Part 3: Learning to Understand Life

"I know you been forsake,
By all you've known before.
When you failed their expectations,
They frowned and closed the door.
But even though you're heart itself,
should lose the will to stand.
No matter what may happen child,
I'll never let go of your hand."
- "I'll Never let go of Your Hand" by Don Francisco

The mattress wasn't all too great, but who was to complain. Daniel snorted loudly, unaware of the buzzing in the bunkroom. Bumlets pulled on his vest over his shirt and buttoned it quickly. He didn't even realize his new bunkmate was still in bed till he grabbed his hat from the bedpost.
"Oh no…" he groaned. "Daniel." Bumlets shook the sleeping boy gently. Nothing happen. He must be a deep sleeper - he thought. "Daniel!" Bumlets shouted.
"Huh? What's going on?" Finally, he looked up, disoriented. Daniel peered around then faced Bumlets.
"You have to get up! The papes'll be gone by the time we get there."
When the whole realization eventually set into his brain, Daniel jumped up in hysterics. "Oh no! I'm sorry! I didn't remember where I was!" He grabbed his pants, pulling his legs through the pair in haste. His silver cross flew around, landing on his back. Bumlets watched the show as half-comical, half-frustrating. He figured he had to be patient with his new friend.
"Daniel, calm down. You'll get things done easier if you do" he suggested.
The rushing boy eased a little on getting dressed, and slid his shirt on slower than his pants. After a couple minutes, Daniel was done and headed out the door with his selling partner.

"Morning ma'am" Bumlets greeted to a lady in white passing by him. The fair girl blushed, replying - almost whispering, "Good morning" back to him.
Daniel smiled. Everything was going good so far. Of course, they hadn't sold any newspapers yet. But he hadn't tripped or said anything dumb all morning. He halted when Bumlets stopped in front of a hotel building.
"This is my selling spot. Remember what I toldja about how to sell?"
"Um…" Daniel stuttered, shifting nervously. "Isn't improving the truth - lying?"
Bumlets slumped his shoulders. "Trust me, you'll never get any papes sold if people heard the real story first. The men who write this have no imagination."
"Okay. I'll try to improve the truth."
"Good. Now you go down a little ways that way and start sellin'." Bumlets pointed down the block.
Daniel heaved a deep breathe then walked far enough away from his selling partner. He stared at the front page trying to think up a good headline. It read "Ambassador of France visits NYC." He thought this notion over, but his mind was a blank to what to say. He listened to Bumlets' calling out a headline.
"EXTRY! AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE CAUGHT WITH MAYOR'S WIFE!" Four passer-bys ran over right away.
Daniel shook his head. That was a very deceitful lie, but it got the customers. "I guess I could come up with something in that range" he told himself, staring down at the front page again. A thought hit after a moment of brainstorming.
"EXTRY! AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE IN NYC ACTUALLY A SPY!" Sure, it was a little off the wall. But, it also could be true in a broad sense.
An older man passing by, turned sharply in Daniel's direction. "It can't be! Son, may I buy a newspaper?" Daniel stood in surprise at the offer.
"Of course!" he answered enthusiastically, handing the man a paper in exchange for a penny.
The old man walked off intent on reading about the "spy" from France. Daniel grinned happily at his first penny he earned. I could do this - he mused - it wouldn't be that bad. He was so enthralled in his thought, he didn't hear Bumlets calling him.
Just then, a hand grabbed his shoulder. "Daniel, we need to get outta here!" Bumlets said in desperation. Daniel only stared at him with dazed eyes.
"What's going on…"
"The bulls!" Bumlets snagged his newly friend's arm and dragged him away. Daniel didn't have time to think. He tried his best to keep hold of all his papers, but dropped a few along the alleyway floor. They came to a fence that Bumlets scaled with no problem. For Daniel, that was a different story.
"I don't think I can climb across!" he yelled, half in panic from what was happening. He was still unaware of why the police were chasing them.
"Grab my hand and I'll pull you up!" Bumlets reached his hand down as far as he could. A whistle could be heard getting closer.
With the strength of adrenaline, Daniel jumped and caught Bumlets' hand. He was pulled up and over the fence just in time before the police passed that alley turn-off. The two boys sat on the ground attempting to catch their breath. Newspapers were strolled out all over the ground.
Bumlets glared up at Daniel, exhaustedly. "Second lesson about improving the truth……watch out for the bulls - those are the police - because your customers will report you for lying then you'll be caught. Keep watch out. Understand?"
Daniel only nodded looking down at the ground, knowing now what this whole situation was about.
"Let's get going." Bumlets gathered up the scattered papers with Daniel joining him after a moment of hesitation. They headed off to Central Park.

The rest of the day went on smoothly with no police sightings and many customers for buying. Bumlets keep more of a protective eye on his friend. He noticed something wrong though. Daniel seemed to smile only when a customer walked by. When there wasn't any, he'd frown like something was troubling him. Bumlets knew what it was, but what to do about it?
"Hey, you done?" he asked, sauntering over to the tree where Daniel was.
The rusty headed boy nodded slightly, sitting down on a nearby bench. Bumlets frowned, not knowing what to say to lighten the tension. He sat down beside him.
"Y'know, we can go over to this place called Tibbys. Get something to eat. It's where all the newsies at the lodging house go to eat. They have good prices, and it's better than Kloppman's grub."
Bumlets was caught off guard by the sudden sobbing of the boy next to him. "Daniel? You okay?"
Daniel heaved an audible sob before answering. "No."
A minute went by. Bumlets placed his hand on Daniel's shoulder, trying his best to comfort him. Even though the subject was kind of clouded, Bumlets could feel what Daniel was thinking. "Listen Dan, what happen back on the street happens to almost all newsies. It wasn't your fault. Heck, I even shoulda warned you about that beforehand, but I didn't. Maybe it was a life lesson from God."
Daniel finally looked up, his cheeks tear-stained. "You think so?"
"Yeah, I really do. The streets are nothing you wanna mess with, but I know from experience that they can be dealt with. You know how they say there's a reason for everything?"
"Yes."
"Then there was a reason for that to happen to you. Just like there's a reason for me living in the lodging house. I could be bitter because I was orphaned when I was little but I'm not. That's because I was taught that God has a plan for me. I don't know what it is yet, but I know He'll show it to me in due time."
All Daniel could do was stare at his new friend, almost stunned. Just the gleam in his friend's eye gave him hope that he'd never had gotten from the folks back home. Bumlets put on a reassuring smile.
"You are right, Bumlets. There is a reason for everything and God does have a plan for me and you and everyone. I didn't know what to expect when I walked into the lodging house, but now I do. I had so much hope yesterday then I let one little incident bring me down! How foolish of me!"
"Naw, it's not foolish. It's all just apart of life. One simple little thing can bring you down - trust me, I know - but you have to keep in mind that God will be there to bring you back up the moment you do get knocked down."
"Bumlets, you could be a great teacher."
Bumlets blushed, not realizing how much of an impact he'd just had on his friend. "You really think so?"
"You are truly touched by the Lord. Now you just need to use that gift to witness."
"I know. I'm gonna get up enough courage one day."
Daniel stood up, more excited then ever. "I have an idea. How about we have Sunday morning service at the lodging house? I know there's only a few of us now for it, but maybe the other boys'll come too after a while."
"Well, we could only pray for that. That's a great idea though. Usually I sell papes on Sunday morning like everyone else, but I'd rather be in church. We can always sell the evening edition. We need to ask Kloppman for permission if we are to hold services."
"All right, let's go."
The boys started off in the direction of lodging house. Bumlets noted Daniel had a lot of integrity, but he could be brought down in intense moments. I'm gonna have to pay close attention to him - Bumlets thought. But he'll learn to deal with down falls soon or later. Maybe my mission here for right now is to keep Daniel in line. He shrugged to himself. Lord, show me what you want me to do. Help me help Daniel anyway possible. Guess the next step will come soon…