Hey everybody, sorry this took so long, I have been amazingly busy! But this week is kind of slow so I have a little extra time. I hope you like this chapter, let me know.

3 Meg

Nope, they still aren't mine (

I sighed and leaned against the back of the wooden kitchen chair watching the crowd of people hustle about. I longed to be in that crowd, with its excitement and unpredictability. But no, I was forced to just study it like I had been for the past month and a half. Mary looked at me from the chair in the living room that she was reading in. Her due date was only a few weeks away now, and since continuous climbing of stairs would put too much strain on her we were both confined to the apartment.

I was becoming restless just sitting around all day, but I tried to hide that from Mary because I didn't want to her feel responsible. But she, being as smart as she was, knew exactly what I was feeling. Or maybe it was the fact that I moped around and she always found me gazing out the window at the hustle and bustle of the Manhattan streets, plus I am sure that my aimless wondering around the apartment assisted her in catching on.

"Marty, do you like to read?" she inquired. I chuckled, I expected this question eventually. Since we have only had each other for company, with the exception of a late night conversation with Drew when he finally came home from working, we have become great friends and gotten to know each other fairly well. One thing I learned about Mary is that she is always reading something, even more so now that her movement is limited. Personally I am not all that fond of books and never have been. When I was in school I was always teased about how slow I read out loud, but it wasn't that I was stupid, it's just that the words all run together and I eventually find myself daydreaming about something else. I racked my brain for some form of polite excuse.

"Umm, no offense Mary, I know how much you love reading, but I never could get into books. In my opinion I find them a boring waste of time." I said in reply, realizing only milliseconds afterward that my response didn't come out as nicely as I had planned. But she just smiled and me.

"Many others feel that way too, but once they start reading they realize that it's not all as bad as they thought. They just haven't been reading the right kind of books. The books they make you read in school are uneventful. But a good book will draw your mind out of this little room" She gently set her novel aside and slowly rose to her feet. She waddled over to the well-stocked book shelf and studied the titles. "Let's see… a book like this one will capture your interest." She set in on the arm of the other armchair and returned to her spot.

"But why just sit around reading about adventures when you could just go out there and make one for yourself?" I challenged.

"I see your point, but when a free-spirited girl such as yourself has been cooped up for as long as you have, it's an awfully nice alternative." She went back to reading the book and I looked back out the window. I wasn't going to give in and read that book, but the longer I sat staring at it and fiddling my fingers the more appealing that book seemed. I mutely marched over to the vacant chair and plopped myself down to read. I thumbed through the pages; she didn't pick a long book and it seemed easy enough. I opened it up, noting the flimsy binding. She must've read dis one a lot. I thought to myself as I turned the page to the first chapter. I didn't look up at Mary, but I knew she had a look of satisfaction on her face. I smiled too, thinking about the difference between us. I would have never let the other person forget that I was right.

Nearly half and hour passed before I knew it. I would never admit it, but Mary was right. I was so engrossed in this book that I didn't notice that Mary had marked her place and got up to stretch.

"Marty?"

I begrudgingly pried my eyes away from the words and looked up at her.

"I think it's about time I get supper started. Care to join me?"

"Sure, my mind is so tired I could use a break." She laughed at my dramatic statement and guided me to the kitchen with her hand on my back.

"So, then, tell me what you thought."

I shrugged my shoulders and tied on an apron. "It killed time I guess."

She looked at me and a huge grin broke out on both of our faces. I knew I couldn't pull one over on her; it would just be our little secret.

As we prepared the meal we discussed the plot of the book, laughed at the comedy, and marveled over the talent of the author. I laughed out loud; I couldn't believe that this lively conversation was brought on by a book. Guess you learn something new every day.

That night we had another supper alone without Drew. I couldn't help but feel bad that I was the reason Drew was not home with his wife as much, but Mary assured me that it was all worth it. He ended up coming home at about nine and plopped a newspaper into my lap causing me to squeal with delight.

"A connection to the outside world! Who did you buy it from?"

Drew laughed and kissed his wife. "Jack brought it by today, I don't know who he got it from, but I think his intent was that you read it."

Well duh! I thought to myself as I opened up the fresh paper and took in its aroma. Memories flooded over me, it seemed like ages ago that I was out there selling them myself.

"Next time you see that kid tell him that it's about time that he paid his best friend another visit." Drew smiled and gave me his word. Jack stops by often, sometimes by himself of with various other newsies. Never with Spot though, but once a few Brooklyn boys came by and filled me in on the latest news. Apparently Spot had become grouchy and aloof since I was caught. As bad as I felt for the boys, and believe me I felt bad because Spot makes your life miserable when he is not happy, I saw his attitude change as a good thing. Maybe dat means that he misses me. I shook my head, I couldn't think about him now, not until the trial is over.

I giggled at how meager the headlines were. "Bet Jack was glad he didn't have to see this edition."

"I'm sure David is glad to have his business."

I'm sure David is. I thought, after all David lacks overall talent at selling, so he needs all the help he can get. Wonder who he sells wid now? I continued to skim the paper and just as I was beginning to realize I wasn't missing anything in the outside world after all, a certain headline caused me to do a double take. It wasn't a long article, and it definitely wasn't headline news, but it was the most excited thing that I had personally ever read in the paper.

Local Orphan Sues For Freedom

By Brian Denton

I let out a gasp and jogged to the kitchen table where Drew sat chatting with Mary. "I take it you have already read this, right?"

Drew chuckled and told me that Jack wanted to bring it to me himself but he had another obligation. Mary gave us a questioning look, so I pointed out the article to her. After reading the headline her face broke out into a grin. We were quiet until he finished the short piece and held out her arms for a hug. I did the best I could to hug her, considering her belly got in the way.

"This is wonderful Marty! See, you are in an adventure and you didn't even know it!" I smiled at that thought- and how right Mary was. We settled down and a thought crossed my mind.

"But Drew how is this going to help?" I asked. It was moving to see my story make the papers, but I couldn't see how it would be beneficial for our case. Drew finished up his supper, acknowledging Mary's "no business at the table" rule, before he answered.

"It isn't only the judge that decides the verdict, but the jury, which is composed of common people- People who would buy a newspaper from a newsie." He paused to take a drink of his coffee and bring his plate to the sink. "So, you see the more your story gets out the better off you are. You're fortunate to have such strong connections to the newspaper industry."

I was puzzled. Drew is an extremely smart guy but sometimes I don't follow his logic. I wish I could have hid my confusion to avoid looking ignorant, but Drew caught on and continued gently.

"The newsies, Marty, and Brian Denton, he is writing in your favor thanks to David."

David? Helpin' me? I mentally kicked myself for having such horrible, envious thoughts about him. Why would he help me when I treated him like scum?

Drew explained to me that David had told Denton about my situation and explained to him that I could use all the help I could get. So Denton wrote this mini-article that skimmed over the basics. In addition to that he promised to write a longer article the thoroughly covered me and the trial, an article that includes and interview and pictures. It might even have the possibility of becoming a front page article. I laughed to myself when I thought about the possibilities of exaggerated headlines they could come up with while working double time to sell as many copies as possible.

"Marty, when Denton comes for the interview, you understand that he might ask some personal questions?" Drew spoke carefully. "And that it would be in our best interest if you answer them."

No, in fact I did not know dat. I thought to myself.

"I guess we will get to that when the time comes, but I will do my best."

Drew smiled at me. "That a girl."