I started telling the boys about my mother. How she got sick and when I had to start working with them. I told them about the last couple days. After I was about halfway through the tears began to fall and I began to panic on the inside. When I finished my cheeks were tear stained and my eyes were bloodshot. Before anyone could say anything I took a deep breath and called Specs up to the front of the room.
"Um, there's something else I haven't told you guys." Specs put his hand on my back and I looked down at the floor.
"It's okay," he whispered.
"Take it off," I said with a sniffle. I could tell he was confused with my demand for a moment but, hesitantly, he reached up for my grey hat. I held my breath and I could feel his touch on the article. In one swift movement he tightened his grip and swung the cap from my head. I felt my thick blonde hair fall, once again, down my back and around my shoulders. I kept my eyes on the wood floor and listened to the shocked gasps of the Newsies. I looked up and immediately met Crutchie's eyes. They were comforting and encouraging but definitely surprised as well.
"No wonder you were so emotional!" I look over to Race and smiled shyly. Some of the other boys laughed and I guess they agreed. I looked back to Crutchie and he smiled at me. I smiled back then turned to Specs and gave him a hug when a voice came from the group of boys.
"Wait.. So, what's your name?" I smiled again and told them with glowing pride, "Penny." The boys were chatting and talking with each other when Jack stood up and joined Specs and I at the front of the room. He calmed down the boys and grabbed my hand and looked into my eyes for a moment before raising our joined hands.
"Newsies, Welcome Penny to the Lodging House!" The boys jumped up and started hollering and clapping, and for what felt like the millionth time that day, I smiled again. Buttons jumped up with his hands extended and yelled above the commotion, "Wait! Wait! Wait.. Umm, a girl in the boy's Lodging House? We're gonna 'ave ta keep dis a secret." Everyone quieted down and nodded in agreement. Crutchie hobbled over to Jack, Specs, and I and put a hand on my shoulder. "We're sorry B.. or a Penny, but you're probably gonna have to keep up the act for...um.. a while. Especially when you're outta the house." I pursed my lips and nodded with the rest of them. I was pretty disappointed when he said this. I guess I didn't realize that even though the Newsies would know, the rest of the world couldn't.
"Okay, uhh... Boys!" Jack said in his "leader-voice" "We's are gonna have to find a way to keep Penny in our family and keep her safe too." I smiled at the mention of family. My real family fell apart before my eyes and, ever since I never knew how fulfilling it was to be surrounded by tons of people who loved you very much and, from then on, I was sure that all of that would change.
All of the sudden there was a loud creek coming from the door, directly behind Specs, Crutchie, Jack and I. One of the boys jumped up and said in a hushed voice, "It's Mr. Kloppman!" Jack quickly pushed me into the coat closet to the right of us, threw me my hat and whispered, "Don't come out until I say and stay quiet." Confused, I nodded but began filling my hat with my hair. He closed the door and I could hear the Newsies running around, or in other words, acting natural. The door opened all the way and I could hear the floor creek under the weight of Mr. Kloppman. I peaked through the crack of the closet door and saw a very old man. He had short white hair to match his short white beard and mustache. Thin glasses sat on his nose and as soon as he was about to open the closet and stick his coat inside Jack jumped up and stood in front of him casually.
"I got that for ya," he said with a smile and stuck the coat inside. I grabbed it from his hand and hung it up before placing my eye back in the stream of light coming from the other side of the door. From what I could see the boys were messing around like usual but, Albert stood awkwardly near Mr. Kloppman's desk with a forced smile plastered on his face. He definitely stood out compared to all of the chaos coming from the other boys. Mr. Kloppman slowly walked up to him with a questioning expression.
"You okay there Albert? Usually you're over wit da others playing uh.. poker or whatever you kids play." Apparently, Albert didn't get the message. He kept his creepy smile on his face and just said, "What? Oh psshh...that...wasn't me...playing cards... that was...uhhh"
Race quickly but casually joined them and leaned next to his nervous friend. "What Albert is trying to say is that he has now taken a liken to cigars. Isn't that right Albert?" Many of the other boys tried to stifle their laughter but, continued watching the even more nervous Albert as Race handed him one of his cigars. Albert took it hesitantly and, uncomfortably his stuck the new cigar in his mouth. Some laughs escaped from the other boys but, Mr. Kloppman didn't even notice.
"Is this true Albert?" the old man asked in his quiet, worn out voice.
"Umm, is Racetrack this guy's real name?" Albert answered more confident then before. I giggled quietly to myself. I mean Racetrack is definitely not his real name but, apparently, Mr. Kloppman truly believed it was and just moved nodded and told the boys he was going to dinner and he just stopped by to make sure they were okay.
"Oh well in that case," Jack walked back to the closet and opened the door. I nodded and grabbed Mr. Kloppman's coat winking, to him.
"You're gonna need dis." He smiled and opened the door for the old man.
"Why thank you Jack. You seem like you have this place under control." He grabbed his cane and ambled out the door with a wave to the boys.
"'Kay Penny!" Jack called and I burst out of the closet almost knocking my hat off. "Ya soo, that was Mr. Kloppman. He kinda runs the Lodging House so, you're gonna have watch out for 'im. I guess we should have told ya about that." I smiled and nodded. I looked to Albert who was trying to give the cigar back to Race who was playfully ignoring him.
"Hey guys," I said. "Thanks." They both smiled.
"No prob kid," Race said with a gesture of his cigar.
Albert smiled as well and looked around the room, "You guys think it's about time we gave the newbie a tour?" They answered with excited voices and I clapped my hands excitedly.
"I think it's about time I see the rest of the house!" I said and turned to Jack.
He smirked his signature half smile, "Let's do this!"
A/N Hey guys so just a heads up: I'm starting school again tomorrow so the updates will probably coming less often. Sorry :( Blame school :P. Anyway I love you guys! Thanks for reading and please review!