Chapter 15: Reunited At Last
Turning the doorknob, Alyssa opened the door to reveal a deserted lobby. She could hear the boys moving around upstairs, but no one was coming down. Usually they were bounding down those old rickety old stairs so fast that the whole Lodging House shook. Glancing around, Alyssa was appalled at the state of the Lodgings. It had never been this run down or this filthy.
Leaving Dom and Cathleen to stand in the doorway, Alyssa apprehensively walked to Kloppman's office. While opening the door she quietly called, "Kloppman?"
Her cal was greeted by a rasping, sputtering cough. Opening the door wider, Alyssa peered in. She was stuck by the sight of Kloppman lying in bed, cadaverous in appearance, and holding onto the last remnants of his life.
"Oh gawd..."
Without a second's hesitation, Alyssa flew in, immediately setting herself to work. "Cathleen, dere's an open air market jus' down da street. Yous gonna need ta get me few t'ings..." As she went through the cabinets, she rattled off a list of herbal medicines.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Dom... yous may want ta try an' find a apartment fer yous an' Cathleen."
"What about you? You're not staying here..."
"Yes, I am." Alyssa's brusque voice lost her accent. "I have to. If I'm not here taking care of Kloppman, he may yet die, and that is not going to happen. So I have to stay. Deal with it."
Reluctantly, Dom went out knowing that he would not be able to win an argument against his little sister. It scared him to see how much independence she had gained since she left Boston two years ago. Suddenly, Dom stopped. He just realized that in May Alyssa would be eighteen. 'She'll be able to do whatever she wants without interference, legally at least. Oh dear, I'll have no control. I won't be able to make a better life for her. This is not good.'
Meanwhile, Alyssa was taking gentle care of her foster grandfather.
"How did t'ings get so bad?'
Kloppman sighed. "You were taken. These boys depend on you to be there for them. They have a reason to work, to live, when you're here. They depend on you more than you probably realize in fact." He gave a short laugh. "Oh, if only you could have seen the mess they were in. Race especially. Heh, he's nineteen in June..."
Alyssa stared at Kloppman. "He's nineteen in June?" Kloppman nodded. "Den dat means dat I's eighteen in May!" She paused and reflected back. "It's been two yeahs... can't believe it's been dat long... what happened ta all da time?"
Cathleen was simply sitting in a corner, sitting in awe of Alyssa. She watched how gently she cared for Kloppman, without balking at his illness. It amazed he just how comfortable Alyssa seemed here, amongst the filth of the streets and poor Newsies.
When Dom came back, he quietly told Cathleen that he had found a respectable apartment. Then the two of them sat and watched Alyssa care for Kloppman and listened to her talk about the times that had occurred when she had been there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Over the next few days, Alyssa was a permanent fixture in Kloppman's office. Not once was she seen by the Newsies or Mercy, Sarah, ands Leila. Kloppman had called them to say that he had one of his daughters visiting, and that she was taking care of him. They were wary at first, but Kloppman explained that she was strict about caring for people without anyone's interference. Once Kloppman's health improved, Alyssa went to Tibby's...
"Alyssa! You've come back!"
She smiled weakly at Mr. Davis. "Yeah, I's come back. Yous still gots a job fer me?"
"Always open. Have you seen the Newsies? They stopped coming once you were taken. We missed having them around. They must be delighted..."
"Davis, dat's da t'ing. I's haven't seen dem yet."
"Why?"
"I dunno. Dere's somethin' dat keeps tellin' me ta wait. So yous gotta promise me dat ya won't blab. Please?" Alyssa was practically begging Davis.
Strangely enough, he understood. "I won't tell anyone. You can stay in the apartment above if you like."
"Tank's so much..." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
If Alyssa had read a paper a few days after her meeting with Davis, she would have been glad she said what she did. She avoided buying papes on the off chance that she was recognized.
The Manhattan Newsies sat around the World Distribution Office, "perusin' da moichendise." Race was the fist on who notice the article.
"Hey guys, listen ta dis. 'Late las' night, a man named Trey Cambell was arrested. He was allegedly lookin' fer a goil who had run away from home in Ireland in the fall. It was found dat he was charged wid kidnappin' da some goil last spring by Mr. Brian Denton..." Race's face lit up like a firefly. "Do yous know what dis means?"
Mush wasn't sure. "What?"
Excitedly, Race continued. "Trey Cambell is Alyssa's oldah brudder. Denton filed a report dat charged dem tree wid kidnappin' Lays a yeah ago."
Blink finally followed Race's thoughts. "Den dis means dat Alyssa's alive, possibly somwheres in New Yawk!"
With renewed energy, the Newsies went off to sell. Race's only comment was "If I see dat Trey, I's gonna soak 'im good." News got around to all of the Newsie groups of New York that Alyssa may be home. Spot got Brooklyn to do some covet searches amongst the New York City jail prisoners.
Later in the afternoon, various Newsies met at Greeley's statue in the square.
"Well, wha' do we's got?" Jack inquired. Sarah was tucked in his arms once again. They had not been talking for a long while due to Alyssa's disappearance.
Spot stepped forward. "Well, me boys found dat trey Cambell is now dead."
Upon hearing this news, a cheer erupted from all the Newsies.
Jack looked around and asked again, "Anythin' else?"
"Specs an' me did a search a Grand Central," Race offered. "Apparently tree people wid da last name a Cambell came up on a train from Charleston. Da ticketer said two goils an' a guy. Dere's a good chance dat Alyssa's here." After a slight pause he added, quietly, "Right where she should be."
Everyone could not help but notice how Race's face lit up when he talked about the possibility of Alyssa being home. He had missed her so much; his devotion was unmatchable.
Reverently, Jack nodded his head. "Dat's good news Race, real good news. I say dat we's all head back ta da Lodgin's fer a good game a poker. Any a yous up fer it?"
"Hell yeah," Race, Blink and Spot chorused.
A little ways down the street, just out of sight was Alyssa. It was heartening to hear them all talk so exuberantly and protectively about her. From what Kloppman had said, it seemed as though they had really hit rock bottom emotionally. Watching Race especially told her that he still loved her. Al least, that's what she hoped.
As the boys went home to the Lodgings where Mercy, Sarah, and Leila most likely awaiting the arrival of their boys, Alyssa followed at a distance. She listened to their light hearted banter, realizing how long it had been since she had heard such talk.
With Cathleen and Dom carefully tucked away in their apartment, Alyssa was free to do what she pleased. Tonight she would be with her Newsies.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Dom, do you think it was wise to let Alyssa be on her own like this?" Cathleen stood at the apartment's window, watching Alyssa follow the Newsies home.
Dom looked at his wife in confusion. "Darling, she's been on her own ever since the death of our mother. She never really had a family who really cared for her until she found those Newsies."
"But they're Newsies," Cathleen protested. "We're her family now, shouldn't that be enough?"
"We can go check on her later, if you really feel the need. Just don't forget that she's eighteen in a month."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Alyssa arrived at the Lodging House, she could already hear the poker game well under way. It was usually a loud game; especially when Race, Spot, Jack and Blink played.
"Hey Kloppman!" she called.
Kloppman came out of his office, smiling widely. "Alyssa, good to see you around here again. Careful how you go up to the boys; the stairs aren't what they used to be."
"T'anks. Do I's look alright?"
"You look fine. Since when have you worried about that? Now get up there. They've waited a whole year for you. I don't think they can wait much longer." With that, he tossed a crumpled paper at her to get her moving.
"Alright; I's goin'!"
Carefully, she walked upstairs. She passed the empty 'sitting room' and made her way to the bunk room. Before entering, she took a deep breath, not sure of what to do. They were all standing or sitting around the poker players. Spot, absently tapped his cane; Blink, running his hands through his sandy hair; Jack, fidgeting with his faded bandana; and Race, puffing madly away at his cigar, even though it was obvious to her that he had the game.
No one noticed Alyssa as she quietly joined the crowd. It was probably in her favor that she had not changed out of her Newsie clothes. Watching the poker game, she noticed that Race had the necklace he had given her around his neck.
From where she stood in the back of the crowd, directly opposite Racetrack, she began to sing a melancholy tune.
"You don't remember me
But I remember you..."
Everyone turned around and looked at her, not sure of whom it was.
"Do you remember me
Lost for so long?
Will you be on the other side
Or will you forget me?
Am I too lost to be saved,
Am I too lost?" (Evanescence parts of tracks 6&8)
"Hi," Alyssa said weakly.
Without a single warning, everyone rushed forward to envelope her in a hug. Mercy, Sarah, and Leila were dissolved in happy tears and the boys were beside themselves with joy. The poker game sat on the table, forgotten.
"Welcome home sis," Jack said before wrapping Alyssa in a huge hug.
Racetrack handed off his cigar to Snipeshooter before stepping forward.
All Alyssa managed to say was "Race..." before he wrapped her in his harms and began kissing her like there was no tomorrow.
Exuberant cheers erupted as everyone witnessed this happy and loving reunion.
From beside Specs Mercy said, "I t'ink I's hearin' weddin' bells..."
Alyssa broke away from Race to glare at Mercy. Then she broke into a grin. Happily settling her slight five foot frame into Race's larger one, Alyssa looked at everyone. A look of contentment graced her face. Gently she said, "Spot, come here."
"Alys, I's..."
"Stop right dere. Yous got nothin' ta be apologizin' fer. So stop bein' sorry fer yerself."
Spot merely gaped at Alyssa. "But I's coulda done somethin'!"
Slipping out of Race's arms, Alyssa walked forward and put her hands on Spot's shoulders. "Spot, dere was no way dat yous could know. My only hope was dat you guys would undah dat I didn' run away 'er nothin'..."
"Course we knew! Don' yous dare t'ink uddahwise." Blink's brotherly reassurance was heartwarming. Overcome with emotion that had not been felt in over a year, Alyssa buried her face in Race's chest, determined not to cry.
From her prone, but comfortable position, Alyssa felt Race's hands move around her neck. The next thing she knew, she felt a bit of cold metal hit her throat. Looking down, she saw that Race had put the necklace back in its rightful position.
"I believe dis is yers..." he murmured in her ear.
Mush looked around. "Hey look! Everyone's back togetuddah! Mercy's wid Specs; Leila's wid David; Sarah's wid Jack; an' Alyssa's back wid Race. Everythin's da way it should be."
Mercy stopped Mush. "Not quite. Dis Lodgin' House has gotta be back in shape by da start a summah, remembah?"
"Oh yeah, fergot 'bout dat."
While that little conversation was going on, Race had guided Alyssa to his bunk.
"Remembah me bunk?"
Nuzzling her face in his neck she replied, "How could I's ferget?"
Without responding, Race leaned forward and captured Alyssa's lips with his. Both eased into the kiss, allowing a years worth of emotion to come flooding forward. She ran her tongue across Race's bottom lip, making him utter a sound that was a half laugh, half moan.
As the scent of cigars engulfed Alyssa's senses, she fell backwards onto Race's bunk, pulling him down to her. She clung to him, determined not to let go.
"I t'ink we's bettah go," Jack said quietly to the others.
Out of respect for them, everyone followed Jack's advice. They all understood how much Race and Alyssa meant to each other. They wear also aware of how much pain they both had been in because of their year apart.
However, out on the fire escape, a pair of eyed watched this happy reunion with disgust.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: And that is where I leave you for now. Cruel, isn't it? Well, please review! It'll make me write the next chapter faster!
Turning the doorknob, Alyssa opened the door to reveal a deserted lobby. She could hear the boys moving around upstairs, but no one was coming down. Usually they were bounding down those old rickety old stairs so fast that the whole Lodging House shook. Glancing around, Alyssa was appalled at the state of the Lodgings. It had never been this run down or this filthy.
Leaving Dom and Cathleen to stand in the doorway, Alyssa apprehensively walked to Kloppman's office. While opening the door she quietly called, "Kloppman?"
Her cal was greeted by a rasping, sputtering cough. Opening the door wider, Alyssa peered in. She was stuck by the sight of Kloppman lying in bed, cadaverous in appearance, and holding onto the last remnants of his life.
"Oh gawd..."
Without a second's hesitation, Alyssa flew in, immediately setting herself to work. "Cathleen, dere's an open air market jus' down da street. Yous gonna need ta get me few t'ings..." As she went through the cabinets, she rattled off a list of herbal medicines.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Dom... yous may want ta try an' find a apartment fer yous an' Cathleen."
"What about you? You're not staying here..."
"Yes, I am." Alyssa's brusque voice lost her accent. "I have to. If I'm not here taking care of Kloppman, he may yet die, and that is not going to happen. So I have to stay. Deal with it."
Reluctantly, Dom went out knowing that he would not be able to win an argument against his little sister. It scared him to see how much independence she had gained since she left Boston two years ago. Suddenly, Dom stopped. He just realized that in May Alyssa would be eighteen. 'She'll be able to do whatever she wants without interference, legally at least. Oh dear, I'll have no control. I won't be able to make a better life for her. This is not good.'
Meanwhile, Alyssa was taking gentle care of her foster grandfather.
"How did t'ings get so bad?'
Kloppman sighed. "You were taken. These boys depend on you to be there for them. They have a reason to work, to live, when you're here. They depend on you more than you probably realize in fact." He gave a short laugh. "Oh, if only you could have seen the mess they were in. Race especially. Heh, he's nineteen in June..."
Alyssa stared at Kloppman. "He's nineteen in June?" Kloppman nodded. "Den dat means dat I's eighteen in May!" She paused and reflected back. "It's been two yeahs... can't believe it's been dat long... what happened ta all da time?"
Cathleen was simply sitting in a corner, sitting in awe of Alyssa. She watched how gently she cared for Kloppman, without balking at his illness. It amazed he just how comfortable Alyssa seemed here, amongst the filth of the streets and poor Newsies.
When Dom came back, he quietly told Cathleen that he had found a respectable apartment. Then the two of them sat and watched Alyssa care for Kloppman and listened to her talk about the times that had occurred when she had been there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Over the next few days, Alyssa was a permanent fixture in Kloppman's office. Not once was she seen by the Newsies or Mercy, Sarah, ands Leila. Kloppman had called them to say that he had one of his daughters visiting, and that she was taking care of him. They were wary at first, but Kloppman explained that she was strict about caring for people without anyone's interference. Once Kloppman's health improved, Alyssa went to Tibby's...
"Alyssa! You've come back!"
She smiled weakly at Mr. Davis. "Yeah, I's come back. Yous still gots a job fer me?"
"Always open. Have you seen the Newsies? They stopped coming once you were taken. We missed having them around. They must be delighted..."
"Davis, dat's da t'ing. I's haven't seen dem yet."
"Why?"
"I dunno. Dere's somethin' dat keeps tellin' me ta wait. So yous gotta promise me dat ya won't blab. Please?" Alyssa was practically begging Davis.
Strangely enough, he understood. "I won't tell anyone. You can stay in the apartment above if you like."
"Tank's so much..." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
If Alyssa had read a paper a few days after her meeting with Davis, she would have been glad she said what she did. She avoided buying papes on the off chance that she was recognized.
The Manhattan Newsies sat around the World Distribution Office, "perusin' da moichendise." Race was the fist on who notice the article.
"Hey guys, listen ta dis. 'Late las' night, a man named Trey Cambell was arrested. He was allegedly lookin' fer a goil who had run away from home in Ireland in the fall. It was found dat he was charged wid kidnappin' da some goil last spring by Mr. Brian Denton..." Race's face lit up like a firefly. "Do yous know what dis means?"
Mush wasn't sure. "What?"
Excitedly, Race continued. "Trey Cambell is Alyssa's oldah brudder. Denton filed a report dat charged dem tree wid kidnappin' Lays a yeah ago."
Blink finally followed Race's thoughts. "Den dis means dat Alyssa's alive, possibly somwheres in New Yawk!"
With renewed energy, the Newsies went off to sell. Race's only comment was "If I see dat Trey, I's gonna soak 'im good." News got around to all of the Newsie groups of New York that Alyssa may be home. Spot got Brooklyn to do some covet searches amongst the New York City jail prisoners.
Later in the afternoon, various Newsies met at Greeley's statue in the square.
"Well, wha' do we's got?" Jack inquired. Sarah was tucked in his arms once again. They had not been talking for a long while due to Alyssa's disappearance.
Spot stepped forward. "Well, me boys found dat trey Cambell is now dead."
Upon hearing this news, a cheer erupted from all the Newsies.
Jack looked around and asked again, "Anythin' else?"
"Specs an' me did a search a Grand Central," Race offered. "Apparently tree people wid da last name a Cambell came up on a train from Charleston. Da ticketer said two goils an' a guy. Dere's a good chance dat Alyssa's here." After a slight pause he added, quietly, "Right where she should be."
Everyone could not help but notice how Race's face lit up when he talked about the possibility of Alyssa being home. He had missed her so much; his devotion was unmatchable.
Reverently, Jack nodded his head. "Dat's good news Race, real good news. I say dat we's all head back ta da Lodgin's fer a good game a poker. Any a yous up fer it?"
"Hell yeah," Race, Blink and Spot chorused.
A little ways down the street, just out of sight was Alyssa. It was heartening to hear them all talk so exuberantly and protectively about her. From what Kloppman had said, it seemed as though they had really hit rock bottom emotionally. Watching Race especially told her that he still loved her. Al least, that's what she hoped.
As the boys went home to the Lodgings where Mercy, Sarah, and Leila most likely awaiting the arrival of their boys, Alyssa followed at a distance. She listened to their light hearted banter, realizing how long it had been since she had heard such talk.
With Cathleen and Dom carefully tucked away in their apartment, Alyssa was free to do what she pleased. Tonight she would be with her Newsies.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Dom, do you think it was wise to let Alyssa be on her own like this?" Cathleen stood at the apartment's window, watching Alyssa follow the Newsies home.
Dom looked at his wife in confusion. "Darling, she's been on her own ever since the death of our mother. She never really had a family who really cared for her until she found those Newsies."
"But they're Newsies," Cathleen protested. "We're her family now, shouldn't that be enough?"
"We can go check on her later, if you really feel the need. Just don't forget that she's eighteen in a month."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Alyssa arrived at the Lodging House, she could already hear the poker game well under way. It was usually a loud game; especially when Race, Spot, Jack and Blink played.
"Hey Kloppman!" she called.
Kloppman came out of his office, smiling widely. "Alyssa, good to see you around here again. Careful how you go up to the boys; the stairs aren't what they used to be."
"T'anks. Do I's look alright?"
"You look fine. Since when have you worried about that? Now get up there. They've waited a whole year for you. I don't think they can wait much longer." With that, he tossed a crumpled paper at her to get her moving.
"Alright; I's goin'!"
Carefully, she walked upstairs. She passed the empty 'sitting room' and made her way to the bunk room. Before entering, she took a deep breath, not sure of what to do. They were all standing or sitting around the poker players. Spot, absently tapped his cane; Blink, running his hands through his sandy hair; Jack, fidgeting with his faded bandana; and Race, puffing madly away at his cigar, even though it was obvious to her that he had the game.
No one noticed Alyssa as she quietly joined the crowd. It was probably in her favor that she had not changed out of her Newsie clothes. Watching the poker game, she noticed that Race had the necklace he had given her around his neck.
From where she stood in the back of the crowd, directly opposite Racetrack, she began to sing a melancholy tune.
"You don't remember me
But I remember you..."
Everyone turned around and looked at her, not sure of whom it was.
"Do you remember me
Lost for so long?
Will you be on the other side
Or will you forget me?
Am I too lost to be saved,
Am I too lost?" (Evanescence parts of tracks 6&8)
"Hi," Alyssa said weakly.
Without a single warning, everyone rushed forward to envelope her in a hug. Mercy, Sarah, and Leila were dissolved in happy tears and the boys were beside themselves with joy. The poker game sat on the table, forgotten.
"Welcome home sis," Jack said before wrapping Alyssa in a huge hug.
Racetrack handed off his cigar to Snipeshooter before stepping forward.
All Alyssa managed to say was "Race..." before he wrapped her in his harms and began kissing her like there was no tomorrow.
Exuberant cheers erupted as everyone witnessed this happy and loving reunion.
From beside Specs Mercy said, "I t'ink I's hearin' weddin' bells..."
Alyssa broke away from Race to glare at Mercy. Then she broke into a grin. Happily settling her slight five foot frame into Race's larger one, Alyssa looked at everyone. A look of contentment graced her face. Gently she said, "Spot, come here."
"Alys, I's..."
"Stop right dere. Yous got nothin' ta be apologizin' fer. So stop bein' sorry fer yerself."
Spot merely gaped at Alyssa. "But I's coulda done somethin'!"
Slipping out of Race's arms, Alyssa walked forward and put her hands on Spot's shoulders. "Spot, dere was no way dat yous could know. My only hope was dat you guys would undah dat I didn' run away 'er nothin'..."
"Course we knew! Don' yous dare t'ink uddahwise." Blink's brotherly reassurance was heartwarming. Overcome with emotion that had not been felt in over a year, Alyssa buried her face in Race's chest, determined not to cry.
From her prone, but comfortable position, Alyssa felt Race's hands move around her neck. The next thing she knew, she felt a bit of cold metal hit her throat. Looking down, she saw that Race had put the necklace back in its rightful position.
"I believe dis is yers..." he murmured in her ear.
Mush looked around. "Hey look! Everyone's back togetuddah! Mercy's wid Specs; Leila's wid David; Sarah's wid Jack; an' Alyssa's back wid Race. Everythin's da way it should be."
Mercy stopped Mush. "Not quite. Dis Lodgin' House has gotta be back in shape by da start a summah, remembah?"
"Oh yeah, fergot 'bout dat."
While that little conversation was going on, Race had guided Alyssa to his bunk.
"Remembah me bunk?"
Nuzzling her face in his neck she replied, "How could I's ferget?"
Without responding, Race leaned forward and captured Alyssa's lips with his. Both eased into the kiss, allowing a years worth of emotion to come flooding forward. She ran her tongue across Race's bottom lip, making him utter a sound that was a half laugh, half moan.
As the scent of cigars engulfed Alyssa's senses, she fell backwards onto Race's bunk, pulling him down to her. She clung to him, determined not to let go.
"I t'ink we's bettah go," Jack said quietly to the others.
Out of respect for them, everyone followed Jack's advice. They all understood how much Race and Alyssa meant to each other. They wear also aware of how much pain they both had been in because of their year apart.
However, out on the fire escape, a pair of eyed watched this happy reunion with disgust.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: And that is where I leave you for now. Cruel, isn't it? Well, please review! It'll make me write the next chapter faster!