Author's Note: The song that Alyssa sings in this chapter is actually a
poem that I wrote. It seems to fit.
Much love to all of you who have reviewed. Many happy nights with your favorite Newsie!!!
And now. on with the story!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 8: Ordinary Day
Kloppman heard the girls before he actually saw them. They were making their way through the snow covered streets, singing. Alyssa's clear soprano soared as Leila's rich alto lent a beautiful harmony.
Alyssa came in and kissed Kloppman on the cheek. "Where are dey?"
"Bunkroom. Sarah, David, Les and Mercy are here too."
Alyssa nodded and continued up the stairs. Leila followed behind, just a little wary. She was unsure of how they would react to her, considering who she was and what had happened. Alyssa told her not to worry, then proceeded to say something really stupid. The two were in fits of laughter as they continued walking up the stairs.
Racetrack sat bolt up in his bunk. He knew that laughter. It had been three weeks since he had heard it, but he knew the sound well.
Everyone else recognized it as well and looked around nervously at each other. They were all ready to retreat to the fire escape if necessary.
Alyssa and Leila stopped in Alyssa's room to rid themselves of their coats. As they walked into the bunkroom, Leila gestured to the leather bound journal asking, "Wha' were ya writin' in Tibby's? If ya don' mind me askin'."
Alyssa opened it and sighed. Then after gathering what courage she could, she began to sing.
"Here I stand before you All broken and bloody Something has happened That I can't really explain."
She walked forward a few steps before continuing.
"Everything that I was Has been taken from me I can't remember why It happened this way."
The Newsies were quiet, listening to Alyssa. Right now, they were hearing something that Alyssa had written to explain a few things. Sarah stared dumbly, not knowing how to take it.
"Is there any way That you can help me? Protect me somehow I don't care how
I keep standing here Waiting for you I guess you aren't doing anything So now I walk away Without a cure for my wounds - My endless pain."
Alyssa's voice grew stronger as she sang. She then turned to Sarah as she sang the next verse.
"I asked for your help
But I guess that You were afraid of someone Who had been broken."
Sarah turned away because she knew, deep in her heart, that Alyssa was right. Alyssa now sunk against the back wall and finished up.
"Now, for all time My wounds will never heal And I stay Broken."
Alyssa let the journal fall to the floor beside her as she looked around the room. Jack had taken a sobbing Sarah into his arms, while David and Les just watched the effect that the song had on their sister. Mercy sat on Specs' bunk, a knowing smile on her face. Leila shared a similar expression as Mercy, but her gaze was transfixed on David.
"I dunno where ta begin," Alyssa admitted.
"I should be the one to apologize," Sarah said. She had taken her tear stained face out of Jack's shirt to face Alyssa. "Had I known that it was part of the past that you would like to keep hidden; for obvious reasons; I never would have said anything. Sometimes I forget that I am friends with people who have hidden pasts." Sarah cast a glance at Leila. "It's going to take me a while to warm to you; I'm sorry.'
"It's alright." Leila knew that it would be so. "You've never had people like me near you before." Like Alyssa, she could speak without the accent. "You weren't born in the gutter like the rest of us. The cruelty of life has been hidden from you. It's not your fault; you just didn't know."
Now, Alyssa finally could speak again. "Guys, I'm sorry dat I's been avoidin' ya fer so long. Its just dat I had ta figure t'ings out on me own. A past like mine just don' go away."
Then, before she could say anymore, she found herself in a many armed hug from all the Newsies. They were all overjoyed to have their sister back. The night continued with poker, songs sung by Alyssa, Mercy and Leila - trio style, and the usual joking that occurred when the boys were their normal selves.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The days that followed were just like things had been before the whole fiasco.
One morning, Race refused to get out of bed. Skittery got Alyssa, so she could try and get him out. Waking Race often led to a good soaking.
Alyssa sat on the edge of Race's bunk and began her loving torture. "Racetrack." she cooed. "Race, someone's been in yer cigahs."
That did the trick. He sat bolt up and grabbed his tin. They were all there, but then the wicked grin on Alyssa's face told him what had happened. Everyone watched as race lunged for Alyssa. She slipped out of his grasp and ran. He bolted after her, chasing her around the bunkroom. Cheers and whistles were issued while they cheered on their sister.
"C'mon, he ain't dat hard ta outrun!" Mush cried from his bunk.
Dashing behind Blink, Alyssa said, "Save me, Blink."
Blink needed no other offer. He stepped forward and threw a punch. It landed with a thud on Race's shoulder. Kloppman came up to find Race still chasing Alyssa. He smiled to himself, glad that things were back to normal. Alyssa stepped a little too far, and tripped on the hem of her nightgown. She landed flat on her face, and Race caught her, and began to tickle her mercilessly. They wrestled on the floor until they were out of breath and sprawled out, exhausted. Specs muttered something under his breath and Mush gave him a good sound whack over the head.
"Alright," Kloppman said at last. "Stop screwin' around. Race, pull yerself together, and go sell." Kloppman looked at Alyssa for a moment and then just shook his head. "They used to be so good before you came."
"Wha' can we say?" Blink said. "We's completely devoted ta her. Must I remind ya dat she's like da sistah dat none a us had?"
Alyssa gave Blink a playful shove. "Stop dat. Yer makin' me blush. Now, if ya don' mind, I's gotta get ready fer work."
"Come selling wid us," Swifty begged.
"Yeah, Les just ain't cuttin' it no more." Mush said this, totally expecting to get at least a punch from Jack.
Instead of beating up Mush, Jack decided to play along. "Hum.' Jack ran his fingers thoughtfully through his hair. "Mush is right. Dere getting' used ta seein' Les around. We doity ya up an' put ya wid Blink er somebody, yous could push a numbah a papes."
"By doin' wha'?" Alyssa walked forward to stand beside Blink. "You want me ta pull da old 'poor young married couple wid a baby at home' story?" She proceeded to give a rather good performance of the scenario.
The Newsies watched, amazed at Alyssa's acting ability. They could lie and act, but she just took the cake. Not that there was any to take, but you get the picture.
When she had finished, Alyssa simply explained, "Nope, I won' do it. I'll hawk food to old men who give me big tips 'cause I remind dem of dere granddaughters. Besides, it may give Blink ideas."
She walked away while Mush gave Blink a brotherly slap on the cheek. After a good laugh at Blink's expense, they all headed out to try and sell papes in the lousy winter weather.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Mercy looked out of her window and sighed at the weather. It was the worst winter that New York City had seen in a long time. Everyday, she watched as the Newsies braved the cold to sell a few papes.
Seeing Alyssa walk out reminded Mercy that she was meeting Leila at the statue in the square. She grabbed only one crutch, determined to walk without the two. Mercy was glad to know that Alyssa was back to her normal self and that the Newsies still loved her.
As she walked, she passed Mush and Blink hawking headlines and trying not to freeze to death.
"Mercy," Mush called. "Wha' ya doin' out? Yer gonna freeze!" His teeth were chattering as he spoke, but gave no sign as to hating the weather. Mercy could have sworn that Mush lived only for the winter.
"Here," she flipped him a dime. "I'll take a pape, an' yous can keep da change."
"Yer too kind," Blink managed to say before giving a tremendous sneeze. He slumped against a wall loathing the winter.
"Bring 'im ta Tibby's as soon as ya can. Alyssa'll take care a him." Mercy took a long look at Blink. She saw the tough guy that he was turned to a terribly sick child. It would have been funny, if the circumstances were different.
Mercy kept walking and saw Race looking after Alyssa as she walked to Tibby's.
"Someday," he vowed. "Someday, I'll tell her." Everyday he watched her go to Tibby's always meaning to follow her. Every morning, he watched as Alyssa lovingly tied the necklace around her milk white neck.
Mercy knew all of this. While Alyssa had been in her three weeks of solitude, Race had taken Mercy aside and spilled everything. He had told her almost everything that she had already figured out on her own. Always watching life, mercy had become very good at reading people. Reading Alyssa was difficult though, because she kept so many things hidden away.
Walking by him, Mercy said, "Hey Race. Yous gonna go talk ta her?"
"Nah, dunno wha' I'd say. Maybe at lunch taday.' Race readjusted the scarf that Alyssa had knitted him for Christmas. "Well, time ta go sell me papes." He walked off toward the tracks, while still keeping his eyes on the street Alyssa had walked down.
'He's hopeless' Mercy thought. She reached the square and saw Leila pacing in front of the statue. Hearing a footstep crunch in the snow, Leila whirled around to face mercy.
"I thought dat ya weren't gonna show."
"I ran in ta a few Newsies. Ya can't just leave dem dere. They pull the really sad puppy faces and yer heart breaks. Besides, I always show up. Not like I gots anywhere else ta be."
Leila surveyed Mercy, and nodded in agreement. She was not one for trusting people who hung around Newsies; they had a tendency to improve the truth a little. She pulled the ragged coat the she wore closer, trying to ward of the cold. Mercy was aware of this while not letting on that she did.
"Alyssa an' I promised dat we'd help ya get back on yer feet. We're gonna do all dat we can ta get ya outta da House."
Leila knew exactly what Mercy meant by the House. It was girls' street slang for the Whore House, more commonly called the Girls Lodging House. Home sweet home of the prostitutes of New York City. It was not a very nice place. Leila was living there only because she had nowhere else to go. Alyssa had been lucky that the Newsies found her and that Kloppman let her live with them. Had she been found by someone else, they would have sent her right to the House, no questions asked.
Mercy took Leila out to the shops to buy the yards of cloth necessary to make the new clothes. It was cheaper to make them than to buy them pre- made. When Leila asked where Mercy got the money, she simply replied that she was a seamstress and that brought in some money. She also said that Alyssa had contributed a portion as well. Slowly, Leila came to realize that Mercy and Alyssa were really willing to do whatever it took to get her back on her feet again. No one had ever done that for her before.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Two o'clock that afternoon found everyone assembled inside Tibby's for lunch. Alyssa sat the ill Blink by the fire and set a steaming bowl of soup before him. Getting everyone to calm down so that she could take their orders was next to impossible.
Once the food was set before them, everyone shut up and began stuffing their faces.
Mercy beckoned for Alyssa. "Wha' are we's gonna do 'bout Leila?"
"We's gotta her 'er outta da House, dat's fer sure.' The two sat and plotted for a good twenty minutes.
Watching the two girls plotting greatly worried the Newsies. Every once and a while the girls would give furtive glances around the room, looking at certain Newsies.
"Wha' are dey doin'?" Bumlets muttered.
"We're outta da loop fer somethin' dat's fer sure." Specs leaned back in his chair and caught a glance at Racetrack who leaned against a beam, thumbs hooked around his suspenders.
"Race, yer tinkin'. Dat ain't a good sign." Jack stood and began to walk over to Race. He was stopped when Alyssa commanded,
"Jack Kelley, sit down. Now."
"Leila, come here. Dis is 'bout ya.' Mercy's voice was gentle in contrast to Alyssa's. Alyssa was sharp only because they did not have a lot of time.
"Wha' da hell is goin' on?" Skittery demanded.
Alyssa ignored Skittery as she turned to face Leila. "We's gonna get ya outta da House. I'll come wid one a da boys an' we'll get ya safely ta anudder bunch a guys who'll be waitin' fer ya." She turned to the Newsies. "Dis is where yous come in. One a yous'll hafta go in wid me while a group a five er so waits."
"One question," Jack said. Where da hell are we gettin' Leila outta?"
"Da House," Mercy said. She proceeded to explain what it was. Wide eyed, the Newsies turned back to Alyssa. Obviously, Mercy had also said that was where Alyssa would have ended up if they had not found her.
"I refuse ta see one a my friends suffer inna place like dat." Alyssa slammed her fist down on the table, just to make her point clear.
The rest of the plan was discussed and laid out. It was decided that Jack, Blink, Specs, Skittery, and Mush would be the five who waited for Leila. They need five strong guys because Leila pointed out that the House was heavily guarded to keep girls from running away. It was almost like the Refuge. It was also decided that Race would be the one to go in with Alyssa.
Alyssa began clearing up while Denton paid for lunch. He had sat quietly through the whole thing, knowing that it was not his place to get involved.
Mercy nudged Race to follow Alyssa, knowing that he would never get the courage up again. They met in the hall, both looking at the other while an awkward silence fell.
"We's gotta talk," they said at the same time. Both blushed and gave a halfhearted laugh.
"Alyssa, dere's somethin' dat I's gotta tell ya." Race's hands shook so he nervously wrung his hat between them. "I just wanna sat dat. I love ya. I've loved ya since da very foist day ya came, an' ya were lyin' in me bunk all beat up and near death." He stopped, and began to bang his head against the wall, realizing how stupid he must sound. 'Dat was graceful,' he thought to himself.
"Race, stop dat." Alyssa put her hands on his shoulders and took him away from the wall. "Race, would ya listen ta me?"
Turning, he saw that Alyssa's eyes were wet with tears that she did not want to cry. "Wha' sumatta?" was all he could say.
She just looked at him for a second, then blurted, "I love ya too. I's loved ya since da day we met. Dat's da real reason why I bought ya da cigahs at Christmas." She was trembling, so Race simply drew her into his arms. Once there, she was able to continue, "Every time I love somebody, it always ends horribly. I din' want dat ta happen again, so I was scared. It all started when my mum died."
Alyssa began to tell Race about how when she as little in Ireland, she was free and happy. But then everything went horribly wrong because one day when Alyssa was two, she watched her mother be murdered right in front of her. Ever since, she had been afraid to love anyone, for fear of that happening again. Race held her, assuring her that everything was going to be alright.
Mr. Davis had seen them and sent Murphy, who was not doing anything, to go finish cleaning up. He went back to find Alyssa and Race still wrapped in each others arms, kissing. Davis gave a smile, knowing that this would be good for Alyssa.
"We's gotta keep dis quiet fer a while," Race finally said. Dere'd be quite an uproar if we tol' dem now. Besides, we got woik ta do tanite, and dey'd make a big deal outta it if dey knew." He kissed her quick before walking out with Davis, talking about the tracks. Alyssa came out, arms and hands wet, making it seem like she had been washing dishes.
A little while later, the Newsies went out, knowing what was going to happen that night. Leila left saying that the house was going to start thinking that she had run off, if she did not get back soon. Race left behind everyone else to give Alyssa one last kiss before he left. He walked out and caught up with everyone and began making his usual wise-ass comments.
Tonight would be a night to remember.
Much love to all of you who have reviewed. Many happy nights with your favorite Newsie!!!
And now. on with the story!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 8: Ordinary Day
Kloppman heard the girls before he actually saw them. They were making their way through the snow covered streets, singing. Alyssa's clear soprano soared as Leila's rich alto lent a beautiful harmony.
Alyssa came in and kissed Kloppman on the cheek. "Where are dey?"
"Bunkroom. Sarah, David, Les and Mercy are here too."
Alyssa nodded and continued up the stairs. Leila followed behind, just a little wary. She was unsure of how they would react to her, considering who she was and what had happened. Alyssa told her not to worry, then proceeded to say something really stupid. The two were in fits of laughter as they continued walking up the stairs.
Racetrack sat bolt up in his bunk. He knew that laughter. It had been three weeks since he had heard it, but he knew the sound well.
Everyone else recognized it as well and looked around nervously at each other. They were all ready to retreat to the fire escape if necessary.
Alyssa and Leila stopped in Alyssa's room to rid themselves of their coats. As they walked into the bunkroom, Leila gestured to the leather bound journal asking, "Wha' were ya writin' in Tibby's? If ya don' mind me askin'."
Alyssa opened it and sighed. Then after gathering what courage she could, she began to sing.
"Here I stand before you All broken and bloody Something has happened That I can't really explain."
She walked forward a few steps before continuing.
"Everything that I was Has been taken from me I can't remember why It happened this way."
The Newsies were quiet, listening to Alyssa. Right now, they were hearing something that Alyssa had written to explain a few things. Sarah stared dumbly, not knowing how to take it.
"Is there any way That you can help me? Protect me somehow I don't care how
I keep standing here Waiting for you I guess you aren't doing anything So now I walk away Without a cure for my wounds - My endless pain."
Alyssa's voice grew stronger as she sang. She then turned to Sarah as she sang the next verse.
"I asked for your help
But I guess that You were afraid of someone Who had been broken."
Sarah turned away because she knew, deep in her heart, that Alyssa was right. Alyssa now sunk against the back wall and finished up.
"Now, for all time My wounds will never heal And I stay Broken."
Alyssa let the journal fall to the floor beside her as she looked around the room. Jack had taken a sobbing Sarah into his arms, while David and Les just watched the effect that the song had on their sister. Mercy sat on Specs' bunk, a knowing smile on her face. Leila shared a similar expression as Mercy, but her gaze was transfixed on David.
"I dunno where ta begin," Alyssa admitted.
"I should be the one to apologize," Sarah said. She had taken her tear stained face out of Jack's shirt to face Alyssa. "Had I known that it was part of the past that you would like to keep hidden; for obvious reasons; I never would have said anything. Sometimes I forget that I am friends with people who have hidden pasts." Sarah cast a glance at Leila. "It's going to take me a while to warm to you; I'm sorry.'
"It's alright." Leila knew that it would be so. "You've never had people like me near you before." Like Alyssa, she could speak without the accent. "You weren't born in the gutter like the rest of us. The cruelty of life has been hidden from you. It's not your fault; you just didn't know."
Now, Alyssa finally could speak again. "Guys, I'm sorry dat I's been avoidin' ya fer so long. Its just dat I had ta figure t'ings out on me own. A past like mine just don' go away."
Then, before she could say anymore, she found herself in a many armed hug from all the Newsies. They were all overjoyed to have their sister back. The night continued with poker, songs sung by Alyssa, Mercy and Leila - trio style, and the usual joking that occurred when the boys were their normal selves.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The days that followed were just like things had been before the whole fiasco.
One morning, Race refused to get out of bed. Skittery got Alyssa, so she could try and get him out. Waking Race often led to a good soaking.
Alyssa sat on the edge of Race's bunk and began her loving torture. "Racetrack." she cooed. "Race, someone's been in yer cigahs."
That did the trick. He sat bolt up and grabbed his tin. They were all there, but then the wicked grin on Alyssa's face told him what had happened. Everyone watched as race lunged for Alyssa. She slipped out of his grasp and ran. He bolted after her, chasing her around the bunkroom. Cheers and whistles were issued while they cheered on their sister.
"C'mon, he ain't dat hard ta outrun!" Mush cried from his bunk.
Dashing behind Blink, Alyssa said, "Save me, Blink."
Blink needed no other offer. He stepped forward and threw a punch. It landed with a thud on Race's shoulder. Kloppman came up to find Race still chasing Alyssa. He smiled to himself, glad that things were back to normal. Alyssa stepped a little too far, and tripped on the hem of her nightgown. She landed flat on her face, and Race caught her, and began to tickle her mercilessly. They wrestled on the floor until they were out of breath and sprawled out, exhausted. Specs muttered something under his breath and Mush gave him a good sound whack over the head.
"Alright," Kloppman said at last. "Stop screwin' around. Race, pull yerself together, and go sell." Kloppman looked at Alyssa for a moment and then just shook his head. "They used to be so good before you came."
"Wha' can we say?" Blink said. "We's completely devoted ta her. Must I remind ya dat she's like da sistah dat none a us had?"
Alyssa gave Blink a playful shove. "Stop dat. Yer makin' me blush. Now, if ya don' mind, I's gotta get ready fer work."
"Come selling wid us," Swifty begged.
"Yeah, Les just ain't cuttin' it no more." Mush said this, totally expecting to get at least a punch from Jack.
Instead of beating up Mush, Jack decided to play along. "Hum.' Jack ran his fingers thoughtfully through his hair. "Mush is right. Dere getting' used ta seein' Les around. We doity ya up an' put ya wid Blink er somebody, yous could push a numbah a papes."
"By doin' wha'?" Alyssa walked forward to stand beside Blink. "You want me ta pull da old 'poor young married couple wid a baby at home' story?" She proceeded to give a rather good performance of the scenario.
The Newsies watched, amazed at Alyssa's acting ability. They could lie and act, but she just took the cake. Not that there was any to take, but you get the picture.
When she had finished, Alyssa simply explained, "Nope, I won' do it. I'll hawk food to old men who give me big tips 'cause I remind dem of dere granddaughters. Besides, it may give Blink ideas."
She walked away while Mush gave Blink a brotherly slap on the cheek. After a good laugh at Blink's expense, they all headed out to try and sell papes in the lousy winter weather.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Mercy looked out of her window and sighed at the weather. It was the worst winter that New York City had seen in a long time. Everyday, she watched as the Newsies braved the cold to sell a few papes.
Seeing Alyssa walk out reminded Mercy that she was meeting Leila at the statue in the square. She grabbed only one crutch, determined to walk without the two. Mercy was glad to know that Alyssa was back to her normal self and that the Newsies still loved her.
As she walked, she passed Mush and Blink hawking headlines and trying not to freeze to death.
"Mercy," Mush called. "Wha' ya doin' out? Yer gonna freeze!" His teeth were chattering as he spoke, but gave no sign as to hating the weather. Mercy could have sworn that Mush lived only for the winter.
"Here," she flipped him a dime. "I'll take a pape, an' yous can keep da change."
"Yer too kind," Blink managed to say before giving a tremendous sneeze. He slumped against a wall loathing the winter.
"Bring 'im ta Tibby's as soon as ya can. Alyssa'll take care a him." Mercy took a long look at Blink. She saw the tough guy that he was turned to a terribly sick child. It would have been funny, if the circumstances were different.
Mercy kept walking and saw Race looking after Alyssa as she walked to Tibby's.
"Someday," he vowed. "Someday, I'll tell her." Everyday he watched her go to Tibby's always meaning to follow her. Every morning, he watched as Alyssa lovingly tied the necklace around her milk white neck.
Mercy knew all of this. While Alyssa had been in her three weeks of solitude, Race had taken Mercy aside and spilled everything. He had told her almost everything that she had already figured out on her own. Always watching life, mercy had become very good at reading people. Reading Alyssa was difficult though, because she kept so many things hidden away.
Walking by him, Mercy said, "Hey Race. Yous gonna go talk ta her?"
"Nah, dunno wha' I'd say. Maybe at lunch taday.' Race readjusted the scarf that Alyssa had knitted him for Christmas. "Well, time ta go sell me papes." He walked off toward the tracks, while still keeping his eyes on the street Alyssa had walked down.
'He's hopeless' Mercy thought. She reached the square and saw Leila pacing in front of the statue. Hearing a footstep crunch in the snow, Leila whirled around to face mercy.
"I thought dat ya weren't gonna show."
"I ran in ta a few Newsies. Ya can't just leave dem dere. They pull the really sad puppy faces and yer heart breaks. Besides, I always show up. Not like I gots anywhere else ta be."
Leila surveyed Mercy, and nodded in agreement. She was not one for trusting people who hung around Newsies; they had a tendency to improve the truth a little. She pulled the ragged coat the she wore closer, trying to ward of the cold. Mercy was aware of this while not letting on that she did.
"Alyssa an' I promised dat we'd help ya get back on yer feet. We're gonna do all dat we can ta get ya outta da House."
Leila knew exactly what Mercy meant by the House. It was girls' street slang for the Whore House, more commonly called the Girls Lodging House. Home sweet home of the prostitutes of New York City. It was not a very nice place. Leila was living there only because she had nowhere else to go. Alyssa had been lucky that the Newsies found her and that Kloppman let her live with them. Had she been found by someone else, they would have sent her right to the House, no questions asked.
Mercy took Leila out to the shops to buy the yards of cloth necessary to make the new clothes. It was cheaper to make them than to buy them pre- made. When Leila asked where Mercy got the money, she simply replied that she was a seamstress and that brought in some money. She also said that Alyssa had contributed a portion as well. Slowly, Leila came to realize that Mercy and Alyssa were really willing to do whatever it took to get her back on her feet again. No one had ever done that for her before.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Two o'clock that afternoon found everyone assembled inside Tibby's for lunch. Alyssa sat the ill Blink by the fire and set a steaming bowl of soup before him. Getting everyone to calm down so that she could take their orders was next to impossible.
Once the food was set before them, everyone shut up and began stuffing their faces.
Mercy beckoned for Alyssa. "Wha' are we's gonna do 'bout Leila?"
"We's gotta her 'er outta da House, dat's fer sure.' The two sat and plotted for a good twenty minutes.
Watching the two girls plotting greatly worried the Newsies. Every once and a while the girls would give furtive glances around the room, looking at certain Newsies.
"Wha' are dey doin'?" Bumlets muttered.
"We're outta da loop fer somethin' dat's fer sure." Specs leaned back in his chair and caught a glance at Racetrack who leaned against a beam, thumbs hooked around his suspenders.
"Race, yer tinkin'. Dat ain't a good sign." Jack stood and began to walk over to Race. He was stopped when Alyssa commanded,
"Jack Kelley, sit down. Now."
"Leila, come here. Dis is 'bout ya.' Mercy's voice was gentle in contrast to Alyssa's. Alyssa was sharp only because they did not have a lot of time.
"Wha' da hell is goin' on?" Skittery demanded.
Alyssa ignored Skittery as she turned to face Leila. "We's gonna get ya outta da House. I'll come wid one a da boys an' we'll get ya safely ta anudder bunch a guys who'll be waitin' fer ya." She turned to the Newsies. "Dis is where yous come in. One a yous'll hafta go in wid me while a group a five er so waits."
"One question," Jack said. Where da hell are we gettin' Leila outta?"
"Da House," Mercy said. She proceeded to explain what it was. Wide eyed, the Newsies turned back to Alyssa. Obviously, Mercy had also said that was where Alyssa would have ended up if they had not found her.
"I refuse ta see one a my friends suffer inna place like dat." Alyssa slammed her fist down on the table, just to make her point clear.
The rest of the plan was discussed and laid out. It was decided that Jack, Blink, Specs, Skittery, and Mush would be the five who waited for Leila. They need five strong guys because Leila pointed out that the House was heavily guarded to keep girls from running away. It was almost like the Refuge. It was also decided that Race would be the one to go in with Alyssa.
Alyssa began clearing up while Denton paid for lunch. He had sat quietly through the whole thing, knowing that it was not his place to get involved.
Mercy nudged Race to follow Alyssa, knowing that he would never get the courage up again. They met in the hall, both looking at the other while an awkward silence fell.
"We's gotta talk," they said at the same time. Both blushed and gave a halfhearted laugh.
"Alyssa, dere's somethin' dat I's gotta tell ya." Race's hands shook so he nervously wrung his hat between them. "I just wanna sat dat. I love ya. I've loved ya since da very foist day ya came, an' ya were lyin' in me bunk all beat up and near death." He stopped, and began to bang his head against the wall, realizing how stupid he must sound. 'Dat was graceful,' he thought to himself.
"Race, stop dat." Alyssa put her hands on his shoulders and took him away from the wall. "Race, would ya listen ta me?"
Turning, he saw that Alyssa's eyes were wet with tears that she did not want to cry. "Wha' sumatta?" was all he could say.
She just looked at him for a second, then blurted, "I love ya too. I's loved ya since da day we met. Dat's da real reason why I bought ya da cigahs at Christmas." She was trembling, so Race simply drew her into his arms. Once there, she was able to continue, "Every time I love somebody, it always ends horribly. I din' want dat ta happen again, so I was scared. It all started when my mum died."
Alyssa began to tell Race about how when she as little in Ireland, she was free and happy. But then everything went horribly wrong because one day when Alyssa was two, she watched her mother be murdered right in front of her. Ever since, she had been afraid to love anyone, for fear of that happening again. Race held her, assuring her that everything was going to be alright.
Mr. Davis had seen them and sent Murphy, who was not doing anything, to go finish cleaning up. He went back to find Alyssa and Race still wrapped in each others arms, kissing. Davis gave a smile, knowing that this would be good for Alyssa.
"We's gotta keep dis quiet fer a while," Race finally said. Dere'd be quite an uproar if we tol' dem now. Besides, we got woik ta do tanite, and dey'd make a big deal outta it if dey knew." He kissed her quick before walking out with Davis, talking about the tracks. Alyssa came out, arms and hands wet, making it seem like she had been washing dishes.
A little while later, the Newsies went out, knowing what was going to happen that night. Leila left saying that the house was going to start thinking that she had run off, if she did not get back soon. Race left behind everyone else to give Alyssa one last kiss before he left. He walked out and caught up with everyone and began making his usual wise-ass comments.
Tonight would be a night to remember.