Ok, I had some major writers block and I think I finally broke through it. So here is chapter 11 if anyone still reads this /. Sorry for the delay…I really hope you like it so please review and let me know what you think ) btw- maybe one reason this took so long was because I attempted to kidnap the rights to the newsies, failed, and was in prison?? Or maybe not, but either way they are still not mine )
"Mary?" Drew asked as he hung his coat and hat on a peg just inside the door of the small, but cozy Manhattan apartment. The room was furnished with a comfortable plush sofa, wooden rocking chair, piano, and an organized desk. Personal touches accented the room giving it a homey feel. It definitely wasn't the typical "lawyer-type," but then again neither was Drew.
"Mary?" Drew called again. This time, a woman with a mass of dark, curly hair tied back at the nape of her neck appeared from a bedroom. She was tall, only a few inches shorter that Drew, and slender- with the exception of her protruding stomach. I smiled Drew's gonna be a father.
"Engrossed in another book, darling?" He asked, noting the novel she had nestled underneath her arm. She smiled tenderly at him.
"I was waiting dinner for you. Is this her?" She inquired in a genuinely sweet voice as she walked over to the doorway where we were standing to meet us.
"This would be her. Marty, I would like you to meet my wife, Mary." He put his hand on the curve of her spine, gently rubbing up and down. Everything about the way they acted around each other proclaimed their deep and true love.
Mary gave me a welcoming smile. "It is wonderful to finally meet you Marty. I've heard so much about you from Drew over here. Please, make your self comfortable. Our home is your home. Now, I am going to go get supper on the table, I'm sure you both are half-starved by now." After she gave both of our hands a squeeze she made her way to the adjoining kitchen.
I looked over at Drew, who lingered his eyes on her for a moment longer before matching my gaze. I smiled at him and shook my head. "Now how did you get so lucky as to end up with her?"
He gave my neck a gentle squeeze in mirth. "I was very blessed, now come on, I'll show you your room."
I followed Drew to a small and simple, but very inviting guest room just off the living area. Then he left me alone for a few moments to get unpacked and settle in. I looked in the mirror that hung over the dresser. I groaned, DIS is what Mary's foist impression of me was? I look like I've been in da refuge fer a few weeks. I took the opportunity that I had to brush out my tangled, blonde hair and wash the streaks of dirt off my face. After five or so minutes had passed Drew knocked on my door to inform me that dinner was ready, and boy was I ever grateful, Mary was right, I was STARVING.
"There she is," Mary smiled as I entered the kitchen/dining area and took a seat at the round wooden table. "I hope you like meatloaf, but if not I would be happy to fix you something else."
"No, this is great, thanks. Besides, a being a newsie I have learned to like just about anything I can get." Next to me Drew let out a chuckle in agreement.
"Shall we say grace?" Mary asked as she gently took a hold of Drew's hand in one of hers and mine in the other. I have to admit I have never prayed before, so it was a bit awkward. We didn't even pray as a family when my parents were alive. To my surprise, Drew said a simple but earnest prayer that thanked God for our meal and asked him to be with us during the trial, and it touched me. Maybe prayers weren't so bad; in fact, I decided I would start to pray. What harm could come from it anyway?
"So I reviewed you case and…" Drew started, but ceased when Mary put a hand over his. "Oh, sorry dear. Mary likes to keep the table conversation more…simple. She says it's better for digestion." He winked at her and caressed her hand.
"How long have you two been married?" I was curious, since she was expecting a baby and Drew was fresh out of law school.
"About three years now," Drew responded. He then continued to tell me how they met. They first encountered in a library, Drew was a first year law student and Mary a book-worm pastor's daughter. So that explains the prayer, I thought to myself.
"She was the only woman in there, and she had books piled up to her nose… that's what first attracted me to her. Then, when she dropped all those books I saw how beautiful she was and, well…" He stopped to laugh when Mary playfully slapped him on the arm. She finished the story for him by telling how her glasses had fallen off and she couldn't see a thing. I smiled to myself, remembering how my first encounter with Spot wasn't nearly so pleasant. In fact, I had decided after meeting him that if I ever had to come in contact with him again it would be too soon. If I recall correctly, I believe I even informed him of that before I marched myself all the way back to Manhattan.
"Then we saw each other there about a week later, and he carried my books home for me…"
I remember the second time I met up with Spot. Jack and Drew had dragged me back to Brooklyn, saying that if I didn't make nice with the Brooklyn boys my life as a newsie would be, as Jack put it, the complete opposite of a walk in Central Park. I, of course, informed him that a walk in Central Park was not so pleasant with the risk of being jumped, but they made me go anyway. So after a struggle I found myself face to face with the smart-mouthed kid again, grunted a hello, and received the infamous smirk in return.
"Missed me, dija?" He asked cockily, his steel blue eyes having that effect on me even in our childhood. This caused my temper to flare, and me pushing him off of the side of the dock. Only a split-second after Spot hit the water did I actually think that impulsive action through, but I was too prideful to show any regret.
"That'll teach ya!" I yelled before I was dragged back to Manhattan, blushing furiously. I was such a bratty kid. I bit my lip to hold back laughter. But I'll bet I was da only one dat evah stood up tah Spot like dat. I'm not going to lie, I was, and still am, very proud of that.
Drew finally recognized that I was deep in thought and waved a hand in front of my face. "Marty, what are you thinking about?"
I felt myself grow warm, Oh joy.
"I guess I am just a little out of it. I'm kind of tired. Long day, you know." Mary nodded her head in agreement.
"You should probably get yourself to bed and get yourself a good night's sleep. I'll see you in the morning." She said warmly. I thanked her for supper and said goodnight before going into the guest room and falling onto the bed. I exhaled as I stretched out; It felt so good to rest. I felt my body unwind and I fell into a deep, deep sleep.
When I woke up the next morning I felt like I had been sleeping for years, but I awoke with a fresh optimism that everything was going to work out just fine. I heard movement outside of the door and I rolled over to look at the clock. Hmmm…12:30… I blinked and double checked. 12:30!!!!! I quickly rolled out off the bed, brushed out my bed head and splashed come cold water on my face before rushing out of the room.
"I thought I heard you wake up," Mary greeted me from the rocking chair in the living area, where she held a book on top of her belly. "I made you some lunch. You've got to be starved, you slept clear through breakfast." I felt my cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. Nice one Marty, what a great impression ya made on her. She probably tinks youse is a lazy bum.
"Sorry, It's that, well, the boys usually wake me up." I stumbled. She flashed me a huge smile.
"And Drew tells me that they have quite the time with it too." She teased allowing me to let go of my unease. "So don't worry about it, besides, I think you deserved to sleep in a little."
I smiled and took my seat at the table. She put a sandwich and some cold soup in front of me and then sat down to a lunch of the same thing.
We chatted a little, mostly just small talk. I found her really easy to converse with, and also a very good cook.
"So where is Drew this morning…I mean…afternoon?" I giggled at my own mistake. She smiled and me and let out a little laugh.
"He is at the office. He has some paperwork to file and a few meetings. He usually comes home to eat lunch with me, but he gets really busy when he is working on a big case." I nodded and looked down at my food. I felt a twinge of guilt that my case was keeping Drew from having lunch with his pregnant wife. Mary must have sensed my discomfort because she patted my arm affectionately. "But when all of this is over, it will have been worth it." I smiled and raised my eyes to look at her.
"So you typically have to spend every day alone in the apartment like this?" I couldn't imagine being confined to one place waiting for my husband to come home, fixing meals, cleaning, and caring for children. I would have the desire to have a life of my own.
"Oh, not all day. Sometimes I would go visit my sisters; they are all married and moved out now. I have three of them…The youngest is about your age. Or I would go visit my father at the church or spend the day at the library. But lately travel has become increasingly difficult." She paused and gestured to her descended stomach and rubbed it affectionately. "At least in two or so months I will have this little one to occupy most of my time."
Before I thought it through, I began to tell her how I felt about my being a housewife one day. It was only AFTER I thought it through that I realized she could consider my opinion offensive. However, the smile she gave in response showed no hint of offense.
"I know how you feel. My dream has always been to be a writer. Then Drew came along… and he changed my whole world. Now I want nothing more than to care for and support him, raise a family with him and grow old with him. I haven't lost my dreams; just found ones that I came to discover were of more importance. Love changes people Marty, but in a good way. I'll bet that there is a boy out there that can tame even the most free-spirited of girls." She gently squeezed my arm. I blushed deeply, indeed there was. An aggravating, stubborn boy who had the power to make my heart melt. I sighed. He was only tryin' ta looking out fer you and protectin' ya like he promised he would. Now I could only hope that he hadn't yet come to the conclusion that I was more trouble than I was worth. I definitely had caused him a lot of strife. No, youse is not gonna tink about dis now. Dere are way more important tings you should be tinking about. Your entire future depends on dis trial… dat's what ya need to concentrate on.
After we finished eating I helped Mary with the dishes, something I hadn't done since I had to help my mother, and even then I was not good at it. Thank goodness both my mother and Mary were gifted with patience. The gift of patience Mary possessed came in handy later that day, when Mary took it upon herself to teach me to knit. The idea of needlework made me cringe, but it was something to keep me occupied. To my surprise, I actually produced something. It was supposed to a potholder, but I think that if anyone were to use it for its purpose they would suffer severe burns. Nevertheless, I was proud of my creation, even if is useless.
Drew got home at about four, and was greeted with a kiss from him wife. She then made her way into the kitchen, but not before asking me if I wanted to help with dinner.
"I'm not so sure I trust her to help with the preparation of my food," He said teasingly. Mary gave him a funny look and poked him in the ribs.
"She will be fine; I have complete confidence in her."
"You've also only known her for one day." He said ruffling my hair. I swatted his hands away and lightly socked him in the arm before starting off for the kitchen.
"Hold up, I have some good news," He said grabbing a hold of my arm. "I got a court date set, and the evidence appears to be in our favor."