Chapter 11
Jack sat close to Chloe. His arm around her shoulders in an effort to lend support and a little warmth. It felt comfortable to be holding her like that, as if he were meant to be her rock, a stabilizing force in her uncertain world.
Ever since the first day they met, and they had taken on the Delancey boys together, Chloe felt like there wasn't anything in the world she couldn't accomplish as long as Jack was by her side. But, she was still unsure of exactly what she should share with them. She took a deep breath, Cayleigh gave her hand a squeeze, sparking an uncertain smile between the long lost sisters.
"Ah went ta see Dr Campbell for the money he owed Papa," she was staring at her sister's face, still not believing she was there. "When Ah returned," she swallowed hard to keep tears from flowing again, "ya were gone, da house locked tighter than the Queen's jewel chest. I searched and searched for days, but it was so cold an' Ah became ill. Spent some time in 'ospital, Ah, dinny ken how long."
Cayleigh sat there not wanting to hear this, she knew her sister had suffered over the past two years, as had she, but hearing it from her; hearing her pain, made her own heart hurt. And the fact that there was nothing she could do to help made it worse. She just gently squeezed her sister's hand offering the only comfort she could.
It hadn't quite sunk in for Spot that Scrapper was a girl. She'd roughed up Morris Delancey for cryin out loud, broken his nose. The thought of it still made him smile. He'd even toyed with the idea of asking Scrapper if he...err, she, wanted to be a Brooklyn Newsie. He could use a kid with heart like that in his gang. He'd hoped that Scrapper was Hope's twin brother, she missed him desperately, never imagining that Scrapper would be the dead sister he'd watched Hope cry for, in the dark silence of the Lodging House, when she was missing her family and thought no one could see her.
"Ah spent a few months at an orphanage, they'd already split youse up and placed Hanna with a family." She shrugged. "Then Auntie Liz's husband sent for me. Said she'd passed jist after they wed, consumption, an' he 'owed it to her to take care of us.' Uncle William promised to help locate you and bring us back together. He even hired Pingertam Detectives to help." Cayleigh gave no signs of recognition to hearing their Aunt had a husband named William. Chloe hadn't known either, until he sent for her.
"Pingertam?" Race said softly to himself, around the fat cigar in his mouth. Removing it, he said, "Err, ya mean Pinkerton?"
Chloe nodded, a little embarrassed at not knowing the correct name.
"Pinkertons!" Spot's eyes lit up with recognition. "Dey always git dehr man."
Jack nodded, "Dey musta cost a fortune!"
Chloe shrugged, looking at Jack. "Uncle Wil" she started but couldn't bare to call him her uncle anymore. She cleared her throat and started again. "William Bristol has connections." Her eyes held a sadness, a defeated broken look at the mention of his name. Jack made note of the pain in her eyes. "Yer Uncle is William Bristol?" Spot asked, awestruck.
"He owns half a Coney Island!" Race's cigar hung in mid air for a moment as he took it all in. Then took a long drag.
"You know him?" Cayleigh asked raising her brows at Racetrack. She was curious as to who this man was and why, if he was so connected, had they not sent for her, Hanna and Jamie? And why was her sister masquerading as a newsboy of all things?
He blew the smoke out in rings and then a steady stream. "Anybody dat goes ta Sheepshead Bay ta play da horses knows of William Bristol. 'E's a legend." Race's reaction to William Bristol's name was a bit unsettling for Chloe, and he noticed it almost immediately.
Chloe frowned, her eyes darkened and she began studying her fingernails. Her hands looked foreign to her, she was used to creamy rose scented lotions keeping them soft, and her nails being clean, polished and perfectly shaped. Rubbing the chipped edges, she wished for a nail file."You dinny ken whot 'e's like." Chloe's words were soft and flat. She began twisting the small silver Celtic knot work band on her middle finger. Playing with it, sliding it back and forth on her finger.
Race's smile faded. He'd known Jack and Spot longer than he had known any one related to him by blood. Cayleigh had been part of his life for more than a year, they weren't terribly close, but they talked on occasion, and got along well when they were together. If she needed something he would do what he could. And now Chloe had joined them -his new gambling buddy that actually beat him, was also part of his 'family'. A family that had proven much stronger than any blood ties most of them had. God had thrust them all together for a reason. And he, Anthony "Racetrack" Higgins, was not one to question God's actions. He reached out and patted Chloe's knee. An offer of peace and encouragement. "Yer right kiddo, I don't. Sorry."
Chloe gave Race a shy smile, but he noticed it didn't reach her eyes. After he withdrew his hand, she pulled her knees up to her chest, hugging them close to her with her arms and resting her cheek on her arm. Jack's arm was a bit displaced by her action, but he didn't pull away, he merely moved his hand up so he could play with the soft chunks of stray curls that had burst free of her thick braid. His mother's hair was curly like Chloe's, and close to the same color. He'd loved playing with her hair as a child. He felt a pang of sorrow for this girl, for both sisters, that had lost their mother and then been thrust apart when they needed each other most. He'd been on his own a long time, and he still missed his mother when he allowed himself to think of things other than daily survival or his Newsies.
"Hadn't been there even a week when he changed towards me." She turned to look at the all too quiet Cayleigh. "He's no half the man Papa was." She knew Cayleigh was upset with her for not bringing them back together. How could she make her understand it just wasn't safe?
"Bristol likes his whisky." Chloe started. "But he canny hold it well. Makes him think he's a boxer and I got to be his practice bag."
Spot lit a cigarette and listened with his eyes closed as Chloe told of the past two years of her life. He wished Angelstar had come with him, she was much better at the touchy feely type stuff, and he got the feeling Hope and Chloe would both be needing that. 'Heh, Broads!' he thought dragging the nicotine into his lungs. 'I ain't nevah gonna understand em.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
END CHAP 11
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
SOs to all my girls that kept on me to get writin' and not give up on this story!
My sistahs:
Stretchypooh (twinny) you are a constant inspiration. Thanks for everything! Get writin!
Hopeykins (also twinny...hehe) WRITE MORE NOW! I am needing my JAL, BiTN and Letting Go fixes! And we need to finish our RPs!
Angelstar - Hey Sis! We need to RP and I need to find an elvish name. Hee Hee
Beauti me icklest (littlest) Sis! You are so stunning! And not just in your heart! Keep writin!
Ershey - Ok goily! Here is my chap! Where is the new one you promised! I love your Racetrack story! Keep up the good work! And BTW its good to see different stuff with characters. It ain't like HE is historically accurate anyway...lol...Oh and I need my Mush stories!
Ravey - EEP! (Haha) You need to write some more! Gin- Thanks for your "reminders" to write...lol...I wouldn't want you to stop writin SM! I couldnt live with that guilt...and I'd be lynched! I can't wait to read more!
Ry - My kilted muse! HeeHee! We need to work on our EQ RP and are we gonna write it as a story too? We should do a FF. Wonder if Jace is gonna let you in her Cady all soaked!? *hands you a towel* mwah! Xx
Runaway
Moon
Tree
Celtic
Thank you for the FB! I have the feeling I am forgetting people, I'm sorry! Leave FB on ff.net and I will remember.
Thanks for readin! AND I LOVE YOU ALL FOR VOTING FOR FAMILY ON NML! I won 2nd place in Misc FF with Original Characters.
Jack sat close to Chloe. His arm around her shoulders in an effort to lend support and a little warmth. It felt comfortable to be holding her like that, as if he were meant to be her rock, a stabilizing force in her uncertain world.
Ever since the first day they met, and they had taken on the Delancey boys together, Chloe felt like there wasn't anything in the world she couldn't accomplish as long as Jack was by her side. But, she was still unsure of exactly what she should share with them. She took a deep breath, Cayleigh gave her hand a squeeze, sparking an uncertain smile between the long lost sisters.
"Ah went ta see Dr Campbell for the money he owed Papa," she was staring at her sister's face, still not believing she was there. "When Ah returned," she swallowed hard to keep tears from flowing again, "ya were gone, da house locked tighter than the Queen's jewel chest. I searched and searched for days, but it was so cold an' Ah became ill. Spent some time in 'ospital, Ah, dinny ken how long."
Cayleigh sat there not wanting to hear this, she knew her sister had suffered over the past two years, as had she, but hearing it from her; hearing her pain, made her own heart hurt. And the fact that there was nothing she could do to help made it worse. She just gently squeezed her sister's hand offering the only comfort she could.
It hadn't quite sunk in for Spot that Scrapper was a girl. She'd roughed up Morris Delancey for cryin out loud, broken his nose. The thought of it still made him smile. He'd even toyed with the idea of asking Scrapper if he...err, she, wanted to be a Brooklyn Newsie. He could use a kid with heart like that in his gang. He'd hoped that Scrapper was Hope's twin brother, she missed him desperately, never imagining that Scrapper would be the dead sister he'd watched Hope cry for, in the dark silence of the Lodging House, when she was missing her family and thought no one could see her.
"Ah spent a few months at an orphanage, they'd already split youse up and placed Hanna with a family." She shrugged. "Then Auntie Liz's husband sent for me. Said she'd passed jist after they wed, consumption, an' he 'owed it to her to take care of us.' Uncle William promised to help locate you and bring us back together. He even hired Pingertam Detectives to help." Cayleigh gave no signs of recognition to hearing their Aunt had a husband named William. Chloe hadn't known either, until he sent for her.
"Pingertam?" Race said softly to himself, around the fat cigar in his mouth. Removing it, he said, "Err, ya mean Pinkerton?"
Chloe nodded, a little embarrassed at not knowing the correct name.
"Pinkertons!" Spot's eyes lit up with recognition. "Dey always git dehr man."
Jack nodded, "Dey musta cost a fortune!"
Chloe shrugged, looking at Jack. "Uncle Wil" she started but couldn't bare to call him her uncle anymore. She cleared her throat and started again. "William Bristol has connections." Her eyes held a sadness, a defeated broken look at the mention of his name. Jack made note of the pain in her eyes. "Yer Uncle is William Bristol?" Spot asked, awestruck.
"He owns half a Coney Island!" Race's cigar hung in mid air for a moment as he took it all in. Then took a long drag.
"You know him?" Cayleigh asked raising her brows at Racetrack. She was curious as to who this man was and why, if he was so connected, had they not sent for her, Hanna and Jamie? And why was her sister masquerading as a newsboy of all things?
He blew the smoke out in rings and then a steady stream. "Anybody dat goes ta Sheepshead Bay ta play da horses knows of William Bristol. 'E's a legend." Race's reaction to William Bristol's name was a bit unsettling for Chloe, and he noticed it almost immediately.
Chloe frowned, her eyes darkened and she began studying her fingernails. Her hands looked foreign to her, she was used to creamy rose scented lotions keeping them soft, and her nails being clean, polished and perfectly shaped. Rubbing the chipped edges, she wished for a nail file."You dinny ken whot 'e's like." Chloe's words were soft and flat. She began twisting the small silver Celtic knot work band on her middle finger. Playing with it, sliding it back and forth on her finger.
Race's smile faded. He'd known Jack and Spot longer than he had known any one related to him by blood. Cayleigh had been part of his life for more than a year, they weren't terribly close, but they talked on occasion, and got along well when they were together. If she needed something he would do what he could. And now Chloe had joined them -his new gambling buddy that actually beat him, was also part of his 'family'. A family that had proven much stronger than any blood ties most of them had. God had thrust them all together for a reason. And he, Anthony "Racetrack" Higgins, was not one to question God's actions. He reached out and patted Chloe's knee. An offer of peace and encouragement. "Yer right kiddo, I don't. Sorry."
Chloe gave Race a shy smile, but he noticed it didn't reach her eyes. After he withdrew his hand, she pulled her knees up to her chest, hugging them close to her with her arms and resting her cheek on her arm. Jack's arm was a bit displaced by her action, but he didn't pull away, he merely moved his hand up so he could play with the soft chunks of stray curls that had burst free of her thick braid. His mother's hair was curly like Chloe's, and close to the same color. He'd loved playing with her hair as a child. He felt a pang of sorrow for this girl, for both sisters, that had lost their mother and then been thrust apart when they needed each other most. He'd been on his own a long time, and he still missed his mother when he allowed himself to think of things other than daily survival or his Newsies.
"Hadn't been there even a week when he changed towards me." She turned to look at the all too quiet Cayleigh. "He's no half the man Papa was." She knew Cayleigh was upset with her for not bringing them back together. How could she make her understand it just wasn't safe?
"Bristol likes his whisky." Chloe started. "But he canny hold it well. Makes him think he's a boxer and I got to be his practice bag."
Spot lit a cigarette and listened with his eyes closed as Chloe told of the past two years of her life. He wished Angelstar had come with him, she was much better at the touchy feely type stuff, and he got the feeling Hope and Chloe would both be needing that. 'Heh, Broads!' he thought dragging the nicotine into his lungs. 'I ain't nevah gonna understand em.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
END CHAP 11
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
SOs to all my girls that kept on me to get writin' and not give up on this story!
My sistahs:
Stretchypooh (twinny) you are a constant inspiration. Thanks for everything! Get writin!
Hopeykins (also twinny...hehe) WRITE MORE NOW! I am needing my JAL, BiTN and Letting Go fixes! And we need to finish our RPs!
Angelstar - Hey Sis! We need to RP and I need to find an elvish name. Hee Hee
Beauti me icklest (littlest) Sis! You are so stunning! And not just in your heart! Keep writin!
Ershey - Ok goily! Here is my chap! Where is the new one you promised! I love your Racetrack story! Keep up the good work! And BTW its good to see different stuff with characters. It ain't like HE is historically accurate anyway...lol...Oh and I need my Mush stories!
Ravey - EEP! (Haha) You need to write some more! Gin- Thanks for your "reminders" to write...lol...I wouldn't want you to stop writin SM! I couldnt live with that guilt...and I'd be lynched! I can't wait to read more!
Ry - My kilted muse! HeeHee! We need to work on our EQ RP and are we gonna write it as a story too? We should do a FF. Wonder if Jace is gonna let you in her Cady all soaked!? *hands you a towel* mwah! Xx
Runaway
Moon
Tree
Celtic
Thank you for the FB! I have the feeling I am forgetting people, I'm sorry! Leave FB on ff.net and I will remember.
Thanks for readin! AND I LOVE YOU ALL FOR VOTING FOR FAMILY ON NML! I won 2nd place in Misc FF with Original Characters.