Chapter Five

New York City, 1902

Tuesday, Day Two

Early Afternoon

Bolt pushed out of yet another store, irritation mixed with weariness clouding his dark eyes. It was the sixth store he'd been to, trying to get someone to hire him for the next week or so. Half of him just wanted to take the time off, so he could sort out exactly what he was going to be doing about his predicament. But the other half- the half that liked to sleep in some semblance of a bed, and eat a little something each day- that half knew he needed to get a job. So he moved on down the street, searching for another opportunity at employment.

He glanced up, looking to find where exactly he was, his eyes falling on a sign for an old tenement building. "Wow." He said out loud, his breath becoming a visible cloud in the cold air, "If that doesn't bring back memories."

New York City, 1892

The Henderson's Flat

Elijah stood at the dirty window of his apartment, shifting his weight from one foot to another. Pa had promised to be home early, to take him to see the horses down at Sheepshead Bay. Elijah didn't know what time "early" was, but he was pretty sure it had already passed. He pressed his nose against the pane, his breath fogging the glass, making it even harder to see through. Impatiently Elijah swiped his sleeve across the window, before leaning forward again. Finally, he could make out the figure of Pa, his head was bent, but Elijah could tell it was him by the way he walked. Pa had been involved in some sort of accident, and had received a permanent limp from it. He'd never told Elijah the details, so he'd always just assumed it had been the product of an accident at one of the factories he'd been employed at.

Elijah raced to the door of the flat, yanking it open, a grin plastered on his face. "Pa! I'm all ready to go, Pa!" He exclaimed with excitement, the second his father was within hearing distance.

William Henderson didn't answer, but kept his head down as he approached the doorway. He paused when he was standing directly next to Elijah, resting a hand heavily on the boy's shoulder. "I tried to do good by you, kid. I know your ma would've been disappointed in me, if she was still around. But, by God, I'm trying."

Elijah's forehead wrinkled in confusion, and he tilted his head back, trying to get a good look at his father's face, which was mostly hidden by the shadows his hat was casting. As he moved away, he lifted his hat from his head, revealing a darkening bruise across the bridge of his nose, and a split lip. Dried blood had stained his upper lip, a trail leading from his nose, across his right cheek, as if he'd been laying on his side as it flowed.

"Pa!" the startled cry came from the small boy, "Pa, what happened! Was it the Five Points Gang?!" He exclaimed, naming off the only gang he knew of. His father offered a strangled chuckle at that.

"And what would you know of the Five Points Gang?" He asked, amusement flickering slightly in his otherwise distressed eyes.

"The boys at school were talking about them. Johnny said he was going to be one when he growed up. I told him he was stupid. Johnny tried to hit me, but Ms. Darber was watching, so he couldn't. But, it would have been ok if he'd tried Pa, I think I could fight him."

"Son, there are only two things in this world worth fighting for. The first is love. If you ever find love, fight for it, with all you are." William glanced away from him, seemingly staring into space, after a brief pause, he continued, "The second is your convictions. Never let anyone take those away from you."

Elijah nodded up at him, recognizing the serious tone in his voice, even if he didn't fully understand his words. "Alright, Pa. I'll remember."

William nodded, his shoulders drooping wearily, as he turned away, heading into the washroom to clean up.

"But, Pa?"

William sighed, "Yeah, Lije?"

"Was it them? I mean, was it the Five Points Gang?"

"No. No, son, it wasn't the Five Points Gang."

Elijah swallowed hard, his eyes felt moist from the memory, but he pushed it down, refusing to think any longer on a past life. He had bigger things to deal with now.

Hannah entered the small cafeteria provided for Avery's employee's, purchasing her meal, and glancing around the small room for an empty table. There was a seat available at one with a few of the other girls who worked on her floor, but Hannah pretended not to notice when they waved her over. Normally she would have enjoyed there company, but right then she just wanted to be alone.

She'd been stewing all morning, running her conversations with Elijah and Becky through her head, over and over again. She didn't know why she was so stuck on it, but something just felt off about the whole situation. It was driving her insane that she couldn't figure out what it was.

She played with her food, not eating any of it, lost in thought.

New York City, 1900

Nellie's Diner

"So, tell me a little bit about yourself," Elijah said, once they had settled into their booth, "I mean, other then the fact that you're ribbon girl extraordinaire." He added, a playful grin on his face.

"Oh, other then that, huh?" Hannah teased back, her blue eyes sparkling, "there's not much to tell. My parents came here almost twenty years ago, trying to make a new life, just like everybody else who comes to this city. They toughed it out for a long time. But then about 6 months ago, we got word that my grandmother, Papa's mother, was ill. She was fading fast, and my aunts were begging him to come home, before she was gone. So, two months ago, they went back. Elisabeth- my sister- and I stayed here. Neither of us know German, and we didn't want to have to leave America behind. This is our home."

Elijah nodded his understanding, "Yeah, I know what you mean. I can't imagine going moving out west, let alone all the way across an ocean."

Hannah smiled at him, "So, what about you? What's your story?"

For the first time since she'd met him, Elijah's eyes lost their lighthearted appearance, a cloud sweeping over them. It only lasted a moment, before he was smiling again, "My story's not finished yet, now is it?"

Hannah rolled her eyes at him, "Ok, Mr. Mystery. You don't have to tell, if you don't want to."

Elijah winked at her, "There's really not much to say. My Ma passed away when I was born, so I never knew her. My Pa… well, he was around a little longer then that. I was a newsie for a little while, but not very long. I went to work at a factory when I was fifteen, and then came to Avery's after two years. I've been at Avery's ever since. About a year now."