A/N #1 : My apologies to Gypsy, I became boneheaded in my latest review to her (Plug: go read DOGMA, it's so cuuuute… Mush is Silent Bob… hehehe) and didn't CONGRATULATE HER TEN THOUSAND TIMES OVER for getting the part of Little Red Riding Hood in "Into The Woods"! Go go Gypsy! Break a leg hun!
A/N #2 : My apologies to everyone else, too… erm… I really *did* mean to write this earlier. I forced myself to write it last night, so whoo hoo! Maybe I'm out of my writer's block. Thanks to everyone who continually bugged me about updating and sent me emails yelling at me and the like. I luffle all of you!
A/N #3 : AHHHH! Pray for me, auditions for "The Music Man" tonight! AHHH!
A/N #4 : Ya know those pots that they advertise in infomercials? The ones with the holes in the lid so you don't hafta strain with a strainer? Yeah, my mom got those for Christmas. I'm making macaroni and cheese in the little one right now. ^_^ They make me happy. They actually WORK, too! AHH!
A/N #5 : Yum. My mac and cheese is good. I just mixed it up.
A/N #6 : And on with the shoutouts!
Keza: Queen of Procrastination : Hey, whaddya know, Chocolate's not half bad in this chappy! whoo whoo! I heart making people tap dance… hehe! Sorry about killing off Six Strings… it's not like I ENJOYED it! I looooooooooooooooooooove Six Strings, he's my favey-davey invented character! Thanks for your comments, Keeeeeeeeeeeeezles, I heart you!
The Omniscient Bookseller : Hey, you still alive?? I haven't seen you around and about in a while! I miss you, Omni! Okay, onto your review… YOU miss Blink?? He's missing, and Mush won't tell me where he's hiding at… I haven't been able to find him the past ten days. **Mondie looks sad while Mush giggles in the background** It's hard to run-on review without the aid of Blinky-182. Anywayz. Yeah, I was so happy that I made Race leader! **Mondie looks proud** That made my day. Which is strange, since I wrote it. Never mind. Luffle ya Omni dahlink! Come back soon!
Cards : I do believe that was the point, to make you all disoriented. **Mondie thinks a moment** Hmmm… Mush becomes disoriented in this chappy… hehehehehe **Mondie cackles, thinking of chappy in which she knows everything that's going down and NOBODY ELSE DOES** Bwahahaha. Luv ya Cards hun, thanks for the review!
Raeghann : Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! You're so sweet! :D :D :D :D I've never felt quite as accomplished as I did after reading your review… thank you so muuuuuuuuuch-mush!
Blinks-Tiger : YAY! back to you! Haha luffle ya!
misprint : Wow, that was a loooooooooong review you left! LOL! Newsies… :( **Mondie looks sad, which is showcased in the sad face she just typed** I loaned out my DVD of Newsies because I'm nice and love to share my Newsies love with the world, but I don't have it back yet and it's been over a week and I'm going crazy and I'm ssssssssssssaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadddddd. :( I think I might cry. Or else go get the rest of my mac and cheese to eat. **Mondie runs away and returns** Mmmm… Kraft goodness. Anyhow. NEW NAME FOR SPOT! Yesterday at work, Kimi and I were writing down the items on the hot bar buffet so that if people ask what's on the bar, we can give the list, right? And I looked down, and I was like "KIMI!" And then I pointed to my list, where I had written for "sweet potatoes," "SPot." It made me happy. So now Spot's newest name is Sweet Potatoes. Hey, guess what? FINALLY I get to tell you what "YWNB" means! You were on the right line, actually, with what you guessed, but I interpret it differently… instead of "Yeah, I mean, widdout Brooklyn…" *I* (and my DVD subtitles) say "Yeah, I mean, we're not Brooklyn." I just took out the "I mean" and made, "Yeah, we're not Brooklyn." The other day I got "No Sleep Til Brooklyn" stuck in my head, and now it just keeps REPEATING ITSELF OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND… Oh, just you wait until you see Lucy next chapter. It's not gonna be pretty. Hehe, I liked Choc's tapdancing. It was wonderful. I miss Six Strings too. :( Look, more sad faces. But he just left the story. I couldn't do anything about him. Besides, Choc's about to turn corrupt, and I don't want my baby Six Strings in on it! Erm… I've never heard of Remembrance day, sorry… or poppies… except in The Wizard of Oz… and lemon poppyseed muffins are GOOD and we have poppyseed salad dressing at work… erm… actually, this is gonna sound RETARDED, but I didn't even know that America and Canada HAD a war…? LOL can you tell I didn't pay much attention in my American History class? Ah, sorry, no Race in this chapter… weird, I just came up with a new plot twist involving him RIGHT THIS SECOND… strange. AHHHH! Guess what! I was watching Remember the Titans (wonderfully hilarious little movie… I heart Sunshine in it) and I was watching the interview with the real-life coaches, and the one kept saying that he "carried the banner" and such! I was so excited. It was sad. Hehehe, I loved your little Gangster Mush… he's so cute when he's all big and bad and black-like! ((Did you know that your shoutout has now reached the point where I'm typing this on the bottom line and can no longer see your name at the top? And my Internet just disconnected itself. Dangit.)) Crutchy and Spot aren't the only ones in that little drugfree commercial at the front of the VHS tapes! MUSH IS IN THERE! He wears a red shirt and dances around a bit. I haven't actually seen that tape since like, oh, June, when I had to borrow Sarah's copy cuz I didn't have it myself yet, and she had the old version. Back when I was borrowing it, I didn't really know the guys all that well, and so I didn't really look for anyone but Mush. But whatev. It was hard to miss Sweet Potatoes. He was funny. Great review, Misers! I heart you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Raider : Thanks! Sorry this is so short, but I must-mush go wake up my doggie. She's howling upstairs. **Mondie growls STUPID ANIMAL and takes to the stairs**
Broadway : I know you don't like Lucy! LOL! I don't either! Hahaha. She's fifteen now… and does she remind you of anyone? Like the WHOLE FRIGGIN FEMALE PORTION OF THE FRESHMAN CLASS??? LOL j/j… except not really joking all that much. You're at work right now, SICK. I hope Beth isn't being too horrible to you. And I hope we do AWESOME at auditions!
rumor : Thanks for the two reviews, hun! You're such a sweetie. Spotchkey is an original **Mondie huggles little Spotches** And yeah… wait'll Lucy gets REALLY reintroduced next chapter. The innocent little babe has turned into … eh … someone not innocent. Yeah. **Mondie nods** I heart you Rumor!
Alison224 : Oh, the story's not over yet hun! LOL I know you know that, because we talked about it in email. But yeah. Thanks for reading the whole thing, you're too kind! LOL! I really like this story, even though I can't tell you why… no reason, actually… Anyhow. Thanksssss!
And now…
Growth Chapter 14
Summer, 1904
Seraphim sighed as she locked her arms tightly around her husband's shoulders. She hated this, she hated how far away he seemed. "Mush," she said, leaning her head against his neck. They still called each other by the names they'd held while being newsies. "Why are you always so sad?"
He didn't answer. He didn't even seem to hear her. They'd been married two years. Of course, they earned a comfortable enough keep, his job with Denton paying all the bills and then many other expenses. Seraphim would sometimes do odd jobs here and there for a little extra money, but generally was very happy to stay at home and clean.
Mush broke away from her slender arms and moved across the room, staring out the glass that, though sparkling from the inside, was covered in grime outside. He was lost in his own thoughts, unaware of her presence. He was like this a lot nowadays.
Seraphim moved to the kitchen table, where a piece of paper sat, covered in ink scratches and botched letters. She surveyed the heading. Of course… she should have guessed. The letter began, "Dear Kid Blink."
Angrily, Seraphim snatched the paper up and crumbled into a ball, before throwing it into the stove. The flames licked hungrily at it, turning it into a pile of trembling ash. If there was one person in the world that Seraphim hated, it was Kid Blink. Kid hadn't written to Mush in thirteen months, and Seraphim would be damned if that wasn't the cause of Mush's moodiness.
"I'se takin' a trip." His voice startled her. It seemed ages since he'd actually spoken. He turned away from the window, his dark eyes lighting upon her. "I'se gonna go see Blink."
"No, you're not," she answered, sounding calm, though her heartbeat was racing twelve times its normal pace. She couldn't believe he'd spoken. "Who will make the money if you leave?"
"I'll take a job while I'm there, and make more money. We've got some saved up, you should be fine for a month or two."
"A month or two?" Seraphim shrieked, her voice losing all tranquillity. "Are you mad? What will I do without you here for an entire month?"
"Da same t'ings ya usually do, I s'pect," Mush answered, moving to the bedroom. He began to pack a small trunk.
"Mush! You can't leave me. I won't let you. What will become of me?"
There was a pause, and when Seraphim chanced a look at him, she was surprised to see the twinge of humor upon his face. It had been so long since he'd smiled… He gave a little laugh. "Sera, if dere's any one goil in da whole woild who kin hold 'er own wit'out no man, it's you. I'se know you'se'll be fine. I'se well aware a' it, in fact."
Seraphim moved to the bedroom doorframe and leaned upon it, her face twisted in grief. "I'll miss you, Mush," she said, wondering if he knew how much he was hurting her.
"I'll miss you too," he said, devoid of emotion, continuing to pack. Seraphim bit her lower lip and made herself watch him. When he'd finished, she walked to his side and wrapped her arms around his strong chest. To her surprise, he hugged her back, around her waist. He kissed her shortly upon her lips, then released her. "Love ya, Sera."
"I love you too," she said. Then she couldn't watch him anymore, because the tears in her eyes veiled her vision. "Come back as soon as you can."
Mush gave a short nod, but it wasn't an actual affirmation in either of their minds. Mush walked out the door and out of the flat.
Seraphim sat back down in her chair. She wondered if she'd ever see her husband again.
Philadelphia. Mush had never been to Pennsylvania before, and was intrigued by its history. He wandered around for a while, lugging his trunk behind him. He knew he looked a bit odd, but he couldn't help himself. Besides, he hadn't felt so liberated in a long time. If Blink wasn't married when Mush found him, he'd make sure to let him know that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. A stifling wife isn't nearly as fun as a giggling girlfriend.
As dusk began to set, Mush finally tired of his tourist charade. He set his trunk on its side and sat upon it, taking a bit of paper from his pocket. Otter's address was written across it. He asked for directions, and found that, very luckily, he was in the right area of town. He headed down a few streets and then found the house he was looking for.
For a long while, he could only stare at it. It was a sprawling mansion, with a lawn the size of a New York City block with fountains and numerous sidewalks. The house itself was larger than Mush's entire apartment building. Hesitating only a moment further, Mush headed up one of the cobble sidewalks leading to the front door.
"Yes? How may I help you… sir …?" The man who opened the door had a pinched face, as though he'd been overly exposed to a horrendous odor, and a stiff posture. He looked at Mush as if he were an intruder about to declare war on Philadelphia.
Mush cleared his throat hurriedly, and asked for Kid Blink.
"There is no one here called 'Kid Blink,' sir," the man said. "I do believe you have the wrong house…"
Mush tried frantically to think of Kid's real name, his name before he'd become a newsie. It didn't come to him. Desperately, he described Kid Blink, and now it seemed to strike a familiar cord with the man.
"Oh. You'll want to see Miss Camille, then," the man said, and reached to Mush's side to pick up his luggage. He put the trunk down in the hall, and then led Mush into a study absolutely overflowing with priceless treasures.
Mush felt a wave of relief crash over him as he spotted Otter sitting on a wooden chair, laughing at a story told by her companion. Mush stopped short a moment, unseen, and grinned at the sight of the back of Kid Blink's head. The shiny blond hair was even shinier now, and shorter. But something seemed wrong…
"…Oh!" Otter gave a startled yelp as she caught sight of Mush. "You frightened me! I didn't see you there… wait a minute… …Mush?"
Kid Blink turned around, and Mush's stomach gave a sickening lurch. Otter's companion—whoever the hell he was—had both eyes. It wasn't Kid.
"Otteh?" he asked, in a low voice. "Wheah's Kid?"
Otter looked at him sadly, then shook his head. "Didn't you get my letter, Mush? Blink's gone."
"Gone?" Mush echoed, his eyes searching Otter's face. "Whaddya mean, 'gone'? Don' you tell me dat that bummah came back ta New Yawk an' neveh came ta see me!"
The boy stood up now, and extended his hand. "I'm Joshua Louis Carlton, the third," he said.
"Not now, Josh," Otter reprimanded, and stood up from her own chair. She crossed the room, and, biting her lip, grabbed Mush's hands in her own. "Blink died, Mush. Over a year ago."
"What?" Mush asked, feeling his heart die and drop into his stomach. "No."
"I'm sorry," she said, and tears suddenly stained her beautiful face. Mush was vaguely aware of similar tears running down his own cheeks. "I thought you knew…"
Mush turned away from her, and walked back into the hallway. He ran into the man again, the one with the pinched-looking face.
"Sir, I put your luggage upstairs in a guest room. The blue room, in fact. If you would like, I could show you to it now, or—"
Mush shook his head wearily. "Jus' bring it back down, please. I'se gotta be goin'."
"Oh, Mush, please stay," Otter begged him. "You don't have anywhere to go in Philly."
"Yeah, well, I'll find somewheres," Mush answered. He looked around again at all the finery as the man and his luggage reappeared quickly and suddenly beside him. He grabbed hold of his trunk's sturdy leather handle, and picked it back up. "Blink hated fancy stuff," he said stiffly. "'E musta hated it heah."
Otter nodded slightly. "He did."
"So why didn' ya let 'im come back home? 'E belonged in New Yawk. Wit' me." Mush's voice broke, and he had to fight the urge to break one of the antique vases that were on display about him.
"I know," Otter said softly, shivering. She walked over and hugged Mush around his waist. "But I didn't want him to leave me, and he would never have gone against my wishes. It was pure selfish motives that kept him here with me."
"Yer a horrible, wretched goil," Mush said, crying furiously now. "I hope you boin in hell." With that, he wrenched free of her grip and stormed out of the mansion.
Mush never saw Otter again.
The Mountain Clouds Troupe … performing tonight, 8:00. Mush stared at the freshly-painted sign, still dripping with shining ink. He couldn't figure out why the troupe's name sounded so familiar. Perhaps they'd gone through Medda's when he'd been a newsie… he couldn't remember anymore. They'd seen a lot of Vaudeville acts in their time. He stared at the poster again, knowing in the back of his mind that he should recognize this name.
Suddenly, it dawned on him. It was the troupe that Chocolate and Six Strings had been in. His curiosity piqued, he paid the entrance fee and headed inside. It had been a long time since he'd seen Chocolate or Six Strings… They probably wouldn't be in this troupe anymore, the reasonable side of his brain reminded him, but he didn't let that thought plague him too long. Dammit, he needed something to amuse him. And he needed something to take his mind off things… a loud, strong liquor. He signaled the bartender as he took his seat. Soon, he had nameless alcohol, a glass in each hand. He didn't really give a damn what the drinks were, as long as they were strong. He began to half-heartedly watch the show, downing glass after glass. The bartender just kept returning.
"Let's hear it for Sgt. Brockley and his dummy!" The crowd erupted into cheers as the ventriloquist bowed off the stage to the announcer's voice. Then the announcing man stepped on the stage, and Mush stared blankly at him for a moment, before standing up.
"CHOCOLATE!" he screamed.
Chocolate scanned the audience, but the footlights were too bright and blurred his vision. Shrugging, he continued. "And now, the lovely little girl to win your hearts… Rose!"
Mush took his seat, his vision already altered from the alcohol. A girl took the stage, blonde curls bouncing. She was squeezed into a pastel pink dress, and was singing something about innocence, while strutting around something awful, showing leg and chest provocatively. Mush squinted at the preening girl, and judged that she couldn't be older than sixteen. Disillusioned world, he judged, settling back and downing the glass in his right hand. He listened with one ear to the audience, full of men far older than he, who were enjoying this young girl's show just a tad too much. Mush felt further disgusted.
At that moment, a man appeared at his table. "Were you the man who stood up and yelled out the name 'Chocolate'?" The man who asked had a long red beard. Mush found it fascinating.
"Yup," he answered, trying to focus on the man's face.
"Follow me, please," the man said. Mush shrugged and stood up. He began to walk away from his table, leaving all his belongings, but luckily the redhead noticed and grabbed Mush's luggage for him.
They went backstage, where Mush dizzily watched the actors running around in what seemed to be circles around him.
"Why did you call me Chocolate?" Suddenly, Chocolate's face loomed before him, and Mush struggled to focus in on his features.
"Cuz we's used ta be newsies tageddah," Mush answered, leaning against the back wall for support. "Issme, Mush."
"Mush?" Chocolate asked incredulously, then the sound of applause rang from the other side of the curtain. Chocolate hurried to introduce the next person, then ran back, dragging the girl in pastel with him.
Mush noticed how very much prettier she was close-up, and struggled to remember her name. Was it Daisy? Daffodil? Iris? He wanted to reach out and touch one of those curls she had. Such beautiful curls… such beautiful blonde curls. They reminded him a bit of Seraphim's curls, only better. And her eyes… big blue eyes… at least, he was pretty sure they were blue…
Chocolate smiled. "Mush, this is Rose. Or, as you used to know her… Lucy."
Lucy?