My older brother just walked in and told me that my beta, Mary, owes him tootsie rolls so tootsie rolls for reviewers.

Shout Outs:

            Sapphy: Yes we should kill spot then.. wait kill. no that would be a little too mean. How about torture? I don't know why, I typed and it kinda came out like that. *almost hands tootsie rolls then hesitates when remember the last time she gave Sapphy sugar. Shrugs and hands her tootsie rolls anyway*.

            gypsy-morrigan: Thank you. 15 year old boy in the Seattle area, you should tell me more about this John. Just kidding. Thanks again *Hands tootsie rolls*.

            Amiee Amelie: Its ok, Sapphy up there^ wants to kill Spot. Thanks for reviewing *hands tootsie rolls*.

            BrooklynGrl: Its alright I understand. You won't have to be sad for a while. This story may just go on forever. No not that long, but I'm only about ¼ into the first part. Thanks for reviewing *hands tootsie rolls*.

Chapter 14

            I entered the Lodging House to find John awake and playing with one of the younger newsies. Why hadn't I thought of this? He would probably wake up while I was gone. I shouldn't have left him alone. I walked up behind him. John didn't even notice me he was so enthralled in his game of marbles.

            John had adapted well to his environment and I never heard him complain much anymore. He still wanted to go home, I could tell. It was a wonder to me how little children could understand when the people taking care of them were stressed, and how when they are stressed that the children would do their best to behave.

            I sighed deeply and sat down on my bunk. I was tired beyond all means and was on the verge of collapse as it was. Yet I felt the need to stay awake and do my job. Take care of John, my primary objective. A reassuring hand rested on my shoulder.

            Looking up I saw Aurora, one of the other girls who stayed in the lodging house. Aurora had shoulder length auburn hair, hazel eyes, and an athletic build. I didn't know much about her, didn't know much at all. She seemed pretty shy around strangers, which is understandable a lot of people are. I guess I was still a stranger to her. We knew each others names, so I guess I could call her an acquaintance. She was an ally in this twisted time I had landed myself in.

            "You ok?" she asked her comforting hand leaving my shoulder.

            "Tired," I lied. There was a lot more to it than that. I wasn't going to poor my heart out though. I'm not one to poor my heart out at times like these. Now that I think about I don't poor my heart out in many times at all.

            She nodded, whether accepting I didn't want to talk about it or believing that I was tired I wasn't sure.

            She left my side to attend to what ever it was that she needed to do. I stayed in the lodging house instead of leaving to sell the evening edition. I didn't want to be on the streets right now. I knew I could and I wouldn't have to worry at all. Riley seemed to be determined to protect me whether I wanted to be in his debt or not. I can't say I really minded knowing that I would be safe. I wondered though what if something where to happen to me outside of his jurisdiction. Really he didn't own all of New York, just Brooklyn. He couldn't protect me everywhere. Or could he? Did he watch everywhere I went?

            "'Ey Julie!" Miracle ran in. She and other Manhattans had just gotten back.

            "Konban wa," I replied not taking my attention from my thought, which is why my automatic response was in a different language. I'm not exactly sure why, but when someone talks to me and I'm thinking, or concentrating on something I have an odd tendency to reply in another language.

            "What?" I looked up at the blank stare I was getting.

            "Good evening," I repeated this time in English.

            "Ah," Miracle muttered still with the traces of a blank stare on her face. "Good evening."

            "Good sellin'?"

            "Yeah, what 'bout youse?"

            "Yeah,"

            Our conversation was skin deep. I didn't feel like putting any meaning into my words. I didn't feel like doing much at the moment. I kind of just wanted to curl up on my bunk and sleep. Sleep was so relaxing. So thoughtless, that I could be free for just a few moments. But, no I had to stay awake another hour or two to put John to bed.

            "Who's up foh some pokah?" Sapphy called out across the room as she entered.

            Several people agreed, and moved over to the new poker table Mom had bought for us. I contemplated moving to join the others but decided against it. It would require moving all the way across the room. That was way to much work for me at the moment.

            "Come on Julie," Clips said tugging on my arm as she made her way over.

            I shrugged and figured the distraction was worth it. The poker game was nearly full by the time I got over there and took a place next to Angelfish. The cards were dealt out and I got a really bad hand. I suck at poker even without the bad hands. This was not going to be a good game.

            I folded straight out and watched as it narrowed down between Angelfish and Stormy for the win. After a moment of tension Angelfish folded and Stormy revealed her bluff. We all laughed as Stormy laid down a pair of sixes, Angelfish didn't seem too happy about it though.

            Our group played several more rounds before retiring. I have to say I didn't do to bad. Only folded straight out twice and managed to win once. I think they let me win it though. There was absolutely no way I could have won that on my own. Just no physically possible way, but I can hope.

            I felt a lot more relaxed after the game and got John and myself ready for bed. I had made a resolution. I was going to go to Manhattan tomorrow and meet the newsies there. I was very excited to meet my idols. They were just awesome and I had to wonder if they met up to the standards their actors had made for them.