Sorry for the LONG hiatus but I'm back! Enjoy!
The boys and Bryan exited the Deli with Katherine following close behind. Katherine watched as the boys went to talk to the older boy, who ruffled their hair, gave them high fives, or pats on the back. They interacted like family. Katherine wondered what his story was. He seemed far older than the rest of the boys. She knew he couldn't just be a Newsie at The World, and Katherine was never one to let a question go unanswered.
Bryan watched and waited until all of the boys had headed home or off to their respective destinations. They were well down the street before he turned back and was face to face with Katherine.
"So what's your story? How do you know these boys?"
Bryan didn't really want to admit to this adorable brunette that he had quit his job. He sidestepped her and continued to walk down the street, hoping that she would get the hint. But Katherine was never a girl to just walk away from a good story, and she could tell that he was a big part of this story.
"You're far too old to be a newsboy, so what do you do for The World?"
Bryan sighed he knew she wasn't going to give up until she got an answer. So he stopped, turned around, and addressed her.
"I usta be one, and these boys are my brothas. It ain't fair what that bastard Pulitzer is doing to them. So I'm gonna do all I can to help."
She looked a little shocked by his language but once she recovered she began to make notes in her book.
"Isn't Joseph Pulitzer your boss? How does it feel to be pulled between the boys you see as your brothers and your job?"
Bryan looked away for a moment. He hadn't had a chance to tell anyone that he had quit his job. But a complete stranger might as well be the first. He looked down and kicked the dirt with his foot.
"Well that's an easy one….I don't work for him nos more."
Katherine looked up from what she was writing. She saw him looking at the ground, and she wasn't sure but he might have been fighting back tears.
"I couldn't work for someone who would do that to poor innocent kids."
"So you're apart of their strike now?"
Bryan looked down towards where the boys had exited.
"I guess I am."
Bryan wiped his eyes and looked back at Katherine and smiled. Katherine smiled back at him. That took some guts to stand up for what you believe in.
As he started down the street Katherine continued to tail him, and to press him for questions,
taking notes as she walked.
"So when you were an employee of The World what was your job?"
"I was a photographer."
"Impressive! Not everyone has the eye to do that."
"Nah it's pretty easy. You just have to find the right moments to capture. The ones that show life. Not some staged lie of what we think life is."
Katherine looked back up at him their eyes met and she looked down at her notebook quickly.
"I guess I never thought of it like that."
The conversation lulled as Katherine jotted down some more notes.
"What's your name? Maybe I've seen your photos before?"
Bryan laughed
"You wouldn't have seen many of my photos. None of them have been published. Pulitzer told me they was "too real life" for the paper.
Katherine laughed a little inside, she could just see her father telling this young man that. His goal was to always sell papers. Anything that might get people to think about the unpleasant aspects of life often didn't sell.
Right now I'm just developing and carrying around the camera for other photographers.
He stopped and put out his hand to her.
"The name's Denton, Bryan Denton."
Katherine shook his hand awkwardly with her pencil in hand. As Katherine was writing down his name a large drop of rain splashed on her paper. She looked up and felt the large pellets of rain hit her face. They picked up their pace and found shelter under an awning just the sky opened up and the downpour began.
"Looks like we's stuck here until the rain lets up."
Katherine shook off raindrops from her notebook and reached behind her head and let her hair down from the bun it was in, and shook the water out it. Bryan watched Katherine take down her hair and was in awe. Her auburn curls fell down her back and over her shoulders. They bounced up and down as she shook her head. Bryan thought She should leave her hair down rather than tying it up in a tight bun, that made her look far older than she was. He understood why she did it, being a young girl who was trying to make her way in the world. The world of men wasn't easy, and eliminating distracting elements helped them "to be taken seriously."
Katherine finished shaking out her hair, and felt Bryan's watching her. He quickly looked away when she looked over at him. She smiled, what an impossible boy.
Katherine sighed realizing she wasn't getting home anytime soon she sat down on the ground, back against the wall, and started to make notes. Bryan still caught up in his thoughts suit, and sat down beside her.
"So Mr. Denton tell me what are you expecting to happen tomorrow? Your friend-Jack seems to have some type of plan. Any idea what they are hoping for?"
"I'd rather tell you what I'm hoping to happen tonight…"
Katherine leaned away from him unsure what he was hinting out
"Excuse me Mr Denton?"
His face lost all color. Bryan mentally smacked himself. His thoughts had gotten away from him. He said what he was thinking rather than what he wanted to say..
"Sorry Miss. Plumber. I'm honestly not like that. Don't know why I said it. Now...my boy Romeo's
another story…."
Katherine let out a mental sigh of relief, but kept her distance from him. She turned back to her
notes. You could almost see the awkwardness that hung in the air. Finally Bryan broke the silence.
"So...uhh yous got a first name? Unless Plumber is your first name, which would be a little unfortunate for a girl."
Katherine rolled her eyes but smiled as she looked up at him. Katherine and Bryan locked eyes and both caught a sense of familiarity in them. Katherine feeling slightly uncomfortable broke the eye contact and brought her attention back to her paper.
"Uhhh it's Katherine-Katherine Plumber."
He smiled
"Well Katherine that's a much prettier than just Plumber."
She smiled at him.
"Thank You! It's my mother's name."
Her voice caught in her throat slightly. She hadn't told anyone that in years, but it was a common phrase she uttered in her "former life." 'Katherine' was a family name going back generations. Her mother always told her how proud to be named after such strong women.
She quickly collected herself Noticing how quiet it was Bryan stood up and put his hand outside of the awning.
"Look like the rain's let up. Where yas heading to?"
"Home...I'm going to get started on this story. My editor promised if I brought him a good story he would publish it. He owes me, and I feel these kids need a voice."
"Well let me walk ya home Kat, it's getting a little late and I don't think a lady should be on the streets with the characters that are around here."
Katherine swallowed remembering just how awful some people can be.
"Sure...it's a few blocks, but I'll take the company."
The two of them walked in silence for a block, before Katherine realized something.
"So…..Kat?"
Bryan looked up at her with a puzzled look.
"You called me Kat just now not Katherine. Not that i've never been called that, just weird to hear it from someone I just met"
"Oh Sorry! I met a Kat once and you remind me a little of her."
Katherine was unsure if he was giving her a compliment or not.
"I don't know if that's a good or bad thing?"
"Ohh good for sure!"
Katherine smiled.
"Well you are welcome to call me that then."
"So yous really planning' on comin tomorrow? Things might get a little crazy and rough."
Katherine was a little scared at the thought of things getting out of control, like it had been with the Trolley Strike, but she was a reporter and that's what she signed up for.
"If I don't give these boys a voice, who will?"
Bryan smiled at that comment. Not many people think beyond their individual lives. He was going to be at the strike, but he wished he could help his brothas too.
"If I could get my hands on a camera I'd capture some pictures to go with your article."
Katherine thought about this for a moment. Pictures of those poor starving boys would add more sympathy for the newsies, and put more pressure on her father to put the prices back where they belong.
"I can get my hands on a camera for you."
Bryan looked back at her
"Really?"
Katherine stopped, as they arrived at her building.
"Of course! Mr. Dana owes me this, Meet me outside The Sun tomorrow morning."
Bryan felt of jolt of excitement. He knew this was going to be something big.
"Great!...well I'lls see ya in the Mornin' Miss Plumber!"
He gave her a slight smack on the back that almost knocked her over.
"Oops sorry there Kat!"
Katherine laughed slightly.
"It's alright. I'll see ya in the mornin' Denton."
Bryan and Katherine both smiled at each other and turned to go their separate ways.