Thanks to my four reviewers!!! It really inspires me to write more when I know people like it… I hope you all like this chapter!! This story isn't quite the "romance" that A Little Bit of Luck is, but trust me, there is more romance down the line. Now for Shout-Outs:
AngelicOne: I'm so happy you like it!! Yea, Race is my favorite too. Isn't he the best?? I just watched Sgt. Bilko a few nights ago (with Max Casella in it) and he plays another quick-witted Italian… if you are a Max Casella fan I highly suggest it. Keep reviewing!!
Neola, Lizard15 and KatFightOnSkis: I'm glad you like my beginning. Hopefully this chapter will live up to it! Enjoy!
Chapter 2:
As they walked down the street, Race could sense that Julia was still tense. My God, she's like a frightened horse: you'se don't know when she'll bolt, Race thought as he glanced at the frightened girl at his side. Seeing she didn't have any clue what to do on her own, Race decided to take her under his wing for today.
"So, you'se eva sold papes before?" he asked her. She shook her head, so Race smiled and replied, "you'se can sell wit me today." He was dying to go to Sheepshead and place a few bets, but he could tell big crowds would overwhelm Julia, so he decided on Central Park.
After they got to Central Park, Race headed down to the lake. Da lake'll be good.. It's always quiet d'ere and usually d'a few people dat are d'ere want papes. So as they approached, Race started calling out the usual absurd headlines, careful to keep an eye on Julia as he did so.
Julia, however, was too much in awe to think about bolting. A park this big in the middle of New York City? Who'd have thought… It's like back home, but at this thought she came out of her trance. The thought of home had reminded her of everything…
Race felt Julia tense up. Oh no, I thought she had calmed down! So, not wanting to have her get upset, he quietly suggested they go back to the lodging house. "I'se only got one more pape left, and I'se can sell d'at on da way back," he said.
She nodded, thankful to be getting away from the lake. It's just like the lake back home. At this thought she sighed.
Something 'ere must have triggered a memory… but what?? Race wondered, intrigued by the mystery that enveloped the beautiful brunette.
They began the walk back in silence, until, to Race's surprise, Julia broke it. "So… Race, what made you decide to be a newsie?" she asked. Race, however was taken aback by this sudden confidence that came from the same mouth that had barely been able to utter her own name before.
After a moment of shock, he responded wittily, "I had no where else ta go," echoing her own earlier words. At this, Race could have sworn that he had seen a bit of a smile on Julia's soft face. They were silent for a moment before Julia asked timidly, obviously curious about this boy who she had entrusted herself to, "Well… I mean, where did you come from?"
He smiled at her, glad she finally came out of her shell a bit, and replied, "Well, as a kid I'se lived in Little Italy. Me family came from Italy before I'se was born." Julia responded with a soft "oh," and shifted her gaze back to the ground. Then, with a bit more confidence, she asked, "Where's your family now?" It was Race's turn to fall silent.
But the conversation was interrupted by a sudden crack and a yell. Julia and Race jumped at the sound. Felt a hand on his arm, so Race glanced over at Julia and saw that she had grabbed onto his arm out of surprise and was now clinging to it. Then they heard someone call "Loose horses!!!" At that moment, a team of four grays came galloping down the street. At the sight of the horses, Julia relaxed. The next thing Race new, she was out in the street.
"JULIA!! WATCH OUT!!" he cried, for she if she didn't move she would surely get trampled by the stampede. But, frozen in fear, he watched as the horses slowed down as the approached her, the whole time being calmed by Julia's gentle, "woah, there… calm down…" When the horses had come to a stop, Julia slowly got hold of one's bridle, and the others followed as they were still all in their four-horse harness. A few moments later a man came running around the corner, and stopped dead in surprise that his team had been stopped, by a girl nonetheless.
"Thank ya miss. I'd 'a never have gotten 'em. The axis of d'a cart broke and d'ey spooked. Next thing I'se know, d'ey's runnin' off at break-neck speed. Thank ya again," the coachman said as he tipped his hat and led his horses away.
Race, however, was still in awe. "So, I'se guess you'se is familiar wit horses," he replied jokingly, but he thought to himself that this might be a key that could unlock a door to her mysterious past. Julia just smiled shyly and shrugged, before they started walking back to the lodging house.
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Well, what did you all think? Please review! Any comments are welcome: good or bad! -Maudie
