself up.
Trey came out of the bathroom area. "All clear of nakedness," he proclaimed.
"Oh nuts," I chuckled. He shook his head, walking to his bed. I stretched my arms all the way back and placed the back of my palms on the floor. Then I did a few quick stretches, trying to make the sores vanish.
Jack came from the bathroom area. "Uh, whaddaya doin'?" he inquired.
"Just… trying to… get… some… of these… sores… away," I got out.
He nodded, shrugged, and then walked out the door. I glanced back at Trey. He was sitting on top of his bed, examining me. "Does dat really help?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Not right now it's not," I sighed, getting back up.
Racetrack came from the bathroom and it got me thinking; I wonder if he could give massages. I chuckled. "What?" He glared at me, looking madder than I had seen him before.
I shrugged, walking past him into the bathroom area. "I was just thinking about…"
Before I had even started talking he was out the door and down the stairs. I guess he really is angry. I explained to him though. And I still don't know what to do. John is expecting me back soon. What if he comes here to look for me? He wouldn't. Would he?
I told Trey he didn't have to wait for me. I gave myself a long and needed cleansing. I felt the need to look absolutely beautiful for Racetrack. Maybe he wouldn't be so mad. I guess it wouldn't be right to win his friendship back over with a lot of cleaning and nice clothes. But it's worth a try. It works in books.
I headed out onto the streets, scanning the faces of everyone. I stopped when my eyes met up with a familiar face---Oscar Delancey. He gave me a half smile and walked towards me. "Ay," he said.
"'Ello. How have you been?"
He nodded in reply. "OK. I was just about ta get some breakfast. Ya want sumpin'?"
"Uh, sure." I grinned. "Where do you eat breakfast?"
"Where else?"
I groaned, "'Tibby's'."
He chuckled and shook his head. "Yeah, ya Manhattan pals eat der. But we ain't aloud ta. I usually get a bagel from da Bakery and eat it back on my way to da Distribution Office."
"So what is it with you all anyway? I mean, the Manhattan newsies make it seem like you really reek. And you seem to think that they do. Frankly, I enjoy you and them. So I'm puzzled."
"I'm curious about dat too. But dat's just da way tings are ya know?"
No I didn't. But I nodded, too thoughtless to be thoughtful. We walked to the "Vienna Model Bakery" and I bought the both of us a cream-covered raisin bagel. Oscar said he'd pay me back as soon as possible. We headed out the door and I walked Oscar to the Office. "So you sell here and then go home to Delancey?"
He shook his head. "Morris and I just give da papes to da newsies here. Den we head home and sell da evenin' addition. But sometimes we'll just stay here with Uncle Weisel."
"Ah." I nodded. "Seems like a very costly job."
"It is. We gotta pay ta get around so we don't have ta walk. Carriages only get ya so far ya know?"
We reached the Distribution Office. "Um… do you know Racetrack?" I inquired.
He nodded. "Yeah, he ain't dat bad; Jack's da one who starts all da trouble. How come?"
"Just a spur-of-the-moment question."
"Aight. Well, I hope ya have a good day and maybe I'll see ya lata'."
I grinned. "Definitely before I have to leave," I stated.
"When ya leavin'?" he inquired.
I replied with a deep sigh, "I think maybe tomorrow."
He shook his head. "I'll come see ya den." He half smiled again, walking inside.
I wonder if Racetrack is thinking about me. Although, what does that have to do with anything? Arg. I'm making myself mad. I can't think about him.
The rest of the morning was spent searching for Racetrack. I told myself not to talk to him, but I knew I had to. He just didn't understand still. I had to make everything clear before I left. I wonder what John is doing right now. I bumped into Jack a few minutes after starting my walk. "Ay," he grinned, "you look all polished up."
I smiled back. "Thank you." He tilted his head, looking into my eyes. "Uh, do you know where Racetrack is?" I inquired.
He nodded. "I saw him a little bit, lookin' fa you. I told him dat if I saw you I'd tell ya, so here I am, tellin'," he laughed.
I cracked a smile. "Well thanks." I was all excited. Racetrack was looking for me this time.
I walked the streets a bit more, really looking at things, making sure I wasn't seeing Racetrack and thinking I saw someone else. When I turned a corner we bumped right smack into each other. I shook my head as it throbbed with pain. Racetrack hopped up. "I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed, reaching a hand out to me. I grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry!" he said again.
I cracked a smile. "This is the part where I make fun of you for apologizing too much."
"Ah, da memories," he chuckled.
Silence.
"I've been looking for you," we both said at once.
"I…"
"Go 'head," Racetrack urged.
I shook my head. "I insist that you go."
He looked down at the pavement. "Well," he began, leaning against the street post, "I just wanted ta say dat I unda'stand. And I hope you and John are happy together. But I also want ya ta know dat…" He looked up and cleared his throat. "Uh… I…" He cracked his neck. "I think… no… I know dat… I… I love ya."
I was shocked. In all this time, I realized that John had never said those three special words to me. Ever.
Racetrack went on, "I know dat you probably don't tink da same, but… I will always love ya… but if you love someone else… I'm OK with dat and…"
My heart was racing. I knew I loved Racetrack back, but what about John? Didn't I… Before I could answer anything in my own head, my lips were pressed against Racetrack's. Wait; was he still talking? No, it's my imagination. Or is it?
"And I… I love you and… and I… uh…"
"Shut up." I held tight to his lips for a good minute and then pulled away. Then I hugged him. I just wanted to hold him. I held onto him for a long time and then decided that he was probably loosing a good amount of air. "Sorry," I whispered.
His awed face changed quickly. He smiled. "Nah, no more sorries. I'm OK wit all dat." He chuckled, "I'm really OK wit dat."
I opened my mouth, ready to tell him everything, but I stopped myself.
"What were you gonna say?" he inquired.
What the hell? "I was just going to say that… well… I'm glad you understand now Race."
He grinned. "Well tank God fa dat, but, uh, what about ya fiancée?"
"Well," I began, "I guess I'll have to do something about him."
"What?"
I shrugged. "Hopefully he won't make his way over here and find out without an explanation. I'll have to send him a letter. It won't get to him soon, but it's my only chance."
"What if he does get ova' here? What if you decide ta go back wit him…"
I shook my head. "I've finally realized that I love you too Race." They were the words. Racetrack is the one for me, or else I wouldn't have said them. I gave him a kiss and we walked around, searching for Trey. As we veered a corner, Trey bumped into the two of us "Ugh, all of these corner bumps are definitely scrambling my brain," I sighed. Realizing that we had found Trey, I jumped up, pulling Racetrack up with me. "I've decided to stay here with Race!" I informed. "And you," I added with a wink.
Trey looked confused. "Uh… actually, you have a visitor ova' at da lodgin' house. Jack said he saw him ask Kloppman where you was."
Racetrack sighed, "How did I know?"
Trey put in, "I tink it's ya fiancée."
I took a deep breath and let go of Racetrack's hand. "I'll go talk to him," I stated, "He'll understand."
Read on!
