Chapter 2:
With an aggravated sigh, I wandered down the streets of Manhattan. I told my father I was going for a walk to get myself acquainted with the area, assuming that I would be able to keep track of where I had been. But I hadn't counted on the size of Manhattan, nor the extent of interesting things there was to see. So I was lost, which made me feel a little uneasy.
Wandering for another hour, I found myself approaching Central Park. 'Well, now I get to visit it,' I thought a bit dryly. Peddling newspapers near the curb was the newsboy with an eye patch. Relieved to see a somewhat familiar face, I approached him. When he saw me, he cracked a cocky grin and pulled off his hat respectfully.
"Why hello Miss Katie. Wouldja buy me last pape? I could even take ya t' lunch."
I giggled at the goofy smile on his face and shook my head. "I'm sorry, but I didn't bring any money with me. I wasn't expecting to get lost."
"Lost, eh? Well, jus' wait a second 'til I finish sellin' me papes an' I'll help ya out."
"Thank you... Kid Blink, right?"
He clutched his heart and stepped backwards. "I think I's died an' gone t' heaven. She remembered me name." I giggled again, blushing a little. He winked at me and then worked on selling his newspapers once again, after insisting I call him Blink. I leaned against the park gate and observed his selling strategy. It was quite comical watching him put on an act for the richer looking customers in hopes of gaining their sympathy and, of course, their money. He came up to me a moment later, took my arm, and hurriedly led me from the area.
"What's the rush?"
Glancing over his shoulder, he replied, "I's thinkin' th' last fella who bough a pape was ... what's the word? Where they don't believe ya?"
"Um... suspicious?"
"Yeah, that's it. He was a little suspicious of my sellin' strategy, I's thinkin', anyway. So, where d'ya live?"
I frowned. "Do I have to go home just yet? Can you show me around some? Race did a little, yesterday."
He grinned. "Sounds a'right t' me. C'mon." I followed him down the streets to a vaguely familiar area. "Why ya wanderin' the streets alone for?"
I shrugged. "I just wanted to explore a little... I didn't count on getting lost. There's so much to see here!"
He laughed. I could tell by the way he walked and talked that he was enjoying having a girl at his side that a few young men paused to stare at. So I looped my arm with his, giving them more to stare about.
Kid Blink smiled. "You's a woman after me own heart," he commented, knowing exactly what I was up to. I grinned and kissed his cheek. His jaw dropped and then he cocked another grin. "I think I could get used t' this."
I smiled as we approached a rundown building labeled Newsboy Lodging House. I glanced questionably at him.
"I's gonna grab some extry change for lunch. An' th' fellas thought it'd be nice if ya stopped by to visit our little lodgin' house once in awhile."
I stared at him. "Really?"
He looked at me and laughed. "Yeah, we's taken a likin' to ya." He held open the door for me and I walked in, glancing around curiously. "This is where you live?" I asked, admiring the rustic feel. It's atmosphere felt adventurous, something I'd give to be a part of.
Kid Blink shrugged. "It ain't much, but we's needin' somewhere t' stay."
An old man walked into the cramped foyer. "Blink! What've I told ya about bringin' your girls down here?"
"Aw, Kloppman, this here's Katie. An' she ain't one of me girls. Jus' a friend. Don't worry."
Kloppman looked at the both of us suspiciously before shrugging and grumbling under his breath. "If I find out otherwise, I'll tan your hide, boy!" And then he disappeared into another room once again.
I craned my neck around Kid Blink's shoulder, my gaze following the man out. "Am I not allowed here?"
He carelessly fluttered his hand about as he led me up a narrow staircase. "Ya fine. Kloppman, he jus' don't like it when he thinks we's gonna fool around wit' girls."
I paused. "Blink..."
He glanced back at me and laughed. "Aw, don't worry none, Miss Katie. I wouldn't do that to ya."
And for some reason, I was able to believe him. We entered a bunkroom where a group of newsboys, many whom I had previously met at Tibby's, were relaxing, playing cards, or engaging in playful wrestling matches.
"'Ey, is that Miss Katie I see?" came a shout, and Racetrack Higgins walked my way. "Why, if it ain' me angel Miss Katie," he commented impishly, taking my hand and kissing it.
I blushed, flattered and embarrassed at the same time. "You can just call me Katie. None of this 'Miss' stuff."
"So, what brings ya to th' bowels of th' newsie world?" he asked.
"Well, Blink did, actually."
Kid Blink flashed a grin, putting an arm around my shoulders. "Yep. I swear, she can't get enough of me... Followin' me 'round ever'where!" I stared at him. He sighed, shaking his head. "What can I say? The ladies just flock t' me." Before I could reply, he winked at me with his good eye and then sauntered off.
I shook my head, utterly baffled. Race glanced at me and chuckled. "Ah, he's like that wit' all girls. I wouldn't take 'im too seriously."
"Well I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted," I replied with a slight smile.
"Aw, ya know I love ya, Katie!" Kid Blink yelled cheerfully. His comment was met with laughter, from me included. A minute or so later, he returned with his money. "Any of ya fellas wanna join this beauty an' me for lunch?"
"Well," Race began, grinning brightly, "since ya put it that way... I will."
He laughed, thumping an arm around my shoulders. "Aw, Race, ya know she's mine."
"Blink..." I began uncertainly.
He winked at me again. "Jus' playin' wit' ya. Lighten up."
"Oh." I blushed.
"Wait for me!" Jack yelled, jumping off his bed. "I's hungry too."
I looked between the three of them as we headed for the staircase. "Three escorts? My oh my, I am one lucky girl." Our laughter echoed throughout the lodging house. As we left the building, both Kid Blink and Race offered me their arms. I giggled, looping one arm around each.
Beside us, Jack snapped his fingers and sighed. "Aw, that ain't fair! Ya need another arm, Katie!" At that, I was laughing again.
When we arrived at Tibby's, Jack insisted on buying me lunch, since, as he said, he didn't have the pleasure of escorting me there. I declined, but he persisted until I finally agreed. "Why are you all so nice to me?" I asked. "I'm still basically a perfect stranger to you."
"You's nice to us first," he replied with a shrug. "That's always a good thing. 'Sides, we don't judge people- we give 'em a chance. Also, you's easy to get along wit'. An' none of us'd be rough enough t' hurt a girl."
"Careful Cowboy, Sarah might jus' be listenin' to ya sweet-talk Katie here," Race warned with a teasing grin.
I glanced at Jack inquisitively. "I though... why did he call you Cowboy?"
The three boys laughed, crowding around me into a booth. "Cowboy's jus' me nick. Like Kid Blink's an' Race's." He put a cowboy hat I hadn't previously noticed hanging around his neck onto his head, low over his eyes
"Yeah, he's such a cowboy, he almost left us for Santa Fe!" Kid Blink exclaimed.
"Aw, ya know I wouldn't leave. Th' strike brought us fellas together, like a family an' I wasn't gonna be th' one t' break it up."
"Strike?" I was curious now, listening to them talk. "You had a strike?"
They all stared at me, shocked. "You's tellin' me ya ain't heard of the newsie strike earlier this year?" Race asked in a hushed, incredulous tone. "Denton said it was ever'where."
I scrunched my brow in thought. I recalled discussing a huge strike in New York during one of my classes. "You were in that big strike against the newspapers?"
Jack slammed his fist onto the table indignantly, causing me to jump and clutch Race's arm, startled. "In it? I's one of th' leaders! Hell, I thought it up!"
"I thought Davey thought it up," Race commented, squinting at him over his cigar. He didn't seem to mind that I had grabbed his arm. In fact he moved it down off the table so I could hold onto it more comfortably... although, it may have been a subconscious gesture.
He shrugged. "Okay, maybe... But who pulled it off?"
"Well, honestly... Spot. Otherwise no one woulda joined."
He rolled his eyes. "But who got Spot involved?"
"Davey, basically," Kid Blink replied.
He growled in frustration. I had to laugh. "Poor Jack. The odds are against you- no one wants to give you credit."
Race put his arm around my shoulders. "Talkin' odds now? Why, you's my kinda girl!"
I smiled shyly. Jack and Kid Blink burst into a contagious laughter that soon had the four of us choking out gasping guffaws.
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