A/N: See I can actually update this story, just takes me a while. Hey to
anyone who is reading this, I think I have about another couple of chapters
left in this story to write. I am about done with Snapshots of a Memory
also so expect an update on that one in the next month. Then I'll be taking
a break. I have been working on this story line since June and I can't wait
to have an ending. To think this was only supposed to be a couple pages, I
laugh at my naivete now. So as you all know I don't own the newsies, just
all my characters, of which there are a lot. So anyway enjoy the story and
don't forget to review.
The last day of the trip went by quickly. Kit spent most of the morning pretending to read. In actuality she was watching Spot deal with the twins. Entertaining two eight year old boys in a confined space kept him on his toes but he had done a good job. The morning was uneventful until the conductor came walking through the car.
"We're at Nebraska. First stop will be Omaha, Valley, Fremont, Wahoo, Lincoln and all points west."
Kit looked up from her book when she felt Spot looking at her. "Yeah Spot?"
"Well the kids are wondering, how much longer do wes got?" When Kit looked at the twins they were both nodding in agreement.
Kit looked at her watch then outside the window looking for something familiar. "Well with all the stops and stuff, we'll get to Lincoln around dark."
"But that is hours from now Kit." Bait came and sat next to her and pouted.
"I know but I can't do nothing about it. The guys were the ones that forgot to get express tickets. But I'll bet we can get out at Omaha for a bit to stretch. That will make the last part of the trip better right?"
"Yeah Ise guess so." Bait got back down and went over to Jolly. They looked as if they were discussing something as Spot came to take Bait's seat.
"Youse nervous ain't you?"
"Of course, but I'll be okay, it's not like I am going in facing it all on my own. I have you and Mills and Tack. It can't be that bad."
"That's right youse got me, and don't forget the twins. Ise don't think they'd let anyone hurt youse, if anything they'll bite the guy." Spot smirked a bit of sarcasm laced in his voice.
Kit had to smile at the idea of the twins biting Sid or Josh and after Spot saw her smile his grin got bigger. Kit gently smacked his arm before snuggling into his side and going back to her book. Spot got more comfortable on the seat and rest his chin on Kit's head and was soon asleep snoring in Kit's ear. Kit rolled her eyes as Spot snorted in her ear but soon was absorbed in the story of the First French Revolution.
Neither Kit nor Spot got off the train at any of the stops between Omaha and Wahoo, Kit was too into her book while Spot slept on. Mills had kept an eye on the twins for Kit and the rest of the day went by quickly. Kit looked up from her book as the conductor came through the car announcing, "Next stop Lincoln, Nebraska. We will be stopped for an hour. Please remember to be back on the train if you plan on continuing west to Grand Island, Santa Fe, and San Francisco."
Kit nudged Spot in his side. "Come on Spot wake up we're almost there and I need to get my stuff together."
Spot jerked a bit as he woke up, "Huh, Kit where are we?"
"We got 15 minutes left on this contraption and I plan on getting off, and I am not leaving you behind." Kit got up and stretched her back out before putting her book in her small bag. She then began looking around their seats for anything the twin or girls may have dropped, not wanting to leave behind trash or some toy.
Spot had also gotten up and moved to where the twins were sitting with the girls. He bent down to be eye level with them and began to discuss things with them. He then pulled out the money he owed them and stood up, ruffling their hair. Both Jolly and Bait had huge smiles as they began to plot how to spend their newfound wealth. The girls got up and showed Tack their money. Tack took a nickel from each of the girls but let them keep one.
Soon they felt the train slow to a stop and after gathering their belongings stepped off the train and onto the platform. Kit put down her bag and stopped to look around the platform. Mills and Tack came over to her, "You okay?"
"I think so, I never thought I'd be back, least not this soon."
"Yeah Ise can…" What ever Mills was going to say was drowned out by the loud voice of a newsie.
"Councilman Johansen seen with another woman." Kit looked around for the source of the headline and her eyes soon fell on a 10 year-old boy. The boy saw her glance and came over, "Buy a paper from a poor kid ma'am. My sister is so sick and my mother needs every penny I earn to pay for her medicine." He looked up at her so adoringly but his look was soon changed to fear when Swan came up and laid a hand on Tack's shoulder.
"Now Jason, we both know your sister ain't any closer to dying than I am. And I know for a fact that she would tan your backside for saying such a whopper. As for your mother, Christine has raised you since you were no bigger than a pup."
Jason looked at Swan in shock, "How'd ya know that?"
"You mean you can't tell who I am Jason, and to think I always said you were the smartest of newsie in the city." Swan lifted his eyebrow and looked at Jason skeptically.
"Swan, but how in the world. We all thought you had left for good. Oh wait ya back cause of ya pop right?"
"What do you know of my pop?"
"Just that he is sicker than anything. So you back to pay ya respects?"
"Yes we all are. Here I see you have one paper left, I'll buy it from ya and you get home to ya sister she has got to be worried sick."
Jason smile up at the guy he considered his hero and held out his last paper. Swan paid for it and hoisted Two Bit, who had been hanging onto his leg, up on his shoulders.
"So Swan who was the councilman seen with?" Kit asked coriousity filling her eyes.
"Let's see the headline reads, "It's a Girl. Councilman Johansen and his family welcomed the newest edition to their clan, a baby girl. She weighed 7 lbs and 13 oz. Her mother, Grace Roland is the Councilman's only daughter. Mother and daughter are doing fine at home."
"I pity the guy who married Gracie Johansen, this Roland guy must be from out of town." Cray couldn't help commenting.
Kit grunted her accent as they all began walking in the general direction of town, all the while Swan and Cray pointing out different landmarks. Their progress caught the attention of the passer-bys, some who recognized Swan or Cray and other who were curious about the group of people walking down main street. After a short walk they were standing at the small gate leading to the Jacobson's house.
"Well Kit you going to go in or what?" Cray looked at her expectantly.
"Why should it be me. Why can't you go in?" Kit shot back.
"Cause you and Karen are closer that's why." Kit rolled her eyes and hitched a sleepy Lacy in her arms before heading up to the door, everyone else following.
After heaving a big sigh, Kit raised her hand and knocked. Through the door Kit heard Karen calling out, "Coming, Joel do you know who would be here at this hour?"
"No idea dear."
Kit heard nothing then the door opened and there stood Karen. They stared at each other for a moment before Karen squealed loudly and pulled Kit into the house, slamming the door on the others on the porch. Cray and Swan started to snicker as they heard Karen scold Kit for not at least telegraming them. They also heard Joel come out to the hallway and ask where everyone else was.
He soon opened the door to let the rest of the weary travelers in, shaking hands with Cray and Swan and asking for introductions to the rest of the guest. "So Crale who have you brought with you?"
"Well Joel, I'd like you to meet my fiancée Kaitlyn O'Riely. This is Jessie Malone and her two sisters, Becca who Craig has there on his shoulders and Rachel who Ami has."
Joel shook hands with Mills and Tack before turning to the guys. "And they would be?"
"Well two smaller ones are Bait and Jolly, I have no clue what they are really called and the taller, not so small one is Spot Conlon, he and Ami are a couple, and come to think of it I don't know his name is either."
Spot held out his hand to Joel, "Robert Conlon and these two are my nephews Andrew and Christopher. Nice to meet you Joel. And Cray Ami is my fiancée." Spot's voice held just a bit of pride.
"Same here Spot?" Joel quirked his eyebrow.
"Yeah Spot, my younger sister thought our pop was calling me Spot when he really was saying Sport, it kinda stuck."
"I see." Joel nodded, before turning to his wife, "You know Karen we don't have to stand here in the entry way for the entire town to see. Let's go out to the kitchen or into the living room." Joel gently guided Karen by the elbow into the kitchen. Kit and Swan exchanged a look and barely contained their laughter. Spot looked at Kit a bit confused as he put his arm around her shoulder.
"I'll explain it later, what do you think of them?"
"Joel seems a bit suspicious of me but sides that they seem nice." Kit grinned up at him as they entered the kitchen. Karen was buslting around looking for something to feed them and pushing the girls out of the way when they offered to help. "Sit, sit. You are guests here so just sit relax. Now Kit as I was saying, you should see your sisters, they are doing so well in school, both are near the top of their class. Wil is doing well too, he graduates next spring and you would think Joel had something to do with it all, he has been busting buttons all over the place talking about him. I can't believe you have been gone for a year, so what all has been happening with you?"
"Nothing much, we left here and went to Chicago for a bit, then left and ended up in New York City." Kit evaded the question, none of the others were going to dispute her shortened story.
"Oh I see well where am I going to put you all…I guess the girls can go in Caroline's room and the boys can share with Markie. You girls don't mind sharing your old room, Ami do they? Then the guys here can stay in Craig's old room. Caroline's old room is at the top of the stairs where Jeremy slept and Markie sleeps in Crale's old room."
Everyone nodded and as they had finished eating went to put their bags up in their rooms. Ami walked next to Karen and finally got the guts to ask her the question that had been bugging her all evening, "Karen who sleeps in the room that Josh slept in?"
Before Karen could answer a voice behind them answered for her, "I do."
The last day of the trip went by quickly. Kit spent most of the morning pretending to read. In actuality she was watching Spot deal with the twins. Entertaining two eight year old boys in a confined space kept him on his toes but he had done a good job. The morning was uneventful until the conductor came walking through the car.
"We're at Nebraska. First stop will be Omaha, Valley, Fremont, Wahoo, Lincoln and all points west."
Kit looked up from her book when she felt Spot looking at her. "Yeah Spot?"
"Well the kids are wondering, how much longer do wes got?" When Kit looked at the twins they were both nodding in agreement.
Kit looked at her watch then outside the window looking for something familiar. "Well with all the stops and stuff, we'll get to Lincoln around dark."
"But that is hours from now Kit." Bait came and sat next to her and pouted.
"I know but I can't do nothing about it. The guys were the ones that forgot to get express tickets. But I'll bet we can get out at Omaha for a bit to stretch. That will make the last part of the trip better right?"
"Yeah Ise guess so." Bait got back down and went over to Jolly. They looked as if they were discussing something as Spot came to take Bait's seat.
"Youse nervous ain't you?"
"Of course, but I'll be okay, it's not like I am going in facing it all on my own. I have you and Mills and Tack. It can't be that bad."
"That's right youse got me, and don't forget the twins. Ise don't think they'd let anyone hurt youse, if anything they'll bite the guy." Spot smirked a bit of sarcasm laced in his voice.
Kit had to smile at the idea of the twins biting Sid or Josh and after Spot saw her smile his grin got bigger. Kit gently smacked his arm before snuggling into his side and going back to her book. Spot got more comfortable on the seat and rest his chin on Kit's head and was soon asleep snoring in Kit's ear. Kit rolled her eyes as Spot snorted in her ear but soon was absorbed in the story of the First French Revolution.
Neither Kit nor Spot got off the train at any of the stops between Omaha and Wahoo, Kit was too into her book while Spot slept on. Mills had kept an eye on the twins for Kit and the rest of the day went by quickly. Kit looked up from her book as the conductor came through the car announcing, "Next stop Lincoln, Nebraska. We will be stopped for an hour. Please remember to be back on the train if you plan on continuing west to Grand Island, Santa Fe, and San Francisco."
Kit nudged Spot in his side. "Come on Spot wake up we're almost there and I need to get my stuff together."
Spot jerked a bit as he woke up, "Huh, Kit where are we?"
"We got 15 minutes left on this contraption and I plan on getting off, and I am not leaving you behind." Kit got up and stretched her back out before putting her book in her small bag. She then began looking around their seats for anything the twin or girls may have dropped, not wanting to leave behind trash or some toy.
Spot had also gotten up and moved to where the twins were sitting with the girls. He bent down to be eye level with them and began to discuss things with them. He then pulled out the money he owed them and stood up, ruffling their hair. Both Jolly and Bait had huge smiles as they began to plot how to spend their newfound wealth. The girls got up and showed Tack their money. Tack took a nickel from each of the girls but let them keep one.
Soon they felt the train slow to a stop and after gathering their belongings stepped off the train and onto the platform. Kit put down her bag and stopped to look around the platform. Mills and Tack came over to her, "You okay?"
"I think so, I never thought I'd be back, least not this soon."
"Yeah Ise can…" What ever Mills was going to say was drowned out by the loud voice of a newsie.
"Councilman Johansen seen with another woman." Kit looked around for the source of the headline and her eyes soon fell on a 10 year-old boy. The boy saw her glance and came over, "Buy a paper from a poor kid ma'am. My sister is so sick and my mother needs every penny I earn to pay for her medicine." He looked up at her so adoringly but his look was soon changed to fear when Swan came up and laid a hand on Tack's shoulder.
"Now Jason, we both know your sister ain't any closer to dying than I am. And I know for a fact that she would tan your backside for saying such a whopper. As for your mother, Christine has raised you since you were no bigger than a pup."
Jason looked at Swan in shock, "How'd ya know that?"
"You mean you can't tell who I am Jason, and to think I always said you were the smartest of newsie in the city." Swan lifted his eyebrow and looked at Jason skeptically.
"Swan, but how in the world. We all thought you had left for good. Oh wait ya back cause of ya pop right?"
"What do you know of my pop?"
"Just that he is sicker than anything. So you back to pay ya respects?"
"Yes we all are. Here I see you have one paper left, I'll buy it from ya and you get home to ya sister she has got to be worried sick."
Jason smile up at the guy he considered his hero and held out his last paper. Swan paid for it and hoisted Two Bit, who had been hanging onto his leg, up on his shoulders.
"So Swan who was the councilman seen with?" Kit asked coriousity filling her eyes.
"Let's see the headline reads, "It's a Girl. Councilman Johansen and his family welcomed the newest edition to their clan, a baby girl. She weighed 7 lbs and 13 oz. Her mother, Grace Roland is the Councilman's only daughter. Mother and daughter are doing fine at home."
"I pity the guy who married Gracie Johansen, this Roland guy must be from out of town." Cray couldn't help commenting.
Kit grunted her accent as they all began walking in the general direction of town, all the while Swan and Cray pointing out different landmarks. Their progress caught the attention of the passer-bys, some who recognized Swan or Cray and other who were curious about the group of people walking down main street. After a short walk they were standing at the small gate leading to the Jacobson's house.
"Well Kit you going to go in or what?" Cray looked at her expectantly.
"Why should it be me. Why can't you go in?" Kit shot back.
"Cause you and Karen are closer that's why." Kit rolled her eyes and hitched a sleepy Lacy in her arms before heading up to the door, everyone else following.
After heaving a big sigh, Kit raised her hand and knocked. Through the door Kit heard Karen calling out, "Coming, Joel do you know who would be here at this hour?"
"No idea dear."
Kit heard nothing then the door opened and there stood Karen. They stared at each other for a moment before Karen squealed loudly and pulled Kit into the house, slamming the door on the others on the porch. Cray and Swan started to snicker as they heard Karen scold Kit for not at least telegraming them. They also heard Joel come out to the hallway and ask where everyone else was.
He soon opened the door to let the rest of the weary travelers in, shaking hands with Cray and Swan and asking for introductions to the rest of the guest. "So Crale who have you brought with you?"
"Well Joel, I'd like you to meet my fiancée Kaitlyn O'Riely. This is Jessie Malone and her two sisters, Becca who Craig has there on his shoulders and Rachel who Ami has."
Joel shook hands with Mills and Tack before turning to the guys. "And they would be?"
"Well two smaller ones are Bait and Jolly, I have no clue what they are really called and the taller, not so small one is Spot Conlon, he and Ami are a couple, and come to think of it I don't know his name is either."
Spot held out his hand to Joel, "Robert Conlon and these two are my nephews Andrew and Christopher. Nice to meet you Joel. And Cray Ami is my fiancée." Spot's voice held just a bit of pride.
"Same here Spot?" Joel quirked his eyebrow.
"Yeah Spot, my younger sister thought our pop was calling me Spot when he really was saying Sport, it kinda stuck."
"I see." Joel nodded, before turning to his wife, "You know Karen we don't have to stand here in the entry way for the entire town to see. Let's go out to the kitchen or into the living room." Joel gently guided Karen by the elbow into the kitchen. Kit and Swan exchanged a look and barely contained their laughter. Spot looked at Kit a bit confused as he put his arm around her shoulder.
"I'll explain it later, what do you think of them?"
"Joel seems a bit suspicious of me but sides that they seem nice." Kit grinned up at him as they entered the kitchen. Karen was buslting around looking for something to feed them and pushing the girls out of the way when they offered to help. "Sit, sit. You are guests here so just sit relax. Now Kit as I was saying, you should see your sisters, they are doing so well in school, both are near the top of their class. Wil is doing well too, he graduates next spring and you would think Joel had something to do with it all, he has been busting buttons all over the place talking about him. I can't believe you have been gone for a year, so what all has been happening with you?"
"Nothing much, we left here and went to Chicago for a bit, then left and ended up in New York City." Kit evaded the question, none of the others were going to dispute her shortened story.
"Oh I see well where am I going to put you all…I guess the girls can go in Caroline's room and the boys can share with Markie. You girls don't mind sharing your old room, Ami do they? Then the guys here can stay in Craig's old room. Caroline's old room is at the top of the stairs where Jeremy slept and Markie sleeps in Crale's old room."
Everyone nodded and as they had finished eating went to put their bags up in their rooms. Ami walked next to Karen and finally got the guts to ask her the question that had been bugging her all evening, "Karen who sleeps in the room that Josh slept in?"
Before Karen could answer a voice behind them answered for her, "I do."