Chapter 14: Coming Home
A/N: Wow, 2 chaps in one day... this is really freaky. Oh, don't expect another chapter for a while. It's being written and I have a lot of stuff to do. But, hopefully, I'll get it done in a reasonable amount of time. Please review! Lots of love and chocolate covered Newsies!
She was free.
That simple phrase brought so much joy to her aching heart. Standing on the prow, she could clearly see the Lodging House before her, despite the fact she was in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. On the wind she could hear the sound of Medda's shows and the light hearted conversation of her Newsies.
Her Manhattan Newsies. That rag-tag group of boys who had done so much for her. Racetrack was one of them...
"Alyssa."
Dom's voice brought her out of her thoughts.
"How are you feeling?" His warm brotherly expression made Alyssa smile because she could clearly see Blink and Jack behind that smile. But also, her brother was there as well. Her own flesh and blood who had not deserted her.
"Quite well, actually. Now that I know that they can't come and get me again..."
"Wait," Dom interjected. "How do you know that they're truly dead?"
Alyssa eyed her brother before turning back to look at the ocean waves. Gracefully slipping into her Newsie accent she said, "Let's just say dat it's a feelin' I's got. Just a liddle somethin' dat I's picked up in New Yawk."
"You will never cease to amaze me." Dom looked over his shoulder as footsteps approached. "Cathleen, come here."
When she joined them, she stood and linked arms with Dom. "So you are the wayward little sister." Her bright blue eyes sparkled as she tossed her amber curls over she shoulder.
Alyssa actually laughed. Without thinking she said in her Newsie accent, "Yeah, I's da one who gets in trouble."
"How? You don't seem like the type..."
"Nah, ya got me all wrong. I's da one who ran away from home; all most died; got kidnapped; an' ta top it all off, I's livin' wid a bunch a Newsies..."
Here, Dom interrupted her. "You are living with Newsies!" he shrieked incredulously. "Do you know what could be said about such a thing?! Think of the scandal!"
Annoyed, Alyssa stopped her brother before he could go off on a major rant. "Now you listen to me, Dominic Cambell. I lived with them for almost a year before this fiasco occurred. They were the ones who got me on my feet again after the Boston incident. They became my family; the type of family you three should have been to me." Alyssa carefully watched Dom's face, trying to calculate what is questions would be before he could ask them. "In wasn't without female company either. Mercy, Leila and Sarah basically became my sisters."
"Sounds like the family you should have had," Cathleen quietly said from beside Dom.
Alyssa gave her an appreciative smile. "They're a great bunch of guys. You'd say the same if you knew them. And Kloppman, he's the absolute best. He's the owner of the Lodging house where we live and he's the one who let me live there. He was like a grandfather to me... considering that I never knew mine. He's been sick for an awful long time, and I have no idea how he's doing and if he's even still alive. I've just gotta get home..."
As Alyssa's voice dropped off, Cathleen put an arm around Alyssa's shoulders. "Come; let's have a sisterly talk alone..."
The two wandered off, leaving Dom alone on the deck. He had never known that Alyssa held so much loyalty o those poor Newsies. It was unthinkable to him that his little sister could be happy like that. What his sister saw in a poor, ragged group of Newsboys who could offer her nothing, he would never know. Only much later would he learn the truth.
Alone in a quiet corner with the sea air drifting around them, Alyssa and Cathleen talked. They got to know each other like sisters and many confessions were passed across the deck.
"I feel that there is another, more hidden reason why you want to go home so desperately. It is well that you care for this...Kloppman, and that you miss the family, but there's else they you are reluctant to say. Am I right?"
Alyssa sighed, admitting defeat and discovery. "Cathleen, you're quite observant. More so than I thought." She paused, finding it difficult to speak of something that had been kept secret for so long. She stood, beckoning Cathleen to follow her. "I think I know a way to make this easier for myself."
Cathleen followed her future sister-in-law to her cabin. Once they were inside, she was puzzled as to why Alyssa took out the tattered clothes she had been wearing when she was rescued.
Clutching Racetrack's clothes to her, Alyssa sat on the edge of her bed. Then, she explained everything to Cathleen in the New York Newsie accent that was both so familiar and comforting to her.
"Dese clothes belong ta a Newsie dat I love very much. His name is Racetrack. Throughout everythin' dat I's been through, he's been dere. Race ain't rich, by any means, but he's got all dat I need. He loves me no mattah what, an' if ya asked 'im ta, he'd die fer me. We's could be dirt poor, but as long as we's got eachudder, we's happy, safe an' secure." While she spoke, Alyssa's voice began to crack, issuing sobs as tears slipped down her cheeks. Before continuing, she buried her face in Race's shirt to compose herself. "Leavin' him behind was da hardest part a dis whole t'ing. He's probably ripshit by now, not knowin' where da hell I am..."
With motherly tenderness, Cathleen wrapped her arms around Alyssa. "It'll be alright," she whispered. "You'll be able to go home to him very soon. I promise."
Then, in a bout of extreme childishness, Alyssa sobbed, "Damn it! I want my Racetrack!" After finally speaking her mind, Alyssa turned around and buried her face half in Race's shirt and half in Cathleen's shoulder. Though she had sworn off crying while living with the Newsies, she broke that resolve, finding release in the simple action.
For half an hour, the two young women sat, understanding the pain of love. Each grew considerably wiser and older in that short amount of time. When Dom found them, he simply muttered to himself and left them alone.
The rest of the voyage went smoothly. Everyone became comfortable with each other, allowing a family like atmosphere to develop. It helped Alyssa recover from her troubles, but she would and could not fully heal until she got home to New York and her Newsies.
When winter came, they had landed in Charleston, South Carolina.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Aww, fuck dis."
"Would ya shut yer face?"
"Enough; da two a yous!" Mercy glared at Racetrack and Jack. "Yous actin' like spoiled rich brats, an' I's ain't about ta tolerate dat."
The winter weather was being brutal. It was almost like Mother Nature knew the bad time they were all having and decided to make it worse. Selling was impossible, and to top it all off, sickness was rampant.
The loss of Alyssa was still a gaping void and everyone knew that they would never fully recover.
Of everyone, Mercy, Leila, and Sarah were the most optimistic. Deep in their hearts, their womanly instincts were telling them that Alyssa would never willingly abandon them. Even Denton, the great optimist, was starting to fell that she would never return.
"Sarah, what are we's gonna do?"
Sarah looked sadly at Mercy. "I don't know. I never knew how much these guys depended on her."
Suddenly Leila came bursting upstairs. "Mercy, da city inspectors are here."
"Where are dey?"
"Just about a block away. We's got some time ta clean if we do it fast."
The three girls then went about rapidly cleaning up all the empty beer bottles and cigarette butts. There was no way that they would let the city officials shut down the Lodging House. It was the only home the Manhattan Newsies knew.
A knock came on the door, causing all three to jump.
"Guess who's here..."
Mercy opened the door and greeted them without her accent. "Good morning gentlemen. How may I help you?"
A rather pompous man in a grey suit said, "I am Mr. Carroway and these are my colleagues. We come on behalf of the city to inspect this facility."
Respectfully, Mercy bowed her head and said, "Certainly; please come in." In truth, the men had already let themselves in without request.
They looked everywhere, occasionally conversing in low tones amongst themselves and making notes on small pads of paper. When they came to Kloppman's office and room, Mr. Carroway asked brusquely, "What's in here?"
"That's my grandfather's office and room. Please do not disturb him for he is very ill."
"Name?"
"Kloppman, sir. I'm his granddaughter, Mercy Kloppman."
"Well, Miss Kloppman, we will give you until the start of summer to fix this place up. If you do not, we will be forced to close this Lodging House down."
"Thank you, sirs. Have a good day." Once Mercy closed the door behind them, she turned around, ready to scream. "How da hell are we's supposed ta pull dis off?"
"Mercy, hush. We'll think of something," came Sarah's voice of reason.
"But..." Mercy sputtered.
Leila cut in, "We have time. Don't worry 'bout it."
Throughout the rest of winter, the daunting task of trying to fix the Lodging House loomed over them. Kloppman continued to be sick, preventing much of anything from happening.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was so strange to be in a temperate climate in the middle of winter. Alyssa was so used to having to wear countless layers just to get to work without freezing. Now she stood on the balcony of the apartment, overlooking the harbor wearing summer clothes. Despite the fact that Cathleen had generously bought some simple dresses for her, Alyssa currently stood in her Newsie garb.
"Alyssa, come down from there!"
She groaned before answering her brother. "Dom, it ain't like I's on da roof!" Nevertheless, she reluctantly went inside and joined Dom and Cathleen in the garden. "Wha' do yous want"
Cathleen stood and out a comforting had in Alyssa's shoulder, understanding why she felt antagonized. "We just want to talk with you. On Saturday, we're getting married. Then, after about a week, we're all going to take a train up to New York City."
"'Bout time! We's been sittin' pretty fer so long dat I thought I was gonna scream." Alyssa's voice then took a dreamy tone to it. "Grand Central... great sellin' spot... Specs usually sells dere... Race took me dere once..."
Both Dom and Cathleen simply looked at Alyssa. Desire to return home was clearly written across her face. With a sad sigh Dom asked, "Can you ever leave that world behind?"
Completely confounded by her brother's lack of understanding, Alyssa glared at him. "How da hell can yous say dat?! Yous got no fuckin' clue 'bout what dey mean ta me. Dey've been more a family den yous evah was!"
With that, she stormed off, leaving Dom to stare and wonder.
Saturday came and went, Alyssa still at odds with her brother. The wedding was beautiful in its simplicity. She was happy for her brother despite her animosity towards him at the moment. It made her sad only because it reminded her of what she longed for, though it may never happen, even in her wildest dreams; marrying Race. After the wedding, they stayed in Charleston for only a week longer.
"Alyssa; come down! We're leaving!"
The day of their departure to New York City had finally arrived. The past week had seen Alyssa overflowing with excitement and anticipation.
She came bounding down the stairs, carrying a small bag of luggage. When Cathleen saw her sister was wearing she was taken aback. "You honestly intend in wearing that on the trip?" Cathleen indicated Alyssa's choice of clothes.
"What? You gotta problem with my clothes?"
"Yes! They're not going to let you on the train dressed like a newsboy!" Cathleen went over and opened Alyssa's luggage. She went through and pulled out a nice lavender colored one. "Here, wear this."
"Absolutely not! There is no way in hell that I'm gonna wear that." Alyssa glared at the holder of the offensive dress. Then Alyssa's Newsie instincts began to kick in. "Wait; I'll make a compromise. I'll wear the hideous dress for the trip as long as I get to change once we get to Grand Central. That a deal?"
Cathleen thought carefully, though she knew that she would not win the argument. After sighing heavily she said, "Alright; have it your way."
In the blink of an eye, Alyssa changed, begrudging her decision almost immediately. After paying the final installment of the apartment rental, the Cambells went off. The Charleston train station was nice, but all Alyssa could think of was the grandeur of Grand Central. The actual train ride went achingly slow for Alyssa, and the entire time she nervously fidgeted with her dress.
Early the next morning, the train roared in Grand Central Station. The sound of the conductor calling out the stop made Alyssa jump; it reminded her of the first time she had come to New York City, almost two years ago now. The minute she got off the train, Alyssa ran off to change, finally having enough of the ridiculous dress. She left Dom and Cathleen standing alone in the bustling station. Both looked around, slightly unnerved by the vast amount of people who traversed the station.
When Alyssa was back, the three headed out. Mercifully, they did not encounter any Newsies whom she know or would have recognized her. She did buy a paper from a Queens Newsie who happened to be in the neighborhood. For brunch, they ate at a restaurant where Alyssa was unknown. One had been hard to find because she and the Newsies were known in a good number of restaurants. Then by habit, Alyssa's feet guided her to the Manhattan Newsboy's Lodging House. Inside she could hear the boys getting ready. Tentatively she put her hand on the doorknob.
She was home.
A/N: Wow, 2 chaps in one day... this is really freaky. Oh, don't expect another chapter for a while. It's being written and I have a lot of stuff to do. But, hopefully, I'll get it done in a reasonable amount of time. Please review! Lots of love and chocolate covered Newsies!
She was free.
That simple phrase brought so much joy to her aching heart. Standing on the prow, she could clearly see the Lodging House before her, despite the fact she was in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. On the wind she could hear the sound of Medda's shows and the light hearted conversation of her Newsies.
Her Manhattan Newsies. That rag-tag group of boys who had done so much for her. Racetrack was one of them...
"Alyssa."
Dom's voice brought her out of her thoughts.
"How are you feeling?" His warm brotherly expression made Alyssa smile because she could clearly see Blink and Jack behind that smile. But also, her brother was there as well. Her own flesh and blood who had not deserted her.
"Quite well, actually. Now that I know that they can't come and get me again..."
"Wait," Dom interjected. "How do you know that they're truly dead?"
Alyssa eyed her brother before turning back to look at the ocean waves. Gracefully slipping into her Newsie accent she said, "Let's just say dat it's a feelin' I's got. Just a liddle somethin' dat I's picked up in New Yawk."
"You will never cease to amaze me." Dom looked over his shoulder as footsteps approached. "Cathleen, come here."
When she joined them, she stood and linked arms with Dom. "So you are the wayward little sister." Her bright blue eyes sparkled as she tossed her amber curls over she shoulder.
Alyssa actually laughed. Without thinking she said in her Newsie accent, "Yeah, I's da one who gets in trouble."
"How? You don't seem like the type..."
"Nah, ya got me all wrong. I's da one who ran away from home; all most died; got kidnapped; an' ta top it all off, I's livin' wid a bunch a Newsies..."
Here, Dom interrupted her. "You are living with Newsies!" he shrieked incredulously. "Do you know what could be said about such a thing?! Think of the scandal!"
Annoyed, Alyssa stopped her brother before he could go off on a major rant. "Now you listen to me, Dominic Cambell. I lived with them for almost a year before this fiasco occurred. They were the ones who got me on my feet again after the Boston incident. They became my family; the type of family you three should have been to me." Alyssa carefully watched Dom's face, trying to calculate what is questions would be before he could ask them. "In wasn't without female company either. Mercy, Leila and Sarah basically became my sisters."
"Sounds like the family you should have had," Cathleen quietly said from beside Dom.
Alyssa gave her an appreciative smile. "They're a great bunch of guys. You'd say the same if you knew them. And Kloppman, he's the absolute best. He's the owner of the Lodging house where we live and he's the one who let me live there. He was like a grandfather to me... considering that I never knew mine. He's been sick for an awful long time, and I have no idea how he's doing and if he's even still alive. I've just gotta get home..."
As Alyssa's voice dropped off, Cathleen put an arm around Alyssa's shoulders. "Come; let's have a sisterly talk alone..."
The two wandered off, leaving Dom alone on the deck. He had never known that Alyssa held so much loyalty o those poor Newsies. It was unthinkable to him that his little sister could be happy like that. What his sister saw in a poor, ragged group of Newsboys who could offer her nothing, he would never know. Only much later would he learn the truth.
Alone in a quiet corner with the sea air drifting around them, Alyssa and Cathleen talked. They got to know each other like sisters and many confessions were passed across the deck.
"I feel that there is another, more hidden reason why you want to go home so desperately. It is well that you care for this...Kloppman, and that you miss the family, but there's else they you are reluctant to say. Am I right?"
Alyssa sighed, admitting defeat and discovery. "Cathleen, you're quite observant. More so than I thought." She paused, finding it difficult to speak of something that had been kept secret for so long. She stood, beckoning Cathleen to follow her. "I think I know a way to make this easier for myself."
Cathleen followed her future sister-in-law to her cabin. Once they were inside, she was puzzled as to why Alyssa took out the tattered clothes she had been wearing when she was rescued.
Clutching Racetrack's clothes to her, Alyssa sat on the edge of her bed. Then, she explained everything to Cathleen in the New York Newsie accent that was both so familiar and comforting to her.
"Dese clothes belong ta a Newsie dat I love very much. His name is Racetrack. Throughout everythin' dat I's been through, he's been dere. Race ain't rich, by any means, but he's got all dat I need. He loves me no mattah what, an' if ya asked 'im ta, he'd die fer me. We's could be dirt poor, but as long as we's got eachudder, we's happy, safe an' secure." While she spoke, Alyssa's voice began to crack, issuing sobs as tears slipped down her cheeks. Before continuing, she buried her face in Race's shirt to compose herself. "Leavin' him behind was da hardest part a dis whole t'ing. He's probably ripshit by now, not knowin' where da hell I am..."
With motherly tenderness, Cathleen wrapped her arms around Alyssa. "It'll be alright," she whispered. "You'll be able to go home to him very soon. I promise."
Then, in a bout of extreme childishness, Alyssa sobbed, "Damn it! I want my Racetrack!" After finally speaking her mind, Alyssa turned around and buried her face half in Race's shirt and half in Cathleen's shoulder. Though she had sworn off crying while living with the Newsies, she broke that resolve, finding release in the simple action.
For half an hour, the two young women sat, understanding the pain of love. Each grew considerably wiser and older in that short amount of time. When Dom found them, he simply muttered to himself and left them alone.
The rest of the voyage went smoothly. Everyone became comfortable with each other, allowing a family like atmosphere to develop. It helped Alyssa recover from her troubles, but she would and could not fully heal until she got home to New York and her Newsies.
When winter came, they had landed in Charleston, South Carolina.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Aww, fuck dis."
"Would ya shut yer face?"
"Enough; da two a yous!" Mercy glared at Racetrack and Jack. "Yous actin' like spoiled rich brats, an' I's ain't about ta tolerate dat."
The winter weather was being brutal. It was almost like Mother Nature knew the bad time they were all having and decided to make it worse. Selling was impossible, and to top it all off, sickness was rampant.
The loss of Alyssa was still a gaping void and everyone knew that they would never fully recover.
Of everyone, Mercy, Leila, and Sarah were the most optimistic. Deep in their hearts, their womanly instincts were telling them that Alyssa would never willingly abandon them. Even Denton, the great optimist, was starting to fell that she would never return.
"Sarah, what are we's gonna do?"
Sarah looked sadly at Mercy. "I don't know. I never knew how much these guys depended on her."
Suddenly Leila came bursting upstairs. "Mercy, da city inspectors are here."
"Where are dey?"
"Just about a block away. We's got some time ta clean if we do it fast."
The three girls then went about rapidly cleaning up all the empty beer bottles and cigarette butts. There was no way that they would let the city officials shut down the Lodging House. It was the only home the Manhattan Newsies knew.
A knock came on the door, causing all three to jump.
"Guess who's here..."
Mercy opened the door and greeted them without her accent. "Good morning gentlemen. How may I help you?"
A rather pompous man in a grey suit said, "I am Mr. Carroway and these are my colleagues. We come on behalf of the city to inspect this facility."
Respectfully, Mercy bowed her head and said, "Certainly; please come in." In truth, the men had already let themselves in without request.
They looked everywhere, occasionally conversing in low tones amongst themselves and making notes on small pads of paper. When they came to Kloppman's office and room, Mr. Carroway asked brusquely, "What's in here?"
"That's my grandfather's office and room. Please do not disturb him for he is very ill."
"Name?"
"Kloppman, sir. I'm his granddaughter, Mercy Kloppman."
"Well, Miss Kloppman, we will give you until the start of summer to fix this place up. If you do not, we will be forced to close this Lodging House down."
"Thank you, sirs. Have a good day." Once Mercy closed the door behind them, she turned around, ready to scream. "How da hell are we's supposed ta pull dis off?"
"Mercy, hush. We'll think of something," came Sarah's voice of reason.
"But..." Mercy sputtered.
Leila cut in, "We have time. Don't worry 'bout it."
Throughout the rest of winter, the daunting task of trying to fix the Lodging House loomed over them. Kloppman continued to be sick, preventing much of anything from happening.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was so strange to be in a temperate climate in the middle of winter. Alyssa was so used to having to wear countless layers just to get to work without freezing. Now she stood on the balcony of the apartment, overlooking the harbor wearing summer clothes. Despite the fact that Cathleen had generously bought some simple dresses for her, Alyssa currently stood in her Newsie garb.
"Alyssa, come down from there!"
She groaned before answering her brother. "Dom, it ain't like I's on da roof!" Nevertheless, she reluctantly went inside and joined Dom and Cathleen in the garden. "Wha' do yous want"
Cathleen stood and out a comforting had in Alyssa's shoulder, understanding why she felt antagonized. "We just want to talk with you. On Saturday, we're getting married. Then, after about a week, we're all going to take a train up to New York City."
"'Bout time! We's been sittin' pretty fer so long dat I thought I was gonna scream." Alyssa's voice then took a dreamy tone to it. "Grand Central... great sellin' spot... Specs usually sells dere... Race took me dere once..."
Both Dom and Cathleen simply looked at Alyssa. Desire to return home was clearly written across her face. With a sad sigh Dom asked, "Can you ever leave that world behind?"
Completely confounded by her brother's lack of understanding, Alyssa glared at him. "How da hell can yous say dat?! Yous got no fuckin' clue 'bout what dey mean ta me. Dey've been more a family den yous evah was!"
With that, she stormed off, leaving Dom to stare and wonder.
Saturday came and went, Alyssa still at odds with her brother. The wedding was beautiful in its simplicity. She was happy for her brother despite her animosity towards him at the moment. It made her sad only because it reminded her of what she longed for, though it may never happen, even in her wildest dreams; marrying Race. After the wedding, they stayed in Charleston for only a week longer.
"Alyssa; come down! We're leaving!"
The day of their departure to New York City had finally arrived. The past week had seen Alyssa overflowing with excitement and anticipation.
She came bounding down the stairs, carrying a small bag of luggage. When Cathleen saw her sister was wearing she was taken aback. "You honestly intend in wearing that on the trip?" Cathleen indicated Alyssa's choice of clothes.
"What? You gotta problem with my clothes?"
"Yes! They're not going to let you on the train dressed like a newsboy!" Cathleen went over and opened Alyssa's luggage. She went through and pulled out a nice lavender colored one. "Here, wear this."
"Absolutely not! There is no way in hell that I'm gonna wear that." Alyssa glared at the holder of the offensive dress. Then Alyssa's Newsie instincts began to kick in. "Wait; I'll make a compromise. I'll wear the hideous dress for the trip as long as I get to change once we get to Grand Central. That a deal?"
Cathleen thought carefully, though she knew that she would not win the argument. After sighing heavily she said, "Alright; have it your way."
In the blink of an eye, Alyssa changed, begrudging her decision almost immediately. After paying the final installment of the apartment rental, the Cambells went off. The Charleston train station was nice, but all Alyssa could think of was the grandeur of Grand Central. The actual train ride went achingly slow for Alyssa, and the entire time she nervously fidgeted with her dress.
Early the next morning, the train roared in Grand Central Station. The sound of the conductor calling out the stop made Alyssa jump; it reminded her of the first time she had come to New York City, almost two years ago now. The minute she got off the train, Alyssa ran off to change, finally having enough of the ridiculous dress. She left Dom and Cathleen standing alone in the bustling station. Both looked around, slightly unnerved by the vast amount of people who traversed the station.
When Alyssa was back, the three headed out. Mercifully, they did not encounter any Newsies whom she know or would have recognized her. She did buy a paper from a Queens Newsie who happened to be in the neighborhood. For brunch, they ate at a restaurant where Alyssa was unknown. One had been hard to find because she and the Newsies were known in a good number of restaurants. Then by habit, Alyssa's feet guided her to the Manhattan Newsboy's Lodging House. Inside she could hear the boys getting ready. Tentatively she put her hand on the doorknob.
She was home.