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Chapter 10
A figure raced through the early, early morning streets to the Manhattan Newsboys Lodging House. He climbed hurriedly up the fire escape and banged in urgency at the bunkroom window. The boy was let in, and before long, this figure plus another larger one ran out of the Lodging House and into the night. Soon, the two figures parted ways--one to Brooklyn and one to Irving Hall.
***
Becca was strumming her guitar to no particular tune when Rhys walked into the apartment. "Good, you're still here. I was worried that you wouldn't be." Becca stood slowly, a strange feeling invading her senses. Her father was out of breath, as if he had been in a hurry. He was tight-lipped, and his skin had lost much color. Sweaty hands held a piece of paper that was quivering slightly along with his hands.
"I usually stay here in the morning. Why are you back from work so early? It's still half an hour till lunch. What is it?" Rhys inhaled, then exhaled slowly,
"It's your grandfather--Samantha's father. He's sick." It took Becca a second to register what was going on as a tight hand grasped her stomach and squeezed. She fought to relieve the pressure,
"What?" she squeaked. In the place of a vocalized answer, Rhys held out the paper. Becca took it hesitantly, as if reading this paper would make what she had just heard real, not some figment of her imagination. The telegraph was short. It had been sent the night before, or rather, early in the morning. Thomas Conlon was indeed sick, gravely ill to be precise. The paper implored her to come back quickly, if at all possible. Becca finished reading and looked up at her father, eyes full of questions. Rhys pressed some money into her palm,
"There. A train for the city leaves in an hour. Get your things together and go on it. I'd go with you, but because I am not directly related to Thomas, I cannot get off work for another few hours. I'll catch the next train I can. There are things that I wish to tell Thomas, much like the things I told you and your brother when we were first reunited." Becca nodded--a distant, far-away nod. She was still having trouble believing all that was happening, and how fast it was happening. Rhys gave Becca a hug, "I'll be going now, so that I can leave work early," and walked out the door.
Becca stood where he left her for a bit, until what was going on fully sunk in. She broke out of her trance and shoved her guitar in its case. Rushing into her room, Becca threw her things into her bag. She paused only long enough to sling her bag across her shoulder and grab her guitar before rushing out the door.
***
Dave headed down the stairs and towards the entrance/exit of the Institution. His testing began tomorrow, and he actually wasn't minding it that much. Although he hadn't been very happy with being sent to this school, now that he was here, it wasn't that bad. And their educational system was quite good. Dave exited the building to find Becca waiting for him. "You're half an hour early," he commented.
"So are you."
"Our teachers were finished so they just let us go. Remind me, how much longer are you staying? About a week?"
"Yeah, that's what I came to talk to you about." Dave suddenly noticed that Becca had her bag and guitar with her. A closer examination revealed that Becca was distinctly struggling to hold back some greater emotion. Davey moved closer to her and placed a hand on her arm.
"What's the matter?" he asked with a voice full of concern. "Is your father sending you home early or something?"
"No," Becca drew in a shaky breath. "Grandpa's sick. Really sick. We just got the telegram from Medda…I'm taking a train back to New York in half an hour." Dave didn't need to hear any more.
"C'mere." He ushered Becca into the Institution and took her through a series of hallways. They arrived in a room that resembled the bunkroom at the Lodging House, only cleaner. Dave began packing his things. He, too, did not have much with him.
"Dave, what are you doing?"
"Going with you." Dave finished packing and headed towards the door when Becca stopped him.
"What do you mean going with me?"
"I'm going to Manhattan with you. I have money for a train ticket that my parents gave me in case I needed it. It doesn't look like you're father's going with you--"
"He can't get off work right away. He'll be catching a train later in the day." Dave turned to face Becca directly,
"I can't let you do this on your own. You're going to need someone's support on the way there. And Thomas is my friend, and family of my extended family. That's enough reason for me to be there, unless you really don't want me there."
"No, I want you to come with me," answered Becca softly. "I just can't ask you to drop everything and--"
"You're not asking me to. I'm deciding to on my own." Becca smiled warmly and gratefully at Dave.
"Thank you."
"Anytime." Dave and Becca made their way through the Institution and were about to leave when Dave halted. "I've got to go tell the office that I'm leaving, just so they know."
"Okay." Becca had only to wait for a few minutes before Dave emerged from the office. He had a somewhat shaken look on his face that disappeared when he gazed at Becca. His expression returned to the serious one he had been wearing before. "So it's all clear, then?"
"Yes, they're letting me go. Not that they can really stop me." Becca nodded, and the pair continued out of the building. They made it to the station ten minutes prior to when the train was to leave. Becca and Dave boarded a fairly empty train and were silent for the majority of the ride. Dave did not need words to give Becca support, his being there was enough. With a gut feeling that she was not going to get much sleep that night, Becca took a nap on Dave's shoulder.
***
The locomotive pulled into the little Brooklyn station around six o'clock that evening. A Brooklyn newsie was waiting for Becca. He did not appear to be startled to see Dave there with her. Becca glanced around, but did not find who she was searching for. "Where's Spot?"
"At t'e hospital," the one whom Davey recognized as Cobs replied. "One in Manhattan. He told me ta wait heah foah ya so I can take ya there." Becca nodded grimly. Cobs turned, and rapidly led Becca and Dave through the streets of Brooklyn, into the swiftly growing dark.