By SaL
Chapter Four: Vertigo ConfessionsA/N: Ok so baseball was invented in the 1840's and I'm not exactly sure about Robinson but hey work with me here. Also don't worry about Hotshot's character I have permission so don't like accuse me of plagiarizing. Ok, so here we go! I really have nothing to say about this chapter except enjoy!
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Racetrack lay slumbering on his bunk while the bright sun warmed his face. The still bunkroom had long since emptied and the morning hours were nearing their end. Boys leisurely filed into the room all a buzz with the gossips and goings on of newsie life. A moan escaped his lips as he rolled away from the noise, falling from his bed with a thud. The room erupted with laughter while Race merely curled into a ball wrapping himself comfortably in his blanket.
"I can't believe it!" Jake cried out, "You're still here!"
"Go away" Race mumbled from beneath his blanket. It was then that Jack entered with his selling partners, pushing their way through the crowded room towards Racetrack's bunk.
"Race, man, what are ya doin'?" Jack inquired, concern tinged in his voice.
"What's it look like Cowboy? I'se sleepin'" Came the annoyed reply.
"Well, ya but…"
"But what? Can't a guy get some sleep without all dis interrogatin'?"
"It's not like that Race."
"Den tell me, Cowboy, what's smatter wit sleepin'?"
Jack began to reply when David rested a hand on his shoulder, holding him back.
"What Jack means is, well geez Race you've been sleepin' all mornin'."
Those words awoke the teen immediately as Race threw the blanket off and shot up. Instantly he began stumbling backward into the bunk while holding his head. "Woo," He muttered blinking away his blurry vision and intense dizziness. "A-a-all mornin' All mornin! I've been asleep all mornin'! And no one bothered ta wake me?"
"I told em not ta. You looked like you could use the extra time."
"Thanks Jack! Now I've lost money, how am I gonna make that up huh? Where am I gonna stay tonight?"
"I didn't think you'd sleep the whole time! Besides you've got so much money one day doesn't really seem important."
"You're right, you didn't think! The money I've got is bein' saved! I had plans today but I got no dough! Don't you understand Jack, dis could ruin me!" Race screamed in aggravation with fists thrown in the air. He squeezed his eyes shut trying desperately to think of a solution. "Screw thinkin'," He muttered before stumbling down the stairs with his shirt half on. "What are you doin'?" Jack called after him, "Race!"
"I've gotta get sellin'!"
"Evenin' papes won't be out for an hour!"
"I don't care! I'll sell anythin'!"
Sighing Jack slumped onto the bed looking desperately toward his best friend. "Man, have I screwed this one up good or what." David offered him a weak smile, not really knowing what to tell him. He would have done the same thing had he lived in the lodging house but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
"What do I do Dave? I gotta make things right."
Suddenly Dave knew exactly what he should do. It was obvious that something was up with Race besides becoming a ball boy, which had been the subject of many conversations that morning. "Watch Les will ya? I've got an idea. Just leave it to me." With that said David was out the window following Race's figure from the rooftops.
He knew the direction Race was headed well. It's one of the places he'd always go when he was upset, the tracks. He knew the boy was desperate for money but he was curious as to why. Like Jack had said he'd had enough that one day wouldn't make a difference. David ran ahead of his friend below and slid down the fire escape in an effort to cut him off.
Race came running round the corner presently running straight into him. David took advantage of his friend's confusion to haul him up. He managed to carry Race up the fire escape despite his protests. By the time Race began to figure out what was going on he found himself atop a building facing David.
"What are ya doin' Dave?" He exclaimed, "Didn't ya hear me before? I'se need to get me some money!" David only stood there, arms crossed over his chest and an eyebrow cocked clearly showing his friend he wasn't buying it. "Tell me Race, why is it so important for you to make money?"
"I need it to survive, food, clothes, lodgings they aren't free ya know!"
"Don't give me that! Race I know you have enough money stowed away to last you a couple of months. Now tell me why it's important."
"It just is ok! I don't have to explain myself to you!"
"No, you don't. We can just sit here the rest of the day starin' at each other."
"What makes you think I'm stayin' here?" Race demanded as he marched over to the ladder. He stood there a bit looking uneasily toward the ground. "Hehe, this bulding sure is high ain't it?" David smirked nodding his head while he joined his friend. He slung his legs over the side and gripped his hands on the sides on the ladder. Next he squeezed his feet against the outside poles and began to slide down.
"You comin' Race?" He asked stopping half way down.
"Uh I think I'm just gonna hand round here for a while." His voice wavered.
"You sure?"
"Uh-hu I just realized that this place has quite a view. Whew! You really know how to pick em."
"You wouldn't be afraid, would you?
"Ha! Me afraid! W-why would you think that?"
"Cuz you won't come down not to mention your gripping the side of the roof so firmly your knuckles are white."
"R-really? I uh- I hadn't noticed."
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were afraid of heights."
"Me afraid of heights!" Race squeaked. "That's stupid!"
"Then come on down from there!"
Race pried his fingers from the side of the bulding to clutch the ladder. He slowly lifted his right leg and began moving it toward the first rung. His foot slipped landing on the second rung. Race's heart leapt and a scream escaped his mouth. David was there in a second. "I-I can't do it Dave. I can't"
"It's ok Race just slowly lift your leg back to the roof. You can do it Race, I'm right here."
"I-I can't"
"Yes you can Race! Nothing's gonna happen, I promise." David assured him.
When the two were both safe on the roof Race began to hyperventilate. His eyes were wide, face pale, and breaths short but quick. Dave approached him placing a hand on each of his friend's shoulders. "Look at me Race ok. Concentrate, now breath with me. In and out, in and out." When his breaths returned to normal, Race threw his arms around his friend in a death grip.
"I-I I thought I was a goner! I've never been more afraid in my life! When I slipped it was just… I…you probably think I'm a coward now."
"Hey, I don't think you're a coward, ok. Everyone has fears you know. It's alright to be afraid, it's completely natural."
"You're not gonna tell anybody right?"
"Nope"
"Promise? You have ta cuz I didn't make Hotshot promise and she told everyone."
"Alright I promise, I promise."
"Ok"
The two boys just stood there embracing each other in complete silence. Soon they became aware of what they were doing and tensed. The two jumped away from each other avoiding eye contact suddenly finding their surroundings more interesting.
"So" Race broke the silence, "How bout them Yankees?"
"They're better than last year. Think they got a chance at the playoffs?"
"Definitely! With Jackie Robinson how can they possibly loose?"
As the teens became comfortable again they turned to face each other completely composed wearing looks that said 'this never happened'.
"So uh Davy, how are we gonna uh, gonna get down?"
David grinned pleased that Race had finally taken the bait. He had the upper hand and was the only person who could get Racetrack safely from the roof to the ground below. He motioned his companion to sit as he spouted a proposition.
"Well Race, I can get you down safely but,"
"Should have known there'd be a catch." Race complained.
"If you wanna get off this roof you have to tell me everything. Like why you suddenly need lots of money. Or why you became a ball boy."
"It's like I told the guys, I need more money and sellin' papes just wasn't cuttin' it." Race sighed as he began to go through every detail of the past two weeks. He told David everything knowing he'd keep it to himself and try to help if he could. Race recapped his past once more explaining why he wanted revenge. He'd spoken about Gina and the girl he'd run into. Before long it was time to sell again and Race had finally finished his story.
"Well dats it Davy-boy an it's da truth, da whole truth."
"I believe you, now come on lets get going or we'll be late." And David led him to the center of the roof where a part of the building protruded revealing a door. Racetrack slapped his palm against his head feeling just stupid for not figuring it out before. As they reached the landing David paused.
"Hey Race, I uh, well to tell you the truth I actually came down here to give you this." He thrust a small pouch into the other's hand. Race examined the pouch to find David's earnings from that morning. "I-I can't take dis Dave. It's yours ya earned it."
"And I'm about to get more."
"But…" David just waved his hand in dismissal cutting off his friend. "But nothing. Look don't worry about me, I've got a home to stay at and a family to take care of me. I'll be fine." With that he walked leaving a bewildered Racetrack wide-eyed over the act. Snapping out of his daze the teen pocketed the money and ran to catch up with his friend. "Thanks, Dave, for everything."
"Anytime"
The two entered the distribution center instantly becoming drawn into the chaotic mass of newsboys.
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A/N: Well there you go it's kinda weird but ya know that happens. Hope you're enjoying this story so far! And I really hope you review! I mean its mind boggling how I've posted 3 chapters and still have one review! So yeah I like writing because I love to tell stories and well just because I love to write but believe it or not reviews help.
Write Later,
SaL
