Disclaimer: Yes, its true. I don't own any of the newsie original characters. Only Danny and Nathan are mine.
Alright, so Chapter 3. Here's the big 'turning point' of the story, I guess you could say. Well, for one of the plots, anyway.
After finishing the game of craps with a few extra dollars in his pocket, Racetrack had gone to Tibby's with the rest of the newsies and then to the track. But now, he was heading down an alley with Danny at his side. He had run into the kid while on his way back from the races. Racetrack didn't ask, but he wondered what the boy had been doing wandering around Brooklyn this time of night. It was late and the sun had already set. Racetrack would of thought that Danny would be safe in the stables by now, sleeping on a mound of straw. Oh well, Racetrack was stuck with him now. Hopefully he would turn around once they got to the Brooklyn Bridge.
"So do only newsies stay at the lodging house?" Danny asked, his voice tinged with hope. Racetrack frowned. He'd never really thought about that.
"I guess so. It is called da newsboys lodging house," Race replied, taking a drag of his cigar. "But I guess if the person who wants to stay pays six cents for a night, he could stay. You'd hafta ask Kloppman."
Danny nodded and then said, "I have six cents."
Racetrack looked down at him. "Don't you stay at the stables?" he asked him curiously.
Even in the dark of the night, Race could see Danny look down at his toes in shame. "Not tonight...I got in some trouble..."
"Ahh... Well, we'll see what we can do for ya," Race said, giving Danny a comforting pat on the back. Danny looked up at him with a huge grin.
"Now don't get ya hopes up, kid. I'll hafta ask Jack first," he warned. Danny nodded solemnly.
"Of course. 'Cause he's your leader, right?" Danny asked. Racetrack nodded.
"And 'cause you're not a newsie," Racetrack added. Danny gave him a defiant look.
"I've sold papers with you before!" he said in his own defense. Racetrack laughed.
"Alright, so you're a one time newsie...but dat doesn't mean Jack will look at it dat way," Racetrack said, putting his hands in his pockets. They were on the Brooklyn Bridge now. Danny stopped and then suddenly scrambled to the side of the big bridge. Racetrack tagged after him with a short and amused chuckle.
"Racetrack!" Danny called out into the night air, waving Race over with his hand. "Look!" he said. Gripping the rail, Racetrack looked in the direction in which Danny was pointing. The deep, dark abyss seemed to swallow up the night air, but by the aid of moonlight, Race could faintly make out a lone rowboat floating slowly down the river.
"Whadda think it's doin'?" Danny asked. He was watching the boat with interest, tracking it's movement with his eyes.
"Those two guys down there, ya see 'em?" Racetrack asked. Danny nodded. "They're gonna row their boat quietly up the river until dey reach dat big trading ship up there. Then you watch, those two will sneak on the ship and steal whatever they want. Den dey'll hop back in their tiny boat and row away...just like nothin' ever happened."
Danny scrunched up his nose in disbelief. "Really?"
Racetrack said with an affirming nod. "How do you think I sell my papes so fast?"
Danny looked now at the men with suspicion now. "Why don't we go stop 'em?" he asked, chewing on his bottom lip nervously. Racetrack laughed so loud that Danny rushed to cover his mouth. He glanced down worriedly at the men. Racetrack shoved away his hand.
"If we stop 'em, then I won't have a great story to hawk tomorrow," Racetrack explained.
Danny glared at him. "That's a lame excuse," he said and then turned his back on Race and then crossed his arms.
"Danny, I doubt dey'll get past the gangplank. I'm just jokin' with ya, kid," Racetrack said, playfully socking him in the arm. Danny turned around with a look of annoyance.
"I knew that," he said indignantly. Racetrack shook his head and said something under his breath. The two didn't speak for a moment as they watched the rowboat progress slowly down East River.
Figuring that they wouldn't leave until the boat had safely passed the big trading ship, Racetrack asked, "So ya been in Brooklyn this whole time?"
Danny nodded, placing his chin in the palm of his hand.
"I came here after my mum left me," he replied.
"Where did you use to live?" Racetrack questioned. Danny let out a puff of breath.
"California. But after the big wild fire, we moved to Queens," he answered.
"We?" Racetrack asked, his whole attention on Danny. The boy didn't reply for a moment as he stared at the boat. It was slowly passing the ship.
"See, I told ya. They didn't even try," Racetrack said with a laugh. Danny looked relieved.
"My mum, me, and my sister," he then replied, looking at Racetrack now.
"How come you didn't stay with your sister after your mom left? Or did she leave with your mom?" Racetrack's brow furrowed. Danny shook his head.
"I tried to stay with her. Really, I tried hard," Danny answered with some frustration.
"So what happened?" Race asked, prodding him on. Danny looked at him.
"Before my mum left me, we had all stayed in a small apartment in Queens. My mum was trying to talk my sister, Alice was her name, into working with her at the theater. They fought about it a lot 'cause Alice really didn't like the theater business. One night after they had had a big argument, Alice ran away. She wasn't in her bed in the morning. My mum looked for her, but she was couldn't find her. I even tried to find her. But it was useless," He stopped and let out a sigh here. "She was always rebellious and stubborn. She hated the way we were so poor and how we had to live in bad places. I remember her talking about running away more than once."
"How old was she?" Racetrack asked once Danny had finished talking.
"She had just turned 15..." Danny said after some thought. "This all happened a couple months ago. I doubt she's still in New York City," He added, pushing himself off the rail. Racetrack doubted she was still in New York City too. Any girl would have a hard time surviving on her own in Queens or Brooklyn, even Manhattan. Danny began walking again and Race followed.
"Well, whadda ya think Jack will say?" Danny asked. A smile spread across his features, as if he was trying to forget what he had just said and focus on the present.
Race, still pondering Danny's story, only replied, "Never know what that Cowboy will say." Danny nodded but didn't say anything further.
The two continued in silence until they reached the lodging house. It's height towered above them, casting shadows on the street.
Racetrack pulled open the flimsy door and stepped into the lobby. Danny stopped as soon as he entered the room. His eyes wondered everywhere: from the shabby counter in which Kloppman stood behind to the worn staircase covered with the boys' scribblings.
"Are the bunks upstairs?" Danny asked quietly, nodding to the stairs.
"Yep," Racetrack replied quickly and walked up to the lobby's desk. "Hey Kloppman, can the kid stay here tonight?" Danny quickly came up to the desk and dug six pennies out his pocket.
Kloppman inspected the coins carefully before finally nodding his head. "Fine by me," he agreed, taking the pennies.
"Come on, let's go talk to Jack!" Danny said with a grin, rushing for the stairs.
"Thanks, Kloppman," Race said with a smile before tagging after the boy.
When they opened the door to the room where all the bunks were, Race was greeted by nearly all the newsies. They were scattered about the room, some strewn on their bunks while others kneeling on the wooden floor with cards or dice.
"Ya boys decide to turn in early tonight, huh?" Race asked, plopping on his bunk. Danny suddenly grew quiet and shy, standing by the door with his hands behind his back.
"Early, yeah, got a big day tomorrow," Kid Blink hollered from across the room.
"What, ya meetin' a girl?" Boots asked with a grin. Blink socked him in the arm.
"Hey, Race, isn't that the kid you had with ya the other day?" Mush asked, coming up to him. Racetrack nodded, busy with trying to find something under his mattress.
"I remember you," Mush said, looking the boy up and down. Danny nodded slightly, afraid to speak. He looked up the big curly haired boy with eyes that seemed to size Mush up.
"How old are you anyway, kid? 11?" Swifty asked, coming up then. Danny's face heated up.
"I'm 13," he said rather defensively.
"Small kid," Swifty muttered and then walked away. Danny glared after him. Racetrack looked around the room.
"Heya Mush, where's Jack?" Racetrack asked. Mush leaned against the bunk post.
"Washroom," he replied shortly, making a chin-up gesture to the door that led to their bathrooms. "So's the kid staying with us tonight?" Mush asked, crossing his arms.
Danny stood straight as a statue, uncomfortable with so many people he didn't know.
Racetrack shrugged. "Up to Jacky-boy." Mush nodded with understanding.
"Good luck, Danny," Mush said with a mischievous smile before walking back to the other side of the room play a game of poker with some fellers.
Racetrack smiled. "Don't worry, kid. Jack's not that scary." Snipeshooter laughed from the bunk across Racetrack's.
"I remember when I first met Cowboy. I was tremblin' like crazy. 'Course Jack's nothing compared to Spot," Snipeshooter commented. "But don't tell Jack I said," he added with a snicker.
"Who's Spot?" Danny asked Race who was leaning against the wall. "Nothin' but another newsie with pink suspenders," Race said with a smile in effort to comfort the boy.
Snitch, on the top bunk, threw a wadded up newspaper at Racetrack. "Don't ever let Brooklyn hear you say that. He'll soak you good," he said, mocking sternness. Racetrack rolled his eyes.
"Is he the leader of Brooklyn newsies?" Danny asked, interested in the tough figure of Spot.
"Yeah. Spot Conlon," Snipeshooter said, playing with a yo yo. Danny was just about to open his mouth to ask another question when Jack entered the room. His mouth instantly closed shut. Racetrack could see fear in his eyes. 'That's good. Boy needs to have some fear for someone, especially Jack.' Racetrack thought, standing up from the bed. Jack walked past them to his bunk. He stopped suddenly and backed up. He paused, staring at the group.
"Who's dis?" Jack asked, his eyes meeting Danny's. Danny took a step back timidly, not willing to say anything.
"Uh, Jack, this is the kid from the track I was telling you 'bout," Racetrack explained hesitantly, now unsure of what Jack's reaction would be. The rest of the newsies gathered round the scene, all eyes on Jack and Danny. Racetrack put a comforting hand on Danny's shoulder.
"What's he doing here?" Jack asked, sounding somewhat annoyed and extremely tired.
"I wanted to stay here tonight," Danny said suddenly with an attempted fierce voice. Race shut his mouth, having been cut off by his outburst. Jack instantly looked down on the kid.
As soon as Danny's words left his mouth, Racetrack could see that Danny regretted being so bold. Race looked at Jack. Everyone was silent in the room.
"You wanted to, huh? Kid, dis is the newsie lodging house. I don't recall you being a newsie," Jack said, taking a threatening step closer to the kid. Danny took a step back, his fear fully in its place. "We newsies here, we know each other, we trust each other like brudders. You don't see scum in dis place because I don't let 'em in. We's got all our personal belongings in here. If all dis got stolen, you'd be the foist to blame. I don't know you, don't trust you, and don't want you sleeping here. Understand?" Some of the newsies drew in a sharp breath. They had never heard Jack elaborate on such a subject before. Racetrack stared at Jack. Danny's face was bright red with anger and embarrassment. Before anyone could say anything, the kid raced out of the room and down the stairs. Silence reigned for a brief few moments. The newsies looked at each other and began to mutter.
"Get to bed," Jack barked, shattering the hushed atmosphere and sending everyone flying for their bunks. Jack's little speech made perfect sense, but Racetrack couldn't understand why he had chosen to be so harsh to the kid about it. Obviously, Jack was in a bad mood tonight.
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The lights were out and Jack could hear everyone snoring. Although he had regretted being cold to the new boy, that wasn't what had been keeping the cowboy up.
Seeing Sarah with Nathan again was fresh in his mind. After he was done selling with Racetrack, he headed over to the Jacob's for dinner.
When Mrs. Jacob's opened the door to his knock and let him in, he was shocked to the bum at the table.
"Jack, I'd like you meet a new friend of David's," Mrs. Jacobs said with a big smile while putting a big plate full of roast and vegetables on the table. Jack was shocked to see the same flirty guy stand up and walk over to Jack to shake hands.
"I'm Nathan," he said. Jack did nothing but just stare at him with cold eyes. Sarah came up behind the boy.
"Nathan, this is my friend Jack," Sarah explained with a forced smile. Her eyes pleaded with Jack to be polite. Jack looked over the boy from head to toe. It was the first time Jack had seen him up close and in person. He was probably an inch taller than himself. He had sandy blond hair and blue eyes. His smile created dimples that any girl would consider 'cute'. Jack torn his gaze away from the boy to Sarah.
"Jack, nice to meet you," Nathan said with a slight smile. Then, just as he had done the day Jack had met this boy, Nathan's whole face lit up. "Heyyyyyy! You're that boy I bought the newspaper from a while back!" he grinned broadly, as if he thought himself brilliant for remembering this.
Jack tried to smile. Everyone soon sat down at the dinner table, their mouth watering at the delicious meal set before them. Along with the roast were rolls and butter, green peas, and lemonade.
"Jack! Glad you could make it!" David said when Jack came to the table.
"Hey David, Les," Jack replied in a quiet tone. After Mr. Jacobs had said a grace, everyone dug into the meal.
"So, Davey, how do you know...Nathan," Jack asked, restraining himself from spitting when saying 'Nathan'.
"We used to go to school together," Nathan volunteered with the information. David nodded. Great. So Nathan probably had known Sarah for awhile. Jack swallowed a spoonful.
Had she always had a crush on the boy? 'No, no, she loves me.' Jack thought to himself, trying to assure himself. He stared at his plate.
"So do you still go to school?" Jack heard Sarah ask Nathan. Their gazes locked for a brief moment and Jack thought he might gag. Nathan then nodded.
"I have been going to school, even after David dropped out," he replied, taking a sip of water. Mr. Jacobs frowned a little but didn't say anything.
"How's Mark doing?" David asked, obviously trying to change the subject. Nathan laughed.
"He finally got himself a girl," Nathan said with a smirk. David laughed and muttered 'unbelievable.'
Jack sunk a little lower in his chair, feeling once more, out of place. It often happened at the Jacob's place.
"So what do you want to do in college?" Mrs. Jacobs asked. Nathan tapped his spoon against the plate as he thought.
"I think I want to be a doctor," he finally said. Jack caught Sarah's look of admiration.
As if on cue, Nathan turned to Jack and asked, "Do you go to school?" Jack choked on his bread.
"Um, no," he replied quietly, looking down at his food.
"Ah," Nathan said with a shrug. "It's not for everyone." Jack's fists clenched under the table and he cast Nathan a glare that was only to be ignored.
"Jack and I are newsies," David said, coming to Jack's defense. Jack gave him a thankful look.
"Me too!" Les spoke up.
Jack smiled. " 'Course ya are, kid."
Les grinned and then continued picking at his soup.
"Well, I knew Jack was a newsie...but I didn't know that was what you were doing now," Nathan commented, looking bemused.
"Penny a pape," Sarah said with a warm smile while David nodded. Jack said nothing, feeling suddenly ashamed of his newsie position.
What did Sarah think of him being a newsie? He'd never asked her. Would she prefer him to go to school like Nathan?
Another horrible thought came to mind. Why did Sarah like a newsie like himself when she could have a smart, handsome guy like Nathan?
Later, after dinner, the whole group gathered around to play a game of cards.
Jack, being taught from the best(Racetrack, of course.), won the game. They all laughed about it and demanded Jack teach them his secret.
Jack shook his head with a smile. Nathan spoke up then, "I suppose, being a newsie, you have a lot of time on your hands to learn games like this?" The smile was quickly wiped away from Jack's face as he interpreted the remark.
"No, I actually spend most of my time woikin'," Jack spat back. Everyone stopped laughing. Nathan looked confused and slightly hurt.
"Sarah, ya mind if I talk to you? Alone?" Jack requested in a cold tone, standing up out of his chair. He quickly climbed through the window and onto the fire exit platform, leaving the window open for Sarah to followed. He leaned on the railing, a million horrid comments flying through his mind.
He heard Sarah climb through and shut the window behind her, leaving a group of confused people in the apartment.
"Jack, what's wrong?" she asked, biting her lip and showing genuine concern. He didn't bother to look at her.
"What's wrong?! I told you to stay away from the bum and then you invite me to dinner with him!" he said, glancing back through the window.
"I tried to tell you on Wall Street today! You wouldn't let me talk!" she protested, crossing her arms to protect herself from the summer night breeze.
Jack couldn't reply to that. Now that he thought about, Sarah had tried to tell him something but he wouldn't listen.
"You introduced me as your friend," he muttered, now looking her straight in the eye. Sarah looked down at her feet.
"You are my friend, Jack," she replied quietly, looking up but in another direction.
"I consider our relationship to be a lil bit higher dan friendship," Jack said.
"My parents don't know that Jack! I don't tell them stuff that kind of stuff!" she quickly replied, drawing her shawl tighter. "Nathan and I grew up together, we've always been friends. Everyone's always assumed we liked each other..." she added, her brows drawn together frustration.
"Do you like him, Sarah?" Jack questioned. She said nothing. This threw Jack deeper into his pit of anger and disappointment.
"I can't compete with him, Sarah!" Realizing his voice was echoing off the alley walls, he stopped and tried to calm himself down. In a lower voice, Jack said, "He's polite, educated, handsome, and probably has a good family with some money in their pockets!" Jack looked at Sarah who was still gazing down at her feet. He went over to her and pulled her chin up. "Look, Sarah, I'm just a newsie. I ain't got nobody but my boys to support me," he stopped, seeing tears form in her eyes.
"We love you, Jack," she said quietly. He took a step back, releasing her.
"We?" he asked in shock. "We?" he repeated it again, growing more distraught. His voice broke the night's peaceful silence once more. "You know Sarah, you've always held back. Is this why?"
"Jack, look, just give me time to figure things out, please," she said in a desperate voice. He looked up sharply at her.
"Let you figure -- You know what, you do dat, Sarah. But when you realize that dat kid is just a bag of lying bones, don't come crawling to me with tears in your eyes," he spat, instantly regretting the words as soon as they jumped from his mouth. But, being the stubborn boy that he was, he wouldn't take them back. Tears slid down Sarah's cheeks.
Not willing himself to look back at Sarah, he started to climb down the steps to the alley, not saying anything, not even a goodbye. He heard her crying softly before he exited the alley and made his way back to the lodging house.
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Now, lying in his bunk and thinking about the event, anger began to boil in him again. She deserved whatever harsh words he had said. If she was even toying with the idea of taking a liking to that Nathan and doubting their love, well Jack wanted nothing to do with her at the moment. He still couldn't believe she hadn't told her mother or father. Why wouldn't she if every one else knew? Even the newsies knew of their relationship. Jack endured teasing almost everyday from his boys about it. A new idea struck him. Maybe she didn't want her parents to know. Maybe her parents wanted her to grow up and marry Nathan or someone else rich and educated and somehow Sarah felt she couldn't let her parents down. Jack cringed at the idea and quickly said to himself that he was just going overboard about the whole thing. But then again, why would any parent want their daughter involved with a newsie? Jack bit his lip at the thought. He hated the way Nathan made him feel worthless. Every time he thought about Nathan, he felt like a poor street rat. But that's all he really was, wasn't he?
Turning on his side, he realized he had taken his anger out of the poor kid who just wanted a place to sleep. He slammed his fist into his pillow. 'What an awful leader you are, Jack,' he thought to himself. He sighed inwardly. What a terrible day this had been. Finally, after much thought, he realized that he needed some sleep to make through the next day. So, Jack shut down his brain, ridding all thoughts of Sarah and Nathan.
Awuhhhhhhhhh. D:
This is one of my favorite chapters. Yep.
What'd you think? -big arrow with flashing light bulbs points to review button-