The sound of banging and shouting flooded towards Anthony's ears as he groaned and rubbed his eyes only to see Kloppman doing his morning wake-up calls for the boys. He had taken easily with Kloppman, seeing as how he seemed like a long-lost uncle that you never knew. His aged face and welcoming smile made up for the physical strength he was missing. Although it seemed that all he did was keep track of the comings and goings of the boys in the Lodging House, Anthony came to realize he did much more. He was their father, in a sense, always looking out for them, someone to talk to, and the over looker of all things.
"Up, up, Italy! Time to sell papes!" shouted Kloppman as he walked over to Anthony's bed and tousled his hair playfully.
"I'm up… I'm up…" mumbled Anthony as he sat up from his bed and looked around the room. He sighed as he took a minute for yesterday night's events to register. He still hadn't understood what had come over Boxer. He had remembered seeing him that night against Spike, the way he held his ground. What came of his principles? His morals? Were they all just thrown away for what they were about to do that night? But Anthony saw that he had no choice. If Boxer were to refuse, Spike would've handed him a dead newsie.
But what struck Anthony the most was when Boxer told them what houses they would go to. Diodetto. The name brought back memories and images that he never wanted to recall. He remembered being filled with shock and surprise when he heard the name. After Boxer's announcement, all he could do was sit in his bunk bed and think of what had happened. It couldn't possibly.
~*~
"Almost done with selling papes today?" asked Blink as he walked in Tibby's with Mush and Anthony right beside him.
"Nah… but I think I'd be done later this afternoon," answered Mush.
"Same here. The papers don't seem to be getting their stories straight though, with all those weird articles floating around…" said Anthony as he entered Tibby's and glanced around to wave at Jack, Strider, Sapphy, and Skittery.
Blink smirked. "You mean those weird articles that helped you sell your papes yesterday? You never know, sometimes those articles can be a blessing when there's no headlines to shout."
What Blink said was true, and he was just lucky enough to find those wacky headlines the day he had met Sapphy. If it weren't for these, he probably wouldn't have enough money as he had now. Anthony nodded as he stole a quick glance at Sapphy, who turned to Strider in an effort to look busy. He couldn't help but give a smile in response, causing Sapphy to turn her attention to him and roll her eyes as she took a sip of water while Strider gave a friendly wave. Anthony smirked and followed Mush and Blink to where the others were seated.
Strider pushed her plate of chicken and mashed potatoes towards the boys as they took a seat. "Here, I ain't gonna finish it."
"Well, if you ain't gonna eat it…" said Blink as he quickly snatched the plate and hungrily devoured the food with only a fork. Anthony, however, grabbed a drumstick from the plate quick enough that Blink would've thought he probably ended up eating it too.
"So what ya think's gonna happen Saturday night? I mean… we're not exactly having a get-together…" said Jack, quickly changing the subject.
"Boxer probably agreed to whatever Spike said 'cause suddenly, outta nowhere, here he comes with this big plan about stealing all that junk from those rich folks," answered Skittery.
"Boxer wouldn't do that! He probably thought of a way out of it…" exclaimed Strider as she glared at Skittery.
"I'm going with Strider on this one. Out of all the times he looked out for us, dya think he'd just let us follow whatever Spike says?" Sapphy leaned forward and continued. "Anyways, the two of them always have a way of compromising. They end up having each other's ways eventually."
"But what if they don't?" retorted Blink as he waved his half-eaten chicken at her. "You don't expect Boxer to always do the right thing."
"It's better than looking like a caveman with half of his food in his mouth," answered Sapphy as she looked at Anthony, with bits of chicken hanging from his mouth. Sheepishly, Anthony wiped his mouth with the napkins placed on the table.
"I gotta eat and it doesn't matter how it goes in, just as long as I'm eating!"
"Amen!" shouted Mush as he stuffed another batch of mashed potatoes down his mouth. "We're hungry and we can't help it!"
"Don't ya think this is just too risky? Five houses in one night…" said Anthony as he placed the eaten drumstick on Blink's plate and sat back on his chair.
"It's not like we have much of a choice," answered Strider. "Did you see Boxer? He's gonna make all of us go whether we like it or not. And what'd you think will happen if we don't go? Think of me!" said Strider playfully as she played a small pout on her face.
Anthony chuckled and answered, "There's just too much at risk…" He sighed and thought of how it would be if she were gone.
~*~
"Mob fights Havana Police!" shouted Anthony as he raised his hand up, clutching the daily newspaper. It had been his first day selling just outside the Sheepshead Races and everything seemed to be going well. People eagerly bought the paper as Anthony shouted his headlines, whatever headline he had, although he would always try to improve it. He was slowly getting used to the workload he was getting everyday. Carrying the numerous amounts of newspapers given to him daily was no easy task, giving him the slow progression of toned muscles on his arms and the accumulating ink on his hands and fingers. His imagination got away with him as he thought up of better headlines than what the paper would give them. Not only that, but he learned how to shout his voice from the rooftops. He was sure that all of Manhattan could hear him.
He even grew an interest for the Races, or the tracks as the elderly man, Mr. Jones, would call it. He would find himself talking to him day to day about the races as they watched the horses charge through the field, the jockeys holding on to them. Mr. Jones had showed him the art of betting, not only on horses, but also on whatever thing he could get his hands on. Anthony thought this was useful since it was another way of making money, although there were chances of him losing what he had. Not only that, but Mr. Jones was the groom, or the person who takes direct care of the horses, washing, cleaning, and feeding them. He would occasionally tell Anthony about the horses that he had previously taken care of, giving them the privilege of knowing the horses beforehand.
It was already mid-afternoon, and the sun seemed to blaze its heat upon New York with immensity. Anthony sighed as he sold his last paper (or pape, as Sapphy would call it) and walked off a much farther distance towards a shady spot, in which a store had placed benches right outside, giving its customers a place to rest. He quickly sat down, glad to find a place to rest, but his thoughts were suddenly interrupted when he heard a familiar voice nearby. He looked around, unable to see anybody that he knew. He focused his energy on the voice and heard it not so far away when he realized it was coming from the alley just around the corner.
He slowly stood up, still keeping track of where the voices came from. He walked a few steps and turned towards the alley where he figured the voices were coming from and to his surprise found Strider and Sapphy arguing.
"How could you have done that, Sapphy?!" said Strider as she flung her hands in the air. "You know well that we I can't pull you out of this one 'cause he's seen me before!"
"Sorry, Strider, but… I just got carried away!" retorted Sapphy. "Anyways, I need the money! It's only a date… maybe I can even snitch a few dollars off of him when he's not looking."
"But what are you gonna do if you need to get out of it? I can't come running in saying 'Oh, I'm sorry but all we wanted from you was money and now we're gonna go since we have it already'. You might as well not go!"
"No, Strider!" shouted Sapphy. "I ain't gonna back down! I can take care of myself!"
Anthony's brows furrowed as he looked at the two girls. Something wasn't right. He had heard enough and it seemed like they were in deep trouble.
"Need any help, ladies?" asked Anthony as he walked towards Strider and Sapphy, who turned towards Anthony with surprise in their faces. They weren't expecting for him to come here, especially with the dilemma they had in their hands.
"How long have you been standing there?" asked Sapphy as she stared back at Anthony.
"Looks like you girls put yourselves in an interesting situation. But hey, if you don't need my help…" said Anthony as he slowly turned around and walked away.
"Wait! Italy!" shouted Strider as she ran towards him and grabbed his arm. "Actually…" she said as she looked from Anthony to Sapphy and gave a sly smile. "I have an idea."
~*~
"So I was telling the manager about how we should change the way we're making the engines 'cause we're never gonna get any work done if we don't do that assembly line idea, don't ya think?"
Sapphy nodded and took another sip of her drink. It was only just the beginning and she was feeling as if she could sleep through the day. Out of all the men that had asked her to go out for dinner, the dullest and uninteresting man just had to pick her. But obviously, Sapphy agreed just so she could get a free dinner and swipe a few dollars, and if she was lucky enough, his whole wallet. Strider was always there to bail her out halfway through the date just so it wouldn't go too far, but unfortunately, Strider had been there when they met him.
Sapphy sighed as she looked around, her date still talking away about factories. He had taken her to one of those restaurants not far from Tibby's. It featured the American West with buffalo wings, chicken, and lots of potatoes. Sapphy took a mental note of telling her new discover to the newsies, especially Jack.
"So what else do you do besides sell newspapers?"
Sapphy bit her lip to keep from laughing. A newsie sells papes, what did he expect? She poked her fork at the remaining food she had eaten and looked back up at him, unclear of what she was going to say. "I…"
But her sentence was cut off when a sudden sound of a slamming door reverberated throughout the restaurant followed by the sound of running footsteps, causing Sapphy and the other customers to stop and look what had happened.
"What…" murmured Sapphy as she turned to see Anthony, his eyes scanning the room and breathing heavily. He finally saw Sapphy and ran towards her and leaned on the table while he continued to breathe heavily.
"Its… grandma… she…" Anthony paused and inhaled a breath of air. "She's sick!" he shouted as he threw up his arms in the air in frustration. "You have to come now!" Anthony grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward, but Sapphy bit back a smile and stayed in her seat.
"What happened? Did she have to go to the hospital?" asked Sapphy as she tried her best to put a surprised look on her face. This was going to be fun.
"What are you doing?" murmured Anthony as he looked at Sapphy with disbelief.
"Excuse me, who are you?" asked Sapphy's date as he put down his fork and looked at Anthony, who let go of Sapphy's wrist.
"I'm…" started Anthony and glanced at Sapphy for help.
"I… Ian! He's my cousin… I know he doesn't look like me 'cause he's… adopted!" answered Sapphy quickly as she nodded and looked at him.
"Yeah, so come on! Grandma wants you to be there! SHE'S… REALLY… SICK!" said Anthony once more, emphasizing his words.
"Sick? Sick how?" asked Sapphy as she scrunched up her face in a look of confusion.
Anthony's eyes bulged and looked at Sapphy as if to say, come on! He sighed and grabbed her wrist once more and gave her a strong tug. "Let's go!" He pulled her towards him and dragged her out of her seat while he ran to the door with Sapphy behind him. Anthony sighed as he opened the door and walked a good distance away from the restaurant, making sure that Sapphy's date wouldn't find them walking around in the streets instead of going to the hospital and visiting their so-called grandma.
Anthony turned towards Sapphy, who was smiling extensively. Instead of smiling and laughing along with her, he shook his head and glared at her. "What was that?! Sick? Sick how?!" said Anthony as he mimicked Sapphy.
Sapphy laughed and patted Anthony's cheeks. "Aw, Italy! You were great in there!" she said as she swung her arm over his shoulder. "You could've won an award, for crying out loud!"
Anthony looked at Sapphy. His anger slowly dissolved as a smile crept upon his face. "I was great, wasn't I?" said Anthony as he beamed and started walking down the street with Sapphy, who nodded gleefully.
"You know, I was thinking of doing a limp the next time so when I…" started Anthony.
Sapphy chuckled and patted his shoulder. "Baby steps, Italy… baby steps…"
~*~
"The boy doesn't know how to play poker?!" said Spot as he stared at Anthony with utter disbelief.
"I know most of it, but I still gotta learn!" answered Anthony as he took a seat next to Spot who started shuffling the deck in his hand expertly.
"Yeah? Well, I betcha you won't…" Spot laid out the deck and grumbled. "Italians."
"Aw, come on, Spot!" said Sapphy as she walked up towards them. She winked at Anthony, Blink, Mush, and Jack as she deviously and slowly took Spot's hat and placed it on her head. She tousled his hair and continued, "You were always a party pooper."
"I ain't!" retorted Spot as he looked up at Sapphy and grabbed his hat back from her. "And my hat looks better on me."
Anthony held back a snicker as he looked at the boy before him. Although he seemed short and lanky, the newsies seemed to follow him, the same way that the younger newsies had looked up at Jack. His dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes gave Anthony the impression of a strong newsie, someone who can handle anything. It seemed that he came to visit while he had been helping Sapphy out. He was amazed at how this boy could just go to Manhattan by himself, let alone, stay at the Lodging House with welcome. He looked at the cards he was holding before him and waited for the boys to begin to play.
"This ain't any time for playing card games, Italy. Come with me… we never did start that fighting lesson I was supposed to give you yesterday night."
Anthony turned around to see Boxer standing right beside him, his face was grim and his lips were set in a thin line. He wore a look on his face that gave the impression that he was an angry father, and anything would go his way. Anthony reluctantly stood up and followed Boxer, who led him upstairs towards the rooftop, where a few newsies were staying. Boxer gave a deep cough causing the newsies look at him and leave the rooftop almost immediately. Anthony gaped. He didn't know he had that much power. But Anthony shook his thoughts. He was the leader of the Manhattan newsies, of course they were going to follow him.
"Okay…" said Boxer as he took hold of Anthony's shoulders and looked at him. "Fighting's not all about swinging, jabbing, punching with all your might," started Boxer as he walked a few steps, keeping a good distance between them. Anthony nodded and looked back at Boxer as he wiped his face with his hands. "Its also about playing mind games… knowing your opponent's moves, keeping your mind focused…"
"And making sure you beat the hell outta him," said Anthony as both boys chuckled.
"Yeah, that too… and to defend yourself. You can't fight without defending yourself… if ya don't, you're already beat up…"
Anthony listened and watched intently as Boxer showed him what he should do. Minutes later, after seeing the different moves, punches, and various methods of attacking and defending, they stopped to rest for a while. As Anthony sat down, he looked around to take a few breaths. He thought the lesson was over. But he was wrong. Boxer reluctantly stood up and looked down at Race.
"Now… this ain't gonna work if you're not actually gonna fight," said Boxer as Anthony stood up and faced him.
He stared blankly at Boxer, unsure of what to do.
"Are you just gonna stand there?" asked Boxer as he coaxed Anthony on. "Come on, fight me!" he said as he put his clenched his fists and put them up to his face, the same way that boxers fought.
"You want me to fight you?! You might as well say my prayers!" said Anthony as he retreated.
"Hey!" shouted Boxer. "You gotta learn, and this is the only way how to. Don't be afraid, Italy."
Anthony sighed as he walked towards Boxer and stood ready for what was about to come. He didn't expect this to happen. How was he supposed to fight Boxer? He had heard from the other newsies how good a fighter he was, and now he was up against him. But Anthony pushed his thoughts aside when he realized he wouldn't do anything to hurt him. If anybody knew his weakness, it was his protectiveness and caring for the other newsies. But will his anger be too much for him?
Suddenly, Anthony felt the impact of Boxer's strength upon his stomach and shoulders as both boys fell down on the ground. Their practice had started out fine at first with a few punches and swings here and there, but as they progressed on and on, Anthony let his feelings get the best of him. Boxer urged him on with words and phrases that any newsie would use on the streets of New York. The anger and fury built up inside him as he remembered his father and what he had done. He blinked, trying to get the image out of his head. But as he struggled and fought on, whenever he would look at Boxer, he would see his father's face, telling him what a mistake he had made. That he made a wrong choice.
Abruptly, as Anthony ducked another swing from Boxer and tackled him from below, he had heard the sound of someone talking or more of mumbling. He looked towards Boxer, his face turning a shade of red, his eyes created narrow slits in his face as he stared back at Anthony and his nostrils flared as he slowly muttered something unclear under his breath. "No… stand tall… Spike ain't gonna get away with it…"
Anthony realized that he wasn't the only one fighting from his fear. He suddenly saw the look on Boxer's face. It was deadly and harmful. He shook his head and pushed himself away from Boxer, who was struggling to get another punch. "Boxer… what's wrong with--" His sentence was cut off when he suddenly heard Boxer shout and felt a strong impact upon his left cheek were Boxer had hit him. He fell on the ground, clutching his cheek as he looked up at Boxer. Anthony grimaced as he felt the pain concentrate on his cheek. He knew he had to defend himself, or else he was going to get beat up, or worse.
He slowly stood up and advanced towards Boxer. He wasn't going to take it anymore. He wasn't going to let people push him around. He tackled him, causing the two boys to fall on the ground, struggling with each other. Anthony heard the sound of running footsteps and voices nearby, but dismissed it just as quickly when he swung at Boxer's shoulders.
"Italy! Boxer! Stop it!" shouted Strider as she ran towards the boys, with the other newsies trailing behind her. He had heard Boxer shout and thought that something wasn't right.
Anthony felt hands and finger grab and pull him away from Boxer as he inhaled a breath of air. He was still moving, struggling, but the boys held him tight.
"Boxer? Italy?" asked Tony as he looked at the two boys. Tony and Roach held Boxer while Jack and Blink held Anthony back. "What the hell happened?!"
"I just got ahead of myself…" said Boxer as he wiped his cheek with the back of his hand. He looked at the surrounding newsies, their faces full of concern and curiosity. He sighed as he straightened himself, causing Tony and Roach to back away. He glanced at Anthony and nodded his head towards him as if nothing had happened. "Great job, Italy. You'll do fine tomorrow night."
~*~
Anthony groaned as he rolled over in his bunk bed. It had been an interesting day. He tried to think of happy thoughts, of what had happened earlier that day. He sighed as an image of Strider slowly came to his mind. Her laugh and long blond hair. But his thoughts swirled around him and he came back to thinking of what had happened at the rooftop. He was still unsure of what had happened. All he knew was that his feelings got the best of him. But what shocked him the most was what happened to Boxer. He didn't expect him to act that way, to loose his cool. He remembered that he was mumbling something about Spike that he wasn't going to go through with his plan. He finally realized what had caused it all. Tomorrow night was going to be when they raid the five houses. When the Brooklyn and Manhattan newsies were to team up for the biggest plan they ever thought of doing.
Suddenly, he remembered what one of the families that lived in those houses. Diodetto. He rubbed his head with his hands as he thought of how he could have gotten in this dilemma. He didn't want everything to come back to him. Not after what had happened tonight. He remembered having a somewhat dazed feeling after listening to Boxer talk about the houses they were going to go to. He remembered sitting on his bed and tuning out everything that was around him. Even though Mush, Blink, and Strider came to check on him, nothing helped. Once again, the name rang throughout his head. Diodetto. It was so welcoming and daunting at the same time. God said, that's what Diodetto meant. What was God telling him now? But Anthony knew he couldn't hide the fact that he was once part of a family that once loved and cared for him. No matter how far he ran, no matter what he would do, he still couldn't change one thing. He couldn't deny the fact that he was a Diodetto.
~*~
Shout-outs
Sagey: hahah, thanks! ^^ You get to see Roach again! :P
Sapphy: lol, don't worry... you'll loosen up.... you'll see. *wink*
Spazjosyln: haha, thanks! halfway through the story, i figured that he was a really tough character to write. but i'm still gonna finish this! ^^ don't worry, i'll be here to keep reminding you to breathe!
Strider: i know you didn't send a SO, but where are you?! *searches*