Once we were seated inside the hall I began to have second thoughts. I couldn't remember why I had agreed to see a show; that is until I glanced at the boy sitting next to me. He didn't appear as any other newsboy would on a harsh summer day like today. He looked clean and smelled of shaving cream. His clothing, though ill fitting, did nothing to detract from his good looks. I felt myself being drawn into him. I had been disappointed when he had turned down the offer of my cigarette. The thought of his lips touching and then returning it to me had sent my heart racing. And when I saw he didn't want to share in the rum, I quickly took a few drinks and passed it off, and didn't take any more when offered.
I couldn't even bring myself to watch most of the show. I did listen as Medda sang a beautiful song about a lost love, but all it did was make my heart ache worse for the boy sitting next to me. I longed for the cold winter days back in the Refuge, when we would curl up close to stay warm. And my stomach tied in knots remembering him crying in my arms his first days there. I couldn't even look away from the floor in fear that I'd stare at him too long. So I began twirling my cane around between my knees as I slouched in the seat. I tapped my foot to the music on stage so that I could at least pretend to be paying attention.
I felt Kid shift in the seat next to me, and his arm brushed against mine, sending a chill up my spine. I glanced up at him and saw he was looking right at me, so I quickly turned my eyes towards the stage. But the look in his eye had done me in, the ache in my belly was so strong and my body felt on fire, so I glanced down to where my cane was leaning against my leg and stood up, trying to force myself to move at a normal pace, and headed for the stairs.
I went into the bathroom, which was filled with a stink made worse by the horrible heat of summer. The distraction helped and within a minute I found myself calm enough to exit. I was surprised to find him standing at the bottom of the staircase. I couldn't help but smile a bit that he had wanted to follow me. I hoped that the stench had not followed me out of the room. He began asking me why I didn't like the show. I wanted to tell him the truth, but the best response I could think of was that I preferred blondes. I knew it was a stupid thing to say.
As he laughed at my joke and put his arm around my shoulders I felt myself freeze in place. But it was a comforting touch and I walked towards the exit at his urging. He invited me to go to dinner with them soon, but I declined. The thought of eating with them tied my stomach in knots and I immediately felt ill. After some discussion about me heading to Brooklyn alone, he removed his arm from my shoulders and I felt my heart fall to my stomach, but his hand shake seemed to promise that I would see him again soon. And so I was content as I began to make my way home.