"Red, will you be my goil?"
Blink was down on one knee in front of her, while she sat on the side of her bed. He clasped her hand tightly in his own, pleaded with broken eyes. She gently traced the outline of his patch.
All of a sudden, Red fell to the floor, facedown. Blink cried out and lifted her shoulders, turning her head.
All he could see was his father's face. His father shook off the skin of Red, then stood up and grabbed Blink in a powerful grasp, heading down the stairs. As they tromped down the stairs, the newsies cheered them on. His father spoke to him.
"They don't see, do they, Alex?"
They don't see…They don't see…
"ALEX! TIME FOR DINNER! ALEX!"
He ran into the house and sat down at a long table, waiting for his mother to bring him a plate of food. But when his mom turned around…it was Red.
"Hey, Alex. Eat up." She winked at him. "We got a busy day ahead of us. Hurry."
"What busy day?"
"Hurry, hurry…we have to leave…hurry…"
"Remember, they don't see…"
"Hurry, Alex…"
Remember, hurry, they don't see Alex, they see you, hurry, remember they don't see, hurry, come on, be mine, hurry, we have to leave, they can't see that, we're busy, hurry, they don't see, they don't see
Blink sat up in a blind sweat, his sheets twisted around his legs. Breathing heavily, he let out a sigh and swept some hair out of his eyes.
Remember, Alex, they don't see, hurry…He flopped back down on his pillow, trying to forget his dream.
- - - - - - - -
Blink paced around her room. "Fine! FINE! ALRIGHT! You can get up!"
Red grinned at him. "Thanks, Blinkers." She threw back the blanket and swung her legs over the side.
Blink scowled at her. "Don't call me Blinkers," he muttered under his breath. He grudgingly stood to catch her just in case.
Red smiled and gained her balance. She walked slowly across the room. Blink hounded her every step of the way.
She touched the wall, turned, and started back. Three feet from the bed, she tripped over a loose floorboard. Her body was thrown forward.
Blink's arm saved her from a neck-breaking experience. She looked up at him gratefully. "I guess you serve some use after all, Kid."
He gently set her upright, and with a critical glance, said, "You can sell tomorrow. But only with someone, preferbly me, and only take fifty papes at most."
Her eyebrows winged upward. "Wow, I thought you would've restricted me to thirty papes and two bodyguards. I'm gettin' off good."
Blink rolled his eyes as she laughed at his overbearing attitude towards her vulnerability.
- - - - - - - -
"Okay, Blink. I'm gonna give you a very belated half-birthday present." Red looked at him seriously two weeks later. "For leaving before your birthday. Okay? So…what do you want?"
"You."
Red laughed. "Very funny. Seriously, is there anything in the world that you want more than anything? That I can give?"
I do want you. I wish you wouldn't laugh it off like I'm trying to make a joke.
"Uhmm…" He really couldn't think of anything else. "I…I'll let you know, hey?"
"Sure."
- - - - - - - -
A few days later he walked up to Red.
"Ice cream."
"Huh?"
"I want ice cream." At a confused look from her, he explained, "My birthday present. Remember?"
She smiled. "I can do that."
"Now. Goody Harding's place just opened."
"Alright, alright! Lemme grab my money and we'll go!"
They laughed as they headed down the street to Goody's. As they threaded through the crowds, Blink grabbed her hand.
"What?" Red tried to shake him off.
"Jist makin' shoah you ain't gonna git lost on me again."
She eyed him suspiciously. "Alrigh'."
He pulled her across the street to Goody's. A line awaited them, and Blink groaned. "Aw, man!"
"They ain't gonna kick us outta line at least. What're ya gonna git?"
"Chocolate shake. You?"
Red laughed. "I was gonna get that too." She smiled at him. "We're crazy."
"Nope. Jist you."
She laughed again. "Now why 'ud you say that?"
"I'm gonna be serious fer a second, an' you better rememba dis, cuz it won't 'appen too often."
"Alrigh'." Her unconcerned look was almost unnerving.
Why don't you think you're pretty? Why don't you think anyone would ever want you? You're beautiful and talented and kind and loving…almost too good for your own good. He licked his lips, feeling nervous even at thinking of thinking what to say to her.
"Eh…forgit it. Lookit that sunset!"
Red turned and watched it set, oblivious of his arm now resting on her shoulder. Her mouth was wide open watching the sun. "Lookit. Those colors! Times like these I wish I was an artist."
If I could paint anything it would be you, and your beauty outshines the sunset any day. Blink reluctantly removed his arm as they entered the building.
- - - - - - - -
"Make sure you grab the kid. No one else, remember. I just want the kid."
"Alright." The Delancy's had a few more words with the agent, then calmly exited into the street, covered by the darkness of night.
A lone cigarette was lit, lighting the agent's face for a few brief seconds.