Crutchie avoided Jennie for the rest of the week, despite her giving him strange looks and trying to talk to him like normal. Crutchie's odd behavior wasn't lost on the other boys either, especially Race.

"I know what you're doin'." Race remarked one evening as Crutchie sat across from him reading a book.

"What's that?" Crutchie said, not looking up from his book.

"Stayin' away from Jennie because you like her."

Crutchie sighed, still refusing to meet Race's eyes. "I like her so I'm stayin' away from her? That makes no sense, Race."

"Exactly. Which is why I don't get why you'se doin' it." Race replied.

"I don't like her," Crutchie insisted quietly.

Race snorted. "Ya expect me ta believe that? I can read ya like an open book, kid."

Crutchie didn't respond for a minute, but finally, he mumbled something Race couldn't quite make out. "What'd you say?" Race asked.

"I said she's got a boyfriend!" Crutchie exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice. "She's taken, Race."

Race studied Crutchie quietly for a moment, then spoke. "I- I'm sorry, kid. I had no clue."

"Neither did I," Crutchie grumbled, a fierce scowl now etched on his face.

Race didn't respond, he simply hummed in acknowledgment.

-Break-

A few days later Crutchie had again climbed up to the roof of the lodging house after dinner, preferring its quiet solitude to the raucous energy downstairs. Tonight was different, however. As Crutchie stood in silence, lost in his thoughts, he suddenly heard a quiet sniffing noise.

A quick glance at his surroundings revealed no one, and Crutchie decided that he must have imagined the noise when he heard it again, followed by the sound of someone taking a few shaky breaths.

Tracing the sound to behind a pile of crates on the edge of the roof, Crutchie slowly approached them. His crutch made a clanging sound against the metal of the roof, and he silently cursed. He didn't want to scare whoever was up here away, not when they sounded so distraught.

Rounding the corner of the roof Crutchie slowly peeked behind the wooden boxes. He was expecting one of the younger boys, or perhaps a runaway who had found shelter here, but that wasn't the sight that met his eyes. Instead, he saw a young woman curled up in a ball, clutching a crumpled piece of paper in her hands.

"Miss? You alright?" Crutchie asked hesitantly, unsure of what was going on.

The woman looked up at him in surprise, and Crutchie realized with a jolt that it was- "Jennie?"

"Charlie," Jennie breathed. "I didn't know you were up here."

"I didn't know you were, either," Crutchie replied, feeling his cheeks heat up. He took in her disheveled appearance. "What's wrong?"

Jennie suddenly looked away from Crutchie, setting her jaw. She was quiet for a long moment, then she finally handed Crutchie the piece of paper she had been holding. "Go on. Read it."

Crutchie hesitated, not sure if he wanted to know what had upset Jennie so much. His curiosity won out in the end, however, and he slowly began to read the neat script flowing across the page.

February 23rd, 1900

My dear Jennie,

We have been together for almost a year now, and it has been one of the happiest years of my life. I know you feel the same way, which is why I deeply regret having to tell you this.

My father has decided it is time for me to "man up" as he put it, and to that end, he has arranged for me to marry a young woman named Elizabeth King. We are to be married in August.

I feel I cannot refuse my father's wishes, he is my only family in the world and I respect him deeply. I also do not wish to hurt you in any way, you deserve far better than that. Therefore I must withdraw from our understanding, and not continue to see you.

I hope you understand that this is for the best, Jennie. I care for you greatly, and so I hope you will be able to move on and find someone else who will make you as happy as you have made me.

Yours,

John Merriwether

Crutchie's mouth hung open slightly as he finished reading the letter. Whatever he had been expecting, it hadn't been this.

Jennie chuckled bitterly at Crutchie's shocked expression. "I worked for the Merriwether family for two years before I moved to the city. John and I have been seeing each other for about a year, and he said he loved me." She scoffed. "I should have known better than to trust him, he was never going to give up his fortune for me."

"That don't make it right for him ta hurt you," Crutchie said softly, his heart aching for Jennie. "Fortune or no fortune, he tricked ya."

Jennie shrugged. "It's my fault, really. I was naive and far too trusting, and he took advantage of that."

"I wouldn't take advantage of you." The words were out of Crutchie's mouth before he could stop them, and Jennie looked up at him in surprise.

Crutchie smiled sheepishly. "I probably shouldn't 'a said that huh?"

"Charlie… I can't. I'm sorry, but I can't," Jennie said softly, her eyes filled with tears.

"I know," Crutchie nodded. "But I needed ta say that. I needed you to hear it."

Crutchie wordlessly handed Jennie back her letter, then turned to leave. He heard Jennie call his name, but he ignored her. His heart had once again been shattered, and he wanted to be alone.

A/N: I would like to thank everyone who has left reviews on this story so far, reviews are the best feedback an author can get. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.