Illy closed the door behind her quickly. She was so confused and
helpless. She had felt
so much emotion from that kiss but she was still confused. She started
pacing the kitchen.
She needed to talk to someone, but she knew she couldn't talk to Race or
any of the newsies,
even though she loved them all like brothers. Right now she needed to talk
to Rosa.
Illy walked through the Moore estate looking for Rosa. She ran into Lynn on the way.
"Miss Lynn, have you'se seen Rosa?" she asked her, trying to be polite. Lynn just stared at her, a look of hatred on her face. Illy didn't even think of the possibility that she had seen what went on between her and Mush.
Lynn brushed past Illy quickly, not even answering her.
"Okay, don't answer," said Illy. She decided to look in Rosa's room, where she found her.
"Heah ya are," said Illy.
"Yep," said Rosa coughing. "Been sick all day," Illy paled.
"Ya mean..dat you couldn't have covered for my absence?" Illy asked. Rosa nodded.
"I'm sorry." said Rosa. "I've been in bed all day,"
"I bettah go an'.."
"And what?" asked a deep voice behind her. Illy whirled around. Mr. Moore and Lynn stood in her way.
"Good aftanoon sir," said Illy politely.
"Jennifer," Mr. Moore began. "We said that you could live and work here. We never said that you could try anything with Lynn's fiancé," Illy paled.
"I dunno what yer tawlkin' 'bout," she lied.
"That's not true," Lynn accused. "I saw you and Aaron together outside!" Illy paled even more but she clung to her composure.
"Therefore, we must dispose of your services immediately and you are prevented from ever seeing Aaron again," said Mr. Moore. "You are to start packing immediately and if you are not gone by tomorrow morning, we will have you arrested."
"I won't be heah," said Illy calmly.
* * * * *
The next morning, Illy got up around five like the newsies normally did. She looked around in her drawers for a pair of pants and a white button-down shirt. She took a pair of scissors and cut the pants off at the knee.
Illy had decided to go to the lodging house, but as a boy. She found a kitchen towel and some tape. She wrapped the towel around her breasts and taped it to make herself more flat-chested like a boy. She quickly put on the remainder of her clothes and on her way out, she picked up an old hat. In the kitchen, she picked up a knife, and stuck it in her pocket. She walked into Rosa's room a few minutes later.
"Well Rosa, I'm leavin'," she said.
"Oh Jen," said Rosa. "No matter how annoying it got, I'll miss your humming," Illy laughed. She hugged Rosa.
"Good-bye Rosa, I'm off ta become a newsie," Illy said,
"Good luck," said Rosa. Illy closed the door behind her and walked to the back door of the Moore estate.
She slowly opened the door and walked outside into the yard. She turned around to look at the house...so many memories here.
Smiling to herself, she took out the knife and cut her hair to shoulder length, and stuffed it inside of her hat. She slowly made her way to the Newsboys Lodging House, saying good-bye to her old life...and Mush, forever.
* * * * *
"Moinin' Weasel," Racetrack said to Mr. Weasel that morning. "Listen uh.I was wonderin' could ya spot me fifty.da last horse kinda." Weasel shook his head.
"Fifty papes," Weasel called out.
"Moinin' Weasel," Illy said to him. Weasel stared at her.
"Are you a regular here?" he asked. Then Illy remembered who she was.
"Uh, no I hoid him say it," Illy gestured to Racetrack. Race turned back to look at Illy and he looked at her strangely. Illy pretended not to notice as she purchased her hundred papers.
As she left the distribution alley, Race approached her.
"Hi, da name's Racetrack," Illy nodded and spit on her hand, which made Race even more surprised, but he shook her hand. "Ya know, dis may sound funny but you'se resemble me sista Illy,"
"I do?" asked Illy. She appeared to be surprised.
"Yeah, you'se should meet her sometime," Race said. "Uh...I didn't quite catch yer name,"
"Um.." Illy hadn't thought about that. "Jeff," she said.
"Welcome ta Manhattan, Jeff," said Race. "Hey, how's 'bout you sell wid me. I kin teach awl I know,"
"I think I kin handle it," said Illy. Race looked disappointed. "But I kin still take up on yer offer ta sell wid ya," Race smiled.
"Dat's great," said Race. "How's 'bout Central Park, it' guaranteed," Illy smiled to herself.
"Shoah,"
"Heya Race!"
"Mush! Moinin'. Where's Illy?" asked Race. Mush shrugged.
"She wasn't in her room dis moinin'," Mush said. "I thought dat she had left eoily or somethin'."
"Oh yeah Mush, dis is Jeff, da new guy,"
Mush looked at Jeff.
"Nice ta meet ya,"
"Likewise," said Illy. She looked into Mush's eyes but she quickly tore away from his gaze.
"I gotta go buy me papes now," said Mush. "If ya see Illy, kin ya tell her I need ta tawlk ta her?"
"Shoah thing," said Race.
That afternoon, Race treated Illy to lunch.
"So, where are ya stayin'?" asked Race. Illy shrugged.
"Not shoah,"
"Great, you'se kin stay wid me in da lodgin' 'ouse," said Race. "Heya Mush," he said as Mush walked into the door.
"Hi," he sat down next to Illy.
He accidentally touched her arm, as he sat down, which sent sparks through her body. Evidently, he had felt it too. He stared at Illy. She quickly turned away from him.
"Whatsa madda?" asked Race. Mush turned away.
"Nuthin'," he said. "I just wanted ta tawlk ta Illy an' I can't find her,"
"Have ya tried her house?" asked Illy.
"I woke up dis moinin' an' she wasn't in her room," Illy looked at him questioningly.
"It's like dis," Race said. "Illy woiks for a rich family. Mush lives wid da rich family. he engaged ta da daughtah of rich family. Got dat?"
"Why don't ya ask da goil where she is?" asked Illy.
"Lynn hates her." Mush said. "She'd do anythin' ta get her fired an' yestaday.." Mush paled as it dawned on him.
He jumped up and bolted out of the restaurant.
"What's wrong wid him?" asked Illy, trying to be convincing, which she was.
Race shrugged. "I dunno. I think he really likes her. I know Illy likes him. She may not admit it but she does,"
"How d'ya know?" Race shrugged again.
"I'm her brudder, ya know?" Race said. "I guess it comes wid dat. She can't hide nothin' from me, she never has,"
Except now, Illy thought with a smile.
"So Illy when are ya plannin' ta reveal yerself?" asked Race, looking at her. Illy looked at her brother and smiled.
"Not shoah Race,"
"Why'd ya run away?"
"I didn't."
"Den what happened?"
"You'll find out when Mush gets back." Illy frowned.
"Uh-oh," said Race.
"What?" asked Illy.
"You'se were fired won't ya?" Illy nodded. "Why?"
Illy hesitated in answering. "I...Lynn.she caught Mush kissin' me," Illy finally managed to sputter out.
"Ah-ha!" said Race. "I knew ya liked him!"
"Race, I do not like him! He was da one dat kissed me," said Illy.
"Ya likes him Illy, admit it," Race took off her hat and Illy's hair fell to her shoulders. Race gasped. "Ya cut it?"
"It ain't all dat short Race. It'll grow back." said Illy snatching the hat from his grip. She tucked her hair underneath the hat again. "I want ta stay dis way too,"
"Huh?"
"A boy," said Illy. "I don't want ta have at..." then Mush walked back into Tibby's.
"Mush?" asked Race. "What's wrong?"
Mush looked at Race.
"I went ova der an' dey said.dat she quit," Mush said. Illy and Race looked surprised.
"Quit?" asked Illy. "Why would she do dat?"
"Lynn said it was cuz she didn't wanna see me," Mush sighed.
"Don't say dat Mush," said Illy. "Dat ain't da reason,"
"How d'ya know?" asked Mush. Illy stopped short.
"I.just lookin' at ya Mush. Yer a great guy, she can't have left ta stop seein' ya. Why would ya think dat?" said Illy.
"I kinda kissed her yestaday an' an she ran from me." said Mush unhappily. "I think I scared her off,"
Race was trying his hardest not to smile.
"I wish I hadn't kissed her."
"Did you'se enjoy it?" asked Illy. Mush smiled.
"Well, yeah. For a moment it seemed like she was kissing me back, but I guess she wasn't since she ran," Mush trailed off.
"Den don't regret it," said Illy.
Up to that point Race had successfully concealed his laughter but now, he couldn't hide it. He burst out laughing and got a glare from Illy and Mush.
"I bettah get goin' back ta da estate," said Mush sadly. "It just won't be da same widout her," Mush slowly got up from the booth and exited Tibby's.
* * * * *
Illy closed the door behind her quickly. She was so confused and helpless. She had felt so much emotion from that kiss but she was still confused. She started pacing the kitchen. She needed to talk to someone, but she knew she couldn't talk to Race or any of the newsies, even though she loved them all like brothers. Right now she needed to talk to Rosa.
Illy walked through the Moore estate looking for Rosa. She ran into Lynn on the way.
"Miss Lynn, have you'se seen Rosa?" she asked her, trying to be polite. Lynn just stared at her, a look of hatred on her face. Illy didn't even think of the possibility that she had seen what went on between her and Mush.
Lynn brushed past Illy quickly, not even answering her.
"Okay, don't answer," said Illy. She decided to look in Rosa's room, where she found her.
"Heah ya are," said Illy.
"Yep," said Rosa coughing. "Been sick all day," Illy paled.
"Ya mean..dat you couldn't have covered for my absence?" Illy asked. Rosa nodded.
"I'm sorry." said Rosa. "I've been in bed all day,"
"I bettah go an'.."
"And what?" asked a deep voice behind her. Illy whirled around. Mr. Moore and Lynn stood in her way.
"Good aftanoon sir," said Illy politely.
"Jennifer," Mr. Moore began. "We said that you could live and work here. We never said that you could try anything with Lynn's fiancé," Illy paled.
"I dunno what yer tawlkin' 'bout," she lied.
"That's not true," Lynn accused. "I saw you and Aaron together outside!" Illy paled even more but she clung to her composure.
"Therefore, we must dispose of your services immediately and you are prevented from ever seeing Aaron again," said Mr. Moore. "You are to start packing immediately and if you are not gone by tomorrow morning, we will have you arrested."
"I won't be heah," said Illy calmly.
* * * * *
The next morning, Illy got up around five like the newsies normally did. She looked around in her drawers for a pair of pants and a white button-down shirt. She took a pair of scissors and cut the pants off at the knee.
Illy had decided to go to the lodging house, but as a boy. She found a kitchen towel and some tape. She wrapped the towel around her breasts and taped it to make herself more flat-chested like a boy. She quickly put on the remainder of her clothes and on her way out, she picked up an old hat. In the kitchen, she picked up a knife, and stuck it in her pocket. She walked into Rosa's room a few minutes later.
"Well Rosa, I'm leavin'," she said.
"Oh Jen," said Rosa. "No matter how annoying it got, I'll miss your humming," Illy laughed. She hugged Rosa.
"Good-bye Rosa, I'm off ta become a newsie," Illy said,
"Good luck," said Rosa. Illy closed the door behind her and walked to the back door of the Moore estate.
She slowly opened the door and walked outside into the yard. She turned around to look at the house...so many memories here.
Smiling to herself, she took out the knife and cut her hair to shoulder length, and stuffed it inside of her hat. She slowly made her way to the Newsboys Lodging House, saying good-bye to her old life...and Mush, forever.
* * * * *
"Moinin' Weasel," Racetrack said to Mr. Weasel that morning. "Listen uh.I was wonderin' could ya spot me fifty.da last horse kinda." Weasel shook his head.
"Fifty papes," Weasel called out.
"Moinin' Weasel," Illy said to him. Weasel stared at her.
"Are you a regular here?" he asked. Then Illy remembered who she was.
"Uh, no I hoid him say it," Illy gestured to Racetrack. Race turned back to look at Illy and he looked at her strangely. Illy pretended not to notice as she purchased her hundred papers.
As she left the distribution alley, Race approached her.
"Hi, da name's Racetrack," Illy nodded and spit on her hand, which made Race even more surprised, but he shook her hand. "Ya know, dis may sound funny but you'se resemble me sista Illy,"
"I do?" asked Illy. She appeared to be surprised.
"Yeah, you'se should meet her sometime," Race said. "Uh...I didn't quite catch yer name,"
"Um.." Illy hadn't thought about that. "Jeff," she said.
"Welcome ta Manhattan, Jeff," said Race. "Hey, how's 'bout you sell wid me. I kin teach awl I know,"
"I think I kin handle it," said Illy. Race looked disappointed. "But I kin still take up on yer offer ta sell wid ya," Race smiled.
"Dat's great," said Race. "How's 'bout Central Park, it' guaranteed," Illy smiled to herself.
"Shoah,"
"Heya Race!"
"Mush! Moinin'. Where's Illy?" asked Race. Mush shrugged.
"She wasn't in her room dis moinin'," Mush said. "I thought dat she had left eoily or somethin'."
"Oh yeah Mush, dis is Jeff, da new guy,"
Mush looked at Jeff.
"Nice ta meet ya,"
"Likewise," said Illy. She looked into Mush's eyes but she quickly tore away from his gaze.
"I gotta go buy me papes now," said Mush. "If ya see Illy, kin ya tell her I need ta tawlk ta her?"
"Shoah thing," said Race.
That afternoon, Race treated Illy to lunch.
"So, where are ya stayin'?" asked Race. Illy shrugged.
"Not shoah,"
"Great, you'se kin stay wid me in da lodgin' 'ouse," said Race. "Heya Mush," he said as Mush walked into the door.
"Hi," he sat down next to Illy.
He accidentally touched her arm, as he sat down, which sent sparks through her body. Evidently, he had felt it too. He stared at Illy. She quickly turned away from him.
"Whatsa madda?" asked Race. Mush turned away.
"Nuthin'," he said. "I just wanted ta tawlk ta Illy an' I can't find her,"
"Have ya tried her house?" asked Illy.
"I woke up dis moinin' an' she wasn't in her room," Illy looked at him questioningly.
"It's like dis," Race said. "Illy woiks for a rich family. Mush lives wid da rich family. he engaged ta da daughtah of rich family. Got dat?"
"Why don't ya ask da goil where she is?" asked Illy.
"Lynn hates her." Mush said. "She'd do anythin' ta get her fired an' yestaday.." Mush paled as it dawned on him.
He jumped up and bolted out of the restaurant.
"What's wrong wid him?" asked Illy, trying to be convincing, which she was.
Race shrugged. "I dunno. I think he really likes her. I know Illy likes him. She may not admit it but she does,"
"How d'ya know?" Race shrugged again.
"I'm her brudder, ya know?" Race said. "I guess it comes wid dat. She can't hide nothin' from me, she never has,"
Except now, Illy thought with a smile.
"So Illy when are ya plannin' ta reveal yerself?" asked Race, looking at her. Illy looked at her brother and smiled.
"Not shoah Race,"
"Why'd ya run away?"
"I didn't."
"Den what happened?"
"You'll find out when Mush gets back." Illy frowned.
"Uh-oh," said Race.
"What?" asked Illy.
"You'se were fired won't ya?" Illy nodded. "Why?"
Illy hesitated in answering. "I...Lynn.she caught Mush kissin' me," Illy finally managed to sputter out.
"Ah-ha!" said Race. "I knew ya liked him!"
"Race, I do not like him! He was da one dat kissed me," said Illy.
"Ya likes him Illy, admit it," Race took off her hat and Illy's hair fell to her shoulders. Race gasped. "Ya cut it?"
"It ain't all dat short Race. It'll grow back." said Illy snatching the hat from his grip. She tucked her hair underneath the hat again. "I want ta stay dis way too,"
"Huh?"
"A boy," said Illy. "I don't want ta have at..." then Mush walked back into Tibby's.
"Mush?" asked Race. "What's wrong?"
Mush looked at Race.
"I went ova der an' dey said.dat she quit," Mush said. Illy and Race looked surprised.
"Quit?" asked Illy. "Why would she do dat?"
"Lynn said it was cuz she didn't wanna see me," Mush sighed.
"Don't say dat Mush," said Illy. "Dat ain't da reason,"
"How d'ya know?" asked Mush. Illy stopped short.
"I.just lookin' at ya Mush. Yer a great guy, she can't have left ta stop seein' ya. Why would ya think dat?" said Illy.
"I kinda kissed her yestaday an' an she ran from me." said Mush unhappily. "I think I scared her off,"
Race was trying his hardest not to smile.
"I wish I hadn't kissed her."
"Did you'se enjoy it?" asked Illy. Mush smiled.
"Well, yeah. For a moment it seemed like she was kissing me back, but I guess she wasn't since she ran," Mush trailed off.
"Den don't regret it," said Illy.
Up to that point Race had successfully concealed his laughter but now, he couldn't hide it. He burst out laughing and got a glare from Illy and Mush.
"I bettah get goin' back ta da estate," said Mush sadly. "It just won't be da same widout her," Mush slowly got up from the booth and exited Tibby's.
* * * * *
Illy walked through the Moore estate looking for Rosa. She ran into Lynn on the way.
"Miss Lynn, have you'se seen Rosa?" she asked her, trying to be polite. Lynn just stared at her, a look of hatred on her face. Illy didn't even think of the possibility that she had seen what went on between her and Mush.
Lynn brushed past Illy quickly, not even answering her.
"Okay, don't answer," said Illy. She decided to look in Rosa's room, where she found her.
"Heah ya are," said Illy.
"Yep," said Rosa coughing. "Been sick all day," Illy paled.
"Ya mean..dat you couldn't have covered for my absence?" Illy asked. Rosa nodded.
"I'm sorry." said Rosa. "I've been in bed all day,"
"I bettah go an'.."
"And what?" asked a deep voice behind her. Illy whirled around. Mr. Moore and Lynn stood in her way.
"Good aftanoon sir," said Illy politely.
"Jennifer," Mr. Moore began. "We said that you could live and work here. We never said that you could try anything with Lynn's fiancé," Illy paled.
"I dunno what yer tawlkin' 'bout," she lied.
"That's not true," Lynn accused. "I saw you and Aaron together outside!" Illy paled even more but she clung to her composure.
"Therefore, we must dispose of your services immediately and you are prevented from ever seeing Aaron again," said Mr. Moore. "You are to start packing immediately and if you are not gone by tomorrow morning, we will have you arrested."
"I won't be heah," said Illy calmly.
* * * * *
The next morning, Illy got up around five like the newsies normally did. She looked around in her drawers for a pair of pants and a white button-down shirt. She took a pair of scissors and cut the pants off at the knee.
Illy had decided to go to the lodging house, but as a boy. She found a kitchen towel and some tape. She wrapped the towel around her breasts and taped it to make herself more flat-chested like a boy. She quickly put on the remainder of her clothes and on her way out, she picked up an old hat. In the kitchen, she picked up a knife, and stuck it in her pocket. She walked into Rosa's room a few minutes later.
"Well Rosa, I'm leavin'," she said.
"Oh Jen," said Rosa. "No matter how annoying it got, I'll miss your humming," Illy laughed. She hugged Rosa.
"Good-bye Rosa, I'm off ta become a newsie," Illy said,
"Good luck," said Rosa. Illy closed the door behind her and walked to the back door of the Moore estate.
She slowly opened the door and walked outside into the yard. She turned around to look at the house...so many memories here.
Smiling to herself, she took out the knife and cut her hair to shoulder length, and stuffed it inside of her hat. She slowly made her way to the Newsboys Lodging House, saying good-bye to her old life...and Mush, forever.
* * * * *
"Moinin' Weasel," Racetrack said to Mr. Weasel that morning. "Listen uh.I was wonderin' could ya spot me fifty.da last horse kinda." Weasel shook his head.
"Fifty papes," Weasel called out.
"Moinin' Weasel," Illy said to him. Weasel stared at her.
"Are you a regular here?" he asked. Then Illy remembered who she was.
"Uh, no I hoid him say it," Illy gestured to Racetrack. Race turned back to look at Illy and he looked at her strangely. Illy pretended not to notice as she purchased her hundred papers.
As she left the distribution alley, Race approached her.
"Hi, da name's Racetrack," Illy nodded and spit on her hand, which made Race even more surprised, but he shook her hand. "Ya know, dis may sound funny but you'se resemble me sista Illy,"
"I do?" asked Illy. She appeared to be surprised.
"Yeah, you'se should meet her sometime," Race said. "Uh...I didn't quite catch yer name,"
"Um.." Illy hadn't thought about that. "Jeff," she said.
"Welcome ta Manhattan, Jeff," said Race. "Hey, how's 'bout you sell wid me. I kin teach awl I know,"
"I think I kin handle it," said Illy. Race looked disappointed. "But I kin still take up on yer offer ta sell wid ya," Race smiled.
"Dat's great," said Race. "How's 'bout Central Park, it' guaranteed," Illy smiled to herself.
"Shoah,"
"Heya Race!"
"Mush! Moinin'. Where's Illy?" asked Race. Mush shrugged.
"She wasn't in her room dis moinin'," Mush said. "I thought dat she had left eoily or somethin'."
"Oh yeah Mush, dis is Jeff, da new guy,"
Mush looked at Jeff.
"Nice ta meet ya,"
"Likewise," said Illy. She looked into Mush's eyes but she quickly tore away from his gaze.
"I gotta go buy me papes now," said Mush. "If ya see Illy, kin ya tell her I need ta tawlk ta her?"
"Shoah thing," said Race.
That afternoon, Race treated Illy to lunch.
"So, where are ya stayin'?" asked Race. Illy shrugged.
"Not shoah,"
"Great, you'se kin stay wid me in da lodgin' 'ouse," said Race. "Heya Mush," he said as Mush walked into the door.
"Hi," he sat down next to Illy.
He accidentally touched her arm, as he sat down, which sent sparks through her body. Evidently, he had felt it too. He stared at Illy. She quickly turned away from him.
"Whatsa madda?" asked Race. Mush turned away.
"Nuthin'," he said. "I just wanted ta tawlk ta Illy an' I can't find her,"
"Have ya tried her house?" asked Illy.
"I woke up dis moinin' an' she wasn't in her room," Illy looked at him questioningly.
"It's like dis," Race said. "Illy woiks for a rich family. Mush lives wid da rich family. he engaged ta da daughtah of rich family. Got dat?"
"Why don't ya ask da goil where she is?" asked Illy.
"Lynn hates her." Mush said. "She'd do anythin' ta get her fired an' yestaday.." Mush paled as it dawned on him.
He jumped up and bolted out of the restaurant.
"What's wrong wid him?" asked Illy, trying to be convincing, which she was.
Race shrugged. "I dunno. I think he really likes her. I know Illy likes him. She may not admit it but she does,"
"How d'ya know?" Race shrugged again.
"I'm her brudder, ya know?" Race said. "I guess it comes wid dat. She can't hide nothin' from me, she never has,"
Except now, Illy thought with a smile.
"So Illy when are ya plannin' ta reveal yerself?" asked Race, looking at her. Illy looked at her brother and smiled.
"Not shoah Race,"
"Why'd ya run away?"
"I didn't."
"Den what happened?"
"You'll find out when Mush gets back." Illy frowned.
"Uh-oh," said Race.
"What?" asked Illy.
"You'se were fired won't ya?" Illy nodded. "Why?"
Illy hesitated in answering. "I...Lynn.she caught Mush kissin' me," Illy finally managed to sputter out.
"Ah-ha!" said Race. "I knew ya liked him!"
"Race, I do not like him! He was da one dat kissed me," said Illy.
"Ya likes him Illy, admit it," Race took off her hat and Illy's hair fell to her shoulders. Race gasped. "Ya cut it?"
"It ain't all dat short Race. It'll grow back." said Illy snatching the hat from his grip. She tucked her hair underneath the hat again. "I want ta stay dis way too,"
"Huh?"
"A boy," said Illy. "I don't want ta have at..." then Mush walked back into Tibby's.
"Mush?" asked Race. "What's wrong?"
Mush looked at Race.
"I went ova der an' dey said.dat she quit," Mush said. Illy and Race looked surprised.
"Quit?" asked Illy. "Why would she do dat?"
"Lynn said it was cuz she didn't wanna see me," Mush sighed.
"Don't say dat Mush," said Illy. "Dat ain't da reason,"
"How d'ya know?" asked Mush. Illy stopped short.
"I.just lookin' at ya Mush. Yer a great guy, she can't have left ta stop seein' ya. Why would ya think dat?" said Illy.
"I kinda kissed her yestaday an' an she ran from me." said Mush unhappily. "I think I scared her off,"
Race was trying his hardest not to smile.
"I wish I hadn't kissed her."
"Did you'se enjoy it?" asked Illy. Mush smiled.
"Well, yeah. For a moment it seemed like she was kissing me back, but I guess she wasn't since she ran," Mush trailed off.
"Den don't regret it," said Illy.
Up to that point Race had successfully concealed his laughter but now, he couldn't hide it. He burst out laughing and got a glare from Illy and Mush.
"I bettah get goin' back ta da estate," said Mush sadly. "It just won't be da same widout her," Mush slowly got up from the booth and exited Tibby's.
* * * * *
Illy closed the door behind her quickly. She was so confused and helpless. She had felt so much emotion from that kiss but she was still confused. She started pacing the kitchen. She needed to talk to someone, but she knew she couldn't talk to Race or any of the newsies, even though she loved them all like brothers. Right now she needed to talk to Rosa.
Illy walked through the Moore estate looking for Rosa. She ran into Lynn on the way.
"Miss Lynn, have you'se seen Rosa?" she asked her, trying to be polite. Lynn just stared at her, a look of hatred on her face. Illy didn't even think of the possibility that she had seen what went on between her and Mush.
Lynn brushed past Illy quickly, not even answering her.
"Okay, don't answer," said Illy. She decided to look in Rosa's room, where she found her.
"Heah ya are," said Illy.
"Yep," said Rosa coughing. "Been sick all day," Illy paled.
"Ya mean..dat you couldn't have covered for my absence?" Illy asked. Rosa nodded.
"I'm sorry." said Rosa. "I've been in bed all day,"
"I bettah go an'.."
"And what?" asked a deep voice behind her. Illy whirled around. Mr. Moore and Lynn stood in her way.
"Good aftanoon sir," said Illy politely.
"Jennifer," Mr. Moore began. "We said that you could live and work here. We never said that you could try anything with Lynn's fiancé," Illy paled.
"I dunno what yer tawlkin' 'bout," she lied.
"That's not true," Lynn accused. "I saw you and Aaron together outside!" Illy paled even more but she clung to her composure.
"Therefore, we must dispose of your services immediately and you are prevented from ever seeing Aaron again," said Mr. Moore. "You are to start packing immediately and if you are not gone by tomorrow morning, we will have you arrested."
"I won't be heah," said Illy calmly.
* * * * *
The next morning, Illy got up around five like the newsies normally did. She looked around in her drawers for a pair of pants and a white button-down shirt. She took a pair of scissors and cut the pants off at the knee.
Illy had decided to go to the lodging house, but as a boy. She found a kitchen towel and some tape. She wrapped the towel around her breasts and taped it to make herself more flat-chested like a boy. She quickly put on the remainder of her clothes and on her way out, she picked up an old hat. In the kitchen, she picked up a knife, and stuck it in her pocket. She walked into Rosa's room a few minutes later.
"Well Rosa, I'm leavin'," she said.
"Oh Jen," said Rosa. "No matter how annoying it got, I'll miss your humming," Illy laughed. She hugged Rosa.
"Good-bye Rosa, I'm off ta become a newsie," Illy said,
"Good luck," said Rosa. Illy closed the door behind her and walked to the back door of the Moore estate.
She slowly opened the door and walked outside into the yard. She turned around to look at the house...so many memories here.
Smiling to herself, she took out the knife and cut her hair to shoulder length, and stuffed it inside of her hat. She slowly made her way to the Newsboys Lodging House, saying good-bye to her old life...and Mush, forever.
* * * * *
"Moinin' Weasel," Racetrack said to Mr. Weasel that morning. "Listen uh.I was wonderin' could ya spot me fifty.da last horse kinda." Weasel shook his head.
"Fifty papes," Weasel called out.
"Moinin' Weasel," Illy said to him. Weasel stared at her.
"Are you a regular here?" he asked. Then Illy remembered who she was.
"Uh, no I hoid him say it," Illy gestured to Racetrack. Race turned back to look at Illy and he looked at her strangely. Illy pretended not to notice as she purchased her hundred papers.
As she left the distribution alley, Race approached her.
"Hi, da name's Racetrack," Illy nodded and spit on her hand, which made Race even more surprised, but he shook her hand. "Ya know, dis may sound funny but you'se resemble me sista Illy,"
"I do?" asked Illy. She appeared to be surprised.
"Yeah, you'se should meet her sometime," Race said. "Uh...I didn't quite catch yer name,"
"Um.." Illy hadn't thought about that. "Jeff," she said.
"Welcome ta Manhattan, Jeff," said Race. "Hey, how's 'bout you sell wid me. I kin teach awl I know,"
"I think I kin handle it," said Illy. Race looked disappointed. "But I kin still take up on yer offer ta sell wid ya," Race smiled.
"Dat's great," said Race. "How's 'bout Central Park, it' guaranteed," Illy smiled to herself.
"Shoah,"
"Heya Race!"
"Mush! Moinin'. Where's Illy?" asked Race. Mush shrugged.
"She wasn't in her room dis moinin'," Mush said. "I thought dat she had left eoily or somethin'."
"Oh yeah Mush, dis is Jeff, da new guy,"
Mush looked at Jeff.
"Nice ta meet ya,"
"Likewise," said Illy. She looked into Mush's eyes but she quickly tore away from his gaze.
"I gotta go buy me papes now," said Mush. "If ya see Illy, kin ya tell her I need ta tawlk ta her?"
"Shoah thing," said Race.
That afternoon, Race treated Illy to lunch.
"So, where are ya stayin'?" asked Race. Illy shrugged.
"Not shoah,"
"Great, you'se kin stay wid me in da lodgin' 'ouse," said Race. "Heya Mush," he said as Mush walked into the door.
"Hi," he sat down next to Illy.
He accidentally touched her arm, as he sat down, which sent sparks through her body. Evidently, he had felt it too. He stared at Illy. She quickly turned away from him.
"Whatsa madda?" asked Race. Mush turned away.
"Nuthin'," he said. "I just wanted ta tawlk ta Illy an' I can't find her,"
"Have ya tried her house?" asked Illy.
"I woke up dis moinin' an' she wasn't in her room," Illy looked at him questioningly.
"It's like dis," Race said. "Illy woiks for a rich family. Mush lives wid da rich family. he engaged ta da daughtah of rich family. Got dat?"
"Why don't ya ask da goil where she is?" asked Illy.
"Lynn hates her." Mush said. "She'd do anythin' ta get her fired an' yestaday.." Mush paled as it dawned on him.
He jumped up and bolted out of the restaurant.
"What's wrong wid him?" asked Illy, trying to be convincing, which she was.
Race shrugged. "I dunno. I think he really likes her. I know Illy likes him. She may not admit it but she does,"
"How d'ya know?" Race shrugged again.
"I'm her brudder, ya know?" Race said. "I guess it comes wid dat. She can't hide nothin' from me, she never has,"
Except now, Illy thought with a smile.
"So Illy when are ya plannin' ta reveal yerself?" asked Race, looking at her. Illy looked at her brother and smiled.
"Not shoah Race,"
"Why'd ya run away?"
"I didn't."
"Den what happened?"
"You'll find out when Mush gets back." Illy frowned.
"Uh-oh," said Race.
"What?" asked Illy.
"You'se were fired won't ya?" Illy nodded. "Why?"
Illy hesitated in answering. "I...Lynn.she caught Mush kissin' me," Illy finally managed to sputter out.
"Ah-ha!" said Race. "I knew ya liked him!"
"Race, I do not like him! He was da one dat kissed me," said Illy.
"Ya likes him Illy, admit it," Race took off her hat and Illy's hair fell to her shoulders. Race gasped. "Ya cut it?"
"It ain't all dat short Race. It'll grow back." said Illy snatching the hat from his grip. She tucked her hair underneath the hat again. "I want ta stay dis way too,"
"Huh?"
"A boy," said Illy. "I don't want ta have at..." then Mush walked back into Tibby's.
"Mush?" asked Race. "What's wrong?"
Mush looked at Race.
"I went ova der an' dey said.dat she quit," Mush said. Illy and Race looked surprised.
"Quit?" asked Illy. "Why would she do dat?"
"Lynn said it was cuz she didn't wanna see me," Mush sighed.
"Don't say dat Mush," said Illy. "Dat ain't da reason,"
"How d'ya know?" asked Mush. Illy stopped short.
"I.just lookin' at ya Mush. Yer a great guy, she can't have left ta stop seein' ya. Why would ya think dat?" said Illy.
"I kinda kissed her yestaday an' an she ran from me." said Mush unhappily. "I think I scared her off,"
Race was trying his hardest not to smile.
"I wish I hadn't kissed her."
"Did you'se enjoy it?" asked Illy. Mush smiled.
"Well, yeah. For a moment it seemed like she was kissing me back, but I guess she wasn't since she ran," Mush trailed off.
"Den don't regret it," said Illy.
Up to that point Race had successfully concealed his laughter but now, he couldn't hide it. He burst out laughing and got a glare from Illy and Mush.
"I bettah get goin' back ta da estate," said Mush sadly. "It just won't be da same widout her," Mush slowly got up from the booth and exited Tibby's.
* * * * *