AN: Sorry it's been such a long time but I've finally updated so please RR and enjoy...
To Skittery's dismay Tumbler wasn't there but to his delight he found Twirl…Tumbler's girlfriend. She was sitting under a tree reading the morning news, probably looking for a good story to exaggerate.
"Hey Twirl…have you'se seen Tumbler around anywhere lately?"
"Nope."
"Is ya sure?"
"Yep."
"Come on Twirl. You'se nevah don' got nothin ta say. Wat's up?"
"Nothin."
Skittery kicked the ground and walked off in another direction. Twirl looked up and watched him turn the corner. Finally after she was sure he was gone she looked up the tree and whistled. A young boy popped out and looked down.
"Is he gone?"
"Yeah, he just turned da corner. Come one we'se gotta get movin befoah he comes back."
Tumbler jumped down from his perch landing next to the young girl. He smiled and helped her carry the papers she'd bought for them towards the Brooklyn Bridge. Timidly the two young newsies crossed the bridge that had forever been a safety boundary.
"Twirl…you'se don' have ta do dis."
"I'se know. But I want ta."
"Fine. But if somethin' goes wrong you'se gotta promise me you'll get yourself ta safety."
"Fine I'se promise." she huffed at the boy. He smiled and looked forward to the end of the bridge. As soon as they were across they stared yelling out headlines.
By noon they were out and decided to walk around Brooklyn. When ever they saw a newsie they'd quickly duck into an alley, lest news would get back to Skittery that Tumbler was in Brooklyn.
"Twirl. Did you'se know da truth about me?"
"Not until you'se told me. You'se was right ta run away. Skittery should've told ya da truth about your family."
"I know but maybe he had a reason. We'se still gotta find me old apartment. Maybe my fadder will be dere and he can straighten dis whole misunderstandin out."
"Yeah. Where did you'se say it was?"
"Well it's actually in lower Manhattan but I'se need ta see someone else befoah I'se go dere."
"So where are we'se goin?"
"Ta see me mudders' grave. I'se has ta know if she's really dere or if dat was just a nudder one 'a Skittery's lies." Tumbler explained. Twirl nodded her head and followed the brown haired boy. Finally they stopped at a small rundown grave yard.
Tumbler found his way to the end of the seventh row. Looking down he were four familiar graves. Twirl came to his side and read each grave carefully. A tear came down her cheek as she finally understood Tumbler's past.
Mrs. Jennifer Conner; loving mother, wife and daughter. May her soul rest in peace where her body could not.
Lisa Conner; loving daughter and sister. God bless the children and keep them save and at home with him and in our hearts.
Andrew Conner; caring brother and son. A dedicated worker who went out of his way to get the job done, may he keep that attitude with him always.
Thomas Conner; caring brother and son. More of a father to his siblings than imaginable. His heart was his biggest quality about him. May God bless him and keep him save along with his family on earth.
"Dis is one thing dat Skittery didn't lie about. It's one 'a da only thing Tumbler said quietly.
"Tumbler…come on let's get outta here. Dis place is giving me da creeps.'
Tumbler nodded and turned to leave. The two newsies headed back to Manhattan. Carefully they made their way to the lower part of Manhattan. They stopped and looked at an old decrepit building standing before them.
"Well…come one let's go." Tumbler said heading up the fire escape. Twirl followed him slowly. As they reached the fifth floor they stopped and looked into the apartment. A young girl was reading and her mother was sewing. They appeared to be happy and content.
"Tumbler maybe des people ain't dem." Twirl said.
"Maybe not but I'se gotta find out. Listen stay out here…if somethin happens ta me go find Skittery…tell him I'se gone so he'll stop lookin for me."
"Tumbler…"
"Promise!"
"I'se promise."