Santa Fe By Sarol December 26, 2001 So Jack stepped into Teddy Roosevelt’s carriage, smiling happily. He looked back for a second, seeing Sarah, David, and Les watching unhappily, then they vanished from sight. A sick feeling rose in Jack’s throat as he realized he would probably never see them or any of the other newsies again. I’ll neva see any a’ dis again, he thought, looking around at the tall New York buildings. All the thoughts of how things would never be the same flooded his head at once. Jack was vaguely aware that the governor was trying to talk him out of it. Hearing the governor’s voice raise up and a pause, Jack assumed he was asked a question and replied, “I gotta leave. I gotta see Santa Fe. Dis might be me only chance ta see it and if I miss it I’d neva forgive meself.” Teddy Roosevelt shrugged. “Well, you know what you want.” After that they rode in silence, and Jack said silent goodbyes to everything around him. He kept on picturing the look on Sarah’s face, and thought of the relationship he might be missing out on. Before he knew it, they were at the train yard. Jack got out of the carriage. He stepped up to the train, having second thoughts. He turned around to go back, but instead waved quickly and before he could stop himself stepped on the train. A few minutes later it began to roll away. Now Jack felt sick. He missed everyone already, and the thought of what could have been with Sarah tugged at his heart. With determination, Jack thrust every thought of regret and nervousness out of his body and let himself become excited. It was a long trip to Santa Fe, and he could either let himself be excited or feel sick the whole time. He chose to be excited and looked out the window, watching the scenes change. Looking out into the aisle, Jack saw a man about his age sitting across from him. “So, I’m goin’ ta Santa Fe. You goin’ dere, too?” he asked, thinking he’d make a friend. The man looked at him with nervousness worse than what Jack had been feeling before. “Yes.” Jack nodded. “Ya got family dere?” The man nodded briefly then looked out the window opposite Jack. Giving up, Jack leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep. A little while later, the train started to slow down and came to a stop in a train station. Jack woke up, expecting to see the desert, but instead saw more buildings, much like New York. Closing his eyes again, Jack tried to get back to sleep but the man elbowed him in the ribs. “Whatsa matta?” Jack asked angrily. “I can’t do it,” said the man. “I can’t go to Santa Fe. When you get there, there’ll be a tall, beautiful lady at the station with…flowing auburn hair, delicate pale skin, and sparkling crystal blue eyes. You’ll recognize her- she’s the most beautiful woman in the world. Her name is Bethany. Give this to her.” The man handed Jack a fat letter, then before he could reply, walked quickly off the train. Jack watched him disappear into the crowd before the train started to roll away. Tucking the letter into his pocket, he fell asleep again and didn’t wake up until an old lady tapped him on the shoulder. “Young man!” She said in a shrill voice. “I heard you say you was goin’ to Santa Fe. We’re there now. If you don’t get off, the next stop is Las Vegas.” Jack woke up with a stepped quickly off the train. “Bye, New York,” he whispered, watching the train leave as it disappeared into the horizon. Turning around, he looked out at Santa Fe. It was everything he had imagined it. He was free at last. Free from selling papes, free from the crowded city, free from everything. He was in the middle of the town. From where he stood he could see a sheriff’s office, a saloon, a courthouse, a post office, a store, a motel, a church, and several clumps of houses, among other worn out buildings here and there. All the buildings were dusty and made of wood. Looking out past the city, he saw the vast desert, stretching on for miles with no tall buildings interrupting it. He was about to leave the station when he noticed a tall, thin girl sitting alone on a bench with an old, faded suitcase in her lap. Remembering the letter in his pocket, he walked over to her. The man’s description of her wasn’t quite accurate. Her ‘flowing auburn hair’ was actually a dull light brown pulled loosely into a thick knot at the back of her head, with lots of curly wisps hanging around her face. Her face was tan and a bit sunburned from living out in the desert. Altogether, she wasn’t the prettiest girl Jack had ever seen. But when he got closer, he gasped. ‘Crystal blue’ didn’t even begin to describe her eyes. Jack thought they resembled the sapphires he had seen once on an old lady’s ring- large, deep blue, and sparkling- like two stars. Hearing him gasp, the girl looked up and swore. “Don’t tell me,” she said. “He’s not coming.” “You Bethany?” Jack asked. She rolled her eyes. “Yeah. So what did he say now? Is it the money thing again?” “Um, here,” Jack said, digging into his pocket and taking the letter out. “He said to give dis to ya.” Snatching the letter away from Jack, she took it out of the envelope and began to skim the first page, running her index finger quickly down the paper. Sighing loudly, she crumpled up the letter and dropped it onto the ground, a dusty wind blowing it away. “Yeah, it’s the money.” She glanced at Jack and began to laugh. “You have no idea what’s going on here, do ya?” “Not really.” “Well, c’mon. You can walk me home and I’ll explain on the way.” So they set off down that old dirt road together, Bethany talking and Jack nodding his head while looking at the scenery. “So, this guy you met on the train. His name is Luke Nelson. He was my boyfriend for, oh, five years or so. I grew up here in Santa Fe. The night we met, I was dancing on the stage in the saloon. That’s where I work. Anyway, he was here for the night, in from Boston. He was a newspaper reporter, and he was on his way to California. Anyway, afterwards he came up to me and asked me, let me see, he asked me if ‘A lovely lady like myself might grace him with her presence at the ball!’ Isn’t that cute? The ‘ball’ was just a party we were having the next day- ya know, a couple a’ guys got out their fiddles and we gals put on our best dresses. So I agreed and ever since he’s been coming to see me for about a week once a month or so. Last time he came- almost a year ago, he asked me to marry him. I said yes, of course! So he went to New York to find a job and a place for us to stay. We both wanted to go someplace new, and New York seemed so exciting! He said he’d come pick me up in a month and we’d go home, but instead he sent a letter saying he didn’t have a job. The next time the letter said he didn’t have enough money and he’d come in a month. The letters kept on coming and coming! Luke never comes so I’m always stuck here waiting. But not anymore. It’s over.” They walked in silence for a few paces, Jack not knowing what to say and Bethany out of breath. Finally, the silence got too uncomfortable and Jack broke it. “So, can ya recommend a place ta stay?” Bethany glanced at him, amused. “You mean you traveled all the way from New York to Santa Fe and you didn’t even know where you were going to stay? You’re brave. I admire that. And good looking, too. Although I can’t say that’ll get you anywhere around here. I bet you won’t last two seconds before you’re crawling back home.” Jack raised his eyebrows. “How’d ya know I was from New York?” “The accent,” Bethany replied. “It’s obvious. Back to what I was saying though. You may as well stay at the White’s hotel. It’s owned by Johnny and Rebecca White. They make a cute couple, although I hear Rebecca’s cheating on him. Anyway, no sense in buying a house, since you won’t be staying long.” “What da ya mean by dat?” Jack asked angrily. “You may have been tough in New York, but around here it’s a whole different game. Cowboys, duels, outlaws, yeah, judgin’ by the looks of you, you’ll be gone in a week. Two at the most.” “Dat ain’t true!” Jack snapped. “I was da toughest newsie in all ‘a Manhattan!” “Wow,” said Bethany. “I’m impressed. You mean you could beat up those sweet little boys who stand on the corners yelling, ‘extra, extra’?” “I can see ya neva been ta New York,” Jack replied, calming down. “If you woulda seen some a’ da guys I fought, ya wouldn’t be sayin’ dat.” Bethany smiled. “Do you even know how to hold a gun?” Jack shrugged. “Well I neva owned one before, but I’m sure I could figure it out.” “Yeah, I figured,” Bethany replied, nodding. “Well, here’s my house. Why don’t you come in awhile, then you can come to the show.” Not knowing what else he’d do, Jack shrugged and mumbled, “Okay.” “Great,” said Bethany, opening the door and leading Jack into a small, dimly lit parlor. “I’ll be upstairs getting ready. Make yourself at home.” She then left Jack alone and climbed up the steep, rickety stairs. Not knowing what to do, Jack sat in a stiff, scratchy armchair and put his feet on an old wooden footstool. He thought about smoking a cigarette, but decided not to. Now that he didn’t have the newsies to impress, he really didn’t see the point. About half an hour later, Bethany came back downstairs. Jack couldn’t believe his eyes. He had never thought Bethany was ugly, but never pretty either. Well, now she was more than pretty. She was gorgeous. She had replaced her plain, dusty brown dress with a flowing light blue silk one, her hair was in ringlets, and she was wearing a lot of pretty jewelry and a feather boa. “Ya look nice,” Jack said, not wanting to give her too big of a compliment after what she had said about him not being able to last in Santa Fe. Bethany smiled. “You look like Luke did when I first met him.” “How’s dat?” “Your eyes are popping out of your head.” Giggling, Bethany stepped out of her house and led the way back to the saloon. Pushing through the swinging half-doors, Jack entered a dim, smoky room. On one side of the room was a bar with a lot of bottles behind it and a short bartender with a moustache. On the opposite side of the room was a small stage. Little tables were set up around the room, but the biggest, loudest men sat at the bar. One of them glanced over when they heard the door open. “Heya, guys, it’s Bethany!” At this all of them looked over and whistled and shouted. “Hey guys!” said Bethany, flashing a smile that showed every one of her straight white teeth and waving her fingers a little. “Who’s the guy?” thundered the biggest man at the bar- who Jack figured was the leader of this gang. At the sound of his voice everyone in the bar quieted down and looked over at him. “Me name’s Kelly,” Jack said, spitting in his hand and offering it to the man. The man stared at Jack’s hand for a few seconds until Jack lowered it. “Kelly? Ain’t that a girl’s name?” “It’s me last name,” said Jack, a bit intimidated. “Me first name’s Jack.” The man snorted. “Kelly suits you better.” Jack didn’t understand. The spit shake was something he and Spot, the toughest newsies in New York, did. It was considered girly here? “Yeah, what’s yer name?” Jack challenged, trying to look tough. At this everyone in the bar started laughing loudly, a few slapping the counter. Raising his eyebrows, the man leaned forward and said in a cruel and precise imitation of Jack’s accent, “Me name’s Dylan.” Then he spat on Jack’s shoes and offered his hand in a handshake. The other guys started laughing harder. “Well, me first name is James,” Dylan went on, mimicking Jack and causing the guys to laugh and start mimicking in high, insulting voices. Turning red, Jack shot back, “Well dat’s a stupid name!” The bar went quiet. Grabbing onto Jack’s collar, Dylan lifted him up a little. “What?” he spat out. Jack realized his mistake and quickly added, “Well, it’s not much betta dan Kelly, dat is.” “You’re gonna get it, boy!” one of the men shouted and Dylan raised his fist, smiling. Suddenly the lights faded out in the saloon and Bethany stepped up on stage. Dylan released Jack, whispering, “Tomorrow, Kelly. You and me, on the main street, high noon.” Then Bethany started to sing and Jack was immediately reminded of Medda. The same homesick feeling he had on the train returned to his throat, made ten times worse by his worries of the next day. Did Dylan want to duel? Or did he just want a good fistfight? Jack knew he would be soaked badly during a fistfight, but he’d still survive. He knew how good Dylan would be with a gun, and Jack had never even picked one up before. He settled all his fights back in New York with his fists. Soon Bethany’s song was over, and she glided off the stage, waving to the whistling men. When she got over to the bar, the bartender had a drink ready for her without having to ask. She picked it up and took a sip, then turned to Jack. “How’d you like the show?” “It was great! I loved it,” Jack lied. While he was sure she did very well, he honestly didn’t pay much attention. “Say, could I get something to drink?” he added, trying unsuccessfully to get the bartender’s attention. Bethany noticed and said loudly, “Hey, Jack said he wanted some whiskey!” “Does Jack got money?” the bartender asked sarcastically. Jack shook his head at Bethany, either implying that he didn’t want whiskey or he didn’t have money, but Bethany ignored him and slapped a few coins on the counter. “Sure he does.” The bartender poured a shot of whiskey and slid it over to Jack, who stared at it a few seconds, not quite knowing what to do with it. He had tried some beer or a mixed drink every once in awhile in New York, but never a whole shot of this potent whiskey. “What’s the matter, don’t the new guy drink?” taunted one of Dylan’s friends. Dylan laughed, causing everyone else to laugh. Bethany gave Jack a look that said he better drink it or he’d be sorry. Not wanting these men to think of him as any more of a baby, Jack picked it up and swallowed the whole thing with one sip. Instantly his eyes began to water and he started to cough. Everyone in the bar was laughing uncontrollably except for Bethany, who ran to his side. “Hey, you okay?” she asked. Jack managed to shake his head, then ran out into the warm, dark night where he threw up on the side of the road. He quickly walked down the street, still hearing bursts of laughter. Bethany ran after him, and when she finally caught up, she asked breathlessly, “Where are you going?” “Train yards,” Jack replied, finally slowing down. “You was right. I can’t stay here.” Bethany rolled her eyes impatiently. “You actually took that seriously? Well, if Santa Fe teaches you one thing, this is it. Never trust Bethany Andrews. Well, that and never pick fights with James Dylan. The guys told me about your duel tomorrow at noon.” “Exactly,” said Jack. “There’s no way I can beat an experienced guy like him. I’ve never even picked up a gun.” Laughing, Bethany replied, “Oh, don’t worry about it. Why don’t you tell him you don’t got a gun, then get in a fistfight? The sheriff’ll break it up, and you’ll walk away with a black eye and a good rep, depending on how much damage you do to him. You told me you can fight, didn’t you?” “Yeah,” Jack nodded, starting to feel better. “So where did you say I could stay tonight?” “White’s motel. It’s around the corner.” When they got there a few minutes later, the moon was high up in the sky and, though still warm, the air was beginning to cool down a little. Bethany went inside first and marched up to the front desk of the lobby, a small, dimly lit room with a few battered couches and armchairs, a chipped wooden coffee table, and a few ancient vases with flowers. “Hey, Johnny,” Bethany said to a young man at the desk, who was skimming through some pages in a beat-up record book. “How’s business these days?” “Slow, as usual,” Johnny replied. “People don’t come to Santa Fe to visit, and if they do they have family to stay with.” Noticing Jack, he perked up and added, “Who’s this?” “This is Jack. He needed a place for a few days,” Bethany replied. “Well, he’s come to the right place,” said Johnny, smiling from ear to ear. “What’s your last name, Jack?” “Kelly,” Jack replied. “Kelly…” Johnny repeated, scribbling in his record book. “Well, the cost is a dime a day, fifteen cents with a meal.” Noticing the look on Jack’s face, he added, “Do you have a job?” “Not anymore. And I don’t s’pose you’re in much need of a newsie here in Santa Fe, are ya?” Johnny smiled. “You’re from New York, aren’t ya? I can tell by the accent. Don’t worry about the money for tonight. Tomorrow Rebecca can run the motel and I’ll help you find a job.” “Thanks,” said Jack, surprised at his hospitality. He had expected everyone to be tough and mean like Dylan. “Well, I’d better head out,” said Bethany. “It’s getting late. Say hi to Rebecca for me.” She left, and Johnny led Jack up to a tiny room at the end of a hallway upstairs. The room was only big enough to hold a single bed, and a small desk with a drawer for his clothes. On the desk was a candle and some matches, the only source of light besides the small window next to the bed. There was ripped, faded wallpaper on which Jack could make out a flowered pattern. Johnny noticed him looking around and said, “I know it’s not much, but for a dime a day it’s darn good.” Jack nodded. “Yeah, it’s nice and warm.” “Well, I’ll leave you to get some sleep,” Johnny said, walking toward the door. “Tomorrow we’ll leave at six to find you a job. Rebecca’ll have breakfast ready at 5:30. I’ll wake you up then.” Johnny left and Jack blew out the candle and got into his bed. The mattress was made out of scratchy straw infested with little bugs, which kept Jack awake for several hours, along with the bright moon that shone through the window. He finally lit the candle again and began a letter to the newsies. He wondered if they missed him as much as he missed them. He tried to make the letter sound as enthusiastic as possible, talking about Bethany and his duel the next day with Dylan. He couldn’t let them know he was worried and homesick. Finally, the moon had moved in the sky, letting the room become dark, and Jack couldn’t hold his eyes open any longer. He crawled back in bed, ignoring the bugs and falling asleep as soon as his head hit the hard pillow. A few hours later, Jack heard someone calling his name from downstairs. He rolled over, not wanting to carry the banner. Finally, someone shook his shoulder and he opened his eyes, sitting up with a start. Where was he? After a few minutes, everything came back to him. “Somebody’s a sleepy-head,” said a lady who was standing next to him, trying to wake him up. “I’m Rebecca. Breakfast is ready. I made flapjacks for you.” “Flapjacks?” “Yeah,” said Rebecca. “You can come and get ‘em when you’re done getting ready. I brought you a basin of water so you can wash up.” She left, and Jack dipped his hand in the cold water. He rubbed it all over his face and neck, glad for the relief from the hot morning. He then tied his bandana around his neck and put on his black cowboy hat. Then he walked down into the lobby, where Johnny was already sitting at his desk. Johnny looked up and smiled. “ ‘Bout time you got up. I suppose you’re looking for the flapjacks. Go through that door to the kitchen and Rebecca’ll help you out.” Jack nodded. When he got to the kitchen, he was overwhelmed by a wave of heat and a delicious smell. The ‘flapjacks’ turned out to be pancakes. Rebecca handed him a tall stack on a plate, along with a glass of water. “You can sit there,” she said, pointing to a table in the corner with a few stools around it. “Our other guests already finished and are off to work.” She was about to leave, but Jack said, “Um, Rebecca?” When she turned around, Jack went on. “Where’s a guy supposed to… you know, take a pee?” Rebecca laughed. “There’s an outhouse in back.” “Okay,” Jack nodded and Rebecca left. When he finished, he brought his plate over to the sink and set out in search for the outhouse. Awhile later he returned to the lobby and he and Johnny set out. First Jack dropped his letter off at the post office, borrowing a few cents from Johnny for a stamp. While Jack was mailing his letter, Johnny looked at the ads that were taped up in the window. They were mostly want ads for outlaws, but every once in awhile some one put up an ad for a job. Johnny found a good one and tore it off the window. “You ready, Jack?” he called. Jack nodded and they left the post office, heading toward the store a few streets down. By then the streets were filled with people. Every once in a while some one drove by in a carriage, but mostly everyone walked. It was already a hot day, even though it was still early in the morning. The people were mostly men, but for every two or three men there was a woman, and there were a few kids, too. “So, where are we going?” Jack asked. “Jefferson’s General Store,” Johnny replied. “Rob Jefferson, the owner needs a new clerk. His old one was killed in a duel last week.” Suddenly Jack remembered his fight with Dylan. “Oh, yeah? Who’d he fight?” “Oh, I doubt you’d know him since you’ve only been here a day,” said Johnny. “But I suppose I should tell you anyway, just so you know enough not to start a fight with him. James Dylan.” “Great,” said Jack. “I’m supposed to fight him today at noon.” Johnny’s eyes widened. “Duel or fistfight?” “Duel, I think,” said Jack. “I don’t got a gun though, so Bethany said we’d probably just fight. I doubt it’s much to worry about.” Johnny nodded in agreement, but Jack could tell that he thought it was something to worry about. They finally arrived at the store, and before they walked in, Johnny said, “Don’t tell Mr. Jefferson about your fight, or I doubt he’ll hire you.” Jack nodded and they stepped inside. Like every other building he’d gone in so far, the General Store was dim and small. The walls were lined with shelves that contained anything from food to medicine to cloth to tools. When they swung the door open, a little bell jingled at the top and an old man who Jack assumed was Mr. Jefferson stepped out from a room in the back. “What can I do for you?” he asked, nodding at Johnny. “Well, this here’s Jack Kelly,” Johnny replied cheerfully. “He’s looking for a job.” “Good,” said Mr. Jefferson. “I could use a little help around here. I’ll give you a quarter a day to start out, and depending on how well you do I might give you more or less later.” “Sounds good,” Jack said. “When can I start?” “Today, if it’s possible.” Jack looked at Johnny, who replied, “Jack has some stuff to take care of today. How about tomorrow?” “Sure,” said Mr. Jefferson. “Come back here at seven o’clock sharp.” Then they left the store. The sun wasn’t very high in the sky yet, so Jack figured he had two or three hours to kill before noon. “What are we going to do now?” he asked. “Well, we found your job sooner than I figured,” said Johnny, “So there’s not much to do. What do you say we stop at the saloon?” “I dunno,” Jack replied, not wanting to repeat the whiskey incident. “Ain’t it a bit early for drinkin’?” Johnny laughed. “No one drinks this early, we just go there to have a cigar or hang out. Didn’t you have places like that back in New York?” “Yeah, I guess,” Jack replied, thinking of Tibby’s. So they went to the saloon. Jack was relieved to see that Dylan and his gang weren’t there. He and Johnny sat around for a while, watching a few girls get up onstage. None of them were very talented or as pretty as Bethany was in her blue dress. A few of the men even shouted, “Hey, why don’t you get Bethany up there?” during one of the really bad acts. Suddenly a church bell began to ring, and the color drained from Johnny’s face. “It’s noon,” he said. The sick feeling quickly flooded Jack’s stomach again. “C’mon, we don’t want to be late,” Johnny said, and they quickly walked toward Main Street. The once bustling streets were now deserted. All the mothers had pulled their children inside. Only a few men hung around to watch. A few tumbleweeds blew across the dusty road. When Jack got to the middle of Main Street, Dylan and his gang were already there, along with Bethany and a few other people Jack didn’t recognize. “You’re late,” he said. “You got a gun?” “No,” Jack replied. “But I’m sure we could use our fists instead.” Everyone except for Jack, Johnny, and Bethany laughed. “Y’hear that?” Dylan cried. “Kelly don’t got a gun! Anyone want to do a dead man a favor?” After a pause, someone threw a gun to Dylan, who tossed it to Jack. Jack missed it and it slid past his feet. Everyone laughed some more as Jack bent down to pick it up. “Okay,” said Dylan,  “We may as well be formal about this. Ten paces, then we draw. C’mon, we start here, back to back.” Jack threw a worried glance at Bethany, who shrugged. Not knowing what else to do, he walked to the middle of the road and they stood back to back. Everyone laughed when they saw that Jack was a good six inches shorter. There was an uncomfortable pause, then someone started counting. “One…two…three…” Jack looked around, sure that these would be his last few moments. He said silent goodbyes to everyone and everything and hoped Bethany would send a letter to the New York, telling the newsies he died bravely. “Eight…nine…TEN!” Jack whipped around and on an impulse dove to the side, blindly firing a shot. A terrible pain shot up and down his arm and he hit the ground. He heard a scream. Wondering if he was dying, he lay there, unable to move because of the pain for a few minutes until everything went black. Slowly, Jack opened his eyes again. He was lying in a dim, stale-smelling, candle-lit room, wrapped tightly with a bandage. Across the room, a girl was sitting on a chair, face in her hands, crying. “Bethany,” he whispered after he remembered who she was a few moments later. She looked up, startled, and walked over to Jack’s bed. “Jack!” she whispered hoarsely. “Are you okay? You’ve been sleeping for more than a day and we were starting to think you weren’t going to wake up again! I was so worried and” “Shh,” Jack tried to reach out and comfort her, but moving was so painful he winced and gasped. “Don’t move!” Bethany scolded, now more worried than she was before. “I’ll go get the doctor.” “Why?” asked Jack. “I’ll be fine,” he said, trying to reassure himself as well as her. He inwardly thought he might be dying. “Really?” Bethany looked as doubtful as Jack felt. “Yeah,” Jack whispered and closed his eyes, the pain throbbing so hard in his shoulder it hurt to breath, let alone talk. When he opened his eyes a few minutes later, Bethany was gone. He tried to sit up to look around for her, but it was so painful he cried out and tears sprang to his eyes, despite his efforts of keeping them down. Giving up, he lay back down, but the pain was throbbing worse now than before. He tried to call out Bethany’s name, but everything went black. When he woke up again it was dark, and Bethany was sitting by his side, stroking his hair and talking softly. When she saw his eyelids flutter open, she whispered, “Shh, don’t move.” After a few minutes, Jack couldn’t hold the question in any longer. “Bethany? Am I dyin’?” Jack could see Bethany’s eyes widen with mild surprise, then she began to laugh softly. “What’s so funny?” Jack asked angrily. “Dying?” she asked. “Jack, you got shot in the shoulder! You’ll have to stay in bed for a few days, that’s all!” Jack sighed with relief, then gasped with pain. “What about Dylan? Did I get ‘im?” Bethany smiled. “You sure did.” Then she laughed. “You hit him square in the forearm. He won’t be able to shoot a gun straight for months!” Jack started to laugh, then cried out in terrible pain. “Oh, you hush!” she scolded, stroking his hair again and giving him a pill and a glass of water. “This will ease the pain.” After a pause, she added, “The best part is the respect, though. You’re the first man to walk away from a fight with Dylan. The first to hit him, too, even though it was just his arm. You should have heard him crying like a baby!” Jack knew better to laugh and just smiled this time. Maybe it was just the painkiller, but he was looking at Bethany in a whole new way. Before, she had been a plain but pretty girl and someone to talk to. Now, her hair was falling out of a crooked pony tail, her beautiful eyes were bloodshot and had dark circles under them from sleepless nights sitting up by Jack, and her once rosy cheeks were pale from being inside for a few days. Jack thought she looked like an angel. He reached out, the painkiller easing the pain that would have once flooded his body, and touched her cheek. “I love you, Bethany,” he whispered. “Oh, aren’t you sweet!” she said, stroking his cheek and kissing his forehead. “I- I know it’s crazy- we just met- but I love you too!” Then the painkiller was too much for him to fight off and he fell asleep. When he woke up, he didn’t remember that scene, but Bethany was looking at him differently. “Hi Jack,” she said cheerfully. “Are you feeling okay? Well of course not, but do you feel better than you did on Tuesday?” “Yeah,” said Jack. It still hurt to move his arm, but not as bad as before. He was also very hungry. “What day is this?” “It’s Thursday morning,” Bethany replied. “The doctor said you could get out of bed tomorrow afternoon.” “Thursday morning!” No wonder he was hungry- he hadn’t had anything to eat since he and Johnny had hung out at the saloon on Monday morning. “Could I get something to eat?” “I bet you are hungry!” said Bethany, giggling. “Here, take my breakfast. I’ll go get some more food in awhile.” Jack took her breakfast- a thick slice of course rye bread and a piece of cheese and ate hungrily, Bethany watching him with a strange look in her eyes. When he was done, she said, “Jack, darling?” “Yeah?” “I’m so glad you’re okay. When you didn’t wake up at first, and the doctor said…well, never mind. I’m just glad you’re okay.” Jack nodded, wondering why she was getting so sappy. She was like that all the rest of the day and the next morning, until finally the doctor, a gray-haired man, told Jack he was free to go, but he had to wear a sling on his arm for a few weeks. When Jack stepped out into Santa Fe again, it was like a whole different place. Before, people just looked down on him as ‘the new guy’ or ‘the Kelly kid’ or ‘the girl’, but now they looked at him in a new way- with respect. Jack found out that Dylan had gotten out of the hospital on Wednesday because his injury was minor- not narrowly missing vital organs like Jack’s had. The first place Bethany and Jack went was the saloon. Johnny, a few guys Jack recognized, and Dylan were already there. This time, instead of shouting insults at him, they were shouting things like, “Ooh, look at the lovebirds!” “Lovebirds?” asked Jack. “Sure, sweetie,” said Bethany, kissing his cheek. Jack shrugged. Bethany was somewhat pretty and sweet, and if she wanted to be his girlfriend that was okay with him. “Kelly,” said Dylan, standing up and walking over to Jack. “Dylan,” Jack said, nodding. There was a brief but uncomfortable pause, then Dylan spit in his hand and held it out to Jack. Jack looked at it for half a second, then spit in his own and they shook hands, much like his old times with Spot. Everyone at the bar cheered. From then on, life was good. Bethany was branded ‘Kelly’s girl’ and Jack had two good friends: Dylan and Johnny. Over time, both Jack and Dylan’s injuries healed. Jack’s job went well, and he learned how to use a gun. Pretty soon, he was as tough as Dylan and they ran Santa Fe together, although Jack could never bring himself to be as mean as Dylan had been to him at first. Two months after Jack’s arrival, he got a letter back from the newsies. They were all sorry to have lost their friend and leader, but Jack could tell they were getting along okay without him. The letter had a few notes from everyone. David took over as the leader, until he had to go back to school. Then Racetrack took over. Otherwise everything was the same. The letter even had a note from Spot in it. The only person that didn’t write anything was Sarah. Jack also noticed that none of the newsies mentioned her. Then he realized they probably just figured he was happy with Bethany and didn’t want to spoil it. One day, when Jack got done with work, he went to the saloon. There was someone he didn’t know there. “Who’s da new guy?” he asked. “Hey Jack!” Bethany said, running to the door and kissing his cheek. “This is Luke- remember Luke? My old boyfriend? He gave you my letter on the train?” “Oh, okay,” said Jack, nodding uncomfortably. What was he supposed to say to this guy? He had probably come to ask Bethany to go back to New York with him, but Bethany was his girlfriend now. So he just nodded briefly and went over to the bar where Dylan and Johnny sat, along with a few of the other guys. Bethany went on the stage and performed- this time tap dancing to some lively music in a pale pink dress. When she was done, everyone clapped and whistled. This time, however, Luke stood up and started yelling, “Encore!” Bethany blushed and walked over to him, and they sat at a table talking for the rest of the evening, Jack pretending not to notice and Dylan offering to beat him up. When the evening was over, Bethany asked Jack if it was okay for Luke to walk her home since he was leaving the next morning. After a few moments, Jack mumbled, “Sure.” He wasn’t really enthusiastic about it but he didn’t want to be a jerk. Besides, he was fairly sure he could trust Bethany. So they walked out of the bar, Luke’s arm around Bethany. “Just who does he think he is?” Jack asked Johnny angrily. “Ooh, is someone jealous?” asked one of the guys. “Shut up or I’ll soak ya!” Jack yelled angrily. Everyone did shut up then, except for Dylan, who said, “Listen Jack, she’s just a girl. You can’t let it get to you.” Jack nodded. Dylan was right. He couldn’t let this get to him; it would be bad for his image. So, although it bothered him for a few days, he let it go. After that, Bethany acted like it had never happened and everything was like it was before. Bethany was still ‘Kelly’s girl’ and no guys dared ask her out. One night there was a party at the saloon. Remembering what Bethany had once said to him, he knocked on her door and asked her to go with him, saying, “Bethany, I was wonderin’ if da prettiest goyl in Santa Fe would attend da ball wid a guy like me.” Bethany smiled nervously and mumbled, “Sure.” after a short pause, Bethany said, “Come in, I gotta get dressed.” So Jack sat in the same scratchy armchair he always sat in while waiting for Bethany to get dressed, disappointed at with her reaction. She came down, wearing the same blue silk dress she wore for the first performance Jack had watched. Her hair was in ringlets like Jack liked it. “Ya look beautiful,” Jack said, taking her arm. They walked toward the saloon, but before they got there, Bethany stopped. “Jack?” she asked nervously. “Can we go someplace quiet to talk awhile?” “Sure,” Jack said. “Is everything alright?” “Yeah,” said Bethany. “I’d just like to talk.” So they walked toward Jack’s room since it was closer than Bethany’s house. When they got there, Bethany sat down at Jack’s desk and Jack sat across from her on his bed. “So, what did ya need to talk about?” he asked. “Well,” she said uncomfortably. “This isn’t easy, but…” “Yeah?” “But…I’m going to have a baby, Jack.” “WHAT!” Jack jumped up, then noticed the tears on Bethany’s face and hugged her. “Bethany, how long have ya known about dis?” “A week,” said Bethany. “But I didn’t want to tell you. Rebecca’s the only one who knows.” Jack nodded. If Rebecca knew, everyone in the town knew. Bethany nodded too, knowing what Jack was thinking. “Jack, you know what people would say if we didn’t get married. So, will you? Will you marry me?” Jack was in shock. Finally he managed to nod. He couldn’t let Bethany go through this alone. “Oh good!” Bethany jumped up and hugged him. “I’ve loved you ever since you were hurt and you said you loved me!” She gave him a kiss on the cheek, then left. Jack slowly sat back down, thoughts swirling around in his head. He suddenly remembered that conversation. He had never really loved Bethany- it was just the painkillers! But one thought stood out in his mind more than anything else. The baby was not his. After a sleepless night, Jack got up the next morning and went to the kitchen, where Rebecca was cooking scrambled eggs and sausage. When she saw him, she turned around and threw her arms around Jack. “Oh, Jack!” she said. “You’re such a gentleman! I know that baby isn’t yours, and it’s sweet of you to marry Bethany just so people don’t say bad things about her.” Jack nodded, confused. “Rebecca? How’d ya know it ain’t mine?” Rebecca gave him a strange look. “Bethany tells me everything- you know that.” “Den whose is it?” Rebecca put her hands on her hips. “You mean you don’t know? You’re dumber than I thought.” Jack just stood there looking at her, so she went on. “Well, if you don’t know, I’ll just have to tell you. It’s Luke’s.” Jack just stood there, in complete shock. The silence that followed was deafening until Rebecca said, “Um, Jack? Are you breathing?” But Jack just turned around and went back to his room. He lay on his bed staring at the ceiling all day. He didn’t feel ready to marry Bethany. The only time he had ever said he loved her was when he had taken painkillers. But he also knew what awful things people would say about Bethany if he didn’t take the blame and marry her. Her life would be ruined. So, he decided to go ahead and marry her. The next few weeks passed in a blur. Bethany wanted to get married before it showed that she was pregnant, so they were set to be married in a month. Jack left all the planning to her, so he just walked around in a daze, taking Dylan and Johnny’s teasing and laying awake at night thinking. On the night before the wedding, Jack didn’t plan on getting any sleep so he just sat at his desk and looked out the window. For the first time in months, he thought about Sarah. He realized then that he loved her and wished he had stayed in New York. He remembered a night when he came home from Sarah and David’s house, and thought of what he had been thinking, that once he got to Santa Fe his life would be perfect. Jack then realized that he wasn’t free like the wind and he knew he wasn’t going to live forever. His dreams didn’t come true. He would be stuck in Santa Fe- away from his friends and his family, the newsies. He would be the father of someone else’s baby, and he didn’t even love Bethany. Jack decided that he couldn’t do that. He had to get back to New York. He had to get back to the newsies. Putting his hat on, he snuck out into the warm, dim morning. The sun would peak above the horizon in about an hour, and Jack wanted to get to the train yards before then when people might notice him. He got there and waited at the bench, the same bench where he had seen Bethany for the first time. After what seemed like ages, the train finally came and Jack got on and rode back to New York. The trip was terrible. He felt awful for leaving Bethany; she loved him and trusted him and depended on him, and he abandoned her on their wedding day. But he also thought about Sarah. Sarah might still love him, and she could be his girlfriend and their relationship wouldn’t be based on someone else’s baby. Jack started to feel better by the time he got to New York, but he was also a little bit nervous. He knew that things would be different and he wasn’t sure if he’d fit in. When the train stopped in the New York train yards, he quickly got off and ran to the Jacob’s apartment. It was starting to get dark outside, so Jack figured it was about 7:30. When he knocked on the door, Les answered. He just stood there looking up at Jack for a few seconds, then realized who he was and threw his arms around him. “Jack!” he cried. “Hey, Davie! Jack’s here!” “Jack?” asked David, running to the door. “Come in! You hungry? You can stay fer dinner!” David and Les were both talking to him at once as they led him into the kitchen, but Jack was hardly listening. He was looking for Sarah. When they all sat down at the supper table, Jack finally spoke. “So, uh, where’s Sarah?” David and his parents looked at each other but Les replied, “Sarah? She’s been married a month now!” Jack’s jaw almost dropped open. “Married?” David nodded. “Yeah, she was pretty bummed out when ya left, but den she got back togetta wid her old boyfriend and dey got married.” Jack was in shock. Why had Sarah gotten married so soon? How could she do this to him? After a long, terrible pause Jack finally nodded. After that Les started to talk happily and after awhile David joined in, but Jack spent most of the time staring at his soup, which he hadn’t even tasted. As soon as they were done eating, Jack left. David’s parents offered him a place to stay for the night, but Jack shook his head, figuring there would be an open bed at the Lodging House. He walked to the Lodging House slowly, thinking about Sarah. He was a little bit angry with her for getting married, but he was angrier with himself. He should have listened to the governor’s advice. He shouldn’t have been so stupid to leave his only friends and family. When he got back to the Lodging House, most of the newsies were sitting around in the main room. There was a few Jack didn’t recognize, but he was happy to get back to something familiar. The first newsie to see him was Mush. When he noticed Jack standing there he jumped out of his chair and ran over to him. Then all the other newsies ran over, except for Crutchy who took a little longer, and formed a circle around Jack, all throwing out questions at once. They all sensed that something was different about Jack. He was quieter and he seemed depressed about something, but they all eagerly welcomed their friend. When they all decided to go to bed, Jack walked upstairs with them, assuming things would be the same. When they got up to the second floor, they all looked at Jack strangely for a few seconds. Finally Racetrack spoke. “Uh, Jack? Whatta ya doin’?” Jack was confused. “What do ya mean what am I doin’?” “Well, Jack,” Racetrack began. “Ya don’t live here no more. Ya ain’t got a bed. Dey’re all full.” Jack nodded. Sure they were all full. Everything else had gone wrong in his life. He lost two girlfriends, two jobs, and a place to stay all in 24 hours. His head was starting to spin. “Okay,” he said and walked out without saying anything else. Maybe the newsies could have made arrangements to get another bed, but Jack didn’t care. He had to get out of there. Once he got out into the cool night, he shivered, used to Santa Fe’s warmth. Jack walked quickly and aimlessly down the street, not knowing what to do or where to go. Suddenly he was at the train yards, and he realized what he had to do. He would get back on the train to Santa Fe and beg for Bethany’s forgiveness. Then he would marry her and they’d live happily ever after. He didn’t care whose baby she had, just as long as he had her. Jack stayed on a bench all night, finally drifting to sleep when the sun began to rise. The train’s whistle woke him up an hour later, and he boarded the train. This time the trip was much better, since he knew he wouldn’t be leaving anything behind. The newsies wouldn’t miss him; they had all adapted to life without him. David and Les might miss him, but they’d get over it. And Sarah certainly wouldn’t miss him! He was going back to the only place he had friends, the only place where someone loved him. When the train stopped in Boston, Jack was surprised to see Luke get on. If Luke was surprised to see him, he didn’t show it. He sat down next to Jack. “I love Bethany more than anyone in the world,” he said. “I’m going to go to Santa Fe and marry her. I’ve put it off too long. I just hope she’ll forgive me.” Suddenly it hit Jack that he couldn’t go to Santa Fe. He couldn’t break up Bethany and Luke’s love; it was meant to be. It always had been, and he had just interfered. He’d known that ever since he’d watched them leave the saloon that night, he’d just never admitted it. Jack realized that Bethany really didn’t love him. She was in love with love, so when Jack told her he loved her, she started to believe that she loved him back. Luke would go to Santa Fe, and they’d be married. They’d have a child and they’d live happily ever after, maybe going to New York, and maybe staying in Santa Fe. Either way they’d be happy. Next the train stopped in Pittsburgh. Jack got off and just stood at the train station for a few minutes, not knowing what to do. He didn’t know anybody and he didn’t know where to go. So he just started walking down the street. Maybe he’d return to New York; maybe he’d stay there. Whatever he did, he knew he’d never be a newsie again. That part of his life was over. He’d get a good job and settle down. He wasn’t a kid anymore and he knew it. All of a sudden, he spotted a girl across the street. He couldn’t believe his eyes. She was beautiful, more beautiful than Sarah and more beautiful than Bethany in her blue dress and ringlets. He ran over to her. He had to talk to her, he just had to. When he got closer to her, he saw that she looked very familiar, though he didn’t know how. “Hey, I’m Jack Kelly,” he said. “Hey dere,” she replied and Jack was surprised to hear that she had a New York accent as well. “I’m Ginny Conlon.” And then it hit Jack why she looked familiar. She looked like Spot Conlon!  “Conlon?” Jack asked. “Ya know Spot?” Ginny nodded. “He’s me brudda. You used to live in New York?” Jack smiled and realized something. “I still do.” His home was in New York. He was a newsie. He knew they could make arrangements in the Lodging House. “Wonderful!” Ginny said. “I’m going back home today. Do ya wanna go wid me?” “Dat would be great,” Jack replied, putting his arm around her and walking back to the train yards and back home. The End To Be Continued… (I’m almost done with Ginny and Jack’s story)