I woke up the next morning to Mr. Kloppman's croaky voice and almost held my breath again. I'm sure he wouldn't notice me if I stayed still. Slowly I crept farther under the covers and sunk down into the mattress again. I could hear all the boys' groans but, they eventually got out of bed and Mr. Kloppman sent the first round into the bathrooms before cautiously walking back down the stairs.
Specs stood up and stretched his arms up into the air. From my bunk I could only see just past his wrists. His hands stretched out as well and when they were completely open I gave one of them a high five and I heard his groggy laugh from below.
"Did Mr. Kloppman see ya?" he asked turning around and looking up at me.
"No, I hid under my covers." I said and tried to rub the sleep from my face and eyes.
"Mmmk, good." He said and sat back down on his bed after putting his glasses back on.
I looked out across the room and noticed that the routine for the morning was almost identical to the one at night. The boys would go in their rounds to get ready in the bathrooms. Mr. Kloppman got them started when he woke them up. The only thing different was that they changed in the bunk room and not the bathroom. I guess they were just lazier in the morning. At first I felt pretty awkward sitting in a room filled with two dozen, half dressed boys but, I got used to it after a couple moments. I mean, most of them, if not all of them, are pretty easy to look at if you know what I mean.
I waited until all of the rounds were done before heading into the right bathroom and getting dressed. I quickly put on my newsboy clothes and stuffed my hair up into my hat. Mostly all of the boys were fully dressed when I came back out trying to figure out the suspenders Crutchie lent me.
"Hey guys!" Jack called through cupped hands. "When we goes downstaiwers, Penny's gonna be in the center of the group so Mr. K doesn't see her as well, Kay? We'll sign her in this aftanoon!" They nodded and gave thumbs-up signs then continued to finish getting ready.
We all ran down the big staircase and I held on to my hat just in case it flew off in the commotion. The group continued straight out the door and I just went along with the them. There were a few "Goodbye!"s to Mr. Kloppman and he waved to the group as a whole then continued checking his records. We burst out the door into the cool morning air. I took in a deep breath and let the summery breeze refresh my lungs. I found Crutchie in the swarm of boys and walked up next to him.
"How'd ya sleep?" He asked with a friendly smile.
"Surprisingly, really good!" I said and smiled back but, the smile wouldn't leave my face after that. We walked the rest of the way in silence. It was comfortable though, everything's comfortable when I'm with Crutchie.
We got to the window and I bought 50 papers and Crutchie bought 54. I jumped off the little platform in front of the window and jogged after Crutchie who was already making his way down the street.
"Where da ya wanna sell?" He asked after I fell into step next to him.
"I dunno. Maybe the square? It's super sunny today, we could probably finish early." He nodded and we turned left to find the square surprisingly busy for the morning.
"Jeez! It is pretty crowded!" We split up and began to zig-zag through the thin crowd of early risers and tired to "soak every sucker that we could" as Jack would say.
I sold a bunch of my papers right away but, the business slowed down after the main morning rush. I scanned the crowd of people looking for easy buyers or regulars, when I noticed someone in the crowd. He was tall and slightly husky. From what I saw he wasn't very old although his hair was a grayish white. He wore a top hat and a long black coat. He seemed familiar but, extremely suspicious. I quickly found Crutchie in the battalion and pointed to the strange man.
"Have you ever seen that guy? He looks... I dunno... different" Crutchie's jaw stiffened and I knew my instincts were correct. A flash of fear and hatred shown in his eyes, "That's Snyder. He runs the refuge. C'mon let's get outta here before he sees us." I grabbed Crutchie's hand and we stealthily ran out of the square. "Snyder is not good news. He hates the Newsies, especially Jack, so if ya ever see 'im clear out." I nodded but still thought of how familiar he seemed. I could feel the gear in my mind working, trying to figure out if I've seen him before.
After we finished Crutchie and I met up with most of the other Newsies including Jack. I was officially introduced to Mr. Kloppman and was signed in as Ryan Fisher. (My last name was made up). I was glad I didn't have to hide from Mr. K anymore, well at least when I was in my newsboy out fit. Most of the guys who hung out around the main room when I was signed in, also came with us to Mr. Blade's shop to get a new chair.
We turned the corner and stepped into the building. It smelled of sawdust and other woody smells. I liked it.
"Hey is that you Jackie?" I heard a friendly voice from the back room along with a couple machine noises.
"Ya Mr. Blade, we gots a new Newsie 'ere! Meet Little B." The middle-aged man came out from around the corner of the room, smiled and held out his hand to shake mine. His hands were coarse and strong. He had chestnut hair that swooped back over his head. His skin was also surprisingly tan.
"Nice ta meetcha Little B!" He said very loudly. I thought that was just how he talked at first, but a few of the boys behind me chuckled at his volume.
"Ya got your ear plugs in Jim!" Jack told the man, raising his voice so Mr. Blade could hear. Jim laughed and pulled out his orange ear plugs that were hidden from my view.
"Nice to meet you too!" I said when his ear plugs were out all the way.
He smiled and asked, "Ya'll hear for a new chair?" I smiled, glad he could tell what why we came.
"You betcha!" Buttons said from the back of the group and a couple of us laughed. Mr. Blade took us to the back room and explained to me how each Newsie gets to help make their own chair. We get to choose the style of the legs of the chairs and make our own design on the back panel. Jack and Albert took me over to the "newsies table" and showed me some of the designs the other guys have made. There were a couple designs from the boys that had to do with their nicknames or personalities; Specs' was a pair of glasses with some swirls and Race had a cigar drawn on his. I thought hard because I really wanted something symbolic and meaningful.
"You know yous the first girl Newsie," Crutchie hobbled up to me and said quietly into my ear. I felt his warm breath on my ear but focused on the design. I smiled and looked down at the blank paper. And then it hit me. A bow. Ever since my hair was long enough to hold a bow, my mother would place one in my hair and I would place one in hers. Having a bow etched into my chair will remind me of my mother. Have her join the Newsies' table with us.
I sniffled a couple times and grabbed the short pencil on the desk. I missed my mother. I missed her so much. I remember the days when I would join her at work and read to the young children in the hospital. Their smiling faces would light up the room. I remember my mother watching me with an equally beaming smile. My vision blurred with tears and I looked up at the ceiling, keeping them inside my eyes. Off the paper.
The pencil in my hand seemed to move on it's own. I quickly sketched a perky bow, sitting on an invisible floor. The end pieces lay free on the floor. I began shading the curved ribbon and felt some of the other Newsies slowly walk near and hover over my shoulder. They kept quiet though. I finished hesitantly and carefully put the pencil back on the desk. I admired my work, surprised at how impressive it was. My face kept a blank expression. I was holding back the tears and most emotion all together.
I slowly craned my neck around to see all of the boys that joined Jack and I. There was surprise, amazement, and wonder written on each of their faces. I was baffled. Every Newsie drew their design, right? I turned back to the paper and examined the innocent bow. It was quite beautiful. I usually wasn't the type of person to brag but, with this piece, I wanted to show the whole world.
"That's glorious." I turned back around to see Crutchie's eyes filled with awe. I felt my heart flutter. They were all in awe. Mr. Blade walked over to join us and stopped to examine the drawing as well. I felt his large hand on back. He leaned over my shoulder and got a closer look at the sketch. "Wow," he breathed. "You gots quite a gift kid." He gingerly grabbed the paper and rubbed his chin. "Uhh, I'm gonna see if I can carve this into the back piece," and with that he took the illustration to the back of the room. I let out a deep breath I didn't even know I was holding in. The boys gave me warm smiles and I gave them a small smile in return. I stood up, still fighting the tears, and was engulfed in a surprisingly silent, group hug. Despite my efforts, a few teardrops fell. I missed my mother more than anything, ever but, I knew the boys will help me and cheer me up. They always do. They always will.
A/N Hey guys! Sorry this chapter is kinda late but I hope the length makes up for it! From here on out the story will start to pick up and thank you to katersgonnak8 for some inspiration! Love you guys and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I KNOW WHEN YOU READ MY STORY AND YOU DON'T REVIEW! SO PLEASE REVIEW! I LIVE OFF OF REVIEWS! I MAY DIE WITHOUT THEM! KEEP ME ALIIIIIVVVVWEEEEEEE!
thanks again ;)
GTHN