Chapter 16: The Dust Stirs and Settles
A/N: Guess what... I'm back. Oh, here's a bit of sadness... this fic is almost done! ::tear::: Oh, my only question is this... do you happy people want a very long epilogue or a short little fic that explains everything that happens after the fic ends? Review and tell me what you prefer! Toodles!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The figure on the fire escape watched in mute horror. The scene that was playing out before their very eyes was one they never thought they would see. Unable to trust her new sister, Cathleen had come to the Lodgings to check up on Alyssa.
Though she had understood that this 'Racetrack' Alyssa always talked about was her lover, Cathleen had figured that he was some poor factory worker or the like. Never had she dreamt that this Race as being a Newsie.
"What was Alyssa thinking? How can she even love someone so low on the social ladder? Here she is practically giving herself to him! Once she fulfills this 'animal lust,' I'll have a talk with her in the morning. After tonight, there will be no more of this. She'll just have to forget him and find someone in a better situation that has the ability to take care of her."
Little did Cathleen know that Race was exactly what Alyssa needed and that she was the most important thing in his life.
Finally having enough of this base, disgusting escapade, Cathleen climbed from the fire escape and headed home.
Inside the Lodging House, it was another story completely. Everyone sat around lobby, having a small celebration, leaving Race and Alyssa alone for the time being.
Jack raised a bottle of beer and gave a toast. "May dem two always be blessed wid endless love and happiness."
His toast was greeted with a loud cheer.
Sagely, Kloppman rose and gave his own blessing. "May you all be blessed with the pure love and joy that Race and Alyssa share. This has been good for the both of them." He turned to Mercy and Leila. "I fully intend on living long enough to walk the three of you down the aisle."
Upstairs, things were going quite well, if there was a phrase that could begin to describe the joyous occasion. Not a single word was spoken between the two of them; there was no need. They simply were. Kisses that bared the soul were shared between them as hands memorized every curve of the body. There was something so pure, so perfect about this moment that words could not begin to describe it. Eventually every unnecessary item of clothing was removed, while still maintaining a bit of decency. They were not about to ruin what they had by succumbing to the carnal need for sex.
Race rolled onto his back and Alyssa gently settled herself in his arms. She traced patterns on his lean bare chest with her fingers, content to simply lie there with him. Alyssa's eyes were beginning to veil with the look of cloudy sleep. Making sure not to disturb Alyssa, Race leaned forward to pull the covers around them both.
"Night sweets," Race murmured sleepily.
"Mmmm..." came Alyssa's response before she fell asleep.
A little while later everyone else came up to the bunk room. There was an air of contentment as they passed the sleeping couple to climb into their respective bunks. Mercy climbed in beside Specs; Sarah crawled up with Jack; and David and Leila borrowed an empty bunk for the night. Even Mush climbed in beside Blink for the night. Once everyone was in place, the bunk room presented a picture of simple happiness. Everything that they had all ever wanted was there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Morning came and the usual routine prevailed. Kloppman came up, awaking the boys for another day of selling. When he saw Race and Alyssa he had to smile despite himself.
"Alright you two. Time to get up."
Both of them groaned before rolling over, trying to catch a few extra moments of peace.
Muttering something about lovesick people, Kloppman walked off, waking everyone else. Eventually all the couples got up and headed for the washroom.
With Alyssa home, the morning resembled one of the past. With only exception of that she and Race were more open with their relationship. The usual camaraderie ensued; jokes and laughter being the main focus. To Kloppman, the sounds coming from the boys' mouths were the sweetest sounds he had ever heard. The only thing that saddened him was the knowledge that his Newsies were growing up. Soon there would not be a single Newsie he knew from their childhood. Young ones would be coming in as the older ones left, but he would never get the chance to know them like he knew these ones. Soon he would not be able to run the Lodging House anymore. A glimmer of a plan began to form in Kloppman's mind as he thought about this. Maybe... yeah, he would ask about that.
Jack was furious with himself. "I's almost twenty an' I's still sellin' papes!"
"Maybe not for long," Sarah replied.
"Wha'?"
She smiled at Jack. "Papa's trying to get you a job in the factory. Just think, real wages that won't have to be saved to buy papes for tomorrow."
"But wha' 'bout da Mouth?" he asked, gesturing towards David.
"David's educated, don't worry about him. Already he's got newspapers asking him to write for him. But he's also got a lead on a teaching job at one of the schools."
"Oh, Davey woikin' fer da big boys huh?" Blink called.
"Oh shut it," David snapped.
Leila stoked his face. "Don't be cross deah," she said.
Alyssa watched everyone and laughed. Oh how she had missed this. "Hey guys; come by Tibby's latah an' ya may get a free meal!"
Blink's face lit up like a light. "Free food? Alright, I's dere!"
Alyssa finished washing her face and pulled on her clothes. "I's gonna be late if yous keep talkin'. I's gotta run; bye!" With that, she kissed Race before bolting out of the Lodging House.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Newsies were not the only ones who had decided to pay a visit to Alyssa at Tibby's. After finding out where she worked from a Newsie, Cathleen went off. She had a few choice words to share with her sister-in- law. Her only complication was that she had arrived at the same time the Manhattan Newsies did. Well, some things could not be helped.
Boldly, Cathleen stepped forward. "Alyssa, I need to talk with you." She looked around. "In private," she added.
Alyssa eyed her sister-in-law. "Anythin' yous got ta say yous can say in front a dese guys." Her firm tone told Cathleen there was no way around it.
"Fine then. I want to talk to you about your, how shall I put this... lover. I must say that I find the entire thing disgusting. I would have thought that you might at least have the sense to find someone who could provide for you; give you a home, some security. But here you are, throwing your life away on a poor, worthless street rat!"
"Are you quite finished?" Alyssa's voice dripped with cold contempt.
"No," Cathleen retorted. "You will end this little... fling right now. From this day forward, you shall never see him again..."
Alyssa had heard enough. "Now you listen to me." In her anger, Alyssa's voice was hard and lost the accent. "I will do nothing of the sort. You have no idea of anything around here, do you? But then again, how could you understand what's between me and Race? Tell me, what is a home and security without love? A home can't exist without love. You are a hypocrite, my dear girl." At this, Cathleen's eyes went wide. "Oh, you did here me. Here you are talking about how shameful it is to love someone who's poor, but you yourself have married my brother who in fact is just a poor as my Racetrack."
"I don't understand..."
"I didn't expect you would. Allow me to spell it out for you. Dom has no money. While in Boston, he worked as a bootblack. The money that he currently has was stolen from Liam. And yet, you love him and you married him, did you not? Now here you are condemning me for loving a poor man when you yourself have married one! At least my man honestly earns what little money he has..."
"You contemptuous bitch!" Cathleen spat.
Everyone inside Tibby's watched the two girls. There were no bets placed on who would win because they all knew Alyssa would. From the back of the crowd, Dom spoke. "My sister is right you know. I am a poor man and the money that I have was stolen from Liam. Does that make you regret marrying me? I should hope not. Besides, if Alyssa and this Race of hers do get married, it could be quite advantageous to us..."
Alyssa was at the end of her patience. Glaring at Dom and Cathleen, she demanded, "What the hell am I to you? Am I just some playing piece in your little game of life? To be used when you think it could be of use to you? Why must you make such a fuss? Let me tell you two one thing; by the Goddess that guides me, I belong here, to live my life any way that I damn well please! Before you and Ireland, and dad and everything that's happened to me in the past year, I was happy! Do you hear me? I was happy damn it!"
"Wait, sis, listen..."
"No, you listen to me Dominic Cambell. In a months time, I will be eighteen. You can try all you want, but I'm not changing my mind; for anything."
"But Alyssa, it would be for the best if you put all of this silly, girlish nonsense behind you. There's nothing here for you."
Alyssa's eyes shot daggers at her brother. Behind her, chairs scraped the floor as all the Manhattan Newsies stood up. They had lost her once, they were not about to do it again.
Then, Alyssa gave a cold laugh. "You know, I was just beginning to like you again, after what you had done to me in the not so distant past. But now I have come to my senses and have realized that you only want what's best..."
There was a deafening pause.
"...for yourself."
Her last word stung like a wasp. Dom looked ready to kill. His face grew tight and his mouth was grim as he searched for words. Beside him, Cathleen was beginning to look like she had been betrayed. Actually, it was her that had done the betraying, if you could call it that.
"Let me make this inescapably clear," Alyssa said at last. "I would rather have a poor Newsie than nothing at all." She reached out and drew Race close to her. "This man is my life. I want nothing more than his love and to be with him through everything. And as for the rest of the Newsies, they are the family I should have had. Now, considering that I'm through with you two, I shall tell you what I want you to do."
Alyssa stepped forward and spoke softly. "I want you to leave and never come back."
Realizing that they were no longer welcome or safe, dam and Cathleen headed for the door which Davis was gladly holding open. Their faces held a look of shame as they made their way through the crowd of Newsies.
Oh, wait a sec, would yous?" Race called. "Dere's somethin' dat I's want yous ta witness." He walked forward and took Alyssa's hand. From his vest pocket, he withdrew a slim Celtic band with a small emerald mounted on it. Before they all had left that morning, Kloppman had given it to Race, knowing that he would put it to good use.
Kneeling in front of Alyssa and presenting the ring, Race asked, "Alyssa, will you marry me?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A/N: Hehe! End of chapter! Ha, I got you all with a cliffie! Well, you know what that means... yup, review time! Oh, and if you feel so inclined, (as I know you are) you can check out my new Newsies fic called "Sweet Raptured Life." Tell me what you think of that as well. Toodles!
A/N: Guess what... I'm back. Oh, here's a bit of sadness... this fic is almost done! ::tear::: Oh, my only question is this... do you happy people want a very long epilogue or a short little fic that explains everything that happens after the fic ends? Review and tell me what you prefer! Toodles!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The figure on the fire escape watched in mute horror. The scene that was playing out before their very eyes was one they never thought they would see. Unable to trust her new sister, Cathleen had come to the Lodgings to check up on Alyssa.
Though she had understood that this 'Racetrack' Alyssa always talked about was her lover, Cathleen had figured that he was some poor factory worker or the like. Never had she dreamt that this Race as being a Newsie.
"What was Alyssa thinking? How can she even love someone so low on the social ladder? Here she is practically giving herself to him! Once she fulfills this 'animal lust,' I'll have a talk with her in the morning. After tonight, there will be no more of this. She'll just have to forget him and find someone in a better situation that has the ability to take care of her."
Little did Cathleen know that Race was exactly what Alyssa needed and that she was the most important thing in his life.
Finally having enough of this base, disgusting escapade, Cathleen climbed from the fire escape and headed home.
Inside the Lodging House, it was another story completely. Everyone sat around lobby, having a small celebration, leaving Race and Alyssa alone for the time being.
Jack raised a bottle of beer and gave a toast. "May dem two always be blessed wid endless love and happiness."
His toast was greeted with a loud cheer.
Sagely, Kloppman rose and gave his own blessing. "May you all be blessed with the pure love and joy that Race and Alyssa share. This has been good for the both of them." He turned to Mercy and Leila. "I fully intend on living long enough to walk the three of you down the aisle."
Upstairs, things were going quite well, if there was a phrase that could begin to describe the joyous occasion. Not a single word was spoken between the two of them; there was no need. They simply were. Kisses that bared the soul were shared between them as hands memorized every curve of the body. There was something so pure, so perfect about this moment that words could not begin to describe it. Eventually every unnecessary item of clothing was removed, while still maintaining a bit of decency. They were not about to ruin what they had by succumbing to the carnal need for sex.
Race rolled onto his back and Alyssa gently settled herself in his arms. She traced patterns on his lean bare chest with her fingers, content to simply lie there with him. Alyssa's eyes were beginning to veil with the look of cloudy sleep. Making sure not to disturb Alyssa, Race leaned forward to pull the covers around them both.
"Night sweets," Race murmured sleepily.
"Mmmm..." came Alyssa's response before she fell asleep.
A little while later everyone else came up to the bunk room. There was an air of contentment as they passed the sleeping couple to climb into their respective bunks. Mercy climbed in beside Specs; Sarah crawled up with Jack; and David and Leila borrowed an empty bunk for the night. Even Mush climbed in beside Blink for the night. Once everyone was in place, the bunk room presented a picture of simple happiness. Everything that they had all ever wanted was there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Morning came and the usual routine prevailed. Kloppman came up, awaking the boys for another day of selling. When he saw Race and Alyssa he had to smile despite himself.
"Alright you two. Time to get up."
Both of them groaned before rolling over, trying to catch a few extra moments of peace.
Muttering something about lovesick people, Kloppman walked off, waking everyone else. Eventually all the couples got up and headed for the washroom.
With Alyssa home, the morning resembled one of the past. With only exception of that she and Race were more open with their relationship. The usual camaraderie ensued; jokes and laughter being the main focus. To Kloppman, the sounds coming from the boys' mouths were the sweetest sounds he had ever heard. The only thing that saddened him was the knowledge that his Newsies were growing up. Soon there would not be a single Newsie he knew from their childhood. Young ones would be coming in as the older ones left, but he would never get the chance to know them like he knew these ones. Soon he would not be able to run the Lodging House anymore. A glimmer of a plan began to form in Kloppman's mind as he thought about this. Maybe... yeah, he would ask about that.
Jack was furious with himself. "I's almost twenty an' I's still sellin' papes!"
"Maybe not for long," Sarah replied.
"Wha'?"
She smiled at Jack. "Papa's trying to get you a job in the factory. Just think, real wages that won't have to be saved to buy papes for tomorrow."
"But wha' 'bout da Mouth?" he asked, gesturing towards David.
"David's educated, don't worry about him. Already he's got newspapers asking him to write for him. But he's also got a lead on a teaching job at one of the schools."
"Oh, Davey woikin' fer da big boys huh?" Blink called.
"Oh shut it," David snapped.
Leila stoked his face. "Don't be cross deah," she said.
Alyssa watched everyone and laughed. Oh how she had missed this. "Hey guys; come by Tibby's latah an' ya may get a free meal!"
Blink's face lit up like a light. "Free food? Alright, I's dere!"
Alyssa finished washing her face and pulled on her clothes. "I's gonna be late if yous keep talkin'. I's gotta run; bye!" With that, she kissed Race before bolting out of the Lodging House.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Newsies were not the only ones who had decided to pay a visit to Alyssa at Tibby's. After finding out where she worked from a Newsie, Cathleen went off. She had a few choice words to share with her sister-in- law. Her only complication was that she had arrived at the same time the Manhattan Newsies did. Well, some things could not be helped.
Boldly, Cathleen stepped forward. "Alyssa, I need to talk with you." She looked around. "In private," she added.
Alyssa eyed her sister-in-law. "Anythin' yous got ta say yous can say in front a dese guys." Her firm tone told Cathleen there was no way around it.
"Fine then. I want to talk to you about your, how shall I put this... lover. I must say that I find the entire thing disgusting. I would have thought that you might at least have the sense to find someone who could provide for you; give you a home, some security. But here you are, throwing your life away on a poor, worthless street rat!"
"Are you quite finished?" Alyssa's voice dripped with cold contempt.
"No," Cathleen retorted. "You will end this little... fling right now. From this day forward, you shall never see him again..."
Alyssa had heard enough. "Now you listen to me." In her anger, Alyssa's voice was hard and lost the accent. "I will do nothing of the sort. You have no idea of anything around here, do you? But then again, how could you understand what's between me and Race? Tell me, what is a home and security without love? A home can't exist without love. You are a hypocrite, my dear girl." At this, Cathleen's eyes went wide. "Oh, you did here me. Here you are talking about how shameful it is to love someone who's poor, but you yourself have married my brother who in fact is just a poor as my Racetrack."
"I don't understand..."
"I didn't expect you would. Allow me to spell it out for you. Dom has no money. While in Boston, he worked as a bootblack. The money that he currently has was stolen from Liam. And yet, you love him and you married him, did you not? Now here you are condemning me for loving a poor man when you yourself have married one! At least my man honestly earns what little money he has..."
"You contemptuous bitch!" Cathleen spat.
Everyone inside Tibby's watched the two girls. There were no bets placed on who would win because they all knew Alyssa would. From the back of the crowd, Dom spoke. "My sister is right you know. I am a poor man and the money that I have was stolen from Liam. Does that make you regret marrying me? I should hope not. Besides, if Alyssa and this Race of hers do get married, it could be quite advantageous to us..."
Alyssa was at the end of her patience. Glaring at Dom and Cathleen, she demanded, "What the hell am I to you? Am I just some playing piece in your little game of life? To be used when you think it could be of use to you? Why must you make such a fuss? Let me tell you two one thing; by the Goddess that guides me, I belong here, to live my life any way that I damn well please! Before you and Ireland, and dad and everything that's happened to me in the past year, I was happy! Do you hear me? I was happy damn it!"
"Wait, sis, listen..."
"No, you listen to me Dominic Cambell. In a months time, I will be eighteen. You can try all you want, but I'm not changing my mind; for anything."
"But Alyssa, it would be for the best if you put all of this silly, girlish nonsense behind you. There's nothing here for you."
Alyssa's eyes shot daggers at her brother. Behind her, chairs scraped the floor as all the Manhattan Newsies stood up. They had lost her once, they were not about to do it again.
Then, Alyssa gave a cold laugh. "You know, I was just beginning to like you again, after what you had done to me in the not so distant past. But now I have come to my senses and have realized that you only want what's best..."
There was a deafening pause.
"...for yourself."
Her last word stung like a wasp. Dom looked ready to kill. His face grew tight and his mouth was grim as he searched for words. Beside him, Cathleen was beginning to look like she had been betrayed. Actually, it was her that had done the betraying, if you could call it that.
"Let me make this inescapably clear," Alyssa said at last. "I would rather have a poor Newsie than nothing at all." She reached out and drew Race close to her. "This man is my life. I want nothing more than his love and to be with him through everything. And as for the rest of the Newsies, they are the family I should have had. Now, considering that I'm through with you two, I shall tell you what I want you to do."
Alyssa stepped forward and spoke softly. "I want you to leave and never come back."
Realizing that they were no longer welcome or safe, dam and Cathleen headed for the door which Davis was gladly holding open. Their faces held a look of shame as they made their way through the crowd of Newsies.
Oh, wait a sec, would yous?" Race called. "Dere's somethin' dat I's want yous ta witness." He walked forward and took Alyssa's hand. From his vest pocket, he withdrew a slim Celtic band with a small emerald mounted on it. Before they all had left that morning, Kloppman had given it to Race, knowing that he would put it to good use.
Kneeling in front of Alyssa and presenting the ring, Race asked, "Alyssa, will you marry me?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A/N: Hehe! End of chapter! Ha, I got you all with a cliffie! Well, you know what that means... yup, review time! Oh, and if you feel so inclined, (as I know you are) you can check out my new Newsies fic called "Sweet Raptured Life." Tell me what you think of that as well. Toodles!