A/N: Hey thanks for being so patient. It's not much but it's something
until I finish the next portion of the story. Thanks to all of my
reviewers! And Morning Dew for keeping me on top of things. Haha. Any
suggestions or ideas let me know.
I kept my living arrangements strictly to myself. Pride was foremost in my mind, and I placed myself far from embarrassment whenever feasible. The whole apple fiasco was an exception. I guess Jack was a natural at catching me in my weak moments.
Choosing to sleep in central park that night was not in any way a scrupulous decision. In fact it was rather impulsive. I lay down underneath my train blanket, and hours later, the sunrise above my head was not the factor of my waking. But indeed it was the irksome feeling of a rather worn boot scraping the side of my tired cheeks.
"Rough night kid?" he asked me as I shot up with shame.
"I guess." I walked with him in silence, neither of us brave enough to speak. I walked unaware of my own feet moving, thinking of possible explanations to save myself embarrassment.
" So ya going home now?" He asked. He didn't know! Now I thought of how simple it would be to blurt out a lie, any lie and he'd believe it. Just like that woman on the train.
But I didn't.
He looked at me again. "Uhh, if you ever need a place ta stay. there is always the lodging house, or the refuge. I stay there when I can afford it."
"It costs money to stay in the refuge?"
"What? No the lodging house. I said I stay there when I can afford it."
"But you said-"
"Never mind what you heard. This city air is clogging your ears," he interrupted. His manner comforted me, now I knew he wouldn't mock my situation. I told him maybe he would see me at this lodging house of his. He said he would be happy to have me and I would fit in since some days I helped him sell anyway. He told me that what I didn't know I'd pick up relatively soon.
Two nights later I found myself standing in front of the building that held my future. I figured I'd wait two days just to stir up a bit of mystery for Jack. I didn't want to look desperate and dependant, but I also didn't want to disregard the offer entirely. So I spent another night in the open city, and I didn't even mind the rough ground. I didn't even feel the wind from the hollow, chilly night.
I allowed myself to enter the building and introduce myself to the man sitting behind the desk. He looked eager to see a new face. Perhaps Jack had informed him of my coming. Whatever the reason, he was rather welcoming, scattering my uneasiness. The man called for Jack and I waited at the bottom of the staircase. He smiled when he saw me and hurried me upstairs. I was greeted by a flood of introductions, which were hardly heard over the general clamor of the chaotic room. My eyes watered form the mixture of dust and smoke that filled the room. Looking around I noticed that I had to be the youngest one there, obviously taking Jack's place. There were probably a few more closer to Jack's age then mine, but I don't remember who was there that night and who came later, there were too many names in the first few seconds of my stay.
The morning wasn't horrible. I woke a few moments before the first rays of sun were able to glisten on the ground. Before the rowdiness erupted and before the washroom became over crowded. I was ready when the soft-spoken man from the night before used a strong voice to wake the boys. I laughed as Jack slept through the spectacle and was given trouble by the old man.
And Jack was right, what I didn't know, I picked up.
"Well it's only a penny-I paid you five cents."
I reached into my pocket and pulled out an empty hand.
"I don't have any change sir-But if you really want you can have five papers."
"What would I do with five papers?"
"The same as you would do with one I suppose."
"Oh keep your papers and keep the change." I smiled as I pocketed the nickel in my back pocket with the rest of my earnings. It wasn't lying. It was improving the truth. Okay maybe it was lying.
The rest of the days and nights spent at the lodging house blur together in a series of poker games, smokes, chatter, fights, and adventures. I couldn't recall one particular incident, just all of them together and the general feeling of closeness and sense of community.
A/N: Btw Jack's refuge remark is indeed a sarcastic one! Some people thought that I was stupid and thought that little children liked to go there. Cough ABBY!
I kept my living arrangements strictly to myself. Pride was foremost in my mind, and I placed myself far from embarrassment whenever feasible. The whole apple fiasco was an exception. I guess Jack was a natural at catching me in my weak moments.
Choosing to sleep in central park that night was not in any way a scrupulous decision. In fact it was rather impulsive. I lay down underneath my train blanket, and hours later, the sunrise above my head was not the factor of my waking. But indeed it was the irksome feeling of a rather worn boot scraping the side of my tired cheeks.
"Rough night kid?" he asked me as I shot up with shame.
"I guess." I walked with him in silence, neither of us brave enough to speak. I walked unaware of my own feet moving, thinking of possible explanations to save myself embarrassment.
" So ya going home now?" He asked. He didn't know! Now I thought of how simple it would be to blurt out a lie, any lie and he'd believe it. Just like that woman on the train.
But I didn't.
He looked at me again. "Uhh, if you ever need a place ta stay. there is always the lodging house, or the refuge. I stay there when I can afford it."
"It costs money to stay in the refuge?"
"What? No the lodging house. I said I stay there when I can afford it."
"But you said-"
"Never mind what you heard. This city air is clogging your ears," he interrupted. His manner comforted me, now I knew he wouldn't mock my situation. I told him maybe he would see me at this lodging house of his. He said he would be happy to have me and I would fit in since some days I helped him sell anyway. He told me that what I didn't know I'd pick up relatively soon.
Two nights later I found myself standing in front of the building that held my future. I figured I'd wait two days just to stir up a bit of mystery for Jack. I didn't want to look desperate and dependant, but I also didn't want to disregard the offer entirely. So I spent another night in the open city, and I didn't even mind the rough ground. I didn't even feel the wind from the hollow, chilly night.
I allowed myself to enter the building and introduce myself to the man sitting behind the desk. He looked eager to see a new face. Perhaps Jack had informed him of my coming. Whatever the reason, he was rather welcoming, scattering my uneasiness. The man called for Jack and I waited at the bottom of the staircase. He smiled when he saw me and hurried me upstairs. I was greeted by a flood of introductions, which were hardly heard over the general clamor of the chaotic room. My eyes watered form the mixture of dust and smoke that filled the room. Looking around I noticed that I had to be the youngest one there, obviously taking Jack's place. There were probably a few more closer to Jack's age then mine, but I don't remember who was there that night and who came later, there were too many names in the first few seconds of my stay.
The morning wasn't horrible. I woke a few moments before the first rays of sun were able to glisten on the ground. Before the rowdiness erupted and before the washroom became over crowded. I was ready when the soft-spoken man from the night before used a strong voice to wake the boys. I laughed as Jack slept through the spectacle and was given trouble by the old man.
And Jack was right, what I didn't know, I picked up.
"Well it's only a penny-I paid you five cents."
I reached into my pocket and pulled out an empty hand.
"I don't have any change sir-But if you really want you can have five papers."
"What would I do with five papers?"
"The same as you would do with one I suppose."
"Oh keep your papers and keep the change." I smiled as I pocketed the nickel in my back pocket with the rest of my earnings. It wasn't lying. It was improving the truth. Okay maybe it was lying.
The rest of the days and nights spent at the lodging house blur together in a series of poker games, smokes, chatter, fights, and adventures. I couldn't recall one particular incident, just all of them together and the general feeling of closeness and sense of community.
A/N: Btw Jack's refuge remark is indeed a sarcastic one! Some people thought that I was stupid and thought that little children liked to go there. Cough ABBY!
