I listened to all of the different confessions/secrets and each time one boy told me, we met eyes and I knew every single thing I heard was true. Jack told us his real name, Francis Sullivan, some boys told me about their family, or troubles they've had, but when I got to Crutchie I felt a real connection in our eye contact. Race was on his left and put an arm around his friend's shoulder and I could tell he told the boys his "secret" before.

I could hear the minor shaking in the boy's voice, "Well, I don't really have a secret but, I do have something to say. Umm.. Because of my crutch, and my leg, I've never felt independent. I can't sell in the winter alone, I can never take anyone without falling on my face. I feel trapped in my own disorder." He kept his eyes on his lap but, I could see the glassy tears form around them. I felt my own throat close up as well and tried to keep myself together. I've had enough crying this week.

"I feel like I can't grow up. I feel like I'll never like.. be a man, you know? There's always someone who has to do something for you and, I do appreciate everything you guys do for me but, sometimes.. I wish I never needed this crutch at all." I met his eyes and I saw there all those words and more. It was unexplainable how trapped he felt. I was amazed at how he was so radiant and exultant all the time but fought these feelings every day. He tried to smile away his tears and Race continued with his secret but it was hard for me to listen. My mind was still on the crippled boy.

The pace of the speaking seemed to increase as my turn creeped closer, and closer. I took many deep breaths and tried to focus on the Newsies and when it was my turn I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. I've never told anyone this before. Ever. I wasn't sure if I could do it but, I thought of the relationships I have already made and the ones that were sure to come.

I took in an unsteady breath and told them something I've never ever said out loud.

"Well, when my dad still lived with my mother and I, he was never...well.. good to us." Jack squeezed my hand and I could feel all the boys' eyes on me. I begged the tears to stay away and continued. "He started having an affair with this... tramp and, my mom and I both knew but neither of us said anything. After a while he developed a drinking problem and I was scared of him. And it wasn't just sometimes, it was every day. I didn't know who my own father was anymore. I saw a stranger. He was cruel to my mother and I and that's when he started... he.."

"You don't have to tell us Penny," I looked up for the first time since I began talking and my heart fell to pieces. Specs's cheeks were tear stained and I knew he didn't want to hear what had happened. He didn't want to accept the truth even though he knew what it was.

"It's okay," I said looking him in the eyes realizing how hard it was holding back the tears. "My dad, he started... hitting my mom." I took in a shaky breath, "and me. None of us ever said anything about this, mainly because my dad threatened us. He said it stayed between us. Then, I thought of it as staying in the family but, now I know what family is like. And that wasn't family. I've never said any of this out loud before but... It helps saying it to you guys." I looked up and saw many glassy eyes but, tried to smile away my tears.

"Well, you can think about it as staying in the family now." I looked across the circle to Crutchie. His cheeks were slightly red and puffy but there was a smile on his face.

"'Cause we're a family an' you're part of us." I smiled at him and he smiled back. His eyes were so comforting, I forgot why I was sad.

Jack released my hand and stood up. The rest of us did too and Jack began to wrap up the "tradition."

"Okay, well... Penny is officially a Newsie!" The boys started clapping and "woooo!"-ing and I smiled the dismal memories away. The mild celebration died down and Jack continued, "Okay, okay Mr. Kloppman should be coming home soon so let's head upstairs. And uhh before we go we're gonna have to figure out how we're gonna.. adjust to livin' with Penny." The boys nodded and Jack led the way upstairs. Many of the boys patted my back as we journeyed to the second floor. When we got to the bunk room the mood was lightened.

"Okay B, umm you gotture uhh... Nightgown?" Jack asked slightly awkwardly I nodded and scurried up to my bunk where I placed my bag earlier in the afternoon and grabbed it. I climbed down from the bed and joined the boys.

"Okay so Little B is gonna change in da right bathroom up 'ere so wait til she comes out before you goes in there, kay?" The boys nodded and agreed but, I felt sort of privileged compared to the rest of the boys. I mean I have my own bathroom to get ready in?

"So you can go get ready and stuff. Umm we'll just be in here."

"Thanks guys," I said smiling. "For everything." They answered with many your welcomes and I briskly walked to the bathroom on the right and changed into my nightgown. I felt so appreciative of my new family.

A/N Hey guys! Thanks for reading this far! I love seeing all of the views on my traffic graph ;) So I thought I'd give ya a heads-up: THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL TO THIS STORY! YAY! It's gonna be from Specs' point of view and yes, it is a romance :D because I ship Specs + EVERYTHING! The sequel will take place around the time of the strike and will follow after it. And also, this part of this story is set the summer (so a year) before the strike, so katersgonnak8, Crutchie is actually 16 here ;) Sorry I haven't mentioned that earlier...

But anyway.. this story will follow Penny all the way to the strike were the drama and adventure will pick up! (Don't worry it won't take uber long to get to the strike)

Other than that: Thanks for reading and reviewing, I LOVE REVIEWS!