AN: Wow, I finished that short part at like 2 AM this morning. Now, it's 5:30 PM and I just finished writing just over 3 pages. Aren't you proud? Thanks so very much for reviewing my story; it really has encouraged me to write more of this story. Thanks to Frenchy, GLimmer, and everyone who's been faithfully reviewing me.
"Darling," Madeline says, smiling widely and standing, "Amanda's here, and she brought a friend for dinner."
"Hello Joseph, Joe, JJ," Amanda says, "May I introduce my uncle, Brian Denton. I believe you know of him. He works for "The Sun." Uncle, this is Joseph Pulitzer, his son Joe, and his grandson JJ."
"Hello, Mr. Denton," Joseph says, eyeing him suspiciously, "Your name sounds very familiar."
"I wrote about the Newsboys strike three months ago," Denton says, concealing a smile at the expression that appears on Pulitzer's face when he remembers.
"Also," Amanda says, interrupting further discussion, "I invited a young man who helped me today when I got lost in the city, Jack Kelly. Jack Kelly, may I introduce you to Joseph, Joe, and JJ."
"We've met," Joseph says, taking a good, long look at Jack, "I thought you left the city, boy."
"I had family here and friends," Jack says simply, not wanting to start a fight.
"Excuse me, but nice to meet you, Jack," JJ says, stepping in to the conversation to shake Jack's hand after he sees the look that Jack casts towards Amanda.
"Strong grip," Jack comments.
"May I borrow you for a second, Amanda?" JJ asks, grabbing her arm tightly.
"Of course," she says with thinly veiled disgust.
"That boy is the one who lead the revolt against "The World," JJ whispers, indignantly, "And your uncle is the one who reported on it."
"What revolt?" Amanda asks, playing dumb.
"A strike by all the newsboys in the city because it was necessary to raise their prices," JJ explains to Amanda as if he were explaining it to a child.
"Well, he's just a friend who helped me when I got lost in the city. I thought this was a fair way to repay him, plus I saw him carrying "The World" papers. I hoped you wouldn't mind," Amanda says, smiling innocently.
"Fine, this time. Next time, you are to run things by me. Remember that!" JJ says, squeezing her arm tightly before they head back to the group. A flash of pain shows in Amanda's eyes as they rejoin the group. Jack and Denton cast her questioning looks, but she nods as if to say she is okay.
"Excuse me, but dinner is served," Sarah says, coming in to the parlor. She avoids Jack's eyes at all cost. JJ immediately takes Amanda's arm and escorts her to the dining room. Joe, Joseph, and Madeline are not far behind. Jack and Denton bring up the rear.
"Something went on. He hurt her," Jack whispers covertly.
"I saw it. We'll ask her about it after dinner," Denton replies.
JJ pulls out Amanda's chair and sits to her left. Jack sits to her right, much to the dismay of everyone but Madeline and Denton. Next to Jack is Joe, who is sitting at one end of the table. Opposite of Jack is Madeline, and opposite of JJ is Denton. Joseph is sitting at the head of the table. Dinner stops the conversation and tension for a short while, but as soon as the first course is gone it starts up again.
"What exactly is it you do again, Jack?" Joe asks.
"I don't believe I told you, but I am a newspaper distributor," Jack says, picking up on Joe's superior tone.
"Really?" JJ asks.
"Yes, I am a newsboy. I deliver your newspapers, Mr. Pulitzer, to the people of New York City," Jack answers.
"So, how much do you newsboy's make?" Madeline asks, innocently.
"Right now, it costs us 1 penny for 2 papers. We sell them for 1 penny each. On a good week with good headlines, I can sell upwards of 1,000 papers a week," Jack says, refusing to sink to the level JJ and Joe are trying to bring him down to. Amanda smiles at him and squeezes his hand under the table. Jack returns the smile, which makes Joseph, Joe, and JJ angry.
"That's about $10 a week; $5 after you deduct the price of newspapers," Amanda says, slipping out of her 'dumb blonde' mode.
"I didn't know you were that good at math," Madeline says, "You figured that out rather quickly."
"Just luck, I guess," Amanda says, realizing her mistake.
"Where do you live, Jack? I doubt you can afford an apartment, no offense," Joseph says, entering the game.
"None taken, SIR," Jack grounds out, "I live at the Newsboys' Boarding House. It's a cheap rate, and many of my friends live there. I also have a few friends who let me stay with them, especially if it's been a hard day."
"So, you have no home? What happened to your parents?" JJ asks, hiding a smirk.
"My mother died, and my father was arrested for stealing some food for me shortly after. He had lost his job when he stayed home to take care of my mother while she was sick. After she miscarried and died, he wasn't able to hold a steady job. He always tried to take care of me. Ever since then, I did what I needed to survive. Being a newsboy has given me the best money so far," Jack says, deciding just to come out and say the truth.
"Oh, you poor dear," Madeline says, her heart going out for the young boy her son's age. "No one should have to go through that."
"It made me strong and what I am today. I can't say it didn't hurt, but life has its own way of working things out," Jack says.
By now, it is time for desert. JJ is uncomfortable with the vulnerability Jack is showing and doesn't want Amanda to listen to Jack's sob stories. "Excuse me," he says, tapping his glass and standing up, "I have an announcement to make." He turns to face Amanda, and she closes her eyes, knowing exactly what is coming next. "Amanda Elizabeth Sawyer, will you marry me?"
"I can't say yes, yet," Amanda says, taking a deep breath. Madeline, Joseph, Joe, and JJ look at her with utter shock. "I don't know you well enough, JJ. I'm sorry, but I can't make such a large commitment without knowing you and knowing what I feel. I am planning on staying with my uncle for at least the next 3 months. Let me get to know you, and I will give you an answer within 3 months."
"I will have to inform your father of this," Joseph says, looking at her with a bit of disdain.
"I know you will, sir. I told my father my plan. I do not know whether or not he agreed, but he told me it was ultimately my decision," Amanda says, "I always dreamed I'd marry for love, and I do not know JJ well enough to know if I love him."
"That is fair enough. You can't ask my niece to agree to marry someone she hardly knows. Loveless marriages make people unhappy and breed contempt. You cannot want that for your son, Mr. Pulitzer. I know my sister would never want that for her daughter," Denton says, stepping in.
"I agree to that if you do, father and grandfather," JJ says.
"I'll agree," Joe says, and Joseph just nods.
Desert commence in a stiff silence until Sarah comes to clear the plates. She goes around and quickly grabs everyone's plates until she reaches Jack. "Hello Sarah," he says, startling her to the point where she almost drops the plates, "How are you doing?"
"Hello Jack," she says, regaining composure, "I'm fine, but I really need to get back to work."
"Okay, then, we'll talk at dinner tomorrow night. Your parents invited Denton and me to dinner," Jack tells her before she hastily escapes to the kitchen.
"How do you know Sarah or her parents?" Joseph asks, suspiciously.
"Her brothers and I work together, and we used to go out," Jack says, pausing to take a sip of water. "I am that 'lazy lout' that she spoke of," he continues, directing the comment to Madeline.
"Oh my," Madeline says, remembering the conversation earlier, "If I had known, dear, I never would have said anything."
"It's truly okay. I already knew most of it," Jack says, pacifying Madeline's fears.
"Sarah's dating a successful medical student now, is she not? No offense to you, Jack, but I can see that as a step up in the world," Joe says, not bothering to mask his superiority.
"She's dating Michael. They do look well together. I believe it is quite serious; he's invited her to the Calvert-Baxter wedding at the end of August," JJ says, hoping to sting Jack.
"What does that mean?" Jack whispers to Amanda.
"Basically, if he's willing to introduce her into the social circles, then he's very serious about her. Everyone will know to stay away from her after that; she's Michael's possession," Amanda whispers while the rest of the men are discussing business.
"Oh, Jack, forgive us. I do believe we are speaking over your head. You must be bored. Gentlemen, shall we retire to the study?" Pulitzer says, standing up. Joe and JJ follow suit. "Denton, you're invited as well. You too, Jack."
"Thank you, but I think it is about time for me to head home," Jack says, standing up.
"Probably just as well," JJ says, "It will be all business and politics. Very boring for you. What about you, Mr. Denton?"
"Thank you for the gracious offer, but I think we all should be heading home," Denton says, standing up also. "Amanda was traveling today and I am sure she's very tired."
"Thank you, uncle; I am," Amanda says, faking a yawn. "I need to get some sleep if I am to go to church tomorrow morning."
"Are you sure you need to leave?" JJ asks, helping her out of the chair. "You could stay longer, and I could take you home. We could get to know each other better," he continues with a lewd undertone evident in his voice.
"No, thank you, JJ. I am rather tired, but I will see you soon," Amanda says, removing her hand from his. "Thank you for the lovely dinner, Madeline," she says, turning her attention to the only other female at the table.
"You're welcome, dear. It was great to see you; I hope to see you around. Nice meeting you, also, Jack. You are one very brave young man," Madeline says.
"Thank you, Madeline. It was very nice to meet you," Jack says, kissing her hand softly. Madeline smiles, trying to hide her grin when she sees the look her husbands casts her.
"Does every woman fall victim to his charms?" Amanda asks Denton quietly. Denton just laughs in response.
"Thank you for dinner, Madeline," Denton says, stepping forward. "It was nice meeting you; I assume I will be seeing you around."
"The same to you, Mr. Denton," she says, as Denton kisses her hand.
Madeline retires to the parlor as Joseph, Joe, and JJ escort their guests to the door.
Denton shakes hands with all three men, as does Jack. As Jack and JJ break their handshake, JJ whispers to Jack alone, "You know you have nothing to offer her, so don't even try. She knows the truth about who you really are. Do you really think she would like a street rat like you? She will end up with me, one way or another. I know she will choose me in the end."
"She can make up her own mind AND HEART, JJ. I suggest you let her do it," Jack whispers just as quietly.
"She's a woman; she doesn't know what she wants," JJ says, as Jack pulls his hand away.
Joseph and Joe both kiss Amanda's hand and say good night as JJ steps forward now that his exchange with Jack is finished. "Farewell, sweet princess," he says, kissing her hand, "I do hope you consider the proposal. I know I will make you very happy."
"Good night, JJ. Yes, I will consider it," Amanda says, trying to get away. Unfortunately, JJ's grip on her hand is too tight.
"Good night," he says before roughly kissing her on the lips, all the while his eyes remain locked with Jack's.
Well, you know the drill. Reviewing = more parts to the story. I have an outline for the next section, and it's Amanda/Jack with little Denton interaction. You will see a few more of our loveable characters…I hope you enjoy it. BTW – the offer for backgrounds or background making still stands. I'm more than willing cause it gives me a nice break when I'm writing the story or doing homework.