Title: Just Trying to Get By
Author name: bellalavanima
Summary: Katherine Sommer's life is slowly crumbling beneath her. Who knew she would find the strength and means to survive from the newsies of The World?
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations owned by Disney. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author notes: Please review! I would love to get some constructive criticism on this.
She was lucky to come upon a group of businessmen on their way to Wall Street almost immediately after she came out of the gate. They bought ten of her papers and lingered a bit longer than necessary. She was finally free of them when an older man, who appeared to be one of the superiors in their office, urged them on. At the beginning of the day she felt as if Jack Kelly had been following her, watching her, but soon he disappeared from view and she forgot about him as she tried different approaches of selling newspapers.
"Excuse me miss, would you like to buy a newspaper?" the woman waved her off angrily.
"Pardon me sir, copy of The World for only a penny?" he ignored her all together. She had luck with no more than five of the people that walked by, but most weren't interested and she still had fifteen papers to sell.
"Katharine Sommers?" she turned around in surprise to be greeted by a tall, flushed, somewhat large woman who was squeezed into a dress that she probably assumed made her look thin.
"Mrs. Dalton! How do you do?" She smiled politely, but underneath her calm exterior her mind raced. How would she explain to an old family friend what she was doing selling newspapers like a poor orphan?
"I'm doing very well dear, thank you for asking. The ladies and I are on our way to our church's mission society meeting. We've sponsored a missionary to help the poor heathens in Africa," she beamed down at Katharine.
"How nice…"
"My dear child, are you selling newspapers?" questioned a stern looking woman at the back of the group.
"Oh…yes…but you see its for an, um, Orphan Relief Society."
"Why that's lovely!" cried Mrs. Dalton clapping her hands together in delight.
"But isn't it mostly orphans that sell newspapers to begin with?" continued the stern looking woman, who Katharine now recognized as a Mrs. Beaumont. When Katharine nodded she continued. "So, doesn't your selling newspapers actually hurt them?"
"Oh. Well, no, you see we help them to sell more papers," the woman didn't seem convinced. "If we see an orphan that has been having a particularly hard time selling even twenty papers a day we'll help them by selling with them, but letting them keep all of the profits. Or, if at the end of the day a newsie has not sold all of their papers we'll buy as many as we can from them so that they can still make a profit for that day," she told them matter-of-factly, hoping against hope that they would accept her story without questioning her further.
"Why then we must all buy one from you to help the poor orphans! Its so wonderful of you Katharine, having been orphaned yourself, to help others who have not been as fortunate as you. Now, lets see how many of us are there?" She spent the next few minutes counting out the group and wondering how many others they would meet at the church and if perhaps they should buy papers for them too and maybe the reverand as well. Finally she announced "I think fifteen would do, could we have fifteen papers please?" Katharine happily handed over her remaining papers and thanked the ladies profusely for their kindness. Mrs. Beaumont looked at her suspiciously one last time before continuing on with the group.
Katharine breathed a sigh of relief. Her and her brother may have been going through a rough spot, but she didn't want her aunt and uncle's friends to know it. Thinking about how she would be able to keep her story up if she ever saw them again she didn't notice a tall newsie with a black cowboy hat standing in front of her.
"You sold all your papes already?" He asked in disbelief. When she saw who was speaking she smiled. She had sold all of her papers, but she could let him think it was due to skill more than sheer dumb luck.
"Yes, but it looks like you have quite a few left so I won't take up anymore of your time," she smiled sweetly and continued past. She had barely walked away before another newsie caught up with her.
"Hi, uh, Katharine was it?" she nodded and he held out his hand "I'm Mush."
"Pleased to meet you Mush," she replied shaking his hand in return.
"Where ya headin'?" he questioned nonchalantly as he began to walk with her.
"Toward Delancey St."
"Me too, I'll walk ya. Dat is, if ya don't mind?"
"That would be very nice," she replied watching Jack out of the corner of her eye. She'd show him he couldn't expect to take advantage of her. Maybe she'd start working with Mush just to spite him.
Would ya like me to carry yah purse for ya?"
"Why thank you." Jack heard her reply as the two turned the corner.
"Well Mush moves right in, doesn't he?" Davie said at his side.
"What did I tell ya Dave, she's done sellin' thirty papes in less than two hours!"
"It was probably just beginners luck. Besides, Jack, if she doesn't want to work with us you can't make her." Davie's words had no effect and Jack was in a bad mood the rest of the day. Davie wasn't sure, but he thought he saw Jack looking at his battered novel, Western Jim, more than usual.
On their way to Tibby's restaurant Jack and Davie met up with Mush, who told them all about his walk with Katharine.
"…and I'm tellin' ya, I think she's the one."
"Sure Mush, you say dat 'bout every goil," replied Jack disinterestedly.
"Nah, but seriously…"
"Wait, Mush, what are you holding in your left hand?" asked Davie as they walked into Tibby's.
"Huh? Oh no! Its her purse, I told her I'd carry it an I guess I forgot…"
"Hi Mush!" a high voice cried behind them, followed by a giggle. They all turned to see a blushing girl with bouncy blonde curls.
"Umm…Hiya Bess…" Mush said weakly, giving Jack and Davie a look of distress as he moved the purse behind his back.
"Whatcha got there?" she asked giggling as she made a grab for it. Jack stepped forward and took it out of Mush's hands before she could get it.
"He was holding it for me," she looked at Jack curiously and giggled. "I have to give it back to a friend," he said rolling his eyes. Mush looked at him gratefully.
"Ooooh, a friend." Betsy giggled again before turning to Mush. "Ready to go?"
"Sure, meet ya at the door in a second," when she was out of earshot he turned to Jack. "Thanks a lot, I owe you one."
"So, where does she live?" asked Jack.
"You mean you're going to…oh, well, ok. Corner of Delancey, it's a tall brown building, 'cept I don't know how you're gonna get in…"
"Alrigh' thanks. You comin' Dave?" Jack asked over his shoulder as he made his way to the street.
"Jack, you can't be serious. You can't just show up at this girl's apartment!" Davie explained as he followed Jack out the door.
"Why not?"
"Well, for one thing I doubt she'd let you in, after how you treated her today. She'd probably slam the door in your face," Davie continued, trying to stop Jack.
"So then we'll use the fire escape."
"Jack!" cried Davie as he followed after Jack reluctantly.