Author's Note: I wrote this story for me and published it with the hopes someone else would like it. I know exactly where I'm going with the story, but I don't know when I'll get there. Funny how I have the ending all thought out, but I'm not sure how to get there.
Disclaimer: Don't own anyone you recognize. Amanda, her friends and family are mine.
"Uncle Denton," a well-dressed girl yells over the crowd.
"Amanda," Brian Denton says, moving through the crowds. He stops in front of her and hugs her. "How you been, kid? Your mother and father?"
"Hi," she says, returning the hug. "They're good. I'm better now that I'm here. You realize you're getting a bit of a New York accent, Uncle."
He laughs at her and picks up her trunk. He shows the driver the rest of her bags, which the driver loads in.
"Hey, Denton," Racetrack says, stopping Brian and Amanda before they climb in the carriage, "Buy a pape?"
"Sellin papes, Race? Track not treating ya so well?" Brain says, giving Race a quarter and taking the pape.
"Thanks, man. Now, who is this lovely angel I sees by your side?" Race says, putting the moves on Amanda.
"I'm Amanda Sawyer, his niece," she says, offering him her hand.
"They calls me Racetrack. Judgin by your trunk and the fact yous ain't got an accent, I'd bet ya yous ain't from round here," Race says, taking her hand.
"Philadelphia, actually. So, you're a friend of my uncle's? Come back with us to his apartment," Amanda says, smiling at the boy.
"What a generous offer but I gotta work," Race says, charmed by the young woman.
"Nonsense," she says, looking at her uncle. "Uncle Denton, tell him."
"You can't win with her," Denton says, looking affectionately at Amanda, "She's like her mother. You were going to meet us for lunch, right?" At this, Race nods. "Well, that's an hour from now," Denton continues after checking his watch, "It'd take about 15 minutes to get there from here, so don't worry."
"You're the boss," Race says, giving in easily. He climbs in the carriage after Denton, who follows Amanda in. The ride continues with light chatter until they reach the apartment. Denton and Race carry up Amanda's bags. Denton goes to the kitchen to get water.
"You were a part of the strike?" Amanda asks Race as Denton comes back in.
"I merely followed Jack and Davey. Two smarter yous never find," Race says, accepting a glass from Denton.
"Jack…Jack Kelly. He was the leader, right?" Amanda says, thinking for a second.
"Yes, he was. You'll meet him at lunch," Denton says.
"Don't know in what shape he be in, though," Race says.
"Why's that?" Denton asks.
"Sarah dumped him. Theys been havin some troubles…y'know?" Race asks Denton. Denton nods his ascension, so Race continues, "He's still sellin' papes three months after the strike. Told him abouts a week ago, he gots no ambition. Apparently she met a rich boy goin places."
"For Jack to do what he did, he has tons of ambition. To lead something like that, to cause a revolt against the powers, is a hard thing. His story stopped the same thing from happening in Philadelphia," Amanda bursts in.
"Amanda, how did Philadelphia hear about the story?" Denton asks, looking at her suspiciously.
"Someone wrote a column for the Tribune," Amanda says, ducking her head, "Armand Denton."
"Amanda!" Denton says, looking at her shocked.
"Well, Amanda Sawyer can't get anything taken seriously. Armand Denton is a favorite columnist with the Tribune!" Amanda says, defending herself.
"Wait, yous a reporter?" Race asks.
"I wish. A girl can't do anything like that, especially me," she says, sighing.
"Why's that?" he wants to know.
"My father is Jacob Sawyer, a leader among Philadelphian society…" Amanda says.
"And part owner of the Tribune," Denton adds.
"His newest venture is attempting to marry me off to Joseph Pulitzer III. A major joining of two high profile families," she says, "It won't happen. I want to be independent, or at least marry someone I want to marry. I am not a business deal!"
"Hence the trip to New York," Race says, putting two and two together.
"Only he doesn't realize I won't be returning to Philadelphia…nor will I be marrying Pulitzer's grandson. I will do what I want," Amanda says, "With or without your help, uncle."
"What does your mother say, Amanda?" Denton asks.
"Mother knows of my wishes. She doesn't like the match up anymore than I do, but she can't speak out against father," she says.
"That's what my father did to her," Denton remembers, "Which is part of the reason she wanted you here with me."
"She knew you'd take care of me, no matter the decision," Amanda says, smiling.
"You know I will. You can stay with me as long as you'd like," Denton says.
"And you have a friend in me," Race says.
"Thank you. I do have to see Pulizter tonight…all of them in fact. I was hoping my dear uncle would come with me," Amanda says, smiling, "I think they know of you."
"They do," Denton says, grinning.
"Race, you're invited as well," Amanda continues.
"Thank you very much," Race says, laughing.
"A girl can't go anywhere without escorts," Amanda says, causing them all to laugh heartily.
Denton checks his watch and sees they'd better be leaving for lunch. They get there before any of the newsies. About 10 minutes after they get there, everyone but Jack is there. Amanda is introduced all around.
"Uncle, I need breathing room. I'm going to go outside," Amanda tells Denton, sneaking away from the eye of all the guys.
"Sure, just be very careful," he warns her.
She goes outside and walks around. She isn't watching where she is going and runs into someone. She hits the ground. "I'm so sorry. I can be such a klutz," she says looking up at the man.
Ohhhh, cliffhanger…not. It shouldn't be hard to find out who she ran in to. Also, I'm looking for a title. If anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate it.