Disclamair: OK guys so here is chapter two I'm sorry it took so long i've had alot going on but anyway I hope you enjoy ( send me a review please ok thanks )

The Next day Jack woke Crutchie up at the break of dawn. He couldn't wait to show him New York from his favorite place in the city. "Ugh, Jackkk! Why are you waking me we up so early. You said that we weren't going to sell pape's until next Monday. "

"I know ... I know but I want to show you something. "

"OK I'll be up in a few minutes ..." Crutchie said as he shooed Jack away.

"OK but hurry you're going to love it!"

Once he finally got Crutchie out of bed Jack eagerly dragged Crutchie up to the rooftop of the Lodge.

"See isn't this beautiful '' Jack said looking at the beautiful sunrise

"Yeah it sure is, but I don't get it Jack, why do you love this place I mean your Mr. Cowboy escapee from that Refuge place you has talked so much about."

"I know ... But a boy can't stay here forever.

Have I ever told you about Santé Fe?"

"Nope what's that?" Asked Crutchie.

''It's a Beautiful city out West!" Said Jack.

''Someday I'll make it there and if you want yuz can come to."

"Really? that would be great! "Crutchie said with a huge grin.

A few minutes later Jack and Crutchie heard the sound of boys yelling, and running around through the Lodging house when Jack looked back at Crutchie and asked

" Hey Kid I think it's time that you get a start on selling those pape's you never know if you're going to miss a good headline ."

"Ok... '' Said Crutchie

Once the boys had gotten ready they ended up walking down to the Newspaper stand. The two boys bought 100 pape's each and headed out together. But once they were down to about twenty papers Crutchie started to feel a little run down "Hey jack umm can we take a break all this walking is making me pretty tired. ''

"Yeah sure crutch but are you sure you're ok?"

"Yeah I just need to sit. I feel really tired I didn't sleep to well last night, I've been having a small cough."

Crutchie said as he tried to hide the fact that he felt much worse and all he wanted was to go home and sleep. Though Crutchie felt if he did he would not only let himself down but Jack as well. Crutchie knew in order to stay in the lodging house they both would have to sell at least five more papers to make enough for rent alone.

"Ok, Jack I'm ready to sell more."

Crutchie said as he struggled to stand on his tired weary feet.

"Well… Ok let's get going then. "As Jack held out his hand for Crutchie to help him get up, Crutchie then yelled out, grabbing his leg and falling to the ground.

"Jack!"

Crutchie said as he looked up at his friend concerned
"I don't know what's going on but something isn't right, my leg is throbbing and I've barley done anything and I don't think walking would make it feel this way! "

"Neither do I Crutch. Here let me help you" Jack said as he helped Crutchie lean on his shoulder.

"Uma ok, oh But wait what about the pape's? We won't have enough for board if we stop now. "

"Don't you worry about that I know Mr. Kloppman and he lets us boys stay if we are in trouble and well Crutchie you're in trouble and I'm here for you. I meant it when I said we's are brothers and this is what brothers do for each other."

Crutchie nodded with a smile as he placed his arm over Jacks shoulder, he knew he was right and he wasn't going to argue with Jack on this one.

A Few hours later Crutchie awoke in his bed with Jack, Race and all the other boys crowding around him. Crutchie could feel a warm breeze going through the window that was placed at the other side of the long narrow room.

"Hey crutchie you're awake! " Said Jack smiling down on him.

"So can I get you anything kid? Maybe some water, or food? ''

"Oh no ... I'm ok! What happened all I remember is telling the doctor that I didn't feel so good."

"Well... ah Jack said as he looked around the room so he wouldn't have to look at his friend in the eye. You see crutchie the doctor said you have something called Polio."

"What!" cried out Crutchie "No, no, I can't wait, No Jack what else did he say! "At this point all Crutchie could think of was his mother. Crutchie didn't want to die, or worse have his new family to go what he had to.

'' it's ok! You'll be ok I promise "Said Jack holding his friend down.

"Yeah crutch doesn't worry we's all here for you.'' Replied Race.

"NO I can't Jack what else the doctor said! I know you guys are holding something back."

"Well - the doctor says that in a few weeks the muscles in your leg will stop working and well only thing he can do is amputate it.

There was a small silence until Crutchie interrupted it with tears rolling down his face and said

"Ok I'll stay strong but what am I supposed to do until then."

"The doctor said that you will need to stay in bed and he is going to arrange for the surgery as soon as he can he said that he doesn't want to wait till you lose the feeling. Said Jack holding back his tears

Crutchie paused for a moment to come to terms with what he had just been told. Then Jack looked down and gave him a hug they both knew it was going to be hard but they'd make it through.