Chapter 8
Ashley stood at the door. The clock read 11 30. Worriedly, she glanced down at the single, small bag that she held in her hand. She hadn't packed much, just a couple of dresses, underclothes, and some old boy clothes. Heaven knew that she didn't need that much stuff, this was only a temporary arrangement, or so she hoped.
There was a soft knock at the door. Ashley immediately opened it.
"Ashley Jenkins, what are you doing? It could have been anyone out here!" Ashley could recognize Skittery's voice though he whispered.
Stepping out the door and closing it softly behind her, Ashley made out the faces of Jack, Spot, and Blink. They stood there looking at her with compassion in their eyes.
"What?" she asked.
"Youse is extremely brave, little goil, ya know dat?" whispered Spot.
"Maybe, but I want to cry right now," she replied.
"Well, ya can, but not right now, it'd make too much noise," Jack said. "Let's go."
With a longing glance back, Ashley started off with the boys to the lodging house.
They got to the lodging house around 12 15. Everyone was still up when they arrived, and upon Ashley's entrance, they all stood up.
"Whoa, what's going on?" she asked.
"It's our way of welcomin' ya to da lodgin' house!" Skittery said.
"Oh."
Race came walking up to her, a smile on his face. "Hey der, Miss Ashley! Congrats on receiving an entire houseful of new bruddas! We'se is here ta protect ya and yours, regardless of whether ya want us to or not!"
As she looked at him in amusement, she started laughing. "Thanks! Well, I guess I'd better start learning names, then! Oh boy... this is new!" All of a sudden, her laughs turned to sobs.
"Hey, little goil, don't worry `bout nothin', nothin's gonna happen to ya! Sure, maybe you'll hafta put up wit us boys, and maybe you'll hafta be a little bit uncomfy in dose old clothes, but nothin' bad'll happen to ya," Spot said, putting his arm around her shoulders.
"Thanks, Spot, but it's not that, I just miss my family," Ashley said, looking up at him through tear- filled eyes.
"You'll be back wit them in no time, just you wait and see. Once me brudda gets sick of not havin' a say around here, he'll leave and you can go back home," Spot replied.
"Let's show ya your place here," Blink said. "Youse is gonna sleep in da corner bed over der so it'll give ya a little privacy, and youse don't have ta worry bout none of us boys over here."
"Ya, it's a two-way protection service at YOUR service," Jack explained. "If Benny were ta come her sometime, and saw dat you was a goil, we'se be able ta protect ya better."
Her sobs had stopped. "Thanks."
"No prob, kiddo!" Race said, as he led her by the hand to her bed.
Once there, she didn't even attempt to do anything, just flung her body across the bed and fell asleep.
The boys stood there looking at her.
"Ya know, she has da right idea, it's getting' pretty late," Jack said. "Spot, are ya staying here tonight?"
"Ya, I'd bettah," Spot said.
The boys all started getting ready for bed.
Ashley was awakened by the sound of Kloppman yelling at everyone to get up. She sat up slowly.
"What time is it," she asked groggily, rubbing her eyes.
"4 30 in da mornin'," Boots said.
"Ya, da early hours is da woist part bout dis job," Mush said, "but you'll get used ta it."
"Oh, I bet I will. What do I do now?"
"Well, youse is gonna want ta get dressed in somethin' and den try to get washed up without get elbowed or somethin'," Specs said as he walked by.
"Oh, ok, fun! No, really, this is going to be the experience of a lifetime!" Ashley said, sincerely.
"And what is dat supposed ta mean, little goil?" asked Jack.
"Only that it's going to be a fun few weeks or days or whatever," she said.
A slapping sound from across the room diverted her attention from the conversation. She saw Race trying to grab something from one of the other boys.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Oh, Snipeshooter always steals Race's cigar, and Race doesn't really like dat, so he always tries ta get it back," Spot came over to say. "Hey, Jacky-boy, I'se is gonna go back ta Brooklyn and see if my boys have hoid anything bout Benny. Woik wit Ashley taday on her manners an her voice."
"You mean I'm not going to sell today?" she asked.
Spot turned to look at her. "Are ya crazy? You don't know nothing bout being a newsie or even being a boy for dat matter, especially one dat has ta sell ta make a livin'."
"Davey and me is gonna take you wit us today ta show you da ropes round here," Jack said.
"Hey, Jacky-boy, I'se sees ya later! Ashley, hurry up and start getting' ready!" Spot yelled as he started to walk out the door.
"OH! Ok, sorry!"
She noticed that all of the boys had started to file out in order to give her privacy. Jack turned to her.
"Hey, hurry up and get dressed, den just come to da washroom to get washed up. Ya have 3 minutes to get in dere!" he said teasingly.
"You sound like my mother!" Ashley yelled as he was walking out.
"At youse service!" he stopped and bowed at the door, a grin on his face.
"Shoo!" Ashley said.
Jack walked away, laughing.
Not too much later, Ashley and Skittery were walking around the statue waiting for the circulation bell to start ringing.
"Hey, Skittery, do you ever think about that night in the park?" she asked.
"Of course I do!" he replied sharply.
Ashley heard the sharpness of his voice and felt worried. "Hey, Skittery, what's wrong?"
He looked at her. "If I hadn't of taken ya to da park, if I hadn't of taked ya to da bridge, and if I hadn't of kissed you, Benny never would of thought of threatening you, ok? DAT'S what's wrong!"
"Oh, Skittery..." Ashley breathed. She jumped as Jack came up and put his hand on her shoulder.
"JACK KELLY!!!" She yelled, twirling around. He stood there smirking, and by his side stood David.
"Davey, may I introduce you ta da newest addition to da newsie life. Dis fella here is Lucky, an' we's is gonna show him da ropes taday."
Ashley couldn't help but to laugh at the expression on David's face.
"Do you realize that this `Lucky' is Ashley Jenkins?" he asked incrediously.
"Shhh, not so loud," Skittery said, while looking confusedly at Ashley, who by now was convulsed with laughter.
"Goils," Jack said, turning to David. "Dave, this is no longer Ashley, but Lucky. Benny threatened her, so we took it upon ourselves ta protect her."
"Benny? As in Spot's brother?" David asked, thoroughly confused by now.
"Ya, and well, we thought it would be best ta have her be a newsie, Dave. Dat's all der is ta dat," Race entered the conversation.
"But-- But--W--Why would Benny threaten ASHLEY?!?" David wondered, his face showing his amazement.
"Well, uh, our friends Skittery and Ashley seem ta have been caught by Benny unawares swearin' their undying love ta each othah somehow," Jack smirked. "Benny took advantage of dat when we wasn't listening ta him and threatened ta hoit Ashley. So, we'se just kidnapped Ashley, or Lucky now, from her home by night and plan ta hold `er hostage. Didn't I tell ya yesterday when we was sellin'?"
"You most certainly did NOT!" David exclaimed. He looked around. "WHAT?!!" Ashley was no longer the only one laughing. Race, Blink, and Specs, having overheard everything, were laughing up a storm. Jack could barely hold back his laughter, and from the look on his face, it wouldn't be too much longer until he also exploded. Skittery was the only one around that area that didn't seem amused or happy about teasing David.
"So, anyways, Davey, we's is gonna show Lucky how ta behave as a poor orphan boy selling papes. We'se gotta teach `er how ta talk, stand, and act like a Newsie. Dat's da only way she's gonna stay safe," Jack said, his laughter subsiding. "As much as everyone is laughing `bout this right now, it's more dan a laughing thing. Dis is life and death for her. We'se is her only hope for stayin' protected."
Everyone had stopped laughing by this point, and was nodding in agreement. Ashley looked more vulnerable than ever.
"David, you can't tell anyone about this, not even Sarah and your parents. This is among the Newsies, me, and my father. I can't risk having anything get out and back to Benny. Please promise that you will help me."
He just stared at her openmouthed. He finally swallowed hard and said, "Why stay here? Why not just go to the police?"
"When was the last time that woiked, Dave?" Skittery cut in. "They never believe anything dat we tell `em, and `sides--what happens if for some miracle dey DO believe us, and den we can't find Benny? Nah, dat wouldn't woik."
"Well--" David started, but was cut off by the circulation bell.
"Questions latah, Davey. We'se gots some papes ta sell and a Lucky goil ta train! Let's go!" Jack said enthusiastically.
Ashley was led off by Jack and David. She looked behind to see Skittery standing there looking very upset. She never had a chance to talk to him about things at all.
Ashley stood at the door. The clock read 11 30. Worriedly, she glanced down at the single, small bag that she held in her hand. She hadn't packed much, just a couple of dresses, underclothes, and some old boy clothes. Heaven knew that she didn't need that much stuff, this was only a temporary arrangement, or so she hoped.
There was a soft knock at the door. Ashley immediately opened it.
"Ashley Jenkins, what are you doing? It could have been anyone out here!" Ashley could recognize Skittery's voice though he whispered.
Stepping out the door and closing it softly behind her, Ashley made out the faces of Jack, Spot, and Blink. They stood there looking at her with compassion in their eyes.
"What?" she asked.
"Youse is extremely brave, little goil, ya know dat?" whispered Spot.
"Maybe, but I want to cry right now," she replied.
"Well, ya can, but not right now, it'd make too much noise," Jack said. "Let's go."
With a longing glance back, Ashley started off with the boys to the lodging house.
They got to the lodging house around 12 15. Everyone was still up when they arrived, and upon Ashley's entrance, they all stood up.
"Whoa, what's going on?" she asked.
"It's our way of welcomin' ya to da lodgin' house!" Skittery said.
"Oh."
Race came walking up to her, a smile on his face. "Hey der, Miss Ashley! Congrats on receiving an entire houseful of new bruddas! We'se is here ta protect ya and yours, regardless of whether ya want us to or not!"
As she looked at him in amusement, she started laughing. "Thanks! Well, I guess I'd better start learning names, then! Oh boy... this is new!" All of a sudden, her laughs turned to sobs.
"Hey, little goil, don't worry `bout nothin', nothin's gonna happen to ya! Sure, maybe you'll hafta put up wit us boys, and maybe you'll hafta be a little bit uncomfy in dose old clothes, but nothin' bad'll happen to ya," Spot said, putting his arm around her shoulders.
"Thanks, Spot, but it's not that, I just miss my family," Ashley said, looking up at him through tear- filled eyes.
"You'll be back wit them in no time, just you wait and see. Once me brudda gets sick of not havin' a say around here, he'll leave and you can go back home," Spot replied.
"Let's show ya your place here," Blink said. "Youse is gonna sleep in da corner bed over der so it'll give ya a little privacy, and youse don't have ta worry bout none of us boys over here."
"Ya, it's a two-way protection service at YOUR service," Jack explained. "If Benny were ta come her sometime, and saw dat you was a goil, we'se be able ta protect ya better."
Her sobs had stopped. "Thanks."
"No prob, kiddo!" Race said, as he led her by the hand to her bed.
Once there, she didn't even attempt to do anything, just flung her body across the bed and fell asleep.
The boys stood there looking at her.
"Ya know, she has da right idea, it's getting' pretty late," Jack said. "Spot, are ya staying here tonight?"
"Ya, I'd bettah," Spot said.
The boys all started getting ready for bed.
Ashley was awakened by the sound of Kloppman yelling at everyone to get up. She sat up slowly.
"What time is it," she asked groggily, rubbing her eyes.
"4 30 in da mornin'," Boots said.
"Ya, da early hours is da woist part bout dis job," Mush said, "but you'll get used ta it."
"Oh, I bet I will. What do I do now?"
"Well, youse is gonna want ta get dressed in somethin' and den try to get washed up without get elbowed or somethin'," Specs said as he walked by.
"Oh, ok, fun! No, really, this is going to be the experience of a lifetime!" Ashley said, sincerely.
"And what is dat supposed ta mean, little goil?" asked Jack.
"Only that it's going to be a fun few weeks or days or whatever," she said.
A slapping sound from across the room diverted her attention from the conversation. She saw Race trying to grab something from one of the other boys.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Oh, Snipeshooter always steals Race's cigar, and Race doesn't really like dat, so he always tries ta get it back," Spot came over to say. "Hey, Jacky-boy, I'se is gonna go back ta Brooklyn and see if my boys have hoid anything bout Benny. Woik wit Ashley taday on her manners an her voice."
"You mean I'm not going to sell today?" she asked.
Spot turned to look at her. "Are ya crazy? You don't know nothing bout being a newsie or even being a boy for dat matter, especially one dat has ta sell ta make a livin'."
"Davey and me is gonna take you wit us today ta show you da ropes round here," Jack said.
"Hey, Jacky-boy, I'se sees ya later! Ashley, hurry up and start getting' ready!" Spot yelled as he started to walk out the door.
"OH! Ok, sorry!"
She noticed that all of the boys had started to file out in order to give her privacy. Jack turned to her.
"Hey, hurry up and get dressed, den just come to da washroom to get washed up. Ya have 3 minutes to get in dere!" he said teasingly.
"You sound like my mother!" Ashley yelled as he was walking out.
"At youse service!" he stopped and bowed at the door, a grin on his face.
"Shoo!" Ashley said.
Jack walked away, laughing.
Not too much later, Ashley and Skittery were walking around the statue waiting for the circulation bell to start ringing.
"Hey, Skittery, do you ever think about that night in the park?" she asked.
"Of course I do!" he replied sharply.
Ashley heard the sharpness of his voice and felt worried. "Hey, Skittery, what's wrong?"
He looked at her. "If I hadn't of taken ya to da park, if I hadn't of taked ya to da bridge, and if I hadn't of kissed you, Benny never would of thought of threatening you, ok? DAT'S what's wrong!"
"Oh, Skittery..." Ashley breathed. She jumped as Jack came up and put his hand on her shoulder.
"JACK KELLY!!!" She yelled, twirling around. He stood there smirking, and by his side stood David.
"Davey, may I introduce you ta da newest addition to da newsie life. Dis fella here is Lucky, an' we's is gonna show him da ropes taday."
Ashley couldn't help but to laugh at the expression on David's face.
"Do you realize that this `Lucky' is Ashley Jenkins?" he asked incrediously.
"Shhh, not so loud," Skittery said, while looking confusedly at Ashley, who by now was convulsed with laughter.
"Goils," Jack said, turning to David. "Dave, this is no longer Ashley, but Lucky. Benny threatened her, so we took it upon ourselves ta protect her."
"Benny? As in Spot's brother?" David asked, thoroughly confused by now.
"Ya, and well, we thought it would be best ta have her be a newsie, Dave. Dat's all der is ta dat," Race entered the conversation.
"But-- But--W--Why would Benny threaten ASHLEY?!?" David wondered, his face showing his amazement.
"Well, uh, our friends Skittery and Ashley seem ta have been caught by Benny unawares swearin' their undying love ta each othah somehow," Jack smirked. "Benny took advantage of dat when we wasn't listening ta him and threatened ta hoit Ashley. So, we'se just kidnapped Ashley, or Lucky now, from her home by night and plan ta hold `er hostage. Didn't I tell ya yesterday when we was sellin'?"
"You most certainly did NOT!" David exclaimed. He looked around. "WHAT?!!" Ashley was no longer the only one laughing. Race, Blink, and Specs, having overheard everything, were laughing up a storm. Jack could barely hold back his laughter, and from the look on his face, it wouldn't be too much longer until he also exploded. Skittery was the only one around that area that didn't seem amused or happy about teasing David.
"So, anyways, Davey, we's is gonna show Lucky how ta behave as a poor orphan boy selling papes. We'se gotta teach `er how ta talk, stand, and act like a Newsie. Dat's da only way she's gonna stay safe," Jack said, his laughter subsiding. "As much as everyone is laughing `bout this right now, it's more dan a laughing thing. Dis is life and death for her. We'se is her only hope for stayin' protected."
Everyone had stopped laughing by this point, and was nodding in agreement. Ashley looked more vulnerable than ever.
"David, you can't tell anyone about this, not even Sarah and your parents. This is among the Newsies, me, and my father. I can't risk having anything get out and back to Benny. Please promise that you will help me."
He just stared at her openmouthed. He finally swallowed hard and said, "Why stay here? Why not just go to the police?"
"When was the last time that woiked, Dave?" Skittery cut in. "They never believe anything dat we tell `em, and `sides--what happens if for some miracle dey DO believe us, and den we can't find Benny? Nah, dat wouldn't woik."
"Well--" David started, but was cut off by the circulation bell.
"Questions latah, Davey. We'se gots some papes ta sell and a Lucky goil ta train! Let's go!" Jack said enthusiastically.
Ashley was led off by Jack and David. She looked behind to see Skittery standing there looking very upset. She never had a chance to talk to him about things at all.
