Dollface :: thank you kindly! I thought it was about time for Boots, he's so underrated!
Blinks-Tiger:: ((giggles)) I honestly just kind of write what comes, I don't map it out… but hey, anything can happen!
Splash :: hey I appreciate all the time I can get from anyone!
Dream :: Thanks so much for reviewing, and thanks for the compliment!
Randomness :: Ahh, thanks so much!!
Kaylee :: Hey, I'm glad that I'm making your friend happy! I myself noticed the lack of Boots so I decided to write this haha! YOU DID THE PLAY NEWSIES? How jealous am I…
Falco Conlon :: Hey, thank you kindly. I promise I will be kind to Spot,((checks room for Jack)) I love him very much, he's just such an easy bad guy!
Sexydaddymagnet69 :: QUITE THE NAME YOU GOT THERE! Silly girl! Thanks so much!
A fish called sid :: wow, talk about great names. Thanks for reviewing!
Twig :: hey thanks for that point, and I know theyre all family, but back then it was harder to see one another without planes, trains and automobiles… ya know? So, I decided that they saw each other seldomly. Because, I can.
Littlewitch1899 :: I heart crutchy too, he's the cutest in a non-sexual kind of way ;o)
Raeghann :: Here ya go, the next chapter, thanks for reviewing!!
[Twenty Years of Reflection]
By: Bittersweet
The waiter came over, and brought Crutchy a coke (he never was much of a drinker). He raised it to the heavens and proposed a toast, "To us," he said gently.
I looked over at the boy who had always given me so much hope, independent and courageous. He looked at me, thank his lucky stars he filled out some. He finally grew into those ears, the ones that stuck out from under his plaid cap, that seemed to wiggle with excitement every time he saw this girl or that.
His voice was different too, not so squeaky, not so young, but matured and masculine. I guess that's what you have to expect after 20 years of not seeing someone. None the less, this was Crutchy, the same Crutchy I had always remembered.
Noticing how intently we were all staring at him, he merely laughed at us, shaking his head. "Yeah, I know, I've grown up some."
We all laughed nervously, it was just unbelievable. Other then the crutch and that dumbfound expression, he had just grown up so much.
"So, Crutchy, how's life?" asked Davey while taking a sip from his mug.
Crutchy grinned, so wide it stretched from ear to ear, "I met a girl."
I felt 12 again, 'ooooooing' and 'ahhhing' with my friends, as though girls still had cooties and our clothes didn't match.
"Her name is Mandy, she's amazing," he smiled snugly to himself. "We're engaged o be married, next autumn, and I want you all there."
"Mandy…Mandy…" Jack said, trying to put a face to the name, "do we know here Crutchy?"
Crutchy gave Jack a doubtful look, "Jack, the first thing I ask a girl before I even learn her name, is whether or not she knows Jack Kelly." The table burst into hysterics, until Davey realized what he was laughing about, and sat up straight.
"That's my sister you're talking about!" He said furiously.
"Oh lighten up Davey," smiled Les, "put that walking mouth to use and order us some drinks, ey?"
"Well fellas, I met Mandy down in Bay Shore. We were both volunteering at the same children's hospital, I do that in my spare time, and I don't know fellas, we fell in love." He gazed off, looking happy in a dumb-founded sort of way.
"Well, congratulations Crutchy, round of drinks on me," I said, patting my good friend on the back. "Besides volunteering, how else have you been making money these days?"
"You fella's are going to laugh at me, I just know it," he said, his cheeks turning red and him turning his eyes down to his coke. "I run the refuge a little farther up state, I love kids, and this way I get to be in charge." Then he looked up, and looked more confident, "I guess there aint no shame in that," and then he looked around at us.
"That's fantastic Crutchy, those children really need support from someone who cares." I said looking straight into his eyes.
"Yeah, unlike, do I dare say, Snyder?" Jack laughed, looking around at everyone trying to confine their laughs.
"Thankfully Crutchy, you look the same," said Davey, sitting down his mug full of beer. "You still talk to Race?"
"Someone say my name?" said a figure in the doorway, the familiarity of smoke arising from a cigar in his hand. He stepped closer, revealing himself to his friends.
"Racetrack Higgins, how the hell are you?"