Hello,
To those of you who have followed the story from the beginning,
or even to those who skipped through certain chapters, I thank you
for giving my silly little fic so much appreciation. Here is the
final chapter. It feels quite odd being finished with such a long
fic. Some of you guessed who it was, some didn't. This one is a
GREAT DEAL longer because of all that I felt I needed to put in
here. Thought I should warn you. Thank you:
Thumbsucker Snitch: Les is adorable!!! He gets too much crap for being the tag-along brother! Oh well. NOW I AM ALL DONE!!! WOO HOO!!! Kind of sad though.
Pyromaniacal Llama: Les STUPID??? Where did you get an idea like that??? Well…I can think of a few places, come to think of it.
Jo: Your reviews always manage to make my day. No matter what, I can always rely on a Jo review to cheer me up! Now you can read my X2 fic if you really want something to read after this! THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!
Sureshot Higgins: Hope my good ideas carried over to this chapter!!! It would be horrible to disappoint with my last chapter!
Hotshot: OH!!! I was wondering why you might have reviewed twice. Thanks for telling me about the sweet fic you found!!!
Spatz: I want to go to Cambridge to study theatre!!!! Who knows? NYU seems good for him, though.
Celtic Lass: I am proud of it, oddly enough. THE NARRATOR WILL OFFICIALLY BE REVIEWED IN THIS CHAPTER!! DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUN!!!
and to all of you who had read and/or reviewed, A BIG THANKS!!! I
won't say anything after the chapter, I feel it would take away from
the ending to have such a huge change in subject, so...THANKS FOR
READING, HOPE YOU LIKE IT!!! LET'S BREAK THE 200 REVIEW MARK, PEOPLE!!!
Stretch
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Dear All,
We knew this day would come, when my breathing would become short
and sharp, my eyes no longer able to focus. Hell, I'm not truly the
one writing this. I can't. Luckily I have people close to me,
willing to help me out in such an occasion. I have recently been
forced by nature to rely on others for a great deal. It's
inevitability, the way the world works. I'm not scared, not anymore.
Of course, years ago I would have invited a way out of the life I
was leading. Harsh reality set in quickly in my young life, and
cruelty seemed to be the only emotion others around me would share.
Society shunned me, for either my social status or my background,
I'm not sure. Perhaps some are born to be rejected. I took the pain,
bottled it inside, and continued on with my day in the world of
competitive, unmerciful New York. I was born here, and quite
convinced I was going to die here as well. I know you have felt that
before, taking the abuse from the world and pretending like it
hasn't affected you as you grit your teeth, hoping desperately that
the pain will cease. It's not always that easy, is it? Oh, if only
it were.
There was one, however. Someone out there who didn't treat me as if
I were there to serve her, to be mistreated by her. Marion, a vision
of beauty and intelligence in the lackluster world that consumed my
very existence. I courted her, as we did back then, trying to be a
proper gentlemen in the uncouth society I lived in. Eventually we
married, and even managed to have a child. I cherished my little
Emily, the embodiment of all that was pure and gentle. I adored her
calling me Daddy, holding her when life seemed cruel, and laughing
with her when the world would show us a moment of sunlight in the
everlasting night of our underprivileged existence.
Soon, the light went out completely, as Marion's life, and the life
of my child, was taken away in one swift swoop of fate. I can still
remember the look of fear in my child's eyes and the pain searing
through her body from the wounds covering her flesh. I refuse to go
through the details of that night, even now, but I will never
understand what possessed that man to drive a knife into my poor
child and my dear wife. I wouldn't take a walk alone through Central
Park at night since then. It's amazing how a peaceful stroll can
lead to such loss. Life changes just that quickly, and you all know
that. You have felt sudden bereavement and heartache that will leave
scars on your hearts for the rest of your lives.
Years of darkness and depression consumed me, barely allowing me to
breathe. After a while, even a perfect day seemed cruel and
heartless. Everything seemed out to get me, and whether it actually
was or not made no difference. My world had fallen apart, and I
spent two decades trying to put it back together. I moved away from
the neighborhood and bought a small lodging house in Manhattan.
Empty, completely devoid of life, the place seemed more likely to
fall apart than to shelter anyone. Within a few weeks, I was tired
of the life I was given, and sought to rid myself of the pain that
was suffocating me.
Racetrack, remember what you asked me when you knocked at the door?
Remember the rope I gave to Jack? Fate took hold that day, bringing
you in when it did. I thank God that you showed up, asking for a
place to stay, penniless and bruised. I remember when you asked for
shelter, your eyes showed a desperation that I had only encountered
when looking at myself in the mirror, and I felt the overwhelming
need to help. I dropped the desire to end it all, for the time
being, and soon the need to stop the grieving melted away.
I began to fix the place up, and with the arrival of each of you I
learned something new about human nature as well as myself. The
world wasn't fair, but that didn't mean it was completely cruel to
the working class. Whether you all want to admit it or not, you
saved my life. You became my sons, or even grandsons, and became
another family to me. You kept me going, even during the harsh
winters when I would remember my dear Emily and Marion, you would
talk me out of my depression and allowed me to face the world.
This is how I have thought of you all, what I remember most about
you. I wanted to share it with those that never had the privilege of
meeting the boys of Manhattan. I was truly lucky, and I know that
now. The scars from my losses have never fully healed, but they were
made more bearable because I had a family. I wished that I could
have sheltered you all from the grief that went with reality. The
streets are callous and thrive on making good souls miserable. So, I
leave one final thought to each of you, hoping that they will aid
you in your days to come.
Race: I understand your loss, and truly don't know what to say that
will make it go away. You have your children, keep them safe from
the hellish life that you once led. Understand that every day that
passes by, you are lucky to have them, just as they are lucky to
have you. Your harsh wit was far ahead of your years, and you had an
understanding of life that many twice your age lacked. I implore you
to stay the way you were, the way I remember you. Keep your chin up,
may your pride never leave you.
Snoddy: Your strength astounded me. I will never forget how you
smiled through illness, laughing off the pain. Pressing forward
through the severe conditions of life was a gift, and you owned it.
I have yet to see such determination to live on in someone's eyes as
I did with yours. I only hope you are alright, and are still
fighting like the best of them.
Kid Blink: Your smile made me forget the world for a few moments,
and that saved me on many occasions. You have an enthusiasm that has
yet to be equaled. Your sense of humor lifted the spirits of those
of us that only had pain to look back on. Through your emotional and
physical scars, you remained cheerful, and whether or not it was a
façade, I appreciated every moment of it. I only wish you stayed in
touch. If not with me, then at least the others.
Pie-Eater: I remember losing my mother. It tears your heart and
leaves you desperate and alone. You held your head up though, and
held her memory alive in your heart. I am sure she still looks down
at you, not possibly wanting anything more from her son. You are
something she can easily be proud of. Know that you aren't your
father unless you want to be. Strive to be your own man.
Cowboy: You had the ability to open the eyes of thousands and have
more heart than I ever thought possible. You are better than your
father. Know that, hold on to it, and keep it in your mind when you
feel like everything is against you. The world is a cold place, but
only one kind person could warm it up, make it friendly once more.
Bumlets: Our gypsy. Prejudice was your enemy, screaming at you,
making you vulnerable to others who didn't understand. Because of
that, however, you have an open mind. That is the greatest virtue of
all. It is one thing to deal with a group of people, but to
understand and respect them is completely different. Never let go of
that. Your travels may show you bad things as well as good. Don't
let them affect your personality negatively. Take them and let them
make you stronger and more understanding of the people around you.
The world needs more people like you.
Skittery: Let people into your life, allow them a glimpse into the
wonderful person you are. As brutal as people can be, there are some
worth knowing out there. You just have to find them among the demons
that surround you. People aren't always around to hurt you and break
your heart. Please understand there is good in the world, and it is
worth looking for, despite the emotional scars you may gain.
Specs: Your eyesight is terrible, your mouth is worse, but your
heart is astounding. Your rebellious soul got you in trouble on
occasion, but you stuck with it. I wish I could make your pain go
away, your losses disappear and for you to have your family back.
You should have never dealt with what you were forced to deal with
in that orphanage. I wonder if you still roam the roofs of
Manhattan. I am curious how much wear the roof of your bookstore has
gotten. No doubt you still need time to yourself and a high place to
look down from. You were a king compared to the Pulitzers and
Hearsts of the world, with your free mind and foul mouth. I saw it,
and I am sure the others did too.
Dutchy: You may have looked confused, but I have no doubt that you
understand more about the world than many will even dream of.
Children are lucky to have you so near to them, there to talk to
them when the world won't listen. They need someone to teach them
how society works, and help shield them from the sorrow of reality.
Your foolish smile will always be remembered, by me, the newsies,
and your students. It is that silly smirk that made me laugh and
forget my anger for a few moments, just as it did with many others.
Jake: It eases my mind that you didn't go through as much as many of
the others did. That doesn't mean that you were spared the anguish
of seeing a loved one pass away. But, you moved on, and adapted to
life rather well. Some people can't deal with a simple change in
routine, your entire world was flipped upside-down yet you moved on.
Keep your manners, Hayseed, and please stay the gentleman you always
were. Society is better off with you in the world.
Swifty: You rose above what everyone had thought of you, and that
takes determination like no other. For someone to become different,
and to have the will to allow it to happen, is amazing. I was proud
of you every moment I saw you, whether it be because you saved
someone from trouble or you managed to avoid the Refuge for another
day. However, what makes me the proudest is seeing you protect the
citizens of New York from the people who take advantage of them. You
know what they are going through, and that's what makes it so
brilliant.
Spot: I may not have known you as well as the others, but you exude
an air of ambition. You were something great, even then. It wasn't
just the cane, or the cold eyes. It was the way you held yourself in
a crowd. I wish you luck on the front, and know that any enemies
that come your way will cower before you. It's something you have,
and, believe me, it's a rare quality.
Mush: You were a born performer, and the entertainment world is
better now that it has you. Well, the world itself is better with
you. You weren't as immature as you made yourself out to be, but you
weren't nearly as fierce as the others were. Your naivety was what
made you Mush, and I wouldn't have changed a thing about you. Know
that I loved you as a son, the others loved you as a brother, and no
matter what you will always have someone to watch your back when the
going gets tough.
Snitch: Your ability to truly see people is something many will
never understand. You see through the persona they convey through
their actions, and look further. I have never known anyone as
observant of humankind as you. I hope you continue to see good in
the world, and continue to make the lives of younger generations
easier than your own.
Itey: I know it isn't the same, but we were always willing to be
your family. You didn't deserve anything that happened to you, and I
wish there were some way I could absorb some of the pain you have
encountered during your life. You are far too good a person to have
that happen to you. I know that you shall one day have a family to
call you own, but you have brothers willing to stand by you should
anything happen along the way. I am proud of you Itey, and the
strength you possess that allows you to get up each day and treat
those children you care for with respect and compassion.
Crutchy: Your empathy towards others is astounding, and it's a
wonder how someone so weak of body can be so strong in their morals
and views. You always had a way to make the others, as well as
myself, smile despite the sorrow that surrounds each day. I thank
you for the light you brought to this world and know that each day
that goes by is better because of you.
Boots: To live your life full of love is a true rarity. You pass
each day with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. That
has always amazed me. Born on the streets, yet you still live each
day as if the world owes you nothing and the sun will always shine.
If only everyone could have a bit of that in their lives, it would
make life easier to bear for us all.
Snipeshooter: No matter what, you always held on to something worth
fighting for, worth dying for. Forced to defend yourself at all
times, you grew up rather quickly. Perhaps quicker than any of the
others. Your mind grew and your heart hardened, and I was rather
worried of the man you would become. However, I stand here today, or
rather lay here, and remain proud of you and what you have achieved.
Tumbler: Let the past be buried and live your life. I know it is
hard to move on, and I am truly proud of the effort you have made to
go forth and leave your anger and confusion behind. I wish I could
have said something to you when you were a child to make life
easier, to make the memories less painful, but I had no clue where
to begin. You have now developed into a brilliant playwright and an
incredible human being. Let no one convince you otherwise.
David: You were the driving force behind this ragged army. It was
you words that gave them the courage to challenge the gods of this
city. They were one because of you. You made them understand what
they could become. New York stopped for a day based on your words
and the faith others had in them. It takes a great man to make
people listen, but to make the world stop takes talent. You have it.
Never let it go.
Les: Innocence is something that can be ripped away in a moment. How
you have managed to retain it is beyond me, especially after all you
have experienced. You have the eyes of a child, and it takes a
strong mind to keep it like that. I often wish I could see the world
the way you do, even if it were to be just a moment. Then, perhaps,
it wouldn't look so cruel.
I shall miss you all, and watch as you from above with my dear
Marion by my side, Emily dancing happily nearby. That's the way it
was meant to be, or so I think. Life holds many surprises for you,
and when you feel life has taken you down a dark and sinister path,
remember what you have been through, and the people you knew, and
may your memories light you path back home.
My chest is getting heavy, it surprises me I was able to finish
this. I guess the will to keep going keeps a person breathing.
However, I have said my peace, and left each of you with all I have.
You shall notice that I have left each of you a key to the lodging
house. I made one made for all of you, so that should you return,
you would always be welcome. You were my children, and I can never
give back to you what you have so generously bestowed upon me: the
chance to live again. I trudged through the long walk of life
because you all were there to keep me up, to keep me going. That is
priceless, and that is what I loved the most. Stay the way you are,
the way you always were.
Sincerely,
Kloppman