THIS STORY GETS BETTER BY THE END, TRUST ME, THESE FIRST CHAPTERS AREN'T THAT GOOD....BUT IT GETS BETTER, SO PLEASE READ
I woke up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. I looked around and could make out all the boys sleeping in their beds. I was on the bottom bunk because I'm scared of heights and afraid of falling off.(I didn't feel like being Kid Blink every morning when he falls off the top bunk and onto anybody who's sleeping on the floor there) I decided to go outside to get some air. I took my blanket and went over to the window and went up the fire escape to the roof. I sat by the edge and then pulled the blanket over myself. I looked at the sun rising and there I could see the yellow break into the dark midnight blue night. It was beautiful. I was staring at the sky when all of a sudden I fell asleep. The next thing I know someone was shaking me to get myself up. I open my eyes and see Race there staring at me.
"Whatchu doin up here Sweetz? You could get sick if youse slept up here."
"I don't care, since when did any of you care about my health?"
"Someone's crabby, you'd better get up and ready so we can head down to the distribution center." Race got up and walked down the fire escape. I just sat there watching him until I couldn't see him anymore. I didn't know how he knew that I was up here. I decided to go get ready for another day of Carryin the Banner. I stood in line to get my papes when someone pushed me from behind. I looked back and I see Mush and Snipeshooter fooling around, once again. It was my turn to get my papes. I ordered 30 papes because I didn't feel like selling my usual 50. When I went to get my papes from Morris he grabbed my arm, his grip was getting tighter as I tried to get him to let it go.
"Morris, you sonova bitch, let go of me!" I was basically wiggling trying to get loose.
"I don't think so, why don't you meet me at Central Park tonight, we can have some fun."
"Yeah that's what I want to do, go to Central Park and meet up with your ugly ass face, now give me back my hand!" As soon as I said that a person walked up.
"Let go of her Morris, other people want their papes!" I looked up and it was Jack. I smiled and then felt Morris' grip loosen. I picked up my papes and walked to the gate. I heard someone walk up to me so I turned around. It was Oscar.
"I don't think youse were bein nice to me brotha ova there, you owe him one, for those nasty comments you made." I looked at him and grinned.
"You gots ta be kiddin me. I don't owe you shit. Now would you please leave me alone?" Right then and there I was proud of myself for sticking up for myself but then I felt a hard punch to the stomach. It turns out that Oscar took offense to that and punched me. I hunched over and grabbed my stomach. Most of the Newsies looked over to see what was happening.
I stood back up with some Newsies looking at me. I looked at Oscar and he just smirked. I walked up to him and stepped on his foot and then punched him in the stomach. Then I kicked him so then he would be down onto the ground. He slowly got up and tackled me. We both struggled to get punches in. Then I heard a familiar voice.
"Get off of her; let me give her a try." There I saw Morris with brass knuckles on. Oscar picked me up and held me for Morris. That's when some Newsies came over and pushed Oscar and Morris off of me. Oscar and Morris went back into the circulation desk and smirked at me. I rolled my eyes and looked at the Newsies who were staring at me. Boy, did I feel out of place. I picked up my newspapers and sat down.
"Hey, youse okay?" I looked up and it was Race and Jack. What is with these two, I don't need them taking care of me.
"Ise fine, so you can leave now." Jack messed up my hair and went over to Kid Blink and some other newsies. I noticed that Race was still standing looking at me while I fixed my hair. "What do ya wants from me Race?" I looked at him with such disgust in me.
"Whyse you like that? Ise been trying to be nice to yas but youse always have a bad temper." He looked at me like he figured me out. He sat down next to me and took out a cigar and started to smoke it.
"Can I have a smoke?" He looked at me like he's never seen a girl smoke before. He handed it over and I smoked it for about 3 minutes. I gave it back and got up and picked up my papes."Sorry Ise a bum, but Ise neva had anyone ask me howse I doin? Youse be the first." He smirked.
"Its okay, just tries to be happier, wherese do you sell?"
"Ise sell over by the new restaurant Chierre Pier."
"Damn that sucks, theyse all rich people's ova there." As soon as he said that, the gates opened up and Newsies started to scream out headlines. He started to walk to the gate, and then looked back and yelled towards me,
"Youse should come to Tibby's afterwards, that's where's everyone else goes."
He turned around and headed for the races. I was stunned, no one ever invited me into Tibby's, and usually I would order and then sit out on the curb eating my food. As I was walking towards the new restaurant I felt a pair of hands on my waist. I turned around and there was my brotha.
"What the hell ya doing here, youse suppose to be in Harlem wit moms and pops?" I looked at him as if he was bringing me the worst news.
"We came for yas, mom and pops wants you back, and they said that if you don't come back freely then he's going to send the cops after ya!"
"The bulls! Whyse does he wants me back?"
"Ise don't know."
"Ise not going, would you spot me a few cents, please?" I looked at him with puppy eyes.
"Here's ten cents, don't tells anyone i gave that to youse. I'm sorry to hear that youse not coming back wit me, see ya soon." He looked at me one more time and ran off. I had a couple papes left so then I sold them as soon as possible, and started walking to Tibby's. As soon as I got there I saw Newsies in the windows. I went in and sat at the bar. I ordered my usual and took it outside. Then i heard a familiar voice,
"What's youse doing outs here, I ast you to comes inside and eats. Youse not norvous, ares you?" I turned around to Race's face.
"Ise don't know, youse basically the only newsie Ise do know, and Ise don't think Ise ready." I looked at him and then to the ground.
"Come on." He motioned me over to the door.
I decided to give up. I picked up my food and followed Race inside. A couple of Newsies stared at me, but I just looked away. Race took me to an empty booth; We sat on opposite sides, until two other newsies joined the table. It was Mush and Kid Blink.
"Whose are you?" Kid Blink looked me ova and asked.
"Ise Sweetz." I replied looking down at my food no longer eating it.
"Where are you staying Sweetz?"
"Youse two stupid, this is da goil from our lodging house." Race looked at them and understood a little why I didn't want to go inside.
"Oh, so youse the only goil right, Ise didn't see ya this morning. Did youse see that fight wit dat one goil and Oscar and Morris? Man, dats da way to wake up in the morning." Mush chuckled at Blink's comment. I looked at him and decided to get out of there.
"Dats was me you boneheads, let me through." They got up and let me out and I heard one of them shout to me "Sorries" I just kept walking. I didn't know where I was going. Finally, I knew when I saw the Brooklyn bridge. I walked up to the middle and looked down. Then I heard a voice behind me say,
"Youse aint from around here, are you?" I looked at him and I couldn't keep my eyes off his beautiful blue eyes.
"No, Ise from Manhattan, Ise wit dem." I looked back down into the water.
"It's kinda late for a goil to bes walking on da streets. Ise walk youse home." I looked at him with a surprisingly grin. We have been walking for about 20 minutes when he finally broke the silence.
"Ise Spot, Spot Conlon, leada of da Brooklyn Newsies."
"Shouldn't youse tells anyones where youse going?"
"Ise did, Ise saw you from me pier, and Ise told dem Ise walking youse home and staying at da Manhattan Lodge. Youse neva told me you name?"
"Me's name is Sweetz." I looked at him and he grinned.
"Sweetz, huh, Ise gots da question for ya," I looked at him, "Do youse like bein a newsie?"
"Yas, but Ise feel like an outsida, Ise only hang out wit Race. I left dis morning after lunch cause Blink and Mush didn't even know Ise was da one who fought wit da Delancy's or even dat I slept in the same lodge as dem." Spot looked at me, and nodded.
"So youse the goil dat almost soaked da Delancy's, nice da meet ya." A couple of minutes passed and neither of us talked. Then he turned to me. I looked at him.
"So, howse you become a newsie, what's you running from?" I looked at him wondering if I should tell him.
"Ise was abused by me pops, and one night I just decided dat Ise didn't want to get hit anymore. So Ise ran and ended up in the Manhattan Lodge. And now me brotha came up to me and tolds me dat me pops want me back home and he's sending da bulls afta me." I stopped talking and looked at him, he looked a little hurt, and I guess he doesn't like it when people take advantage of other people. "Sorry, Ise best be shutting up now, Ise saying me story like Ise should have small violins playing." He looked at me and smiled and then I looked away.
"What are you going ta do? About your pops Ise mean?" He looked at me with concern in his eyes.
"Ise going to do nothing, If he wants me back den he's gonna find da way to gets me back." He looked at me like I was stupid.
"What about the Newsies, wese can help you keep away from dem."
"Youse don't get it Spot Conlon!" I yelled out his name. I stopped and looked at him. "Ise an outsider, youse the only one Ise told this too. No ones care for me, and Ise get that. I don't needs no ones help!" I looked back to the road and saw the Lodging House in view. I started walking pretty fast. He followed me and he knew not to bug me at the moment. I walked into the Lodging House and went straight up to the roof. I noticed some glares but I just looked towards the window with tears in my eyes. A couple minutes later, Spot walked in the room. He was greeted by Jack.
"Howse you doing Spot, what youse doing here?" He spit-shook with Spot.
"Ise walk home one of dem goil newsies youse has."
"Wese have a goil newsie, oh yeah, Sweetz. So youse staying da night?"
"Yeah, Ise wants ta play some poka!" He yelled out da word 'poker' so all the newsies heard. Race got up and went to Spot.
"Hows you been Spot?"
"Not to bad Race, Ise got ta talks wit you." Race looked at him and followed Spot into a corner.
"What's going on Spot?" "You knows dat goil newsie, Sweetz, she's gots da bulls afta her, i need youse ta watch out for her, She seems like she doesn't want anyone ta help hers out, so try, she won't let me." Race looked at Spot in astonishment.
"Ise talk wit her, where's she?"
"I tink she went to da roof, she's pissed at me cause i tolds her dat da newsies would take care of hers."
"I'll go talk wit her." Spot spit-shook with Race and Race headed up the fire escape. What am I going to do? My brotha knows where I am and he could easily tell my pops. But then why did he give me money? This is getting too confusing. All of a sudden I hear footsteps out on the fire escape. I looked up and it was Race. He walked over to me and sat next to me. He looked at me with concern,
"What's going on?" I looked at him with a fake smile and just shook my head. I knew I was going to start crying but I didn't want to. So I was holding tears back. "Nuttin's going on, did dat Spot Conlon tell youse?" I looked at him in a worried look.
"No, Ise wants youse to tell me, Ise been dere for yas, would ya please tell me what's goin on?"
I looked at him. I decided to tell him the story. After I was done I looked up at the sky.
"Youse gots ta be kiddin me, youse tink you can do this by yours self? What's if he gets ya, you don't wants to go back ta him, do ya?"
"Ya Race, Ise want to go back wit him," I said sarcastically," I want to be hit, kicked, and maybe this time Ise will get more scars den the last time." A couple of minutes passed and I decided to speak up. "Ise sorry Race, Ise don't know what's ta do, Ise neva been in dis situation before." I looked down at the ground.
"It's ok; as long as youse let da newsies help ya." I looked at him and didn't know what to say.
"Ise don't know if they would help me, Ise not the most popular newsie, ya know?" Race looked at me and grinned.
"As long as ya open up ta dem, theys will take cares of youse." I looked at him, then I got up and offered a hand to Race, he took it and I pulled him up.
"Ise going down to get me blanket, Ise wants to be alone up here." Race and I headed our way down. I went up to Spot and Race came wit.
"Spot, sorry Ise blew up at ya earlier, but cans you do'se me a fava?" Spot nodded. "Can you tell Jack my situation, so dat he isn't surprised when da bulls come?" Spot nodded again. I left to go get my blanket. I went to my bunk and noticed Race, Spot, and Jack talking. Jack started nodding and looked at me. I turned away to get my blanket and I went to the roof again. I was probably out on the roof for about an hour when I saw Jack come up with Mush and Kid Blink. I looked down and thought 'great, just what i need, more people...'they pulled over chairs and set them in front of me.
"Heya Sweetz, youse want ta explain to me youse situation." Jack said as he sat on his chair.
"No not really, Ise already explained it twice toda." I looked over at Kid Blink and Mush and they were resting their heads on their arms. "Whyse you two come up wit him." I pointed over to Jack.
"Wese needs ta talk bout toda, wese sorry what wese said, wese didn't know, wese a little slow in da head" Kid Blink looked at me when he said it and I giggled. Then Kid Blink and Mush started to laugh.
"Its ok guys, youse two didn't know, Ise been having a bad day.....actually a bad life....Ise sorry." Mush got up and kneeled down and kissed me on the cheek and left and Kid Blink followed. (Mush is such a stud) I shouted towards them,
"You're going to get it!" I looked over at Jack who still looked serious. "What's do youse want ta know Jack?"
"Ise want ta know hows serious youse situation is," He looked at me and I looked down at the ground, "youse can count on us newsies, we can handle anything." I looked at him and got up, and I sat on the ledge.
"My situation is dat me pops is comin afta me and he's been abusing me since Ise was little. Dats why Ise runaway."
"And he's sending da bull's afta ya?"
"Dats what me brotha said"
"Does your pops know where youse stay?"
"No but me brotha knows, I don't knows if he's going to tell or not. Ise getting tired, Ise going to go to sleep. I lay down and closed my eyes. I didn't hear anything on the fire escape and so I looked up. I saw Jack, he looked confused.
"Youse paid for a bed and youse going ta sleep in one."
"Ise don't know some of da guys don't know me and Ise feel uncomfortable."
"What da hell you doin here Spot? What time is it?" I noticed the room empty except Spot and I.
"Hows you doing Sweetz, its bout 11 A.M. I didn't know if youse were going ta wake up or not." He looked at me and smiled.
"Whyse didn't the Kloppmann wake mes up, why aint Ise selling, Ise gonna end up sleeping on da streets tonight if Ise don't get me money!" Spot looked at me and shook his head.
"Don't worries about it, Jack and me took cares of it. Youse can keep youse money for today. Youse hungry?" I looked at him and nodded. "Let mes get ready, and Ise will meet youse at Central Park."
"Why dere?"
"Cause its close to Tibby's, actually meet me at Tibby's."
"I aint waiting for youse, I wait for youse right now!"
"Spot, go, Ise will meet you dere, trust me." he looked at me and knew I was speaking that truth. He left and I got ready. I was heading towards Tibby's when two arms pulled me into an alley. I looked up and it was Oscar and Morris.
"Don'ts worry about its. Ise take care of it." I looked at him in a questionable look. He smirked. Why the hell does everyone smirk? I got up and headed downstairs, Jack followed. I went to my bunk and fell asleep as soon as i hit the mattress. Jack saw me sleeping and called out 'Light's out'.
When I woke up the next morning, I saw Spot in the next bunk. I looked at him questionably, and I spoke up,
"What da hell you doin here Spot? What time is it?" I noticed the room empty except Spot and I.
"Hows you doing Sweetz, its bout 11 A.M. I didn't know if youse were going ta wake up or not." He looked at me and smiled.
"Whyse didn't the Kloppmann wake mes up, why aint Ise selling, Ise gonna end up sleeping on da streets tonight if Ise don't get me money!" Spot looked at me and shook his head.
"Don't worries about it, Jack and me took cares of it. Youse can keep youse money for today. Youse hungry?" I looked at him and nodded.
"Let mes get ready, and Ise will meet youse at Central Park."
"Why dere?"
"Cause its close to Tibby's, actually meet me at Tibby's."
"I aint waiting for youse, I wait for youse right now!"
"Spot, go, Ise will meet you dere, trust me." he looked at me and knew I was speaking that truth. He left and I got ready. I was heading towards Tibby's when two arms pulled me into an alley. I looked up and it was Oscar and Morris.
"Hey guys, hows youse day going?" I said wit a smile. Morris grabbed my two arms and pulled them behind my back. "Well this isn't friendly."
"This is for ya trying to soak us."
"Youse started it! I was defending me self you dumbasses!"
"Dat aint a smart move goil," Oscar put on his brass knuckles and punched me in the face. I hunched over and saw blood drip off of my face. I stood up again and he punched me in the stomach. It hurt so much cause I haven't eaten. I slowly got up. He punched me, then Morris let go of me and pushed me on the ground.
"What the hell happened to ya?" He looked at my face and then my arms. I looked at him like nothing had happened.
"Nuttin, Ise just ran into trouble, that's all." I looked ova at the other people walking around looking at me.
"Whose did dis to yas?" Should I tell him? If I tell him then he'll go soak the Delancy's brothers for me. But what if I'm left alone with them again. They might hurt me more if I told the Brooklyn leader. I can't always have somebody protecting me. But then again, right now, I need protection. I looked at him and he was waiting for a response. I didn't know what to say. I looked down in the ground so I could concentrate more on my thoughts then Spot's beautiful blue eyes. Every time I look in them, I feel like I get lost into my own world. A place where I know I'm safe. But is there such a world?
I swerved my legs and tripped Oscar. I got up and kicked Morris in the groin. I started to run out of the alley. When a bunch of people came and walked. I joined the group so it was harder for Morris and Oscar to find me. I ran as fast as possible to Tibby's I didn't care if there was blood all over my face. I soon got to Tibby's and entered the restaurant. There I saw Spot sitting. He quickly looked at me and pulled me outside.
I woke up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. I looked around and could make out all the boys sleeping in their beds. I was on the bottom bunk because I'm scared of heights and afraid of falling off.(I didn't feel like being Kid Blink every morning when he falls off the top bunk and onto anybody who's sleeping on the floor there) I decided to go outside to get some air. I took my blanket and went over to the window and went up the fire escape to the roof. I sat by the edge and then pulled the blanket over myself. I looked at the sun rising and there I could see the yellow break into the dark midnight blue night. It was beautiful. I was staring at the sky when all of a sudden I fell asleep. The next thing I know someone was shaking me to get myself up. I open my eyes and see Race there staring at me.
"Whatchu doin up here Sweetz? You could get sick if youse slept up here."
"I don't care, since when did any of you care about my health?"
"Someone's crabby, you'd better get up and ready so we can head down to the distribution center." Race got up and walked down the fire escape. I just sat there watching him until I couldn't see him anymore. I didn't know how he knew that I was up here. I decided to go get ready for another day of Carryin the Banner. I stood in line to get my papes when someone pushed me from behind. I looked back and I see Mush and Snipeshooter fooling around, once again. It was my turn to get my papes. I ordered 30 papes because I didn't feel like selling my usual 50. When I went to get my papes from Morris he grabbed my arm, his grip was getting tighter as I tried to get him to let it go.
"Morris, you sonova bitch, let go of me!" I was basically wiggling trying to get loose.
"I don't think so, why don't you meet me at Central Park tonight, we can have some fun."
"Yeah that's what I want to do, go to Central Park and meet up with your ugly ass face, now give me back my hand!" As soon as I said that a person walked up.
"Let go of her Morris, other people want their papes!" I looked up and it was Jack. I smiled and then felt Morris' grip loosen. I picked up my papes and walked to the gate. I heard someone walk up to me so I turned around. It was Oscar.
"I don't think youse were bein nice to me brotha ova there, you owe him one, for those nasty comments you made." I looked at him and grinned.
"You gots ta be kiddin me. I don't owe you shit. Now would you please leave me alone?" Right then and there I was proud of myself for sticking up for myself but then I felt a hard punch to the stomach. It turns out that Oscar took offense to that and punched me. I hunched over and grabbed my stomach. Most of the Newsies looked over to see what was happening.
I stood back up with some Newsies looking at me. I looked at Oscar and he just smirked. I walked up to him and stepped on his foot and then punched him in the stomach. Then I kicked him so then he would be down onto the ground. He slowly got up and tackled me. We both struggled to get punches in. Then I heard a familiar voice.
"Get off of her; let me give her a try." There I saw Morris with brass knuckles on. Oscar picked me up and held me for Morris. That's when some Newsies came over and pushed Oscar and Morris off of me. Oscar and Morris went back into the circulation desk and smirked at me. I rolled my eyes and looked at the Newsies who were staring at me. Boy, did I feel out of place. I picked up my newspapers and sat down.
"Hey, youse okay?" I looked up and it was Race and Jack. What is with these two, I don't need them taking care of me.
"Ise fine, so you can leave now." Jack messed up my hair and went over to Kid Blink and some other newsies. I noticed that Race was still standing looking at me while I fixed my hair. "What do ya wants from me Race?" I looked at him with such disgust in me.
"Whyse you like that? Ise been trying to be nice to yas but youse always have a bad temper." He looked at me like he figured me out. He sat down next to me and took out a cigar and started to smoke it.
"Can I have a smoke?" He looked at me like he's never seen a girl smoke before. He handed it over and I smoked it for about 3 minutes. I gave it back and got up and picked up my papes."Sorry Ise a bum, but Ise neva had anyone ask me howse I doin? Youse be the first." He smirked.
"Its okay, just tries to be happier, wherese do you sell?"
"Ise sell over by the new restaurant Chierre Pier."
"Damn that sucks, theyse all rich people's ova there." As soon as he said that, the gates opened up and Newsies started to scream out headlines. He started to walk to the gate, and then looked back and yelled towards me,
"Youse should come to Tibby's afterwards, that's where's everyone else goes."
He turned around and headed for the races. I was stunned, no one ever invited me into Tibby's, and usually I would order and then sit out on the curb eating my food. As I was walking towards the new restaurant I felt a pair of hands on my waist. I turned around and there was my brotha.
"What the hell ya doing here, youse suppose to be in Harlem wit moms and pops?" I looked at him as if he was bringing me the worst news.
"We came for yas, mom and pops wants you back, and they said that if you don't come back freely then he's going to send the cops after ya!"
"The bulls! Whyse does he wants me back?"
"Ise don't know."
"Ise not going, would you spot me a few cents, please?" I looked at him with puppy eyes.
"Here's ten cents, don't tells anyone i gave that to youse. I'm sorry to hear that youse not coming back wit me, see ya soon." He looked at me one more time and ran off. I had a couple papes left so then I sold them as soon as possible, and started walking to Tibby's. As soon as I got there I saw Newsies in the windows. I went in and sat at the bar. I ordered my usual and took it outside. Then i heard a familiar voice,
"What's youse doing outs here, I ast you to comes inside and eats. Youse not norvous, ares you?" I turned around to Race's face.
"Ise don't know, youse basically the only newsie Ise do know, and Ise don't think Ise ready." I looked at him and then to the ground.
"Come on." He motioned me over to the door.
I decided to give up. I picked up my food and followed Race inside. A couple of Newsies stared at me, but I just looked away. Race took me to an empty booth; We sat on opposite sides, until two other newsies joined the table. It was Mush and Kid Blink.
"Whose are you?" Kid Blink looked me ova and asked.
"Ise Sweetz." I replied looking down at my food no longer eating it.
"Where are you staying Sweetz?"
"Youse two stupid, this is da goil from our lodging house." Race looked at them and understood a little why I didn't want to go inside.
"Oh, so youse the only goil right, Ise didn't see ya this morning. Did youse see that fight wit dat one goil and Oscar and Morris? Man, dats da way to wake up in the morning." Mush chuckled at Blink's comment. I looked at him and decided to get out of there.
"Dats was me you boneheads, let me through." They got up and let me out and I heard one of them shout to me "Sorries" I just kept walking. I didn't know where I was going. Finally, I knew when I saw the Brooklyn bridge. I walked up to the middle and looked down. Then I heard a voice behind me say,
"Youse aint from around here, are you?" I looked at him and I couldn't keep my eyes off his beautiful blue eyes.
"No, Ise from Manhattan, Ise wit dem." I looked back down into the water.
"It's kinda late for a goil to bes walking on da streets. Ise walk youse home." I looked at him with a surprisingly grin. We have been walking for about 20 minutes when he finally broke the silence.
"Ise Spot, Spot Conlon, leada of da Brooklyn Newsies."
"Shouldn't youse tells anyones where youse going?"
"Ise did, Ise saw you from me pier, and Ise told dem Ise walking youse home and staying at da Manhattan Lodge. Youse neva told me you name?"
"Me's name is Sweetz." I looked at him and he grinned.
"Sweetz, huh, Ise gots da question for ya," I looked at him, "Do youse like bein a newsie?"
"Yas, but Ise feel like an outsida, Ise only hang out wit Race. I left dis morning after lunch cause Blink and Mush didn't even know Ise was da one who fought wit da Delancy's or even dat I slept in the same lodge as dem." Spot looked at me, and nodded.
"So youse the goil dat almost soaked da Delancy's, nice da meet ya." A couple of minutes passed and neither of us talked. Then he turned to me. I looked at him.
"So, howse you become a newsie, what's you running from?" I looked at him wondering if I should tell him.
"Ise was abused by me pops, and one night I just decided dat Ise didn't want to get hit anymore. So Ise ran and ended up in the Manhattan Lodge. And now me brotha came up to me and tolds me dat me pops want me back home and he's sending da bulls afta me." I stopped talking and looked at him, he looked a little hurt, and I guess he doesn't like it when people take advantage of other people. "Sorry, Ise best be shutting up now, Ise saying me story like Ise should have small violins playing." He looked at me and smiled and then I looked away.
"What are you going ta do? About your pops Ise mean?" He looked at me with concern in his eyes.
"Ise going to do nothing, If he wants me back den he's gonna find da way to gets me back." He looked at me like I was stupid.
"What about the Newsies, wese can help you keep away from dem."
"Youse don't get it Spot Conlon!" I yelled out his name. I stopped and looked at him. "Ise an outsider, youse the only one Ise told this too. No ones care for me, and Ise get that. I don't needs no ones help!" I looked back to the road and saw the Lodging House in view. I started walking pretty fast. He followed me and he knew not to bug me at the moment. I walked into the Lodging House and went straight up to the roof. I noticed some glares but I just looked towards the window with tears in my eyes. A couple minutes later, Spot walked in the room. He was greeted by Jack.
"Howse you doing Spot, what youse doing here?" He spit-shook with Spot.
"Ise walk home one of dem goil newsies youse has."
"Wese have a goil newsie, oh yeah, Sweetz. So youse staying da night?"
"Yeah, Ise wants ta play some poka!" He yelled out da word 'poker' so all the newsies heard. Race got up and went to Spot.
"Hows you been Spot?"
"Not to bad Race, Ise got ta talks wit you." Race looked at him and followed Spot into a corner.
"What's going on Spot?" "You knows dat goil newsie, Sweetz, she's gots da bulls afta her, i need youse ta watch out for her, She seems like she doesn't want anyone ta help hers out, so try, she won't let me." Race looked at Spot in astonishment.
"Ise talk wit her, where's she?"
"I tink she went to da roof, she's pissed at me cause i tolds her dat da newsies would take care of hers."
"I'll go talk wit her." Spot spit-shook with Race and Race headed up the fire escape. What am I going to do? My brotha knows where I am and he could easily tell my pops. But then why did he give me money? This is getting too confusing. All of a sudden I hear footsteps out on the fire escape. I looked up and it was Race. He walked over to me and sat next to me. He looked at me with concern,
"What's going on?" I looked at him with a fake smile and just shook my head. I knew I was going to start crying but I didn't want to. So I was holding tears back. "Nuttin's going on, did dat Spot Conlon tell youse?" I looked at him in a worried look.
"No, Ise wants youse to tell me, Ise been dere for yas, would ya please tell me what's goin on?"
I looked at him. I decided to tell him the story. After I was done I looked up at the sky.
"Youse gots ta be kiddin me, youse tink you can do this by yours self? What's if he gets ya, you don't wants to go back ta him, do ya?"
"Ya Race, Ise want to go back wit him," I said sarcastically," I want to be hit, kicked, and maybe this time Ise will get more scars den the last time." A couple of minutes passed and I decided to speak up. "Ise sorry Race, Ise don't know what's ta do, Ise neva been in dis situation before." I looked down at the ground.
"It's ok; as long as youse let da newsies help ya." I looked at him and didn't know what to say.
"Ise don't know if they would help me, Ise not the most popular newsie, ya know?" Race looked at me and grinned.
"As long as ya open up ta dem, theys will take cares of youse." I looked at him, then I got up and offered a hand to Race, he took it and I pulled him up.
"Ise going down to get me blanket, Ise wants to be alone up here." Race and I headed our way down. I went up to Spot and Race came wit.
"Spot, sorry Ise blew up at ya earlier, but cans you do'se me a fava?" Spot nodded. "Can you tell Jack my situation, so dat he isn't surprised when da bulls come?" Spot nodded again. I left to go get my blanket. I went to my bunk and noticed Race, Spot, and Jack talking. Jack started nodding and looked at me. I turned away to get my blanket and I went to the roof again. I was probably out on the roof for about an hour when I saw Jack come up with Mush and Kid Blink. I looked down and thought 'great, just what i need, more people...'they pulled over chairs and set them in front of me.
"Heya Sweetz, youse want ta explain to me youse situation." Jack said as he sat on his chair.
"No not really, Ise already explained it twice toda." I looked over at Kid Blink and Mush and they were resting their heads on their arms. "Whyse you two come up wit him." I pointed over to Jack.
"Wese needs ta talk bout toda, wese sorry what wese said, wese didn't know, wese a little slow in da head" Kid Blink looked at me when he said it and I giggled. Then Kid Blink and Mush started to laugh.
"Its ok guys, youse two didn't know, Ise been having a bad day.....actually a bad life....Ise sorry." Mush got up and kneeled down and kissed me on the cheek and left and Kid Blink followed. (Mush is such a stud) I shouted towards them,
"You're going to get it!" I looked over at Jack who still looked serious. "What's do youse want ta know Jack?"
"Ise want ta know hows serious youse situation is," He looked at me and I looked down at the ground, "youse can count on us newsies, we can handle anything." I looked at him and got up, and I sat on the ledge.
"My situation is dat me pops is comin afta me and he's been abusing me since Ise was little. Dats why Ise runaway."
"And he's sending da bull's afta ya?"
"Dats what me brotha said"
"Does your pops know where youse stay?"
"No but me brotha knows, I don't knows if he's going to tell or not. Ise getting tired, Ise going to go to sleep. I lay down and closed my eyes. I didn't hear anything on the fire escape and so I looked up. I saw Jack, he looked confused.
"Youse paid for a bed and youse going ta sleep in one."
"Ise don't know some of da guys don't know me and Ise feel uncomfortable."
"What da hell you doin here Spot? What time is it?" I noticed the room empty except Spot and I.
"Hows you doing Sweetz, its bout 11 A.M. I didn't know if youse were going ta wake up or not." He looked at me and smiled.
"Whyse didn't the Kloppmann wake mes up, why aint Ise selling, Ise gonna end up sleeping on da streets tonight if Ise don't get me money!" Spot looked at me and shook his head.
"Don't worries about it, Jack and me took cares of it. Youse can keep youse money for today. Youse hungry?" I looked at him and nodded. "Let mes get ready, and Ise will meet youse at Central Park."
"Why dere?"
"Cause its close to Tibby's, actually meet me at Tibby's."
"I aint waiting for youse, I wait for youse right now!"
"Spot, go, Ise will meet you dere, trust me." he looked at me and knew I was speaking that truth. He left and I got ready. I was heading towards Tibby's when two arms pulled me into an alley. I looked up and it was Oscar and Morris.
"Don'ts worry about its. Ise take care of it." I looked at him in a questionable look. He smirked. Why the hell does everyone smirk? I got up and headed downstairs, Jack followed. I went to my bunk and fell asleep as soon as i hit the mattress. Jack saw me sleeping and called out 'Light's out'.
When I woke up the next morning, I saw Spot in the next bunk. I looked at him questionably, and I spoke up,
"What da hell you doin here Spot? What time is it?" I noticed the room empty except Spot and I.
"Hows you doing Sweetz, its bout 11 A.M. I didn't know if youse were going ta wake up or not." He looked at me and smiled.
"Whyse didn't the Kloppmann wake mes up, why aint Ise selling, Ise gonna end up sleeping on da streets tonight if Ise don't get me money!" Spot looked at me and shook his head.
"Don't worries about it, Jack and me took cares of it. Youse can keep youse money for today. Youse hungry?" I looked at him and nodded.
"Let mes get ready, and Ise will meet youse at Central Park."
"Why dere?"
"Cause its close to Tibby's, actually meet me at Tibby's."
"I aint waiting for youse, I wait for youse right now!"
"Spot, go, Ise will meet you dere, trust me." he looked at me and knew I was speaking that truth. He left and I got ready. I was heading towards Tibby's when two arms pulled me into an alley. I looked up and it was Oscar and Morris.
"Hey guys, hows youse day going?" I said wit a smile. Morris grabbed my two arms and pulled them behind my back. "Well this isn't friendly."
"This is for ya trying to soak us."
"Youse started it! I was defending me self you dumbasses!"
"Dat aint a smart move goil," Oscar put on his brass knuckles and punched me in the face. I hunched over and saw blood drip off of my face. I stood up again and he punched me in the stomach. It hurt so much cause I haven't eaten. I slowly got up. He punched me, then Morris let go of me and pushed me on the ground.
"What the hell happened to ya?" He looked at my face and then my arms. I looked at him like nothing had happened.
"Nuttin, Ise just ran into trouble, that's all." I looked ova at the other people walking around looking at me.
"Whose did dis to yas?" Should I tell him? If I tell him then he'll go soak the Delancy's brothers for me. But what if I'm left alone with them again. They might hurt me more if I told the Brooklyn leader. I can't always have somebody protecting me. But then again, right now, I need protection. I looked at him and he was waiting for a response. I didn't know what to say. I looked down in the ground so I could concentrate more on my thoughts then Spot's beautiful blue eyes. Every time I look in them, I feel like I get lost into my own world. A place where I know I'm safe. But is there such a world?
I swerved my legs and tripped Oscar. I got up and kicked Morris in the groin. I started to run out of the alley. When a bunch of people came and walked. I joined the group so it was harder for Morris and Oscar to find me. I ran as fast as possible to Tibby's I didn't care if there was blood all over my face. I soon got to Tibby's and entered the restaurant. There I saw Spot sitting. He quickly looked at me and pulled me outside.