Chapter 5: New Found Joy
Dawn slowly crept up on the sleepy city of New York. It was Christmas morning and no one was stirring. The Newsies were sleeping late because they did not have to sell today; a little "gift" Pulitzer had called it. He never had to do anything; he had to only act like a sweet old uncle to some spoiled brats. What a life.
Alyssa, however, was stirring. She was quietly slipping among the bunks depositing Christmas presents to their respectable recipients. Then, filled with more holiday cheer than she could have ever imagined, she tied sprigs of holly and evergreen to the ceiling beams. The scent was wonderful. Alyssa was reminded of home in Ireland when she had been a baby and her mother had decorated with sprigs from the surrounding forest. Taking one look at the old, unused fireplace and Alyssa had to clean it. Once clean, she loaded it up with wood and evergreen sprigs. Warmth filled the room after she lit it, releasing a sweet scent that mingled with the holly. Alyssa watched as her friends snuggled deeper into their bunks.
On the second floor, Alyssa began setting up the breakfast that had been Sarah's idea. Sarah knew that the boys usually depended on the nuns for their breakfast, so she wanted to do something special for all of them. Alyssa was not going to start cooking just yet; let the boys have a bit more sleep. She went back to her room and did the same.
Mush was the first one to wake. When he saw the state of the bunkroom, he could not contain his merriment. He let lose with a very loud rendition of "Deck the Halls."
Jack rolled over, about to protest, then he too saw what had happened. He smiled to himself. He was sure that Alyssa and Kloppman had done this. By now, everyone was awaking to Mush's rousing carols.
"Wha' happened in here?" a groggy Racetrack said. Turning, he saw a neatly wrapped package with his name gently scrawled on the paper. Looking around, Race saw that everyone had a similar package. For a moment, they all just stared at them. Then, in a flurry of paper, they tore into their presents.
"Hey, awesome!" Specs exclaimed. He was holding up a pair of knitted socks.
"Look at dis," Boots said. He was holding up a bag stuffed full of sweets.
Each one found a bag of sweets and something knitted. Inside his, Racetrack found the sweets, a thickly knitted wool scarf, and another package. This one had a note attached to it. It read, "Hope you enjoy these." Delicately, Race opened the paper to reveal a tin.
How he longed for a tin like this.
Opening the tin, Race found six perfect cigars. Lifting one out, he began to finger it fondly. Who would spend this kind of money on him? Still pondering, he dung in his pockets to find a light.
"Lookie what Racey got," Snipeshooter cooed from the next bed.
Race was too indulged in his new cigars to even try and find a comeback.
Kloppman then came up holding a package in one arm and supporting Mercy with the other. "Jack," he said, "This came for you. It's from Sarah. She said she'd be over later."
"Ain't yous gonna open it?" Skittery taunted.
Slightly embarrassed, Jack opened the package. Inside was a thick sweater, most likely knitted by Sarah.
"Awww, ain't dat sweet," Racetrack said.
"Aw, shut yer big mouth, mister 'I gotts some cigahs from somebody.'" Jack was even more embarrassed now; he was turning a very deep shade of red.
Before Race and Jack could spend anymore time having a nice long bickering contest, Alyssa walked in. That shut everyone up. She was wearing a green nightgown that hugged her body with a swirling skirt and thin straps. Alyssa just shook her head and walked over to where Mercy stood.
"Merry Christmas," Mercy said, handing Alyssa a neatly wrapped present.
"Wait, I's got somethin' fer ya too." Alyssa disappeared into her room and came out bearing a large squishy package. "Well, go on, open it," she urged.
Mercy pulled the paper off to reveal a shawl. "Alyssa, yous didn't. How could yous afford." Mercy was holding an exact copy of the shawl she had seen in the shop. Now, holding the coveted item, she was close to tears.
"Nah, I couldn't afford it. So, I's made a copy a it. I's hope yous like it."
Wide eyed and speechless, Mercy surged forward and hugged Alyssa fiercely. "I love it," she whispered. "Now open yers.
With shaking hands, Alyssa pulled off the paper covering her gift. Inside, she found a beautiful green flowing skirt. All over it, a black ivy pattern had been embroidered. The skirt reminded her of a gown her mother one wore. She ran her fingers over the embroidery, feeling each curve that it made.
It was funny how everything reminded Alyssa of her mother. She was probably the only person that Alyssa had ever felt close to. And then again, she had only known her mother for two years of her life.
"Oh, Mercy, it's."
"I knew dat yous was Irish; yer personality gives dat away. I also knew dat you'd probably feel comfortable in it more dan anythin' dat Sarah could give ya. Da two a yous got completely different personalities and styles. I made it me self." Mercy smiled at Alyssa. She felt as though things could not get any better.
Around them, the Newsies shifted uneasily. Each one of them was worried that their combined gift would not be enough.
"Alyssa," Jack finally said. "We's all got ya somethin'. It's not much."
From beneath a loose floorboard, Specs drew a small package. Handing it to her he said, "It's all dat we lowly Newsies could afford."
Taking the package in he hands, Alyssa remove the paper. Old newspaper wrappings revealed a gorgeous leather bound journal. The leather cover bore an intricate Celtic circle design with little dragons in each of the corners. The spine bore faeries sitting on a vine of ivy.
"We figgered dat since yous always singin' an' stuff, we'd buy yous a place ta put it." Racetrack said this in almost an embarrassed tone.
Alyssa almost did not know what to say. "Guys, its. perfect. Thank yous so much." She proceeded to go around and give each a kiss on the cheek.
Mercy gave Alyssa an impish glance. Alyssa nodded and Mercy spoke. "How did all yous like yer presents dis mornin'? Dey's from me an' Alyssa."
A gasp rose out of them all. The could not believe that these two girls, who they barely knew, had done so much for them.
"Den how do yous explain da cigahs dat Race got?" Snipeshooter demanded.
"Dere from me. Dey's a thank you gift fer allowin' me da use a his bunk." Alyssa got the feeling that they were a little jealous. That was not the case, however. They just wanted to know why. "C'mon, breakfast is waitin'."
"Breakfast?" Mush, Blink and Boots said at once. "We's get breakfast? Wid out da nuns?"
"Course," Mercy said. "Sarah planned it. We're just gonna get started 'afore she comes. Alyssa and I are goils, if yous remember. Or care ta look."
Were they looking. As much as Alyssa was like a sister, the Newsies could not but help notice how she glided around the Lodging House. They did not care if she had a heavily shadowed past. They were more than willing to help her work past it. Even if meant that terrible things would be brought out in the open again. A feeling of wanting to help Alyssa at all costs flowed strongly through these boys.
Down on the second floor, breakfast was prepared with a family like air. A little while in, Sarah, David and Les came by. Being Jewish, they did not celebrate Christmas, but they thought it polite to be with their friends on their holiday. Sarah was greeted by Jack with a nice long kiss. Alyssa kept everyone's attention away by wreaking havoc with Racetrack. Mercy smiled to herself as she watched Race chase Alyssa around the table.
'They're so perfect for each other,' she thought. Looking at Sarah, Mercy knew that she was grateful for the distraction. It was not often that she and Jack could have a moment alone. As much as Mayor and Ester Jacobs loved Jack, they were still wary because he was a Newsie and because Sarah was such a sweet and innocent girl. Mercy knew that Sarah's innocence sometimes annoyed Alyssa to no end, but the two girls got along.
A hearty breakfast was served to everyone there. Les, who had already eaten, was overjoyed at the sight of more food. Despite some of Alyssa's tomboyish ways, she still managed to make a wonderful meal without Sarah's wifely interference.
Between bites, Kloppman said, "I hope you have your best clothes clean."
"What?!?" Swifty exclaimed.
"Why?" demanded Pie Eater. "Wha's goin' on?"
"Medda and Denton are taking all of you out for Christmas dinner. You happen to be going to a rather high class restaurant and concert hall."
"When?" asked Racetrack. "'Cause if its anytime soon, I's gotta find a way ta wash me clothes."
Jack gave an ironic smile. "Racey honey, we's ALL gotta wash our clothes."
The inability for a bunch of guys to wash their own clothes was too funny. Alyssa, Sarah, and Mercy were doubled over with laughter. "We can wash 'em," they chorused.
"Dat's why we love dese goils," Race said. "Dey do anythin' fer us."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The three girls spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon washing the Manhattan Newsies dirty clothes. Not that it bothered them, it gave them the chance to bond. The boys stayed to the third floor because they knew that they would get roped into helping if they even walked past the door. Beneath them, they could hear Alyssa singing as she worked.
"This time of the year is spent in good cheer. And neighbours together do meet, To sit by the fire, with friendly desire, Each other in love to greet. Old grudges forgot are put in the pot, All sorrows aside they lay; The old and the young doth carol this song, To drive the cold winter away." (Loreena McKennitt - In Praise of Christmas)
"Could you teach us some songs?" Sarah quietly asked.
"Course. I'd love to. Its always better when more people know the song, anyway." While they washed, Alyssa taught them various songs; some holiday related, some not.
Racetrack sat in his bed polishing his shoes. While doing so, he was smoking one of the cigars Alyssa had given him. At seventeen, he had no idea no idea what true love felt like or was, but yet, he felt as though he loved Alyssa. Race had watched lovers and came to the conclusion that love was flamboyant and obvious, so that the whole world could know. But what he felt for Alyssa was gentler, more secret. Jack and Sarah had the flamboyant love; the kind that could be fleeting. That was not what Race wanted. He wanted something gentle and sweet that he could hold on to forever. The rational part of him said that he was being foolish, and that there was no possible way that she felt the same. It told him that she deserved better than some Newsie. Then there was the part of him that dreamed. Given the evidence, he thought that there might be chance. Something told him to be the bold and forward person that he is and do something about it. But, the rational side would jut in and give him a thousand reasons why he was being stupid.
Searching through his bunk side cubby, Racetrack found a small wooden box. It was intricately carved and made of mahogany. Inside was a swirling silver pendant on a black velvet ribbon. Looking at the necklace brought memories of his mother to his mind. He remembered being a small child and watching the sunlight hit the pendant as it hung from his mother's neck. This one memory brought forth many darker memories.
While Racetrack was lost in his thoughts, everyone else was enjoying their sweets. Between bunks, people were trading sweets to get a stash of their favorite. Nobody noticed the unusually reclusive gambler.
At around three o'clock, Alyssa, Mercy, and Sarah came upstairs bearing baskets of clean clothes. Race heard the girls and came out of his solitude and cried, "All hail dose who come bearin' clean clothes!"
Everyone in the bunk room stood and gave mock bows.
"Every garment that you boys wear has been cleaned, repaired and ironed." Sarah spoke while Mercy and Alyssa sorted the laundry. "Come and claim it!"
"Might I suggest dat all yous bathe 'afore we go," Alyssa said. "Yer foul stench will undermine all da cleanin' dat we did. Also, dis is a high class place wid lots a rich people. Dey ain't too fond a us."
"Point taken," Jack said. "Everybody bathes. Even you Blinkee."
"Aw, Jack. No way." Kid Blink protested.
"Bathe, or we's all gonna force yous in ta da tub," Race countered.
Blink conceded, and collected his clothes from Mercy.
Handing Race his clothes, Alyssa was saddened by the fact that they no longer held the comforting smell of a cigar. Seeing a cigar in his quirky mouth told Alyssa that the problem would be quickly remedied. She gave a little blush that she knew Race saw, and moved on.
"Alyssa," Sarah said. "I'm going to go home so I can get ready. Medda's coming at six, right?"
"Yeah, look nice. See ya den."
"I'm gonna go too." Mercy had come up beside her. "Ya know, prep time an' all."
Dutchy was beside himself. "You goils need TREE houahs ta get ready?" The thought of this had him in stitches on the floor.
Kloppman could not keep silent. "You honestly think that girls wake up pretty?"
"Hell no," Mercy, Sarah and Alyssa chorused.
After saying good bye to her friends, Alyssa locked herself in her room. The first thing she had to figure out was what she was going to wear. These boys had basically seen her at her most absolute tomboyish-ness. Hell, when she had been fixing the clothes Sarah had given her, Alyssa had worn a pair of Skittery's old pants and one of Blink's shirts. All she had to do is tuck her hair inside Jack's cowboy hat and she looked like one of the guys. Except for the whole large breasts issue.
Today she felt was the day that she would stun them. She was aware of the fact that they followed her with their eyes, but that was nothing. Alyssa did not even consider herself to be beautiful. She never understood what everyone was looking at. Slipping into a steaming hot tub, she softly sang to herself. Out of her window, she watched the snow fall. What a perfect Christmas. Not like the one's I've had in my past. My present was usually a loaf of bread and a beating. She got out and ran a brush through her long hair, letting it dry naturally so it would curl. Alyssa had decided to wear the green skirt Mercy had given her coupled with a bell- sleeved, square neck white top she had made.
Laying them out on the bed, she noticed that she had not opened Sarah's gift. A note on top read, 'This was given to me, but it's something I'd never wear. Mercy said you'd love it. Always, Sarah.' The package contained a black lace up bodice that medieval wenches used to wear. Alyssa was overjoyed; it went perfectly with her planned outfit. She lamented the fact that she had no jewelry, but that was a minor problem. Christmas was one of the few days that Alyssa could freely indulge herself in some truly "girly" ways.
She planned to milk it for all it was worth.
Alyssa dressed and allowed herself the guilty pleasure of having the bodice accentuate her breasts. Honestly, she was going to be spending the evening with a bunch of guys so, why not? She pulled a bit of her hair back and secured it with a intricate silver clip Kloppman had given her. Then, the applied just the faintest bit of makeup from the kit Medda had given her. To top the whole outfit off, she bucked the leather belt that held her mother's knife around her waist. Alyssa was rather proud of the way she looked; just like a regular middle class girl, kind of like Sarah, only in completely different outfit.
At ten minutes of six, Sarah and David showed up along with Mercy. The two girls went right to Alyssa's room to see how she looked.
They were speechless.
"Alyssa," Mercy began. "Yous look absolutely GORGEOUS! How come yous don' look like dis more often?"
Alyssa's voice had a hint of sadness when she spoke. "I learned long ago dat lookin' good had some serious drawbacks." Alyssa lightened though, when she saw the shawl wrapped around Mercy's shoulders, fastened by a brooch.
"I see that you're enjoying the bodice I gave you." Sarah smiled with delight.
"I would a got ya somethin'."
"Don't worry about it." Sarah shook her head at Alyssa. "You had your family of boys to think about."
Alyssa laughed at her and gathered up her coat. "We's might as well congregate in da sittin' room. Da boys'll be waitin'."
So, three lovely girls walked down stairs. Their entrance was greeted by stunned silence. They watched as the Newsies' eyes darted form one girl to another. Each one was taking in the vision that stood before them.
"Pinch me," Race said at last. "I's tink I's dreamin'."
Blink was more than willing to oblige, and gave Race a good hard pinch on the arm.
"Alright boys, settle down." Medda Larkson, queen of Irving Hall, decided to take control. "We have seven o'clock dinner reservations at a rather high class restaurant. Then, we move down the hall for the show."
"Aw, a show wid out Medda? What good is dat?"
"Mush, I'm flattered, really."
"Dis is wondaful," Specs commented. "We's bein' treated like we's da Kings a somethin'. I's can't believe it."
"Yeah. Now we's know wha' it's like bein' Spot!" Boots was rather proud of his analogy despite it's unrealisticness.
"Speaking of Spot Conlon, where is he?" David could not help but wonder.
"I hoid dat his wardrobe was less den adequate, so Denton had ya take 'im shoppin'." Leave it to Crutchy to know the latest gossip about anyone. For a cripple, he got around an awful lot, and knew where to get reliable information. Not that he used any of it; his heart was too kind for that.
Just after he had been mentioned, the King of Brooklyn stormed in, pissed off like there was no tomorrow.
"Don't you ever make me do that again, Brian Denton vehemently said to Kloppman. The gentle old man just smiled at Denton as though he had done nothing wrong.
One look at Spot told everyone not to make a single comment for fear of getting a wicked soaking. Medda ushered everyone outside to the waiting carriages. Unfortunately, it was two to a carriage, so things were said as each pair got in.
One hand in his pocket, Racetrack caught up with Alyssa and guided her to an empty carriage. Sarah had gone with Jack and Mercy was with Crutchy. Race was not about to let Spot take her. He climbed in and took her hand to help her in.
The ride to the restaurant was quite pleasant despite the biting cold. Race and Alyssa passed most of the time laughing and joking around. She even sang him a version of Greensleeves, as they passed a brave string quartet out in the cold. To Race, New York City had never looked so beautiful; or maybe it was the fact that he was sting next to an angel that made it so special. After a while, Race decided it was now or never.
"Alyssa," he quietly said. "Dere's somethin' dat I wanna give ta yous." From his coat pocket, he withdrew he little carven box. As he pressed it into Alyssa's hands, she stared at him with wonderment, amazement and questioning. "Go on, open it."
With trembling hands, Alyssa opened the box and stared at the necklace. "Race, I. where?" So many questions came flooding forth.
"It was me mudder's. I want yous ta have it. I've met many goils in me days, but none like yous." A he spoke, he turned a bright shade of red and his brown eyes grew wide.
Alyssa had no idea of what to say or do. How do you thank someone who has just given you part of their past, making it part of your future? Thousands of possibilities came to mind, but none seemed to be special enough. She glanced out the window to avoid Race's eyes. There was only one way. She leaned forward and put her lips to his. Racetrack received the sweetest kiss of his life. For a moment he froze, unsure of what to do. Then, all the emotion that he had kept pent up rose up and caused him to return the gesture.
After they had pulled away, Race took the necklace and tied it around Alyssa's fine white neck. A cold wind blew causing her to snuggle against Race. Both were unwilling to admit that what had just happened and what was happening, felt to right.
Alyssa's lifelong fear of men had caused her to pull away. When ever she had gotten close to one, something horrible would always happen. It had even happened with her brothers. She was not even going to mention the fact that she was being hunted. Do not bother them with her problems. But, another part of her argued, you can trust him. He's not like all of the other men you've known. Take this moment and make it last, it may be the thing that saves you.
Race had pulled away because he was shocked. A part of him wanted to deny the whole thing, but there was something that stopped him. The feeling of gentleness and perfect-ness; that was it.
Alyssa and Racetrack knew the best was to figure out was going to happen was just to wait and see. Both agreed that they would enjoy the night, and not make a big deal out of things. They departed the carriage laughing about some stupid sign that they had seen. Mercy climbed out with a smile across her face. Obviously, she and Crutchy had been doing a lot of talking. Once she got out thought, she walked over to where Specs was standing, and he continued walking with her. Sarah, well, lets just say that she had a good ride. Nothing dirty, just good.
It was going to be a good night.
Dawn slowly crept up on the sleepy city of New York. It was Christmas morning and no one was stirring. The Newsies were sleeping late because they did not have to sell today; a little "gift" Pulitzer had called it. He never had to do anything; he had to only act like a sweet old uncle to some spoiled brats. What a life.
Alyssa, however, was stirring. She was quietly slipping among the bunks depositing Christmas presents to their respectable recipients. Then, filled with more holiday cheer than she could have ever imagined, she tied sprigs of holly and evergreen to the ceiling beams. The scent was wonderful. Alyssa was reminded of home in Ireland when she had been a baby and her mother had decorated with sprigs from the surrounding forest. Taking one look at the old, unused fireplace and Alyssa had to clean it. Once clean, she loaded it up with wood and evergreen sprigs. Warmth filled the room after she lit it, releasing a sweet scent that mingled with the holly. Alyssa watched as her friends snuggled deeper into their bunks.
On the second floor, Alyssa began setting up the breakfast that had been Sarah's idea. Sarah knew that the boys usually depended on the nuns for their breakfast, so she wanted to do something special for all of them. Alyssa was not going to start cooking just yet; let the boys have a bit more sleep. She went back to her room and did the same.
Mush was the first one to wake. When he saw the state of the bunkroom, he could not contain his merriment. He let lose with a very loud rendition of "Deck the Halls."
Jack rolled over, about to protest, then he too saw what had happened. He smiled to himself. He was sure that Alyssa and Kloppman had done this. By now, everyone was awaking to Mush's rousing carols.
"Wha' happened in here?" a groggy Racetrack said. Turning, he saw a neatly wrapped package with his name gently scrawled on the paper. Looking around, Race saw that everyone had a similar package. For a moment, they all just stared at them. Then, in a flurry of paper, they tore into their presents.
"Hey, awesome!" Specs exclaimed. He was holding up a pair of knitted socks.
"Look at dis," Boots said. He was holding up a bag stuffed full of sweets.
Each one found a bag of sweets and something knitted. Inside his, Racetrack found the sweets, a thickly knitted wool scarf, and another package. This one had a note attached to it. It read, "Hope you enjoy these." Delicately, Race opened the paper to reveal a tin.
How he longed for a tin like this.
Opening the tin, Race found six perfect cigars. Lifting one out, he began to finger it fondly. Who would spend this kind of money on him? Still pondering, he dung in his pockets to find a light.
"Lookie what Racey got," Snipeshooter cooed from the next bed.
Race was too indulged in his new cigars to even try and find a comeback.
Kloppman then came up holding a package in one arm and supporting Mercy with the other. "Jack," he said, "This came for you. It's from Sarah. She said she'd be over later."
"Ain't yous gonna open it?" Skittery taunted.
Slightly embarrassed, Jack opened the package. Inside was a thick sweater, most likely knitted by Sarah.
"Awww, ain't dat sweet," Racetrack said.
"Aw, shut yer big mouth, mister 'I gotts some cigahs from somebody.'" Jack was even more embarrassed now; he was turning a very deep shade of red.
Before Race and Jack could spend anymore time having a nice long bickering contest, Alyssa walked in. That shut everyone up. She was wearing a green nightgown that hugged her body with a swirling skirt and thin straps. Alyssa just shook her head and walked over to where Mercy stood.
"Merry Christmas," Mercy said, handing Alyssa a neatly wrapped present.
"Wait, I's got somethin' fer ya too." Alyssa disappeared into her room and came out bearing a large squishy package. "Well, go on, open it," she urged.
Mercy pulled the paper off to reveal a shawl. "Alyssa, yous didn't. How could yous afford." Mercy was holding an exact copy of the shawl she had seen in the shop. Now, holding the coveted item, she was close to tears.
"Nah, I couldn't afford it. So, I's made a copy a it. I's hope yous like it."
Wide eyed and speechless, Mercy surged forward and hugged Alyssa fiercely. "I love it," she whispered. "Now open yers.
With shaking hands, Alyssa pulled off the paper covering her gift. Inside, she found a beautiful green flowing skirt. All over it, a black ivy pattern had been embroidered. The skirt reminded her of a gown her mother one wore. She ran her fingers over the embroidery, feeling each curve that it made.
It was funny how everything reminded Alyssa of her mother. She was probably the only person that Alyssa had ever felt close to. And then again, she had only known her mother for two years of her life.
"Oh, Mercy, it's."
"I knew dat yous was Irish; yer personality gives dat away. I also knew dat you'd probably feel comfortable in it more dan anythin' dat Sarah could give ya. Da two a yous got completely different personalities and styles. I made it me self." Mercy smiled at Alyssa. She felt as though things could not get any better.
Around them, the Newsies shifted uneasily. Each one of them was worried that their combined gift would not be enough.
"Alyssa," Jack finally said. "We's all got ya somethin'. It's not much."
From beneath a loose floorboard, Specs drew a small package. Handing it to her he said, "It's all dat we lowly Newsies could afford."
Taking the package in he hands, Alyssa remove the paper. Old newspaper wrappings revealed a gorgeous leather bound journal. The leather cover bore an intricate Celtic circle design with little dragons in each of the corners. The spine bore faeries sitting on a vine of ivy.
"We figgered dat since yous always singin' an' stuff, we'd buy yous a place ta put it." Racetrack said this in almost an embarrassed tone.
Alyssa almost did not know what to say. "Guys, its. perfect. Thank yous so much." She proceeded to go around and give each a kiss on the cheek.
Mercy gave Alyssa an impish glance. Alyssa nodded and Mercy spoke. "How did all yous like yer presents dis mornin'? Dey's from me an' Alyssa."
A gasp rose out of them all. The could not believe that these two girls, who they barely knew, had done so much for them.
"Den how do yous explain da cigahs dat Race got?" Snipeshooter demanded.
"Dere from me. Dey's a thank you gift fer allowin' me da use a his bunk." Alyssa got the feeling that they were a little jealous. That was not the case, however. They just wanted to know why. "C'mon, breakfast is waitin'."
"Breakfast?" Mush, Blink and Boots said at once. "We's get breakfast? Wid out da nuns?"
"Course," Mercy said. "Sarah planned it. We're just gonna get started 'afore she comes. Alyssa and I are goils, if yous remember. Or care ta look."
Were they looking. As much as Alyssa was like a sister, the Newsies could not but help notice how she glided around the Lodging House. They did not care if she had a heavily shadowed past. They were more than willing to help her work past it. Even if meant that terrible things would be brought out in the open again. A feeling of wanting to help Alyssa at all costs flowed strongly through these boys.
Down on the second floor, breakfast was prepared with a family like air. A little while in, Sarah, David and Les came by. Being Jewish, they did not celebrate Christmas, but they thought it polite to be with their friends on their holiday. Sarah was greeted by Jack with a nice long kiss. Alyssa kept everyone's attention away by wreaking havoc with Racetrack. Mercy smiled to herself as she watched Race chase Alyssa around the table.
'They're so perfect for each other,' she thought. Looking at Sarah, Mercy knew that she was grateful for the distraction. It was not often that she and Jack could have a moment alone. As much as Mayor and Ester Jacobs loved Jack, they were still wary because he was a Newsie and because Sarah was such a sweet and innocent girl. Mercy knew that Sarah's innocence sometimes annoyed Alyssa to no end, but the two girls got along.
A hearty breakfast was served to everyone there. Les, who had already eaten, was overjoyed at the sight of more food. Despite some of Alyssa's tomboyish ways, she still managed to make a wonderful meal without Sarah's wifely interference.
Between bites, Kloppman said, "I hope you have your best clothes clean."
"What?!?" Swifty exclaimed.
"Why?" demanded Pie Eater. "Wha's goin' on?"
"Medda and Denton are taking all of you out for Christmas dinner. You happen to be going to a rather high class restaurant and concert hall."
"When?" asked Racetrack. "'Cause if its anytime soon, I's gotta find a way ta wash me clothes."
Jack gave an ironic smile. "Racey honey, we's ALL gotta wash our clothes."
The inability for a bunch of guys to wash their own clothes was too funny. Alyssa, Sarah, and Mercy were doubled over with laughter. "We can wash 'em," they chorused.
"Dat's why we love dese goils," Race said. "Dey do anythin' fer us."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The three girls spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon washing the Manhattan Newsies dirty clothes. Not that it bothered them, it gave them the chance to bond. The boys stayed to the third floor because they knew that they would get roped into helping if they even walked past the door. Beneath them, they could hear Alyssa singing as she worked.
"This time of the year is spent in good cheer. And neighbours together do meet, To sit by the fire, with friendly desire, Each other in love to greet. Old grudges forgot are put in the pot, All sorrows aside they lay; The old and the young doth carol this song, To drive the cold winter away." (Loreena McKennitt - In Praise of Christmas)
"Could you teach us some songs?" Sarah quietly asked.
"Course. I'd love to. Its always better when more people know the song, anyway." While they washed, Alyssa taught them various songs; some holiday related, some not.
Racetrack sat in his bed polishing his shoes. While doing so, he was smoking one of the cigars Alyssa had given him. At seventeen, he had no idea no idea what true love felt like or was, but yet, he felt as though he loved Alyssa. Race had watched lovers and came to the conclusion that love was flamboyant and obvious, so that the whole world could know. But what he felt for Alyssa was gentler, more secret. Jack and Sarah had the flamboyant love; the kind that could be fleeting. That was not what Race wanted. He wanted something gentle and sweet that he could hold on to forever. The rational part of him said that he was being foolish, and that there was no possible way that she felt the same. It told him that she deserved better than some Newsie. Then there was the part of him that dreamed. Given the evidence, he thought that there might be chance. Something told him to be the bold and forward person that he is and do something about it. But, the rational side would jut in and give him a thousand reasons why he was being stupid.
Searching through his bunk side cubby, Racetrack found a small wooden box. It was intricately carved and made of mahogany. Inside was a swirling silver pendant on a black velvet ribbon. Looking at the necklace brought memories of his mother to his mind. He remembered being a small child and watching the sunlight hit the pendant as it hung from his mother's neck. This one memory brought forth many darker memories.
While Racetrack was lost in his thoughts, everyone else was enjoying their sweets. Between bunks, people were trading sweets to get a stash of their favorite. Nobody noticed the unusually reclusive gambler.
At around three o'clock, Alyssa, Mercy, and Sarah came upstairs bearing baskets of clean clothes. Race heard the girls and came out of his solitude and cried, "All hail dose who come bearin' clean clothes!"
Everyone in the bunk room stood and gave mock bows.
"Every garment that you boys wear has been cleaned, repaired and ironed." Sarah spoke while Mercy and Alyssa sorted the laundry. "Come and claim it!"
"Might I suggest dat all yous bathe 'afore we go," Alyssa said. "Yer foul stench will undermine all da cleanin' dat we did. Also, dis is a high class place wid lots a rich people. Dey ain't too fond a us."
"Point taken," Jack said. "Everybody bathes. Even you Blinkee."
"Aw, Jack. No way." Kid Blink protested.
"Bathe, or we's all gonna force yous in ta da tub," Race countered.
Blink conceded, and collected his clothes from Mercy.
Handing Race his clothes, Alyssa was saddened by the fact that they no longer held the comforting smell of a cigar. Seeing a cigar in his quirky mouth told Alyssa that the problem would be quickly remedied. She gave a little blush that she knew Race saw, and moved on.
"Alyssa," Sarah said. "I'm going to go home so I can get ready. Medda's coming at six, right?"
"Yeah, look nice. See ya den."
"I'm gonna go too." Mercy had come up beside her. "Ya know, prep time an' all."
Dutchy was beside himself. "You goils need TREE houahs ta get ready?" The thought of this had him in stitches on the floor.
Kloppman could not keep silent. "You honestly think that girls wake up pretty?"
"Hell no," Mercy, Sarah and Alyssa chorused.
After saying good bye to her friends, Alyssa locked herself in her room. The first thing she had to figure out was what she was going to wear. These boys had basically seen her at her most absolute tomboyish-ness. Hell, when she had been fixing the clothes Sarah had given her, Alyssa had worn a pair of Skittery's old pants and one of Blink's shirts. All she had to do is tuck her hair inside Jack's cowboy hat and she looked like one of the guys. Except for the whole large breasts issue.
Today she felt was the day that she would stun them. She was aware of the fact that they followed her with their eyes, but that was nothing. Alyssa did not even consider herself to be beautiful. She never understood what everyone was looking at. Slipping into a steaming hot tub, she softly sang to herself. Out of her window, she watched the snow fall. What a perfect Christmas. Not like the one's I've had in my past. My present was usually a loaf of bread and a beating. She got out and ran a brush through her long hair, letting it dry naturally so it would curl. Alyssa had decided to wear the green skirt Mercy had given her coupled with a bell- sleeved, square neck white top she had made.
Laying them out on the bed, she noticed that she had not opened Sarah's gift. A note on top read, 'This was given to me, but it's something I'd never wear. Mercy said you'd love it. Always, Sarah.' The package contained a black lace up bodice that medieval wenches used to wear. Alyssa was overjoyed; it went perfectly with her planned outfit. She lamented the fact that she had no jewelry, but that was a minor problem. Christmas was one of the few days that Alyssa could freely indulge herself in some truly "girly" ways.
She planned to milk it for all it was worth.
Alyssa dressed and allowed herself the guilty pleasure of having the bodice accentuate her breasts. Honestly, she was going to be spending the evening with a bunch of guys so, why not? She pulled a bit of her hair back and secured it with a intricate silver clip Kloppman had given her. Then, the applied just the faintest bit of makeup from the kit Medda had given her. To top the whole outfit off, she bucked the leather belt that held her mother's knife around her waist. Alyssa was rather proud of the way she looked; just like a regular middle class girl, kind of like Sarah, only in completely different outfit.
At ten minutes of six, Sarah and David showed up along with Mercy. The two girls went right to Alyssa's room to see how she looked.
They were speechless.
"Alyssa," Mercy began. "Yous look absolutely GORGEOUS! How come yous don' look like dis more often?"
Alyssa's voice had a hint of sadness when she spoke. "I learned long ago dat lookin' good had some serious drawbacks." Alyssa lightened though, when she saw the shawl wrapped around Mercy's shoulders, fastened by a brooch.
"I see that you're enjoying the bodice I gave you." Sarah smiled with delight.
"I would a got ya somethin'."
"Don't worry about it." Sarah shook her head at Alyssa. "You had your family of boys to think about."
Alyssa laughed at her and gathered up her coat. "We's might as well congregate in da sittin' room. Da boys'll be waitin'."
So, three lovely girls walked down stairs. Their entrance was greeted by stunned silence. They watched as the Newsies' eyes darted form one girl to another. Each one was taking in the vision that stood before them.
"Pinch me," Race said at last. "I's tink I's dreamin'."
Blink was more than willing to oblige, and gave Race a good hard pinch on the arm.
"Alright boys, settle down." Medda Larkson, queen of Irving Hall, decided to take control. "We have seven o'clock dinner reservations at a rather high class restaurant. Then, we move down the hall for the show."
"Aw, a show wid out Medda? What good is dat?"
"Mush, I'm flattered, really."
"Dis is wondaful," Specs commented. "We's bein' treated like we's da Kings a somethin'. I's can't believe it."
"Yeah. Now we's know wha' it's like bein' Spot!" Boots was rather proud of his analogy despite it's unrealisticness.
"Speaking of Spot Conlon, where is he?" David could not help but wonder.
"I hoid dat his wardrobe was less den adequate, so Denton had ya take 'im shoppin'." Leave it to Crutchy to know the latest gossip about anyone. For a cripple, he got around an awful lot, and knew where to get reliable information. Not that he used any of it; his heart was too kind for that.
Just after he had been mentioned, the King of Brooklyn stormed in, pissed off like there was no tomorrow.
"Don't you ever make me do that again, Brian Denton vehemently said to Kloppman. The gentle old man just smiled at Denton as though he had done nothing wrong.
One look at Spot told everyone not to make a single comment for fear of getting a wicked soaking. Medda ushered everyone outside to the waiting carriages. Unfortunately, it was two to a carriage, so things were said as each pair got in.
One hand in his pocket, Racetrack caught up with Alyssa and guided her to an empty carriage. Sarah had gone with Jack and Mercy was with Crutchy. Race was not about to let Spot take her. He climbed in and took her hand to help her in.
The ride to the restaurant was quite pleasant despite the biting cold. Race and Alyssa passed most of the time laughing and joking around. She even sang him a version of Greensleeves, as they passed a brave string quartet out in the cold. To Race, New York City had never looked so beautiful; or maybe it was the fact that he was sting next to an angel that made it so special. After a while, Race decided it was now or never.
"Alyssa," he quietly said. "Dere's somethin' dat I wanna give ta yous." From his coat pocket, he withdrew he little carven box. As he pressed it into Alyssa's hands, she stared at him with wonderment, amazement and questioning. "Go on, open it."
With trembling hands, Alyssa opened the box and stared at the necklace. "Race, I. where?" So many questions came flooding forth.
"It was me mudder's. I want yous ta have it. I've met many goils in me days, but none like yous." A he spoke, he turned a bright shade of red and his brown eyes grew wide.
Alyssa had no idea of what to say or do. How do you thank someone who has just given you part of their past, making it part of your future? Thousands of possibilities came to mind, but none seemed to be special enough. She glanced out the window to avoid Race's eyes. There was only one way. She leaned forward and put her lips to his. Racetrack received the sweetest kiss of his life. For a moment he froze, unsure of what to do. Then, all the emotion that he had kept pent up rose up and caused him to return the gesture.
After they had pulled away, Race took the necklace and tied it around Alyssa's fine white neck. A cold wind blew causing her to snuggle against Race. Both were unwilling to admit that what had just happened and what was happening, felt to right.
Alyssa's lifelong fear of men had caused her to pull away. When ever she had gotten close to one, something horrible would always happen. It had even happened with her brothers. She was not even going to mention the fact that she was being hunted. Do not bother them with her problems. But, another part of her argued, you can trust him. He's not like all of the other men you've known. Take this moment and make it last, it may be the thing that saves you.
Race had pulled away because he was shocked. A part of him wanted to deny the whole thing, but there was something that stopped him. The feeling of gentleness and perfect-ness; that was it.
Alyssa and Racetrack knew the best was to figure out was going to happen was just to wait and see. Both agreed that they would enjoy the night, and not make a big deal out of things. They departed the carriage laughing about some stupid sign that they had seen. Mercy climbed out with a smile across her face. Obviously, she and Crutchy had been doing a lot of talking. Once she got out thought, she walked over to where Specs was standing, and he continued walking with her. Sarah, well, lets just say that she had a good ride. Nothing dirty, just good.
It was going to be a good night.