Chapter 12

Rawer. Sad. :( Thanks again for the reviews! 3

Look at my quick update! DO YOU LOVE ME OR WHAT? Eh, don't answer that. There's probably only going to be one more chapter after this

The morning of our departure there was a large breakfast. Mother dismissed the maids and servants for the last time, and there were several hugs and tears exchanged. These were people who had watched me grow up. Even if they worked for us for money, they were my extended family. Mother gave them all a larger pay check then was necessary and sent them on their ways.

Part of me just wanted to leave then and there, and not have to wait for the stupid carriage to the train. I didn't want to say goodbye, because I didn't want to have to say goodbye. I wanted to leave and pretend I was coming back the very next day. But I couldn't. I had to leave.

"Dacey! Come downstairs! It's time to wait outside." My mother shouted. She was trying so hard to be strong, and not to cry the whole day, but I could hear quiver in her voice, and see the shake in her hands.

I walked down the stairs and my mother pushed me out the door. Blink was sitting on the steps, and I went to go sit down next to him. Mother went to go check that we had gathered everything needed. Blink turned and kissed me. We pulled away as a small crowd of Newsies walked up. They were all looking rather sad. It was amazing that I could know these boys for less than a day, and they all were upset to see me go. That's when I realized how strong a bond Blink had with these boys. They were more than just friends, they were his extended family, just as my servants were mine. They gave me hugs and pats on the back, and told me to write Blink every day because they didn't want to put up with his mopping. I nodded quietly and didn't say much. I wanted to make sure the last time I saw everyone for a while, that I was happy, not crying.

"Dacey, let's go." My mother said, she had already gotten into the carriage that had pulled up almost silently. I nodded, and she closed the door.

"Goodbye everyone." I said, and gave Blink one last hug before I opened the door and crawled into the carriage and shut the door again.

Once we started moving, I didn't dare to look back at the crowd of boys at my door for fear I might die of sadness. I put my head in my hands and wept silently to myself going over everything that had happened so quickly. The clip clop of the horses' feet reminded me of the first night I met Blink. I had been so angry at my father, and now I couldn't possibly be mad at father- he was gone.

"Dacey, we'll be back. I promised you a trip in a year." My mother said, patting my back, and trying to comfort me.

A year. I knew now more than ever that time waits for no one. So much could happen in a year. We humans have no control over our lives, no matter how much we like to think we do. As I sat in the carriage I realized that I was just one small person in a huge universe and I was utterly powerless in my life's coarse. This upset me more, until a thought entered my thought. Why was I still sitting in this carriage? Without thinking I unlatched the door and jumped out of the moving carriage. My mother screamed for the coachman to stop, and he obliged. I landed in a pile on the road, but got up quickly. My ankle hurt badly, but I still managed to run. I could hear my mother, the coachman and police man join in pursuit of me. Now that I think about it, it must have been an awfully silly scene- three grown people chasing after a limping, crying girl.

I ran, and managed to get three streets away from my house until the police man caught up and grabbed hold of my arm. The coachman showed up shortly after, and trailing behind him was my mother. Her dress ripped, her hair in knots, and her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. I laughed. I'm sure the three of them, and the passing people on the street thought I was insane. And for that instant I don't think I was to contradict their thoughts. I'm pretty sure I was going insane. The police officer led me to a bench and sat me down next to my mother, as the coachman went to get his carriage to re-pick us up.

I could have gotten up and ran again, but I was tired, and exhausted, and I couldn't think rationally. I was in a dreary unaware state. I had to get help getting into the carriage, and once in it I feel asleep, much to my mother's relief.

When I awoke I was sitting in a cushioned seat facing a window. Trees and small houses zoomed in and out of my square view of the outside world. My mother was humming softly to herself and reading a book next to me. How she could look so relaxed, I didn't know.

"Rise and shine, huh Dacey?" She asked turning to see me awake.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked.

"Pretty long. We have only have half an hour left." She said pleasantly.

I must have been a deep sleeper to be boarded onto a train and not be awoken. I sighed deeply, and continued to look out the window. The time passed slowly, and when the train slowed to a stop I was ready to strangle my mother. How she managed to hum for thirty minutes straight, I do not know.

"Up we go." My mother said grabbing my arm and pulling me from my seat. I think she was afraid I'd run away again. She led me out of the train and into the train station. It was busy with people, but my mother didn't allow me to look around. She led me right out of there and to another carriage waiting for us. We waited inside while our luggage was loaded into it, and then we were off. Mother gave direction to the coachman. I'd only been to our New Jersey twice before, and had no idea where we were going. But mother knew it like the back of her hand. We were there in no time.

The coachman helped us out in front of the house. It was smaller than our New York home. It was painted red with a yellowy door. Why the door was painted such an awkward color, my mother never told me, she just said father liked that color. We walked up to the house and I ran my hand over the door as we walked in. I remembered where my room was upstairs and I dismissed myself up to it.

The room was perfectly clean. Mother probably had arranged someone to come over and clean it up. I flopped onto the bed. The sheets smelt clean. I turned over and noticed a window. I went over to it and looked out. I could see the ocean from my view. I opened the window and let the cool breeze flood into my room. There was a desk in one corner and I sat down and started to write Blink a letter. The men helping us move in brought in my trunk of clothes while I was busy writing.

Dear Blink,

We just arrived. As much as I'd like to say the house is horrible, and the view is worse, I cannot. I can see the ocean and hear the waves roll onto the shore. Everything is quiet here, which is nice. I wonder if they have as many Newsies here as in New York. I highly doubt it, but tomorrow morning when I go out I will find the answer for myself. Mother is trying to act like she doesn't mind moving, but I know it aches her as much as it aches me to leave New York. However she has promised a trip back in a little under year.

Right now I have to help unpack. Say hello to everyone, and give them my best wishes.

Love,

Dacey

I folded the letter and put it in an envelope and wrote the address of the Lodging House on it and trotted downstairs. My mother was busy unpacking glasses and silverware. I help her for awhile, and then went to find the post office. Things in the New Jersey town were calm and quiet. Not nearly as many things were going on. I walked onto the sidewalk and past houses of all shapes and sizes before I got to the 'business district'. I found the post office easily and gave my letter to the attendee. He smiled, and I walked back onto the sidewalk. I looked up at the sky, and as corny and cheesy as it seemed, it gave me comfort to know that Blink was still living under the same sky as I was.

I took a couple of wrong turns, but finally managed to get back home. Mother was cheery, and I tried hard to match her mood, but it was nearly impossible.