Note: Here's a new chapter! Please please let me know what you think! Also, here's an important announcement! The Newsies Summer Fanfiction awards put on by Pegasus M is happening right now! Please go nominate me, the link is on my profile. And vote on Oct. 6! I appreciate it soo much! - Lucy
Place To Believe Chapter 6 - The Furniture's Arrived
Lillith stood to the side awkwardly, wishing there was more she could do to help. The large wagons containing dozens of furniture pieces had finally arrived, and Jack and some of the boys were helping to unload it. Melody came to her side quietly.
"Wow, some of this furniture is so nice," she said as two workmen walked by, carrying a large desk between them.
Lillith jumped slightly, before laughing. "Yes, they are. That's probably my desk. The girls will have slightly smaller ones."
"Are you getting excited?" Melody whispered, her eyes shining.
"Yes, of course I am! But we don't have a teacher yet," Lillith said with a frown. "I think a woman will be coming over in a few weeks to take a look at the place, she will probably recommended someone for us."
"Who is it?"
Lillith probed her mind for a name, but came up blank. She shrugged. "I'm not sure. She's from the Children's Aid Society."
Melody raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Don't they normally place children in foster homes, or send them on one of those orphan trains?" Lillith could tell Melody was troubled by the idea, being without parents herself.
"Yes, but they have agreed to send someone over to make sure we are fit for the responsibility. In the future they may be interested in sending some children on the train.." Lillith had mixed feelings about the orphan train program. You could never really be certain that the children would be placed in good homes or not. Sometimes people needed free labor."
"Oh."
Lillith smiled at her friend. "I'm not so sure about that either," she said. "But it is a way to get children away from these horrid streets."
Melody gave a consenting nod. "I suppose you're right."
"But I'm hoping that we might be able to find some good homes," Lillith added.
At that moment, Mush walked up, bouncing Susie on his hip while Race approached from the opposite direction.
"Look at ya Mush! Like a nurse, you should be asking to be paid!" Racetrack laughed, holding his belly as he over-exaggerated. Mush just smiled at the baby, not looking at his friend.
"Race is just silly, isn't he Susie?" The child laughed, pulling at his face with her little hands.
"Mush!" she said in agreement. The entire group laughed at the exchange.
"You certainly are wrapped around her finger," Lillith observed, taking Susie from Mush and kissing her nose. The girl looked up and grinned.
"Mush!"
"Alright, alright, you can go back to Uncle Mush," Lillith said with a smile, handing the exuberant child to the newsie.
"She's da prettiest doll I've ever laid eyes on," Mush said, pulling a golden curl playfully.
Lillith smiled at the pair before turning to look at Racetrack with a raised eyebrow. "Well, Mush is babysitting. What are you doing?" Race scratched his head, before his fingers fumbled for a cigar in his pocket.
"Uh.."
"Nothing?"
"Precisely, me lady!" he proclaimed dramatically, giving a mock bow.
"Yes well, if you're done selling papers, might you join the rest of the boys and help a little bit?"
Race appeared offended. "For all the work I do, I get no thanks!"
Lillith crossed her arms. "Thank you Race," she said sarcastically before winking. "I'm teasing," she assured.
"Oh fine," he grumbled, setting off for the wagons.
"This is a good day," Melody commented, before her eyes turned in the direction of the road that led to the Brooklyn Bridge, and Brooklyn itself. Lillith felt sorry for her friend. She patted her arm. "I may not see it ever again," Melody said softly, a mist shadowing her usually bright eyes.
"Of course you will," Lillith said, frowning at the other girl's words.
"You don't understand," Melody looked at her sorrowfully. "Spot said 'Never come back.' Spot's word in Brooklyn is law. When Spot says don't come back, he doesn't just mean the Brooklyn lodging house, he means Brooklyn as a whole. His Brooklyn."
"Spot can't stay angry forever," Lillith said logically.
Melody laughed weakly, a soft smile flitting over her lips. "Ah, but I know my brother. He is awfully good at holding grudges. Something big will have to happen for him to let me come back. He has a prideful streak longer then the Brooklyn Bridge. I'm afraid only God can reach his heart now."
"And He can," Lillith replied gently, squeezing her friend's hand. "And he will."
X-X
Rhoda didn't know why she constantly went against Conner. When he was around, she felt weak, unable to resist. But when he was absent, she was as rebellious as anyone. Now she tiptoed from the bedroom in a long black skirt and white blouse. Her hair was tied back in a ribbon, and her boots tied securely. She tried to walk less conspicuously, and as she passed one of the boys, she nodded at him, as if she knew what she was doing. As she left the hallway, entering the large room, a hand attached to her wrist. Rhoda squeaked.
"Hello doll." She was facing Snake.
"Your still here?" she said, her heart falling.
"More business to take care of," he said. "Now, you doll, are very pretty," he observed. "I don't know how a bummah like Conner got you." She flushed, pushing away his hand, only to be grabbed around the shoulders. Rhoda was firmly aware that if any of Conner's boys found out what the man was doing he would be in trouble.
"Let go of me," she hissed.
He laughed. "Make me," came the challenge. She glared. "Come on, jus' give me a little kiss," he encouraged.
"No!"
"You can't fool me. I know you and Conner aren't little angels. You've probably kissed all of these boys."
"How dare you!" Rhoda said, tears springing to her eyes. He laughed again, and Rhoda let out a scream. "Knives!" she screeched. The boy on guard rushed from the adjoining room, twirling a switchblade between his fingers, a glare on his face.
"Now mistah," Knives said coldly, "You jus' let the goil go. You'se is a guest, and I'd hate to have ta hurt ya." Snake slowly released her, before smirking.
Rhoda rushed from the room, she was ready to talk to Megan about her God.