Chapter Five
After a long day of selling papes, Kat was barely able to drag herself back to the bunkhouse. On her way there, she had stopped at her old apartment to grab some food, a box, and a few other things to take back with her. Jimmy was peacefully nestled in the pocket of one of Jesse's old coats that Kat had decided to wear due to the falling temperature of the evening. By the time she reached her new home, most of her friends arrived.
As quietly as she could, Kat tiptoed past the closed door to the boys' bedroom. All she wanted to do was put her things away, eat, and write a letter to her brothers before falling into a deep blissful sleep. Success or luck was hers at the moment as she made it to her room without announcing her presence to the whole company in the next room over. By then, her stomach and Jimmy were both crying for food.
Two hours later, Jimmy was snuggled deep in Kat's crossed legs as she sat writing of her day to the dear ones having fun on the ranch. She described the house, Mr. Kloppman, and all her new friends. She failed to mention the embarrassing bit about the morning or when Crutchy kissed her hand in greeting. When she started to describe her brawl with the Delancy brothers, Kat couldn't help giggling as she pictured Frank's appalled face. The fight would worry Frank but bring much laughter to Jesse and her cousins. She could expect a scathing letter arriving from Frank in a few days.
Memories of her family fluttered across her mind, making her stomach tighten with homesickness. She knew that she would miss her brothers, but she didn't think she would miss them this much! It was all she could do to keep the tears that gathered in her eyes from falling on her paper. She roughly brushed them away before telling her brothers that she missed and loved them, and hoped to see them in July for her birthday. After signing and sealing the letter, she kissed the envelope with salty tears running down her face, praying that her boys would be safe and healthy when this reached them.
She tried to get a hold of herself before going down to give the letter to Mr. Kloppman. He would know what to do with it. Kat hastily wiped her face with her sleeve and sniffled a few times before feeling that she was ready to brave the downstairs. She carefully placed her sleeping Jimmy on the bed before turning off the lights and stepping out her door with letter in hand. Turning to go down the stairs, she collided with Mush before either of them knew what was happening.
Kat hit the end of the banister hard enough to knock the wind out of her lungs and make her see stars flying around her head. She heard Mush groan from where he had been newly introduced to the hallway wall. It didn't take long for the rest of the newsies to come see what the commotion was about. The boys helped both kids to their feet. When they helped Kat up, she was so dizzy she almost fell down again. She felt the back of her head and groaned. Already, a nice sized goose egg was forming where she had smacked the banister. She was just thankful that she wasn't bleeding.
The boys, who had helped her up, carefully guided her to a chair where she put her head between her knees with a groan of pain. Suddenly, she realized that she was no longer holding her letter. In all the pain and confusion, she had dropped it. Despite the pain and dizziness, Kat jerked her head up to look around for the white envelope. She couldn't see anything because of the concerned faces gathered around her.
When she tried to stand up, stating that she was fine, Spot and Race pushed her back into her seat. The determined looks on their faces told her she wouldn't be going anywhere for at least an hour. Sulkily, she crossed her arms and shot a glare at her friends who grinned at her cheekily. Then she heard someone give a shout. When she looked up, there stood Snipeshooter with her letter clasped in his hand. His face was bunched up in confusion as he read the names on the envelope, thinking it was for someone here at the bunkhouse.
"What the heck? Who's this letta for anyhow? No one lives hera with da names of 'Frank, Jesse, Cole, Bob, or Jim. Any one know who this is for?" Snipes waved the white paper around like it was a flag of surrender.
Kat sat up straight then stood up, receiving glares from Spot and Race.
"It's mine, Snipes. Can I have it back now please?" Her face must have given Snipes some reason to use it as a way of blackmail because he just stared at her face and her outstretched hand before looking at the paper in his hands. Then an evilly mischievous grin spread across his face.
"No, I don't think so."
Kat glared as hard as she could without giving herself a headache.
"Snipes," her voice was low and warning him, "give me the letter."
He turned his eyes on her trying to look as innocent as possible, "Why? Why is it so important to you, Miss Kat?"
Kat growled at him before resigning to the fact that she wasn't going to get her letter before they heard whom it was for and what she had written.
"It isn't that important because I can always go write another one. I would just like to save mahself the trouble by just mailing that one. Is that a crime?"
"No, but I would like to know what you wrote to these, um, gentlemen."
By this time, all her friends had grown interested in whom she could be writing and what about. Even Mush had gotten up to see what was happening. Nosy little brats! Kat fumed before relenting.
"Fine, Snipes, I'll read y'all mah darn letter, if y'all promise to leave mah mail alone from now on." Getting solemn nods from everyone in the house, Kat carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the four-page letter.
"Frank and Jesse happen to be mah brothers, and Cole, Bob, and Jim are mah cousins." She said so that the boys would have some idea that this was a rather personal letter. Exasperated, she watched them all get comfortable. They really wanted to hear what she had to say about them. With a heavy sigh, Kat began reading…
Dear boys,
Today was one of the best times of my life. After I left the apartment, I bought the paper and envelope I now use to write to you. I knew that you would want to know how I faired the first day away from your ever-watching eyes.
The Lodging House is quite nice actually. Mr. Kloppman, the proprietor, promptly took me to my little room. Though it is smaller then my attic at home, I know that I will be quite happy here for the summer. Frank, you will be pleased to know that I'm do not have to sleep in the same room as the rest of the newsies. I told you that I wouldn't have too. And now you owe Jesse ten bucks.
I have already been befriended by several of the newsies. Though rag tag, as they are, they have better hearts then any of the snobby 'scabbers' Papa used to work for. How these boys got stuck on the street I'll never know. They're too good for this sort of life, fun as it might be.
Jack Kelly seems to be the leader of this interesting army. Always cool and in control, he made me feel at home right away. Even after a rather embarrassing moment this morning when I first arrived. And, no, I will not be sharing this with you, Jesse! So you will just have to die of curiosity. Jack and Jim would get along well together I think.
Kid Blink, or Blink for short, is a wiry fellow always ready for a good laugh or fight. Don't worry, Frank, I won't be have any fights with him, yet. He and Jack were the first newsies that I met this morning. And like I said before, wild horses couldn't drag the story out of me!
Les and David Jacobs are working to bring in a little extra cash for the family since their father was injured. Maybe you could give him a job, Cole, once his arm has healed properly. Les reminds me of when Jim was younger, always wanting to be a pirate or great swordsman. Just the same, Jimmy old boy!
Racetrack Higgins is a gambling man with a witty sense of humor. The boy does love his cigars too. He is going to teach me to play poker. Can't wait to learn! I say this because I know by now that Frank is going pale and wishing he had never agreed to this idea of mine. Frankie boy, give Jesse the letter until you calm down. What a good boy!
Spot Conlon…what can I say about him that won't make you come home and pack me up right away? No, he's just as nice as the other boys are. Rough around the edges like Cole, but underneath is an annoying, rather sweet guy who likes to exasperate me.
Boots, sweet kid, makes me laugh with his jokes and crazy antics. One of these days, he's going to get a beating from one of the bullies he likes to tease.
Last but not least is Crutchy. Crutchy somehow reminds me of Bob. Fun-loving yet kind and respectful. He can't walk except with a wooden crutch, hence the name 'Crutchy.' I think that he's the kind of guy that would enjoy going horseback riding with Shatan and me.
(After the character sketches, she described her fight. Which we will skip for time sake.)
Frank, I know by now that you have either died or at least fainted because of my first fight. I would like to say right now that I would probably be their new toy if Jesse and Cole hadn't taught me how to fight. Now, no glaring at them like they did something wrong. They did a good thing. Thank you, boys! Now I can kick anybody's butt if they mess with me the wrong way.
Well boys, my hand is cramping and my eyes are having trouble staying open. I think that I will end this here. I miss you all so much, more then I actually thought I would. I love you just as much and more. Please write or visit soon. I hope to at least spend my sixteenth birthday with you all by my side. As I close I would just like to make one more statement.
(Pause for effect…)
Jim, I named my new cat after you!
With all my love and much more,
Katlin 'Kat' Annabelle James
Silence ruled the house as Kat carefully folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope. When she raised her blushing face to meet the eyes of her audience, she was surprised to see them all grinning at her.
"What?" She asked incredulously.
Spot sniggered beside her; "Your middle name is 'Annabelle?'"
In indignation and embarrassment, Kat forcefully stepped on his foot causing him to howl long and loud. She then rose from her seat with the air of a stately queen in trousers and walked over to the front desk where Mr. Kloppman stood smiling. She resealed the letter and dropped her kiss upon it once more before handing it over to the old gentleman. Then with a toss of her braid and a flash of her violet eyes, Kat pushed her way to the top of the landing where she paused and turned back to the group still watching her.
"I thank you for your attention to mah letter, suhs. I can assure you that it will be the last one you will ever hear, unless I feel the need to share with you. I bit you all a very fond 'good night.'" She pulled out the sides of her trousers as far as possible and gave them a small curtsy and a grin before spinning around and marching straight to her room and to bed.
