"We're getting married." The Pulitzers stopped dead in their tracks. Katherine scrutinized the faces of her mother Edith and seven siblings: Ralph, Edith, Marietta, Constance, Joseph Jr., Lucille, and Lavinia. None showed any sign of sympathy towards her.
"My God, Katherine," Joseph whispered, facing the wall. The entire family froze, anticipating a reaction. Katherine's hands trembled. Perhaps announcing this wasn't such a good idea. But what other options were there? Though romantic, elopement seemed disrespectful. However, straight out telling her family...
Jack detested waiting. "Mr. Pulitzer, sir, I just want you to know-"
"Know what?" Joseph whipped around. "That you're robbing me of my daughter? First my pride, then my own family? I give into your demands, you! A, a, a nobody!" Jack looked as if he'd been slapped. No shouting, but the savage glint in his eyes told him everything.
"Don't talk to him like that!" Katherine rose to her fiance's defense. "He's a union president!"
"A newsboys' union!"
"He's honorable and selfless."
"He's a petty thief and a convict!" He pointed at Jack. "You're a liar, a thief, a common street urchin-"
"I sell your papes!"
"Katherine, he's a newsboy, how will he provide for you?" Marietta interrupted.
"We'll take care of each other," Katherine declared. "He's also a cartoonist for Father."
"Not anymore," Joseph interjected.
"Well, I have a job at the Sun," she said evenly. "And Jack can find other work."
"See, Miz Pulitzer?" The newsie shot Marietta a saucy grin.
"No, I do not see." Edith stared at her daughter. "Katherine, he's a newsie. You're the daughter of Joseph Pulitzer, heiress to a good sum of his money. More than this boy has likely ever seen."
"That doesn't matter."
"Katherine, you haven't a clue what you're getting into. You're throwing your life, your reputation, your chance at a position out the window!"
"I couldn't care less about that." The reporter clenched her teeth exasperatedly. How many times would she have to say it?
"You could ruin our family's honor." Edith's mouth morphed into a tight pink line. "How'll your sisters find husbands while you run off with the rabble? How will we convince the old money we're good enough? Why are you being so selfish?"
At this Katherine leaped like a leopard onto prey. "Me, selfish? I'm not the one who shipped my children to finishing school so I could host more parties. I'm not the one who pressured my girls into marrying old men."
"You insolent child!"
"But she ain't a child," Jack reminded them. "She knows what she wants."
"Don't respect your mother!" Joseph pointed to the door. "Leave us at once! Katherine, your room. Kelly, you're fired. No drawings, no newspapers, nothing. We'll deal with you-" glaring at his daughter "-tomorrow. As a matter of fact, everyone can retire for the night. Kelly, out."
"Spose we leave right now," Jack argued. "Me and Katherine could just walk out the door!"
"It won't happen." Marietta strode over and delicately inserted herself between the couple. "I'll escort her to her room myself."
"I'll send the Delancys after you," her father added. "Now, for the final time, Jack Kelly, GET OUT."
"You can't just-" Katherine began. Marietta grabbed her arm.
"Don't. You'll just make this worse."
"I won't!" She yanked her arm away. "I love Jack and we want to get married."
"I forbid it."
"How? You can't lock me up till I die. I don't even live here; I only came for Constance's coming out ball. So, I will be leaving with Jack tonight." She bowed a clumsy curtsy. "Constance, your ball was lovely, but I must be going. It's clear we're not welcome."
"If you go now, you won't be coming back or receiving a penny from me," he warned.
"Come back to what?" Katherine scoffed. "I knew how this would end; I don't know why I even came back." She stormed out the door. Jack followed, turning around for one last remark.
"You're all fools! She been my girl, I'd be doing everything to keep her!"
Pulitzer seethed after him. How he hated Kelly! An abundance of emotions raged throughout his heart. Betrayal, fury, but most predominantly, hurt.
000
"For sure?" They reached the gate, clutching her bag of essentials. Katherine took a final gaze at her old home before nodding.
"For sure."
"They're gonna come around. They gotta."
"I can't say what they'll do. But no matter. I've got you."
"Aw, ya my lucky ace up me sleeve." He threw an arm around her shoulders. "Let's go. For sure, right?"
"For sure." The pair strolled out together into the New York streets under a waning moon.
Hi. Omg it's been an awesome summer. Sadly, band camp has begun (it's exhausting) and soon school will follow. Fortunately, six days ago, on August 3, at the Cadillac Palace, I got to see Newsies! The cast was amazing! I am so obsessed! This is the second to last chapter in this story. Perhaps I will write a much longer novel on everything that goes on before, during, and after the strike. Thanks for reading! And, as always, please review!
