I didn't feel very well then next few days so I stayed at the lodging house. Bumlets would come in and sit with me for a while, and we talked of what it's like where I live. I asked him one day of the people they had come in contact with before me. He told me that most of them were nice, but a few of them had played games with them, like Racetrack. One girl in particular that made him act the way he did with girls from the future.
"Her name was Anastasia. She was real preddy. She seemed almost attached ta Race. After a while dough we'se found out she was kissin' on Oscar Delancey and some of da oder newsies. He was crushed. " Bumlets finished.
"Awe, that's sad." I said with real sincerity in my voice. I really did feel bad for Race, I mean that would explain why he acted the way he did. He was just trying to keep his distance, he must think that every girl that's from 2002 is like Anastasia. I was finding it a little hard to comprehend how someone can hurt another person like that. They are so lucky to have someone care about them like that, and they just throw it away, and move on to the next guy that came along. Maybe I don't have enough to experience in this department, or maybe that just makes me appreciate it more. All I know is that it had taken me that long to find someone, two someones who liked me, and I couldn't imagine wanting to risk not ever being loved again.
"I'se wish you'd stay." Bumlets said after a few moments of silence. I moved uncomfortably under the sheet, which I was covering my cold legs, where I sat on the bed.
"Huh?" I asked making sure I heard what I thought I heard. I'm sure everyone has done that before, even if they know what the person said. It's just like it doesn't register, or something.
"Well, you'se seem to like it here, an you'se get along wid everybody, so why don't you'se stay wid me and da oder newsies?" I wasn't sure how to answer. I really just wanted to smile and yell because he had asked me to, but at the same time, I was upset. Before it was if I didn't have a choice to stay. I was going back, and that was final, but now he's asking me, and it seems like it could be an option. I have wonderful friends and family at home, but there I had something that I had longed for, and wished on the most distant star for, someone who really liked me, and could possibly be something more, unlike all the other guys I knew. My eyes welled up from all the range of emotions that were running through me. I tried saying something, anything, though I didn't know what to say. Finally he got off my bed and gave me a most wanted kiss on the cheek, and left. I pondered what he must have been thinking that I was thinking. I really was hoping that he wouldn't take my silence as a cold shoulder, or rejection.
The next day brought new hope. I was able to breathe easy again, something I never know I would miss so much. There must have been something in the air that time of year, or something. I have never had problems with my allergies until then. I felt sick too, so I wasn't being a baby about it. I really was incapable of selling papers; I could hardly stand a few minutes without going into a sneezing fit, which would be very unsanitary. As well I wasn't very attractive looking, or desirable to want to be approached by, with my red, bloodshot eyes, and Rudolph nose. There was a flip side to being out and about however. I really hate 'howevers.' There always seems to be one and in the most horrible way. Howevers can be good too, but they never seem to be as good as the bad howevers. The however in this case, is that being about means being around people, which is fine, but when it became Bumlets, Racetrack, and me in the same room, I was really uncomfortable. I'm not sure if they felt it, but I'm sure there was something, but then again it could have just been me. I tried occupying my mind on other matters, such as my costume. It was really turning out better than I anticipated. I worked on the finishing touches the day Halloween came rolling around.