Chapter One
Place: Newsboys Lodging House in Manhattan.
I was growing up so fast, and I loved it. "Racetrack, what do you suppose will happen in... 2 to 5 years?" I put my arm around Race's scrawny shoulders and hugged him tight, assuring him of my plans.
He smiled and leaned his head on my arm. Ya know, I'se gonna stay at what I'se doin'... bein' a newsie. And I'll be older, naturally. Dat's..." he raised his eyebrows, winking, "... about it."
"Well, then..." I pulled my arm back, and intertwined my fingers in my lap. I chuckled and then tried acting serious, "I guess I'll be leaving!"
He took my hands and caressed them. "Yeah, well, you know I ain't good wit all dis lovey dovey stuff." He half-smiled and kissed my cheek.
This made me a little frustrated, but I brushed it off.
He went on though, before I could say anything. "We's got a new newsie comin' in today. She's stayin' fa a little until da goils can get some more beds. They's packed over der. Dey got goils on da beds, some on da floor, everywhere."
"So girls are going to be."
Racetrack cut me off, "We's can't let everybody sleep on da floor. We's just volunteerin' until dey can get in more sleepin' arrangements." He patted my hand. "Don't get all jealous."
Jealous? Was he joking? "Of what?"
He shrugged, not even realizing how wrong he could possibly be. "Goils always get jealous about everything."
I huffed and rolled my eyes. Jealous alright. I'd seen Race start fights with someone just for them glancing at me. If anyone was quick to suspicion it would be him. "Whatever you say. I just think it's awfully crowded enough for all of you, and what girl would want to be stuck so close to you pigs?"
"Pigs?!" That hit a nerve. "My friends aren't pigs!"
"I didn't say it like."
"Oh yeah, but you implied it all right." He was the one to cross his arms now and act cold, but for real this time. He was touchy about his friends, more-so than other people. The newsies were like a family, and they were always there for each other.
I could see that this would involve many apologies, but I wasn't ready to give him that yet. I was stubborn, and I knew it. We both knew it was a stupid fight, but we couldn't just deal with it. I stood up and walked outside to go see Trey at "Tibby's".
MORE TO COME.
Place: Newsboys Lodging House in Manhattan.
I was growing up so fast, and I loved it. "Racetrack, what do you suppose will happen in... 2 to 5 years?" I put my arm around Race's scrawny shoulders and hugged him tight, assuring him of my plans.
He smiled and leaned his head on my arm. Ya know, I'se gonna stay at what I'se doin'... bein' a newsie. And I'll be older, naturally. Dat's..." he raised his eyebrows, winking, "... about it."
"Well, then..." I pulled my arm back, and intertwined my fingers in my lap. I chuckled and then tried acting serious, "I guess I'll be leaving!"
He took my hands and caressed them. "Yeah, well, you know I ain't good wit all dis lovey dovey stuff." He half-smiled and kissed my cheek.
This made me a little frustrated, but I brushed it off.
He went on though, before I could say anything. "We's got a new newsie comin' in today. She's stayin' fa a little until da goils can get some more beds. They's packed over der. Dey got goils on da beds, some on da floor, everywhere."
"So girls are going to be."
Racetrack cut me off, "We's can't let everybody sleep on da floor. We's just volunteerin' until dey can get in more sleepin' arrangements." He patted my hand. "Don't get all jealous."
Jealous? Was he joking? "Of what?"
He shrugged, not even realizing how wrong he could possibly be. "Goils always get jealous about everything."
I huffed and rolled my eyes. Jealous alright. I'd seen Race start fights with someone just for them glancing at me. If anyone was quick to suspicion it would be him. "Whatever you say. I just think it's awfully crowded enough for all of you, and what girl would want to be stuck so close to you pigs?"
"Pigs?!" That hit a nerve. "My friends aren't pigs!"
"I didn't say it like."
"Oh yeah, but you implied it all right." He was the one to cross his arms now and act cold, but for real this time. He was touchy about his friends, more-so than other people. The newsies were like a family, and they were always there for each other.
I could see that this would involve many apologies, but I wasn't ready to give him that yet. I was stubborn, and I knew it. We both knew it was a stupid fight, but we couldn't just deal with it. I stood up and walked outside to go see Trey at "Tibby's".
MORE TO COME.