Chapter 8

Forget Dat Goil

Olivia had just gotten back from her date with Spot and had just changed back into her boy clothes. As she was leaving the restaurant, she saw Mush and Jack walk in.

Mush saw her first, but didn't say anything. "Heya, Oliver!" Jack exclaimed. "Whatcha doin heah?"

Olivia as Oliver grinned. "Nuttin, Jack…Mush! Can I talk to ya for a minute?" she asked, or more told him.

He sighed and nodded. They walked outside and stood next to the big oak tree that grew outside of Tibby's. Olivia looked excited.

"Guess what?!" she exclaimed. "I just got back from me date wit Spot. He wants me to be his steady goil! Ain't that great, Mushy?"

"Yeah," he said quietly.

She looked at him dejectedly. "Why ain't ya happy for me, huh? Don't you spoil me good mood!"

He shook his head. "I'm happy for ya Olive. I'm real happy for ya." He gave her the biggest grin that he could muster.

She smiled back at him. "Good, cuz witout you, I would still be admirin Spotty from afar. Thanks Mush. Thanks so much." She put her arms around him and gave him a light peck on the lips.

He smiled and watched her walk in the direction of the boarding house. "No problem," he whispered sadly.

Jack's eyes became wide as saucers. He had been watching them out the window, just to make sure that everything was ok. Alright, so he was spying. It didn't matter, what he saw was what he saw.

When Mush came back in, Jack was waiting for him next to the door. "Come on kid, we gots ta talk," he said, pulling Mush by the arm to the alley between Tibby's and the next building over.

"What's this all about, Jack?" Mush asked. He was starting to hurt his arm.

"Listen kid, I knows what's wrong wid you," Jack said, finally letting go of him.

Mush squinted at him. "Whatcha talkin about?"

"Why you been so weird lately. You'se in love wid someone you shouldn't be in love wid," Jack said, trying to tiptoe around labeling Mush a…Jack couldn't even bring himself to think it.

Mush looked down. "I don't know what you'se talkin about."

Jack put a hand on his shoulder protectively. "I know about Oliver. I saw dat kiss just a few minutes ago wid me own eyes."

Mush looked up into his eyes. "You been spyin on us?"

Jack shrugged. "It was an accident. But I knew about it before all dat, Mush."

"Really?" he asked him incredulously.

"Yeah, and you've two have been carryin dis lousy secret around for too long," Jack replied sternly.

Mush looked anxious. "How did you find out?" he asked.

"It's kinda obvious," Jack shrugged uncomfortably.

Mush was dumbfounded. He thought that Olivia had been very discreet, never once did she let her voice go too high around the other guys. Maybe it was the hair…someone could have caught a glimpse of a few longer strands some time. Mush's mind raced. "You won't tell nobody about Olive, will ya?" he asked, afraid that she would be kicked out onto the streets.

"Olive?" Jack asked incredulously. Great, he thought to himself, they've made pet names for each other. "Well, no. I won't. But I think you'se shouldn't hang around togetha anymore. Just for ya own protection, Mushy."

Mush looked sad. "Cuz Olive an Spot loves each udda, huh? You'se got it all figured out, dontcha Jack?" he shook his head sadly.

Jack's eyes widened. So Spot swung that way too?! Jack didn't want to hear any more. Ignorance, as they say, is bliss. Mush was the last fella he would have thought would go for another fella. If he did…who else would?

"Jack?" Mush asked, snapping Jack out of his daze.

"Yeah, yeah Mush…you gots ta get ova uh… 'Olive'. For everyone's sake," he told him sensibly. "Because if you don't…well, the whole Newsie way of life'll be ruined."

Mush looked at him with wide eyes. "How?"

"Well, if dis gets out, one Newsie won't trust anudda…it'll all be a big mess," Jack shrugged. "Don't worry, I'm sure you're not da foist Newsie dis has happened to…but for da love'a god, please don't carry on dis love affair. It's unnatural."

"Love affair…what love affair?" Mush questioned. Had Jack just gone bananas? Olive liked Spot, not him.

Jack sighed, putting his arm around his friend sympathetically. "Dat's it, you just forget you ever even saw dat Oliver."

* * * * *
Author's Note: I hope this chapter isn't too confusing. If it is, just tell me and I'll revise it.