I usually hate Christmas. It wasn't a big holiday for most newsies at the lodging house. Those who had families would spend Christmas with them. There was nothing to sell, so it was a rare day off for us. Food at the lodging house is free that day, as is lodging, but there are no real gifts. The charities give clothing, so that part is nice, but we don't get personalized gifts. I've never really celebrated the day. I mean, I know Christmas is all about cheer and giving and all, but newsies can't afford to give each other gifts. So it was strange trying to decide what to give to Katja and her father that year. I fingered the key on my neck and had an idea. One that would require entering a shop.

I looked around the little jewelry store in bewilderment. While I had often accosted customers as they were coming out, I had never been inside. I must have looked a bit lost—a feeling to which I am not accustomed—because the salesman took pity on me. I told him some lame story about wanting to get something for my girlfriend, and he was surprisingly helpful. Getting a gift for Mr. Fischer proved easier. It was actually nice to imagine their faces when they received their gifts. This shopping thing was kind of fun!

Feeling especially light hearted, I headed back to the lodging house. I hadn't gone far when I heard a female voice.

"Spot Conlon!"

I turned around and saw Gina, one of the working girls at Ms. Cara's whorehouse. She was my favorite of the girls at Ms. Cara's, though I tried to avoid the place. Ms. Mina's in Manhattan was far better, and I always wondered what Salama, the older black lady who had been my first, told the girls at Ms. Cara's. Salama had been a great one to break me in because she didn't have a stake in my reputation the way some of the others did. Gina was another story. She was my age, and I think she held out hope that I would be her ticket out of that place. I wouldn't. That girl was a great lay, but she wasn't much use for anything else—no intelligence, no ambition, nothing but cattiness and laziness.

"Gina," I said, and she came over and latched onto my arm.

"I've missed seeing you around. You haven't forgotten what a good time I can show you, have you?" she batted her eyes at me. I grinned.

"Nah, just been busy," I said nonchalantly. I wasn't exactly looking to spend coin after buying gifts that day. "And broke," I added for good measure.

"Why don't I remind you? On the house as long as you don't tell Cara," she said. Hey, who am I to turn down a freebie?

Afterwards as I was putting on my clothes, Gina picked something up off the floor. It was Katja's gift that had somehow fallen out of my pocket.

"What's this?" she asked as I snatched the little package from her and put it back in my pants.

"None of your business," I snarled at her, and she flinched. "Sorry," I said. I hadn't meant to be so aggressive, but somehow the thought of her touching Katja's gift bothered me. "It's just a gift for a friend."

"A girlfriend?" she asked, surprised and sounding a touch hurt.

"Nah, just a friend who's a girl," I said, playing it cool. Spot Conlon does not have a girlfriend. He's too tough for that. Whoring and soaking bums, that's his thing, right? I was suddenly desperate to get out of there.

"See ya around, Gina. Thanks for the company. It was fun as always," I said, bolting.