Chapter 10

Everyone gathered back at the Lodging House to deliberate on what to do. Everyone was talking loudly and all at once. Jack stood up on the stairs and whistled, getting them all to be quiet. He had all their attentions.

"Now, we all knows one thing for sure. We'se getting' Crutchy out of da Refuge tanight. Dave and me'll go and come back wid 'im. Dat's a promise."

"Woah, woah, what do you mean you and Dave?" Daisy spoke up. "We're coming." She gestured to herself, Heather and Delilah.

"Nah, nah, it's too dangerous. I can't risk anythin' 'appenin' ta any of ya, and what if Snydah catches Lace?"
"What if Snyder catches you?" Heather pointed out. "You're in just as much danger as I would be in. We may not have known Crutchy as long as you have, but he's still part of our family. We're not leaving him behind." Jack still looked unsure. So she turned to David who was standing a little further away. "Dave?" He brought his head up. He looked like he had been in deep thought.

"If they want to come Jack. I think you should let them. You know them, they're not afraid to say how they really feel about something." He said that last part right to Heather, which confused her a little. But she pushed that aside and looked back to Jack.

He sighed and said, "Fine. You goils can come. But ya gotta do what we say, a'ight?" They agreed.

They continued talking for a while longer, deciding what their coarse of action was going to be. They decided that the next day they would confront the paper wagon directly and try to stop it from distributing the papers. After that was planned, everyone was dismissed. Jack invited David to stay for a while, but he said that he really needed to get himself and Les home before it was too late, but that he would be ready for tonight. He said bye to Jack and the girls, but didn't look Heather in the eye. She furrowed her brow, unsure of why he was acting so weird. It couldn't be about the kiss. They had both agreed to forget it almost happened. She tried not to think about it, and focus on what was happening that night.

Before they knew it, it was time to head out. The streets were dark and quiet. It was around 11:00, so everyone was at home in bed. Heather led them to the Jacobs. Jack threw pebbles up against David's window until they saw the window open and David climb out. He made his way down the fire escape to the group.

"Ready?" Jack asked him. David nodded and they headed off.

A little into the walk, a wind blew and David shivered.

"Cold?" Heather asked him. He ignored her. "It can get pretty cold at night here, even in the summer."

"I know what it's like here. I've lived in New York longer than you have," he spat at her. She stopped in her tracks, in shock. He just kept going, and she watched him, mouth agape. She eventually started moving again, but didn't walk next to David. She trailed a little ways behind the group. They all continued in silence. Finally, they arrived at the Refuge.

"So 'ere it is. Da refude. My 'ome sweet 'ome," Jack announced,

"How can you be sure they sent him here?" David asked.

"How can I be sure da Delancey's stink?"
Heather decided to try talking to him again, "It's just how things work, you know? An orphan gets arrested, Snyder makes sure he gets sent straight here, so he can rehabilitate him. The more kids in the Refuge, the more money the city sends to take care of them, the more Snyder sticks it in his pocket."

"Hm," was all David said to acknowledge her answer. This time, everyone noticed his coldness and exchanged glances.

"In oudda woids," Jack continued, "he's 'ere."

"Remind me again, why'd you bring the rope?" Delilah questioned.

Suddenly, the gates to the Refuge opened and the group quickly ducked into the alley next to the building. They hid in the shadows until the carriage coming out was gone. They then made their way to the roof where Jack proceeded to tie the rope around his waist and handed the other half to David.

"Well I guess that answers my question," Delilah stated.

"Each of you grab onta da rope," Jack instructed.

Before he went over the edge, Daisy walked up to him, grabbed his face and kissed him. "Be careful," she said.

"Of coise I will." He squeezed her hand, and, once she was holding onto the rope again, eased over the ledge of the roof. Very slowly, the group lowered him down until he told them to stop.

The ones on the roof could barely hear what the two were saying, but the girls had seen the movie enough times to know exactly what they were talking about. Oscar and Morris had hurt Cructhy so he wasn't able to leave since he refused to be carried. Their plan had failed. When Jack gave the signal, they pulled him back up. The first thing they noticed was the anger in his eyes.

Before anyone could ask any questions, he said, "If we wasn't fightin' 'ard before, we give all we got now. Cause now, it's poisenal."

They got down off the roof and made their way back to the Jacobs where they would drop off David. Heather tried making conversation with him, but he just kept blowing her off. Finally, she snapped.

"What the hell is up?" she shouted. "Why are you giving me the cold shoulder? What did I do to you?"
He turned to face her, finally looking her in the eyes, and replied, "You wouldn't talk about it!"

"Talk about what?"
"What almost happened today. What happened with us."

"We both agreed to forget it and move on."

"No, you agreed. I just went along with it because you had your mind all made up."

"Why are you so set on this?"
"Because I...You know what, I'm not anymore. It doesn't matter."

He turned and started walking away towards his fire escape since they were close to it. She chased after him.

"David!"
"You're right," he said, facing her again. "It is better we don't talk about it. In fact, I'm glad it didn't happen at all. What a mistake that would've been."

He stalked to his fire escape and climbed up, not saying a word to anyone.

Heather didn't know what to do. She could feel the tears welling in her eyes, but she fought them back, willing herself not to cry. She just closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, she saw the others around her.

"What was that about?" Daisy asked her. "What happened with you two?"
"It-it's nothing. I really don't feel like talking about it right now."

"We should all 'ead 'ome and get soe sleep. We gotta big day ahead of us," Jack suggested.

"You guys go on. Spot said something a few days ago about a party he was throwing. I think I'm gonna check it out."

"We'll come with you," Delilah offered.

"No, I'd really rather just go by myself. Get away from everything. I'll be back by morning."

Without another word, or waiting to hear what her friends would say, Heather turned and headed for Brooklyn.

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