Past Secrets and Present Times
Chapter 15
By Megan
When Specs woke up the next morning he found himself still asleep on Hotshot's bed. She was awake and off somewhere else in the house. He forced himself to get up and walked into the bathroom. Running a hand through his messy hair he yawned and tried to straighten out his crumpled shirt. After a few minutes he just threw his vest on and ran a comb through his hair. He found Hotshot in the kitchen, helping Rosa and Racetrack make breakfast. Obviously someone had gone shopping the day before. While Rosa and Hotshot made one thing Racetrack was making something else. He was sometimes known as the chef at the lodging house and often got up early on holidays to cook breakfast. "Whatcha makin', Race?" He asked.
Race turned around, "Pancakes. Denton came by a while ago and told us we don't hafta be at the courthouse until noon. Denton and you's dad are gonna talk to the judge and sort the stuff like the hospital and visiting Brooke's dad out." For calling Hotshot by her real name Race soon had a raw egg in his hair. They both glanced over at the brunette who was glaring at them, threatening Race with another egg.
Racetrack held up a hand in defeat and suggested that Specs go wake David up. Specs almost ran into Rubin as he left the kitchen and mumbled a quick apology before dashing up the stairs. He went through Hotshot's room so he could find his boots.
Daniel was standing in the doorway looking around. "Where is she?" he snapped at Specs.
"Breakfast. Downstairs." Specs broke his sentences down as small as he could to get the message through Daniel's thick scull. The boy turned and walked calmly down the hall. Specs picked up his boots off of the floor and then woke David up, much more nicely than Racetrack would have done it.
As the two boys entered the kitchen a wonderful aroma greeted them and there was a knock on the door. Hotshot hurried to the kitchen door and threw it open without looking at it. Spot bounced into the room muttering, 'good morning.' And sitting down in one of the stools near the bar. Everyone else gathered around the bar after grabbing a plate of steaming food from the counter, except Daniel. He was sitting in the dining room waiting for his food to be delivered to him by a servant. Every few seconds he'd yell and ask why his breakfast wasn't ready yet.
Spot was the first one to get fed up with it. "May I?" he asked pointing to Daniel's plate and cup of coffee on the counter. His mind and Hotshot's connected and she nodded. Spot picked up the plate and carried it out to the table. The six of them still sitting around the bar watched as he poured the coffee into Daniel's lap and placed the plate down on the table, upside down of course, in front of him. "Have a nice day." Spot said before returning to his seat.
Denton arrived at the house about an hour later with good news. "Edwards didn't argue anything," he said, "He knew the judge would take our side. Must be planning something. Anyway we have permission for you to visit the hospital at any time. You can go to the lodging house, Pulitzer's house, Brooklyn, basically anywhere in Manhattan or Brooklyn anytime we're not in court."
"Good, Spot can you and a couple of the other newsies go check out the mansion in Brooklyn this weekend. I think Pulitzer's hiding something there." She took the key from around her neck and handed it to him.
"We'll leave right after court on Friday," he said nodding.
"As for your visit to the State Penitentiary…" Denton trailed off waiting for her attention again, "You and Jack are going next Monday. If you still want to reopen your father's case then the judge will interrupt your trial to do it. But we need an eyewitness first."
Spot had an uneasy feeling his stomach as Denton spoke. Hotshot merely nodded before Denton suggested that everyone get ready to go. They all piled into the waiting carriage half an hour later and rode across town to the courthouse. Numerous newsies were already seated on one side of the courtroom. Hotshot, Spot, Race, David, and Specs were immediately pulled into the always-growing group until Pulitzer came and took his seat. Hotshot sat at the opposite table but still talked to the newsies behind her.
"So, why'd ya pick who you picked yesterday?" Jack asked.
"Rosa, 'cause she's the only one I trust from Pulitzer's house, David because he's smart, and Specs 'cause he's my best friend at the lodging house."
"You know you made me lose a bet for that." Racetrack complained.
"You shouldn't be gambling anyway. Who'd ya think I'd pick?"
"Spot," Race said, "God I was sure you'd pick 'im 'cause you's known him longest."
"Whom'd you lose to?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Me," said Jack, "Speakin' a which, you owe me money."
Race dug into his pocket as he spoke again, "Yeah, Jackie boy was the only one who thought you'd pick Specs. Even Specs said he was crazy." Race left suddenly as some other friends called him to another row.
"Don't make any plans after court next Monday, Jack," Hotshot said.
"Why not?" he asked.
"You and I are going to the State Penitentiary." She turned, ignoring the shocked look on his face as the judge entered the room.
That morning the proceeding opened with the judge going over what he, Denton, and Mr. Edwards had discussed that morning. He also stated that since Ms. Lynn was given so many allowances Pulitzer would be calling his witnesses first. The judge already knew that the trial was going to be a long one. Pulitzer and Ms. Lynn each had over 30 people that could be questioned so he planned to have seven people questioned daily. Each of them was given six days worth of slots, or 42 witnesses, to question. There was also no doubt that Ms. Lynn would be reopening her father's case as part of it, so there was another week set aside for that. Then there was the fact that the press was all around the building to find out what was going on, because Pulitzer was part of it. That crowd would also grow once Ms. Lynn opened her father's case.
"Mr. Edwards and I put together a list of everyone that will be called to the stand during the whole proceeding this morning," Denton said handing Brooke the list. She looked it over. Almost half were members of either of the Pulitzer's staff, almost another half were newsies, and about ten percent were others like, Daniel, Medda, Kloppman, and kids she went to school with. She only nodded and handed him back the list. The only thing that made her nervous was the fact that Specs was last on Mr. Edwards' list.
Mr. Edward's walked calmly to the front of the room and announced the name of the first witness, "Thomas Meyer."
One of Pulitzer's butlers's stood and walked to the front of the room. After he swore the oath and took a seat Edwards questioning began. "Mr. Meyer, how long have you been working for Mr. Pulitzer?"
"Twenty years, Sir."
"And this young woman," He indicated Brooke, "lived in his household for a few years did she not."
"His and his brother's, Sir."
"Very good, and did you ever see Jonathan or Joseph Pulitzer harm this child?"
"No Sir."
"So she was never beaten?"
"Never."
"Mr. Meyer, did she ever disobey rules while she was living in Jonathan's home?"
"Always. She and her older brother were always getting into some sort of trouble."
"And did their stepfather punish them?"
"Yes, though not very severely."
"Did she cause trouble in her uncle's home as well?"
"Yes."
"She also ran away many times. Isn't that right, Sir?"
"Yes, she and her brother weren't in the house very often. Always out with the newsies."
Now Mr. Edwards began to trick the judge. "Did she ever make up…" He trailed off and suddenly looked up as an idea struck him, "Stories…Excuses?"
"Excuses, never. She made up stories all the time. Said she wanted to be a writer."
"How did she treat the staff at Mr. Pulitzer's home?"
"She treated us like we was the scum of the earth. She always ordered us around and screamed at us. Most of us begged Mr. Pulitzer to throw her out at one time or another."
"That is all…" Mr. Edwards walked back to his seat and sat down with a devilish smile on his face.
Meanwhile Hotshot was clenching her hands in fists underneath the table. Every single thing Mr. Meyer had said on the stand was a lie, except for that she wanted to be a writer. Pulitzer was either threatening all of his workers or bribing them. She whispered briefly in Denton's ear before he stood to interrogate the witness.
"Tom, did you ever work directly with Hot-, excuse me, Ms. Lynn?"
"No, Mr. Denton, I did not."
"So how did you know what she was like?"
"I heard stories from the others."
"And how do you know that these stories were not merely created like you believe all of Ms. Lynn's stories about her uncle and stepfather are?"
Mr. Meyer looked at Denton, and then at Hotshot. "I don't know Mr. Denton."
"That is all Your Honor."
"The witness may step down," The judge's voice echoed through the room.
The other six witnesses all answered their questions in the same manner. While Mr. Edwards asked them all mostly the same questions Denton asked each person something different. Hotshot blocked out all the sound in the courtroom after the fourth person. Edwards was showing the judge that all of these people though alike, but Denton was showing, little by little that it was not really true. Now all Hotshot wondered about was what he would do when he put newsies on the stand. She didn't even know that court was over for the day until Mush put a hand on her shoulder and shook her slightly.
"Hotshot? It's over for today. You ready to go?"
She looked around to see everyone exiting the courtroom and walked out with her friends.
That night she found Racetrack, David, and Specs in her room when she walked upstairs after dinner. Racetrack dealt her in and the game started. They sat on the floor and played for hours. Daniel began to play the piano downstairs so Hotshot switched on the radio (did they have 'em?). The loud music drowned out the sound of classical music being played downstairs. At ten the boys returned to their rooms and Hotshot changed into her pajamas. She opened her door to find Daniel grinning brilliantly in the hall.
"Scram," she told him and slammed the door in his face before he could comment. He knocked again and she sighed. She took the knife off of the table where her winnings lay. She'd bet Specs that she could beat him that night and told him to put down her knife. Now she opened the door and flicked it open, with the tip barely an inch from his throat. "I told you not to come down here no more. If you don't beat it now I'll have you removed for harassment."
"Fine," he turned and walked down the hall muttering somewhat loudly, "You probably jus wanna screw with Specs anyway."
A knife sailed by his head and imbedded itself in the doorframe just in front of him. He spun around and looked at her. She only stood there looking as calm as ever and staring at him.
"If you say anythin' like that again I won't miss. That's a promise." With that she strolled over, snatched the knife, and slammed the door to her room. She stood next to the door and listened to make sure he actually left. She sighed when she could no longer hear his footsteps. She turned around and jumped in surprise when she found Specs standing behind her. "What the- Specs, don't do that."
He calmly reached out and took the knife from her hand, closed it, and put it in his pocket. "Sorry," he finally said, "This time you don't get this back 'til the trial is over."
She just shrugged and climbed into bed. Specs sat on the other side of it and the two of them talked until they fell asleep. That night Daniel came back and saw them together. He was furious and wanted to get Specs for it but though of how much he could twist it around in court. Only that though made him return to his room.
A few hours later Brooke woke up from a nightmare. She shivered in the cold room and stumbled across the room to close the window. Back in bed she moved closer to the warmth of Specs' body and fell asleep again.
Specs was the only one woken by Rosa's knocking the next morning. He moaned but reluctantly opened his eyes and picked up his glasses from a table. "Hotshot," he muttered, "Wake up." He nudged the sleeping girl next to him until she swatted at his hand. "We gotta be ready in an hour so get your butt outta bed."
"I'm up," she snapped sitting up on the bed. She looked at him in his wrinkled clothes and asked, "Didya fall asleep in here again?" She tried to suppress a yawn but failed miserably in doing so.
He reached over and messed up her hair, "Yeah, sorry."
She shrugged, "Don' worry 'bout it. I really don' care."
He got up and walked into his room to clean up. Hotshot switched out of her pajamas and into her clothes. She met the others downstairs for a quick breakfast and they were ushered out to the carriage by Denton.
The questions went much as they had the day before. Mr. Edwards had placed all of the newsies into the last two days so she could stop paying a lot of attention until Monday. She listened only to get used to Edwards' way of working and paid attention to what Denton was proving through each client. Even though more than half the courts spectators were under eighteen the room was mostly silent. A few of the newsies would murmur to each other occasionally if they though something was unfair. Pulitzer's workers would also mutter to each other.
Hotshot was glad to get out of the boiling courtroom that afternoon and sat with the newsies on the front steps. "I'll be home before dark," she told Rosa as the older woman passed. Daniel heard her and insisted on going with her and the newsies. "Fine," she said through gritted teeth, "but if you can't keep up no one's going to wait for you." She looked at his expensive attire and dress shoes, comparing them to the newsies patched clothes and work boots.
She began to walk with the other newsies down the steps glaring at Spot and Jack. They each looked at her and she mouthed a few small words. A grin spread across Jack's face and Spot ran to the front of the group.
"Race ta the square!" He bellowed from the front of the line, "Las' one there buys me, an' Jackie boy dinner!"
All of the newsies immediately took off in groups, scattering in different directions. Specs, Bumlets, Dutchy, and Skittery pulled Hotshot in the direction of an alley. Daniel lost sight of her in the crowd and tried to follow the other newsies but wasn't used to the fast pace. He quickly lost sight of them and, not knowing where to go, returned to the mansion.
Everyone was at the square twenty minutes later and Hotshot was celebrating the fact that they'd lost Daniel. "Thanks Spot," she said, "I owe ya one."
"Eh, what else is new," he said
grinning. He wrapped an arm around her
shoulders and the group started toward the lodging house. Specs glared at Spot until Dutchy pushed him
to get him moving. They all settled around
the crowded bunkroom and started various games of poker and conversations. Hotshot joined a game with
Race, Royal, Swinger, Roman, and Bumlets.
"So how's Kid Blink?" she asked while Race dealt the cards. All she was rewarded with was silence. "Bumlets?" She turned to the one who knew him best out of the group.
"They only let me an' Jack in to see him." Bumlets shuffled his cards around in his hand. "He ain't doin' good Hotshot. The doctas really don' think he's gonna get betta." As he spoke she got a faraway look in her eyes.
She stood suddenly, "I can't play guys. I can't concentrate tonight." Usually Race would have yelled insults at her and forced her into playing. Tonight, however, he knew what she was thinking and let it slide. She walked across the room and sat down with Jack, Spot, and Rebel, leaning slightly against Spot's shoulder. "You's gonna tell me if he gets any woise, right Jack?" She asked with her eyes on him.
Jack avoided her eye for a second and then met her gaze. "I promise that if things start lookin' real downhill I'll send someone out right away." She nodded, satisfied with his answer and began to get up. "Hotshot," she turned at Jack's voice, "you know there's a chance he won't make it…"
She nodded, "I know." With that she walked to the other side of the room. She joined a poker game with Specs, Dutchy, and Skittery, but was so out of it she lost three games to Skittery before realizing she should quit. Her mood brightened considerably when she beat Race later that night. He'd taken advantage of her mood and challenged her to a game. She'd focused more on the game and won over a dollar from him.
Jack walked with them when they returned to Hotshot's house that night. He strongly discouraged Hotshot's idea of dropping by the hospital the next day. "Why not?" she asked suspiciously when he said not to.
"He just…Hotshot he doesn't look good…" Jack stumbled over his words and trailed off.
"I don't care how he-" she started, but she looked around and saw the identical looks on their faces. "Fine," she groaned, "I won't go."
"Jus' in case you change you's mind later, rememba there's t'ree newsies unda your roof who can stop you," Jack said as they reached the front porch. The other three continued inside but she stood there for a moment.
"None a them could stop me."
"Well, jus' stay here so they don't gotta worry about you," Jack patted her shoulder and jogged down the street.
Hotshot ran up the stairs to her room after yelling to Rosa that they were back. She closed the door and contemplated the though of sneaking out and going to the hospital. It was past nine so she'd have to sneak in through a window. But then there was no doubt that Race or David would tell Jack and Spot, even Specs would. She sighed in frustration and threw open her window, climbing out onto the roof. Right next to her room there was a flat, balcony-like area, like the roof of the lodging house. She pulled herself onto it and laid down.
Minutes later she heard noise in her room followed by a voice at the window, "Hotshot, Jack and Spot are gonna kill you." He seemed to be hoping she hadn't gone out of earshot yet but at the same time saying it to himself.
She leaned over the edge of the 'circle' as her brother had called it and called down to him, "How can I get in trouble if I don't go anywhere."
Specs jumped back from the window and then edged his way back to it looking up at her, "How did you get up there?"
"Climb out the window and walk up that way," she said pointing,
"I never said I was coming up," he said.
"Fine," she laughed, "but I ain't comin' back down for a while." She stood and walked out of his sight. She sat back and listened to him grumble as he climbed up to where she was. He sat next to her looking angry. "Oh please," She laughed, "It couldn't have been that hard. I mean you's a newsies. Don' tell me you ain't ever had to climb on a roof or up a tree ta get away from the bulls."
He gave her a little shove, "So what is this place?"
"The people who built the house just never put shingles on this part of the roof. My grandparents and my parents never noticed. Neither did Jonathan. I been climbing out her with me bruther since I was four, or five. We hid a bunch of stuff out here. Blackjack called it the circle."
"What about after he died?"
She winced slightly at the memory and he began to apologize. "No," she said, "Don't worry about it. I haven't been in this house since he died. When he was away though I practically lived up here, especially when I was grounded. He knew I was probably up here if I wasn't in my room. It's the place I come and think, especially at night."
He raised an eyebrow, "Why?"
"I just stare up at the moon and the stars. It was the only peaceful part of my life with the family I was cursed wit'."
They sat up on the circle for a little while longer and then climbed down.
"Well if it ain't the lovebirds," Racetrack's voice greeted them as the climbed in through the window. He was sitting on the floor shuffling through a deck of cards, with a new cigar in his mouth. He placed a pile of money on the floor, "You wanna play a few games?"
"Where'd you get the cigar and the money?" Hotshot asked. She knew very well that Race kept his money at the lodging house and he'd been complaining half of the walk home that he'd run out of cigars.
"I brung it wit' me from the lodging house."
"Ratero." She laughed.
"Huh?" Both the boys in the room looked at her.
She tried hard to suppress her laugher and regained control a few seconds later, "Pickpocket." Before Race could accuse her for lying she gave her reasoning followed by a bit of advice, "Don't take anymore during the trial; if you get caught I can't help you."
"I don' need your help," he said, "but I'll stop."
"Thanks Racetrack," she rubbed a hand over her face, "I don't feel like playin' tonight but I promise an extra game tomorrow."
He shrugged, "Night then."
Court was the same as the previous two the next day. Hotshot sent a message to Kid Blink through Bumlets and sold papes with the newsies all afternoon. It was the first time most of them had sold all week so everyone was eager to do it again.
Specs sat next to her on her bed that night. She watched him for a minute before asking a question, "So who else is going to your parents' tomorrow?" Denton had received the formal invitation from the Edwards' inviting him, Hotshot, Specs, and a few other newsies to their dinner the next night.
"Umm…" he thought for a minute, "You, me, David, Race, Jack, Spot, Dutchy, Mush, Bumlets, Skittery, and Rebel."
She lay back on the bed, "Should I be nervous?"
"No," Specs shook his head, "My dad doesn't like anyone, but me mum an' sisters'll like you."
"I didn't know you had sisters?" she yawned looking over at him, "How many?"
Specs looked at her with a faraway look in his eyes like he was remembering something, "Three. Lily was the only one older than me. She'd be about nineteen now, maybe twenty. Margaret would be thirteen, and Ana must be ten by now." He looked slightly amazed at the thought and it seemed to be the first time he'd really thought about it. He looked at Hotshot with a glazed look in his eyes, "I haven't seen them in over seven years."
"Specs, your father would have killed you if he'd seen you anywhere near that house." She tried to reason with him.
"But still, I shoulda gotten back there somehow."
"Agh," she threw up her hands in defeat, "Specs, you had no control over that. All they's gonna care about is that you come to the dinner. You are so stubborn sometimes."
He smiled, "You should talk." The faraway look returned to his eyes and he laughed, "Last time I saw them Lily had over a foot on me an' the other two were almost as tall as me."
She stretched out on the bed and muttered, "I'se been livin' wit' all guys since I was twelve. Whatta ya expect?"
He stretched out behind her saying nothing at all. He knew she was right. Sarah had only been around them for a few months but in that time she had become more tolerant of their behavior. Girls had to be more stubborn around the newsies or they could be taken advantage of.
Hotshot leaning against him a bit brought him back to reality. He sighed and placed his specs on the table next to the bed. The last thought he had before falling asleep was about how much he wanted the next day to be over.