Shout ins:
Sureshot Higgins: DUDE, thanks! :) Kristen can still be an actress if she wants. Oh, that's right! You know, somehow I thought Max's birthday was tomorrow. I'm dumb. Thank you as always and forever. Here's more story.
imaginelet: Read this chapter and you will discover the fate of Anthony Higgins! (Sighs dramatically) I'm sooooo glad you liked the new chapter! Well, NATURALLY the shish-kabob was chicken! I always know what my bestest newsiest friends want! (Don't I wish) k, update has arrived...do want it shaken or stirred?
Artemis-chan: Yeah, guys are cute when they get irrational. Most of the time, anyway. Until they start verbally assaulting you. Then it's like: WHOA. DUDE. Back off.
I love Italian. I think it's kind of funny that she doesn't understand him. Then he can scream at her in Italian and she'd never know what he said.
Don't worry. There's a beautiful, sweet kind of pathos about their relationship. They'll be fine. Or better, anyway.
Spot gets funnier this chapter. At least, I think so.
Spot: I ain't funny, Legs.
Legs: Yes, you are. Shut up.
Spot: Don'chyous tell ME ta shut up! YOUS shut up!
Legs: No. You. (sticks tongue out at Spot)
Spot: Women! Ya can't live WID 'em and...
(leaves Spot to quote his now famous line)
Triplets rock.
Mush: HI IVY! (Gets happy) I HAVE A GIRLFRIEND! (Skips around the room) AND YOU DON'T! (Laughs at Blink)
Moonlight: Here it is! More information! I actually wanted to make the last chapter longer but Mom wanted me off the comp. It's actually a good thing cuz it gives me a place to start for this chap. This author once wrote that you should break off writing when you still have something to say. Then, when you go back to it, there's a thought process to continue or alter. Your love its make me smile. :) Thank you!
Demon Blood: Hey, thank you! YEAH! HOW COME YOU DIDN'T SEE THIS BEFORE? HUH HUH HUH???? lol. Ti amo...(sigh) I want Racetrack to say that to ME!
Racetrack: (reading reviews) Demon Blood. (backs away from comp nervously)
Spot: HEY! YOUS STEPPED ON MY TOE, YA DOITY ROTTEN SCABBAH! I'SE GONNA SOAK YA!
Thank you! Here's some more story...
Chicago: I left it ambiguous on purpose (I think...lol). He was talking about his mother BUT was he addressing Tanya at the end? Oooh, the questions! Thank you...
Les: That's okay. I don't really like girls, anyway. But David says he wants to talk to you when he finishes selling papes. But it's gonna be awhile. He's slower than me and Cowboy. I mean, I'm all cute and innocent so the ladies go ga-ga and Jack is really smart and good at making up stories but David...David's too...nice.
Lil Rain Angel: Isn't he sweet? Ti amo, Racetrack! (Sigh) Okay, okay! Here's more! Lol. Thank you...My favorite smell is rain in the desert...nothing can really match or come close to describing that. (Hugs Rain)
Kate Lawrence: Dis is Spot since yous ain't gonna convoise wid Legs. I say we soak Legs...and Racetrack....and da whole woild jus' foah good meshah! I mean, eventually dey's all gonna need a soakin,' why not give it to 'em now, know what I'm sayin'? Yeah, I t'ought so! But let's let Legs heah finish da story foist so we's ain't left hangin'...and DEN, we finish huh off! Whaddya say? (spits on palm and holds it out to Kate) Huh? Huh, goily?
goldstranger: (sigh) I am kind of mean just leaving you all hanging like that. I feel sort of guilty now. (winces) This chapter explains how Race got sick. "Ti Amo" even SOUNDS romantic. Italian is one of the prettiest languages ever, just to listen to. Yup, Tanya's missing home. Keep reading. You'll find out what happens to our Anthony Higgins. (I wouldn't worry too much. Killing off cute newsies is in bad taste.) Thank you! (shares brownies with goldstranger)
CiCi: Reading all of your responses to this story is interesting. The way each of you reacts to a line or...something in the story. I'm really, really flattered that you guys are enjoying this! Thank you so MUCH for taking the time to read it ALL OF YOU! Thanks, Cici. Here's a new chapter...
Raven: Here's another chapter, me darling dear and YOU. ARE. IN. IT! YAY!
Go 'head and hug them!
Racetrack: (runs away) NooooooooooooOOOOOOO! Don't hug me! KEEP DAT WOMAN AWAYS FROM ME!
Tanya: (hugs Raven) Thank you. (sniff) I needed that.
Racetrack: RUN TANYA! BEFOAH SHE CHOPS OFF YA HEAD WID SPOT'S CANE!!!!!!
Tanya: (grabs Racetrack) You're going back to bed. You're sick.
Racetrack: NO! SHE'S GONNA KILL ME! I'SE CAN'T LAY DOWN! SHE'LL PROB'LY SMOTHAH ME IN ME SLEEP!
Tanya: You are paranoid. Lay down.
Racetrack: NoooooOOOOOOOo!!!!!!
newsietomboy: Things just keep getting "curiouser and curiouser" as the beloved Alice would say. I'm so glad you liked the new update! Here! Have some more! (Hands tomboy new chapter and a brownie) Thank you...
Bella: THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES for letting me use the illness idea in my story! I GRAVEL at your feet. (Timon: It's GROVEL not GRAVEL! And get up! He's not the king!...lol. I can't think about Lion King without thinking about Max. Sad, sad twist of fate.) CONGRATULATIONS! FINALS OVER! HURRAY!!!!! (does a Pooh Bear hop, skip, and jump routine-then giggles like Tigger) Jack is still "affectionately yoahs." ;) thank you...
Shorty Carter: I love love! Lol. It hurts though, as I mentioned in an earlier chapter...ahem. Thank you, punkin! Anyways...Racetrack would say thank you but he's too busy stuffing his face with brownies.
Legs: And I thought he was SICK!
Racetrack: (mouth full) I am! Dis is me therapeutic treatment! How's I s'posed ta get bettah if I gets no nourishment?
Legs: How about some nourishment with a little less sugar?
Racetrack: What's da point a dat?
NicNac: Thank you so much! Actually, the pig thing was something I had been reading about in a book about the history of Five Points. Those really were the living conditions during that time. Now that I think about it, it would be pretty funny to imagine that. Lol. Oh, yes...PRISCILLA...heheh. She shall return. ;)
PsYcHoJo: Hee hee. I love making you all worry! It's so much fun!
And SKITTERY'S ANSWER WAS...
Skittery: (shrugs) Why not?
Racetrack: A'right den...introductions...Miss Jo, dis heah is Skittery. Skittery...Jo. Deah. (dusts hands off) I'se done my paht. (bows) G'night ta ya all.
Angelic One: Well, now I know what movie I'M renting next! Sgt. Bilko, here I come! Wooooo! K. Glad you liked it. Yes, marriage...and love...and sick newsies...it's all so adorable...:D Thank you...here's more.
Phoenix: BWAHAHAHAAAAAA!!! You smart girl. You'll see...Lol...a paperclip? Another appearance of the lovely Ruin, huh? (rubs chin thoughtfully) Oh, well, for you, anything! K, 'nother cameo comin' up! Thanks...:)
****
The morning edition that landed in Tanya's lap read in bold letters, "INFLUENZA OUTBREAK IN BROOKLYN: TWENTY-FIVE REPORTED DEAD."
"Well, that would explain it."
"Yeah, wouldn't it? Wondah how Spot's makin' out." Jack shook his head at the headline.
****
"RAVEN, I SWEAH...IF YA DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE, I'LL SOAK YA!"
"Ya such a baby, Conlon. Hold still foah a second and drink dis!"
"I ain't thoisty!"
"I'se don't ca'ah! Ya sick, ya gonna drink dis!"
"I ain't SICK! I ain't NEVAH sick!"
"Yous ah NOW! Lie down owah I'LL soak YOUS!"
****
Tanya leaned her head against the bed post, her hand hadn't left Racetrack's for hours. Watching his face, she wondered if he had known what he was saying...
"Ti amo," she whispered, standing up and turning to the window.
"Lo amate?" A hoarse voice asked behind her.
Tanya spun around. "Racetrack! You're awake!"
"Nah, I'm talking in my sleep. Cohse I'se 'wake." Another coughing fit hit him then.
****
The girl bent over him, her dark eyes soft for a moment, her dark hair glowing with red falling over her shoulder.
The boy coughed again, harder than before. Raven felt her heart squeeze painfully at the sound. "Oh, Conlon," she murmured.
****
"No, I don't want no soup!"
"C'mon, Race. Sarah made it just for you!"
The newsie shook his head, keeping his lips tightly sealed. A stubborn look was kindled in his eyes.
"Please?" In truth, the soup had little appeal to Tanya just then. Her stomach was starting to roll.
"Why do you ca'ah?"
Tanya was startled. "What do you mean by that?"
"Just what I said --Why do you ca'ah 'bout me?"
****
Ruin shook her friend awake, "Raven! Rave, wake up!"
"Huh?"
"It's almost five and you've only sold half a dose papes!"
Raven sighed, "Yeah, yeah, I know."
"Get me brothah off ya brain and staht t'inkin 'bout ya job, got it?"
Her friend stared at her, "Ruin, dat's da longest sentence you've evah said ta me."
Ruin shrugged.
****
"So...? Ansah my question!"
Tanya bit her lip and muttered something. Her throat was starting to hurt.
"What?"
"Ti amo?" she asked, hesitantly. She wished she was sure of her pronunciation.
Racetrack's eyes grew wide, "Huh?"
"Ti amo!" she said louder.
He looked disgusted, "Don't try speakin' Italian! You don't even know what dat means!"
"It means 'I LOVE YOU!'" She shouted. Tanya immediately clapped a hand over her mouth.
****
Ruin nudged Kate, "Feel like sellin' some moah papes?"
"Shoa."
The two quietly took the papers from the exhausted Raven as she dozed off against the side of the dock.
****
There was an unbreakable silence that had settled over Tanya and Race.
The newsboy leaned back, his eyes narrowed as he looked Tanya up and down. Without a word, he held out his arms weakly and she ran into them.
"Siete pazzeschi," he said, his voice muffled in her hair.
"What did you say?" She sat up.
"Ya crazy."
****
Katherine sighed. Everyone but her seemed to have a task that evening. Standing at the window hugging herself, she watched the few passerbys on the residential street. This was by far the nicest home she'd ever been welcomed into.
The sound of Mrs. Jacobs' lullabies made her feel so close to this family and yet so distant in her memories...
"Katherine, lassie, close the window, it be for getting windy and we wouldn't want the draft now, would we? Danny, fetch me my knitting, would you?"
"Alri', mither, I will!" she cried.
Sarah and her mother lifted their heads from their occupations to stare at her.
Katherine blushed, "I forgot where I..." she shook her head.
****
Tanya helped Racetrack sit up just as a troop of newsies stomped up the stairs.
"Race!"
"Pal, ya okay?"
"You had us worried!"
"Don't evah do dat again!"
"I'll be shoa ta not get sick jus' so I don't alahm you all in da futcha," Racetrack retorted sarcastically.
"Hey, fellas, I'd say 'e's back!" Jack grinned.
There was a cheer and many slaps on the back, making the boy start coughing again. Tanya pushed them back.
They boys grew quiet as they watched her smooth Racetrack's bed clothes, coughing as she did so.
"Tanya, ya a'right?"
"Hey, ya okay, goily?"
"She looks funny."
"She ain't sick, is she?"
"Tanya? Ya wanna sit down?"
"You wanna lay down?"
Tanya shook her head, "I'm fine."
"You sound almost as bad as me!" Racetrack grinned and then suddenly stopped grinning. "Oh, no! Tanya, ya not SICK, ah ya?"
****
The door opened and a curly head appeared. "David! Les!" Mrs. Jacobs ran to greet them.
"What's for dinner?" Les asked, his face buried in his mother's skirts.
From the far side of the room, Katherine heard the soft, deep voice of David Jacobs and wished suddenly she had bothered to put her hair up. It had been a week since the fire and the habits of a show girl had died easily. It was so much simpler to leave her hair down the way Sarah did.
She joined the family at the table.
David noticed her gloomy expression and as soon as his mother's back was turned towards the kitchen, he stuck his fork part way up his nose, making awful faces at her.
Katherine let a giggle escape.
"David!" Sarah smacked him. "That's disgusting! Did Jack teach you that?"
"Sarah, no boy has to be taught how to be disgusting." Mayer Jacobs grinned.
****
Tanya thought she was going to suffocate and threw the blankets to the floor. When two impatient hands pulled them over her again, she was too tired to kick them off again. "I'm hot," she said through the blankets.
"Yous need ta stay wahm. Hey, Cowboy, wheah's dat soup ya lovely lady made?"
"Sarah made soup? Wheah?" Jack looked around eagerly.
"Nevah mind. Blink, get me anotha blanket foah Tanya! We's don't want huh ta get chilled."
A sudden throw of her stomach made Tanya lurch and sit up. Someone pushed her back down but she fought, "No, I have to..." She didn't have time to finish her sentence before a violent wretch shook her.
Throwing up was horrible enough without cute guys watching, Tanya thought. She groaned and tried to stand up. The world seemed to suddenly spin horribly and she sank back down, the tears flowing freely now.
"I...w-wa-an-n-t- to g-go-ho-o-om-me," she sobbed.
Racetrack knelt in front of her, pressing a damp rag to her face. He grinned, "Ain't dis romantic."
She cried harder, "You are soo-o-o in-se-eh-n-si-ti-ive!"
He chuckled, "Yeah, guess I am. Most of us ah."
As if to prove his point, Blink and Mush rushed in then, brandishing a bucket.
"In case you have to...ya know..." Blink explained comfortably.
Tanya glared at them.
"Now, Tanya, say t'ank you'!" Racetrack teased.
"Shut up!" she lay back down, turning her back to them.
"What's wrong wid 'er?"
"Sheesh, only tryin' ta help!"
"Goils ah strange."
Tanya felt ungrateful but too sick to apologize.
A hand ran swiftly through her tangled hair, "I'm right heah, if ya need me, Tanya."
****
"Jack said when he has enough money saved up...we'll get married and move out west. We'll have our own cattle ranch and Jack will ride horses and rope steers." Sarah smiled dreamily out the window of the room she shared with Katherine.
"Katherine?"
"Hmmm?"
"Do you want to get married someday, too?"
Katherine felt the back of her neck grow warm. "Yes," she answered slowly.
"To who?" Sarah asked eagerly, climbing onto her side of the bed.
"A boy."
"Well, yes, but WHO?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes, it does! Oh, c'mon! You know I would never tell anyone. Not even David. And I tell him everything! At least, tell me his name!"
Katherine swallowed hard. "His name is...Daniel."
"Daniel?"
****
a/n: That's all for this chapter...heheh. I will leave you all to guess and guess what is going to happen to our beloved characters!
Legs comments on: books
Books are my challenges. Until I conquer them. Then they become my friends...friends I can read over and over and discover new things about them constantly.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the movie "Newsies." Disney does.
The song, "I Love You Truly" was composed by Carrie Jacobs Bond at the turn of the century. All I own is the sheet music.
Kristen is the sole property of Sureshot Higgins.
Kate is under the exclusive ownership of Kate Lawrence.
Do not sue me or I will do one or all of the following (in order):
Sic my amazing fire-breathing snail on you
TP your house
Grow horns, turn green, and growl fiercely
HISTORICAL NOTE: A deadly influenza outbreak occurred in 1917 across the US. I have no record of such an outbreak in the year 1900 but influenza was a major killer during this period of history.
