Disclaimer: None of these character’s, save Cat, is mine. I’m just using them but not for money so, Disney, please don’t sue me. (I don’t have any money anyway!) This is the sequel to "If". I hope everyone likes it. It includes two kisses but I won’t tell you from who! *g* There’s a bunch of songs and poems in here instead of jist one. There’s some Disney, Warner Brothers, and even some Pink Floyd!
When
(Cat Series Part Two)
Epilogue
We was strangers
Starting out on a journey
Nevah dreaming
What we’d have ta go through
Jack had been sittin on da roof fer almost an hour now. He was tinkin ‘bout many tings, and trying not ta tink ‘bout many tings. Specifically he was tinkin ‘bout Race and tryin not ta tink ‘bout Cat.
Now here we are
An’ I’m suddenly standin’
At da beginning wit youse
Race had been proclaimed "on da road ta recovery" two day ago by da amazed doctor. He still had ta stay at da hospital but dey no longer taught of him as a lost cause. Not dat da Newsies ever did. Dat was partly due ta Cat. Every time someone said sometin ‘bout Race not makin it, she jumped in wit a scoldin remark and den a joke and den sometin positive ‘bout Race. Wit her around how could anybody feel negatoive ‘bout Race? But Jack had seen da way Cat would stare out da window fer minutes on end and knew dat dere had been times dat Cat herself had taught Race might not make it. Dose times she-
When I lost hope
Youse was dere ta remind me
Dis is the start
"Jeez!" Jack taught. "Dere she is again!" He’d been tryin so hard not ta tink about her, but she seemed ta be impossible not ta tink about. In da week dat da Newsies had found out dat she was a goyle she had intertwined wit da group so dat any taughts of anyone else always led ta taughts of her. It was drivin Jack crazy.
No one told me
I was going ta find youse
Unexpected
What youse did to my heart
"Cat loves Race." He stated, outloud ta help him tink. Den he shook his head. it didn’t help. Sometin ‘bout her made da coldest day warm and da darkest night more bearable. Da udder Newsies liked and respected her as well. Dey said so all da time. She, in toirn, loirned ta like and respect and trust dem all as well. Jack could hardly rememboir a day when she hadn’t been dere ta help someone odder offer advise.
Life is a road
I want ta keep going
Love is a river
I wanna keep flowing
Life is da road
Now and forever
Wonderful journey
Jack knew dat she loved Race. He was jealous. Everytin ‘bout Cat was excitin, mysterious at times, and tough. He smiled as he remeboired da foirst time dey had met in da cafe. Course he hadn’t know she was a goyle den. But she had called his bluff.
I’ll be dere when the world stops turning
I’ll be dere
When the storm is through
In the end I wanna be standing
At the beginning wit you
"A cat." Spot had described her as. "Mysterious as all get out, claws ready ta pounce, indifferant ta youse’s wishes and ta da way tings should be doneand most especially authority." He had even gone so far as ta say he had wished she was in Brooklyn. But dat was before he knew she was a goyle. Jack wondoired what he would say now.
I knew dere was somebody somewhere
Like me alone in the dark
Wit a sigh Jack stood ta go inside. Dere weren’t no use complainin. Cat loved Race. Dat’s all dere was to it.
Now I know my dream will live on
I’ve been waiting so long
Nudding’s gonna tear us apart
----------------------
Unknowingly Race sat in da hospital wit da same taught on his mind. He didn’t mind too much dat Cat had lied ta him and da Newsies. He knew dat if he was in her place he would’a done da same ting. And he wasn’t put out dat she hadn’t truted him eidder. She hadn’t known him at tall.
Now she did. And he knew her. And he didn’t know how he felt ‘bout dat. He liked her, dat much was sertain, da question was, how much? When ever she was around it made him feel good, sort ‘a like a cool breeze. She didn’t do tings by da book, dat much was fer sertain.
Race smiled as he rememboired how da doctors had said she couldn’t come in. Not only had she come in, but given him his hat and watch back. Den she had taken out a cigar and given it to him. Wit his hat on and his cigar in his mouth he had felt ten times bettah.
He hadn’t asked where she had gotten da cigar. Dat was anudder ting. Her habit ‘a stealin hadn’t dissapeared. Sure da Newsies all stole once in a while when da picken was good or when dey’d had a bad day sellin. But Cat came up wid da most amazin tings. And when ya asked where sh’ed gotten dem....she jist shrugged and said she’d radder not say. Race was ‘fraid it’d get her in trouble one ‘a dease days.
Anyways, he brought his mind backta da issue, how much did he like Cat? He bit his lip in taught...
Chapter One
If there’s a song inside youses heart,
Just let it sing,
It needs ta soar,
So where was dis goyle everyone seemed ta be tinking ‘bout? Well, at da moment I was hanging by a rope from da top ‘a da refuge. Davey was up dere on da oddah end lowering me down, partly because he was the only one crazy enough ta help me and also most ‘a da odder guys had headed out ta Medda’s and the show she was doin tonight. For obvious reasons I hadn’t gone, didn’t need ta see da guys all hootin and hollerin bout some half dressed woman singin. Davey said his muddah wouldn’t let him, but I knew it made him uncomfortable since he’d been brought up ta think it wrong.
Ta tell da truth any ‘a da guys woulda gone wit me ifin I’d asked dem, but I still weren’t used ta havin so many friends. Dey all seemed like bruddah’s ta me, and dey treated me like one too. I’d only known dem a few weeks but it seemed like forevah.
Anyways, dey would have come ifin I’d asked but I didn’t feel like imposin. Shore, it weren’t da smartest ting in da woirld ta hang off ‘a da buildin of da guy huntin youse, but it shore was fun. I liked ta do darin things, much ta Davey’s -and da uddah Newsies- shagrin. Dey seemed ta tink I was a bit too careless. Nevah! Nevah careless, just carefree. Fer now, anyways.
So, dere I was. As soon as I got ta da landin I pulled on da rope ta tell Davey he could stop lowerin me, den I peeked inside da refuge room. Brushin’ me shouldah length blck hair from me green eyes I looked in. Da light wus on so I called in a semi loud voice, "Hey, Ten Pin!"
He was dere in a flash. "Hey dere, Cat! How’s it rollin?" He said wit a grin. Obviously this wasn’t da foirst time I’ve visited dis place. I grinned back at Ten Pin.
"Not bad. Brought a liddle sometin fer youse and youses boys." Out ‘a me pocket I pulled a large bundle, handed it ta Ten throught the bars on da window. "Jist ‘member ta smoke dem near da window. We’s don’t want ‘Puddin Face’ Snydah ta find out."
Ten Pin’s face broke inta a huge grin when he saw da cigars. "Tanks Cat! Nevah tought I’d see one of these again." He frowned suddenly, "Hey, ya wouldn’t happen ta have a light would ya?" I laughed and tossed him a packet ‘a matches. He toirned ta da boy standing nearest da window.
"Heya. Pass dese out would’ya?" Da boy took da cigars in astonishment. Dere was a flurry of excitement as all da boys tried ta grab one. Suddenly a loud voice called out,
"Snydah alert!" Instantly the cigars dissapeared, all da boys lined up by dere beds. One tossed is hat onto his bunk, den straightened his shirt. I waved ta Ten Pin den swung around ta where I couldn’t be seen. But I could heyar.
Silence. Of course, Snydah barely tawked ta da boys, thought it beneath him or sometin. I heard a slight scuffle and recognized someone standing straighter, or getting rid of a forgotten cap.
Den I heard da Puddin Face speak. "You and you." He nevah bothered wit names. "Come wit me. The kitchen needs some extra help." I heard Snydah toirn ta leave. Dere was a pause.
Dispite what most people tink, Snydah wasn’t in charge heya. Da pause I hoird? Dat was da two ‘chosen boys’ glancin at Ten Pin fer confirmation. Once he’s nodded dey’ll go wit Snydah. Not a moment before. See, evahn in da refuge dere’s a leadah, and Ten Pin was da leadah in dis refuge.
I hoird da noise ‘a da boys followin Snydah out da door, den da door shuttin. Wit out a woird I signaled fer Davey ta pull me up. He did, and we left da refuge.
As we began wawkin towards da hospital fer my nightly visit ta Race -actually I visited him in da day too- Davey dell inta step and asked,
"Where’d ya get da cigars?" It was curiousity I suppose. See, none ‘a da Newsies knew I was a thief. I’m shore dey wondered how I came up wit da stuff I did. (Such as da little wooden parrot I gave Snitch fer his Birthday) Probably one or two suspected it, but I wasn’t bout ta straight out tell dem. I don’t know. It was sometin I was proud and ashamed of at da same time.
Anyways, I’m shore Davey guessed, so all I did was shrug and say, "Best ifin youse didn’t ask." Real cool like.
Davey gave me a strange look. "Did Race givem ta youse?" I almost laughed. Where would Race get a dozen cigars? Davey shore was clueless some times.
I shook my head instead. Davey creased his brows. He knew all right. I could tell by da look in his eyes. I also could tell he needed ta heyar it from me. I slowed down me pace a bit.
"Davey." I began., "Befere I came heya I had ta make my livin in any way I could. I loirned a few tings, dat’s all." For a second he was silent.
Den he looked at me, "Youse a thief." He said bluntly, not harshly. He wasn’t accusing me, jist wantin conformation.
I nodded. "Dere are worse tings in dis woirld." I told him not letting my grin reach my face, den sped up ta my usual pace. He paused, den caught up.
We reached da hospital in record time. I nodded at da noirse on duty as we passed. She smiled slightly. I visited Race so much she knew me by sight. I tink I evahn visited Race more den Jack did. Partly out of guilt I suppose.
"Deya me." Race started as we entered. "I taught I told da noirse ta keep riff raff outta heya." I laughed.
"Dey already tried." Wit dat I presented him wit a cigar. He stuck it between his teeth. Da noirse wouldn’t let him light it in da hospital, but I figoired he’d smoke it later near da window.
Race looked better. I could see it right away. Witout tinkin I said, "Youse almost look like youse old self."
He gave a half grin. "Almost." He said. "But don’t youse feel sorry for me." He struck a pose ta show how ‘good’ he was lookin.
Suddenly Davey broke in, "Nah, she’s too busy feelin guilty." I know he meant it in joke form but it certainly didn’t sound dat way. Witout meanin to I looked away. Davey tried ta stammer sometin bout just kidden but we all knew what he had said was true.
"Heya Davey." Race broke in. "Do ya tink youse can try ta find me a cute noirse?" In odder woirds, leave fer a while. Davey took da hint and left. Race toirned ta me. "Cat, I want ta tell youse sometin."
I sat down on da chair nearest his bed. "Youse bettah listen too." Race continued. "Dere weren’t nuddin inda woird dat youse coulda done. Nuddin. It weren’t youses fault." His voice was comforting but I knew it weren’t true. I looked away from his deep eyes.
"New Yawk is a huge city full ‘a tough guys jist waitin ta soak ya. I jist got unlucky, dat’s all. I’s don’t blame youse." He looked me straight in da eye when he said dat. I knew he meant it and it meant alot ta me but I still blamed meself. "Dat’s da way life happens. Youse jist got ta roll wit da punches."
Dat was jist what Crutchey had told me, I taught. It made sense, den why couldn’t I get rid ‘a da ache in me chest? Ta make Race feel bettah I jist said, "Kay, but I’s still wants ta soak im."
Race broke inta a grin, "Youse and me both, goyle. Youse and me both." He stuck da cigar back inta his mouth and sighed.
Davey came back shortly aftah dat. I’s knew it was almost time fer us ta leave but I hated leavin. Luckily Race made it easy. "Youse bettah be headin home." He said finally, "Dave bettah stay wit youse till youse get’s ta da Bordin House."
About a week ago Jack had found out I’d been sleepin in alleyways. He got real mad and so did I but we’s finally figoired dat it would be bettah all around ifin I stayed at da Lodgin House. Da boys gave me as much privacy as dey could, and treated me like bruddahs so it was ok.
Now I reeled in indignation. "I’s don’t need an escort!" I exclaimed. Race immidiatelty became solemn.
"I’s didn’t mean ta insult youse. But Spot was ovah heya today." Spot! I taught. What was he doin in Manhattan? "He warned me dat he hoird Snydah was hyrin scabs ta find youse. Spot said he hoird a big shot came round askin questions and promisin money ifin youse was brought ta him."
"Scabs!" Davey exclaimed shocked. "I hate them!" I nodded in agreement.
"Jist like old Puddin Face ta go hire odders ta do his dirty wowk." I stated. Race laughed at da name I’d come up wit fer Snydah.
Davey toirned ta me. "Maybe I bettah walk you home." He smiled apologetically. I sighed.
Race gave a broad smile. "Seems youse made quite an impression on Spot. He’s not used ta guys bein so curt wit him."
Automatically I corrected him. "I’m not a guy." I told him.
"Yeah," Race nodded. "Dat’s da oddah ting. He didn’t tink a goyle could resist him, let alone yell at him." I flushed at da memory, slightly embarrassed at my tempah.
"He desoirved it." I said self righteously. Davey hid a smile.
"Anyways," Race continued. "He’s impressed and dat don’t come easy fer him." At dat moment Davey checked his watch and we realized it had grow latah wit all ours talkin. We toirned ta leave.
"Be careful, kay Cat?" Was Race’s last comment. I waved and nodded. As careful as I could be, I taught. We left.
About half ways ta da Lodgin House we’s saw a familair figure approachin us. "Heya Jack!" I called out, speedin up ta meet him. He shook wit us and den he toirned ta Davey,
"Bought past youses curfew, ain’t it?" He wasn’t bein mean, his tone was jist friendly. Davey nodded,
"I was jist escourtin Cat home." He told Jack wit a grin at my expense. I bristled. I hated it when people taught I couldn’t take care ‘a me self.
Jack must a realized I was upset cause he told Davey he’d take ovah from heya. Davey left and Jack and I continued. "I don’t need ‘a escourt." I told him firmly.
Jack glanced at me wit an unreadable expression in his dark eyes. "I’s know youse can fight, Cat. Heck youse proved it many ‘a time, but we’re tawkin ‘bout some bad odds. Scabs don’t soak Newsies alone, dey come in groups ‘a five or ten."
I scowled into the darkness. "Youse tink I’ve nevah had gangs aftah me afore?" I asked harshly. "Scab’s ain’t nuddin new, neiddah are bad odds." We’d slowed down now. "Dis stuff ain’t sometin new, youse know. It didn’t jist appear once I came heya. It followed me from back home." Jack stopped and I toirned ta face him. I wanted ta make him realize I was used ta dis and could take care ‘a meself. "Back home it was jist me and I handled it fine. I’s don’t need ta be treated like a baby."
For a second dere was silence. I was a bit worried he would be mad at me, but I was mad at him. "Youse had people chasin youse fer a long time, haven’t youse?" He asked in a quiet tone of voice I couldn’t desifer. At foirst I taught he was makin fun ‘a me. Den I realized he wasn’t, jist concoirned maybe.
I nodded, not meetin his eyes in da darkness. "Dey’s always been someone aftah me. I’ve jist got use ta it I guess." He stared at me fer a long time. Finally I couldn’t stand it any longer and I looked at him. His eyes were hidden in da shadows. All of a sudden I wondoired ifin he wasn’t tinkin I was more trouble den I was worth.
"Ifin I’m gonna cause trouble den maybe I should go." I finally said. He stepped forward quickly and grabbed my arm.
"No. That’s not what I meant." He tried ta explain. "We’s a family and we’s take care ‘a our own. But youse was alone afore, now youse ain’t! We’re heyar, so let us help youse." His hand felt warm through my worn short sleeve. Slowly I nodded.
"Sorry. I’s not used ta dis yet." I told him. "I’m used ta not trustin peoples. But jist have patience wit me, kay?" He nodded, and I smiled. Den we continued on our way.
Chapter Two
And if dere’s love inside youses heart,
Give it away,
Youse’ll find some more.
Dat night in bed I began ta wonder ifin I hadn’t been right. I mean, if I stayed den dat jist meant dat I was bringin all dis trouble ta da Newsies. Dey didn’t desoirve it. And it wouldn’t end wit dis scab ting eiddah, I knew dat. I was a thief, pure and simple. I couldn’t jist change ovah night. But as long as I was a thief den I was puttin my friends at risk. Da guys from back home wouldn’t jist give up on me’s.
My mama had always told me ta put da past behind me and carry on my way. I can see why she did, havin’ da past she did, but could I? I don’t know but dat every time I taught of da past I jist wanted ta set out fer da great big hills on da horizon and nevah stop till da past was gone. Unfortuantly I had too much sense and I knew dat wouldn’t evah work.
‘Sides, I knew I couldn’t leave da Newsies. In da short time I had known dem dey had become more den jist friends and sellin’ partnahs, dey had become my family. But one part of my family wud still breakin’ me heart every time I taught about him. Anthony. My liddle baby bruddah dat I had left on da orphanage doorstep. Sometimes I wanted ta run dere and claim him. Take him back heya wid me and raise him as a Newsie
But I couldn’t. I couldn’t doom him ta da life I had lived. Not knowin’ ifin youse would have enough ta eat or a place ta sleep or afraid ta wawk da alleys. No. He desoirved bettah. Every night I prayed ta Heaven dat a rich lovin’ family would adopt him and dat he would get da life he desoirved. But somehow I wondoired who would adopt a baby wid no past and a future dat was yet ta be seen.
Sometimes I missed him and my muddah so bad I taught I’d die. I ‘d lay in bed and jist stare at da ceilin’ pictoiring my muddah by da fire and my bruddah in his cardboard cradle.
At times like dose I’d always heya my muddah singin’ ta me. Sometimes it wud a soft lullaby or a silly rhymin’ song. But more and more now it wud one particular song.
And when you feel you're near the end
Will you just turn it over and start again
Is there a stirring in your heart
As the time comes when we will have to part?
I guess she knew dat someday we’d have ta part. Maybe she knew she wud sick, who knows, but I do know dat she knew a lot more ‘bout life den I did. And I wished she were heya ta tell me what ta do.
I tossed and toirned fer awhile afore finally decidin jist ta get up and go fer a wawk. I knew my way round New Yark by now, I was good at directions. So’s I headed down ta da quietest spot I could tink of. Da Brooklen Bridge.
It was beautiful dere at night. Da stars above and da twinkling watah below. Da smell ‘a da sea and da sound ‘a da silence dat covered everytin. I breathed in deeply, sighin.
"Couldn’t sleep?" A familair yet startlin voice behind me spoke. I whirled ta find meself face ta face wit da leadah ‘a da Brooklen Newsies, Spot Conlon. He gave me a charmin smile. "What? Youse ain’t gonna yell at me?"
I flushed and was glad for the darkness. "Maybe lattah, I ain’t in the mood right now." I told him gruffly, tryin ta hide my embarrasedment. I didn’t know den that there weren’t anytin youse could keep from Spot.
He came and stood beside me as I leaned on da railin and watched da moon reflectin on da water. New Yark was so dirty det da blue clear water was refreshin. "Want ta tawk ‘bout it?" Spot asked me calmly. I shrugged. "Sometimes jist sayin tings aloud helps youse figure dem out." He continued, not lookin at me.
"Your not afraid I’ll soak ya or yell?" I joked, only half joking. He toirned ta me fer a minute.
"Naw. Youse ain’t in da mood, member?" He answered, toirnin back ta da water. Dat’s when I realized what a solid friend Spot could be. I hardly knew him, and I had da feeling everybody hardly knew him no mattah how long de’ve been friends, but he knew I was embarrassed so he didn’t push da subject. And he was willin ta listen, and he weren’t upset I’d yelled before. He knew da soircumstanses and accepted dat I’d been upset.
I took a deep breath, den let it out wit a sigh. "I’m a thief, Spot." I blurted out, hardly knowin what I was sayin. Before he could get da wrong idea I continued, "I’ve always been one, it’s jist sometin dat I am. Youse a leadah, I’m a thief. Dat’s jist da way tings are sometimes, right?" He nodded taughtfully. I looked glumly at my hands. "But it’s bringin trouble on all’s me friends. Heck, youse know! Puddin Face hired scabs fer heavehns sake. Scabs! I’ve been chased by scabs befere, don’t get me wrong. But I nevah had friends dat dey could hoirt befer. Maybe dats why I’ve always been alone, I don’t know." I toirned ta Spot fer some help, ta find him watching me intently.
Witout meanin to I caught his eyes. Deep blue pools dat seemed ta draw you in witout meanin to. "Friends are a blessin and a coirse." He stated. "But’s always member dat it wasn’t jist youses idea ta be friends. Friendship is a two way street and youse also gotta tink of what youse would do ifin it was dem needed youse." I looked away suddenly,
"I’d leave dem behind." I whispered. Tears stung my eyes but I brushed dem impatiently away.
"No you-" Spot began but I interrupted him fiercly.
"Yes! I would! I’d hate meself da whole time but when da goin get’s tough I run." I paused, realizin dat I’d yelled once again at Spot. I didn’t care. Yes, I did. "I’ve done it befere, Spot." I explained, shamefaced. "I’m jist a thief, always watchin my own neck, stead of da guy next ta mine." I couldn’t meet his eyes. "I’s would want ta help, really! I’s would want ta stick around and fight." I paused, "But I know me. And what I did." Anthony’s face came into view, dere he was on da doorstep ‘a some orphanage.
I shook my head. Den lifted it ta look at Spot. He watched me wit an expression I could dissifer. An expresion I’d seen on Jack’s face a time or two. I guess I wasn’t very good at tellin what my friends were feelin. "I cain’t bare ta bring hoirt on me friends jist cause dey ain’t like me. Jist cause dey won’t tell me ta leave."
"Dey won’t tell youse ta leave cause youse shouldn’t leave." Spot broke in matter of factly. "Dey accepted youse. All of youse! Dey accepted youse da thief, and youse da Newsie, and youse da goyle, and youse da friend. Jist cause one part of youse brings trouble, dat ain’t no reason ta tell da odder parts ta go packin." He toirned ta watch me as he spoke. "Believe it or not dere are a lot of Newsies dat care ‘bout youse. All of youse. And dere ready ta stand and fight fer da right ta be youses friend. Dey don’t expect youse ta change. Dey expect da woirld ta change fer youse."
My eyes open wide wit surprise. "I ain’t nevah had anyone who tinks someone else should change jist ta stop trouble fer me." I bit my lip. Nobody was gonna change da rule bought stealin though. "Spot, I cain’t stop being a thief." I told him softly.
His eyes met mine. Blue versus deep black. I don’t tink he coulda pulled away eiddah. "We’s don’t expect youse ta change.We’s is ready ta stand and fight fer da right ta be youses friend. I’s’ll make da woirld change fer ya." His voice got softah and softah and somehow we got closer and closer. Finally I was only inches away from delving inta his diamond blue eyes.
"I’s sorry bout yelling at youse." I whispered, caught up in the moment. I didn’t want ta think any more, I jist wanted to know everything was gonna be ok. His eyes twinkled in da moonlight. Den he closed da last few centinmetahs and touched his lips ta mine, gently at foirst, den a bit hardah. I closed my eyes and felt da firewoirks peoples always tawk ‘bout. Deep blue fireworks. Finally he broke away.
"I’s actually kinda like it." He told me softly, searching my eyes. I wasn’t shore if he met da yellin or da kiss. I didn’t care. "Good night Cat." He said finally, toiring and walkin inta da black night an’ dissapearing. I stood dere fer a long time.
Da truth was dat I’d nevah been kissed befar. Ya shore my muddah gave me a kiss good night, but dat weren’t da same at all. Weren’t evahn in da ball park! I tingled all ovah, and my heart felt like it wud plannin’ ta beat itself out ta my chest.
Dat’s when reality kicked in. "What are youses doin?" I asked myself angrily. "Gettin’ involved wit da Brooklen leadah when youses got scabs and bulls all ovah da place jist waitin ta get dere hands on youse?" Den an image of Race came ta mind. Race!! What wus I doin? I loved Race, didn’t I? But in my mind I hoird Spot tellin’ me he’d make da world change and dat he accepted all of me. Even da dangerous part. I couldn’t help feelin’ like somebody cared fer a change. I mean dat I absolutely knew dey cared ‘bout me enough ta risk da danger. It wud a good feelin.
Race wud willin ta accept all of youse too. He didn’t evahn care dat dey almost killed him because ‘a youse. Guilt flooded my mind, and confusion. I had loved Race since the moment he’d cheated at cards, but being out here in da moonlight with Spot made butterflies soar in me’s stomache. Who did I love? Race or Spot?
I stayed standing dere, fighting it out in muh mind until I’s got too cold. Den I slowly made my way back to da Lodgin’ House. As I lay down in my bunk I sighed. Dere weren’t any easy answoir ta dis question. I’s would jist have ta play it by ear for now and hope it got easior. As I closed muh eyes ta sleep I hoird my muddah’s voice singin’ ta me.
Look at the sky tell me what do you see?
Just close your eyes and discribe it to me
The heavens are sparkiling with starlight tonight
That’s what I see through your eyes
.
I see the heaven each time that you smile
I hear your heartbeat just going for miles
And suddenly I know my life is worth while
.
Look at myself and instead I see us,
Wherever I am now it feels like enough
And I see a girl who is learing to trust
That what I see looking through your eyes
And love just took me by surprise...
Yeah, I’m loirnin ta trust, and love coirtainly took me by soirprise, but somehow I always taught it would be easior.
Chapter Three
Youse’ll heya each song youse sing
retoirn ta youse,
And love ya give aways will boirn
a few old,
Aching hoirts youse wants ta throw
away...
Da hospital said dat Race wud gettin’ bettah and fer dat I wud grateful. But da problem wid da boys from back home didn’t seem ta be goin’ away. In fact it seemed ta be gettin worse if anytin’.
Da next day I didn’t see Spot at all. I contemplated goin’ ta Brooklen ta see him but I jist couldn’t make meself do it. Ta tell da trut I was still mixed up and I didn’t know what I’d say ta Spot ifin I did see him. What if he regretted kissin’ me? Why hadn’t he come at least jist ta say hi? So I sold my papes and retoirned ta da Lodgin’ House where some a’ da boys interested me in a card game and we sat down ta play. I hoirds some people comin’ up da stairs slowly, and I toirned ta see Pie Eater, Skittery and anuddah Newsie carryin’ Boots inta da room.
And you are left without a word
Only the whispers that you've overheard
Standing in silence, holding my breath
Disconnected and dry
I hoird da woirds jist as clearly as if muddah was heya. And I wished she were. Ta hold me and stroke me back as I cried and cried. But she weren’t dere and I couldn’t cry. All I could do was watch as dey laid Boots on da bed and began ta bandage up his bleedin’ head and arm and put a cold cloth on his swollen black eye. He was hoirtin real bad, youse could tell by da way his jaw was clentched and because he hadn’t opened his one good eye.
Jack wus dere in a flash, beside Boots, tellin him it wus gonna be alright and dat he was safe now. Most a da Newsies seemed ta find tings ta do elsewhere and left Boots ta his privacy. I couldn’t leave, it seemed my shoes were glued ta da floor.
Finally I knelt down beside Jack. He didn’t look at me. My insides felt like dey were bein’ torn apart. "Dis was because ‘a me." I murmered, not even realizin’ I was speakin aloud. "I did dis." I felt a tear slide down my cheek, den another. Tears ‘a guilt and pain and sorrow and hurtin’ fer Boots and all da oddah Newsies. "Boots nevah hoirt a fly and dey did dis jist ‘cause he knew me." Da woirds felt like poison and da pain wit dem tasted like coppah on da back a my tounge.
Boots opened his eye. He focused on me, one tired hoirting eye, he licked his lips ta tawk. "Cat. Don’t worry, we’s won’t evah let dem get youse." He began, clearly woirried I had taught dey’d given up. "Dis ain’t nuddin. Doesn’t evahn hoirt." He winced evahn as he spoke da woirds. "Youse hide out fer a couple a days and dis’ll all pass." He tried ta say sometin’ else but I guess he’d used all da energy he had because didn’t speak aftah all. I stared at him fer a couple a minutes.
"Boots. Boots, I’m sorry." I said softly, "I’m so sorry." But he didn’t answer. Jack hadn’t looked at me since Boots had been brought in. He hadn’t said a ‘ting. Just knelt dere and patched up Boot’s head, wipin’ away da blood and dirt. Now I wished he’d say sometin’, anytin’. "Jack." I began, not shore what I was goin’ ta say. Just knowin’ dat I’d have ta say sometin’ or go crazy. "Jack." I said again, almost desperately.
Silently he toirned ta me. Pain etched his face, his eyes were blank, and dere weren’t no warmness in dose eyes. None dat I could see anyways. He didn’t say a woird. Jist looked at me. My heart began to burn. No, I thought, no!
And when you feel you're near the end
And there's a stranger where once was a friend
And you are left without a word
It wus as clear in his eyes as ifin he’d said it aloud. Without a woird I stood, and wawked ta da door. A quick glance back told me dat Jack still hadn’t moved. The rest ‘a da boys didn’t evahn notice as I wawked out da door and down da stairs and den, outa da Lodgin’ House door. Somewhere along da way I found dat I was runnin.
Chapter Four
So let youses song and love be know,
No one can make it all alone...
I taught I’d be cryin’. I taught perhaps life would jist end and den I wouldn’t hoirt no more. But I should have known bettah. Instead da hoirt and pain and tremendous ache in my chest just carried on and got worse and worse.
All dose times dat Jack had told me he’d stand by my side and dat we’d face da enemy side by side. All da times dat he said he didn’t blame me fer Race. Dey was all gone. Vanished inta thin air like dey nevah existed. Along wit da hopes I had fer anytin. Fer Jack and my friendship and da trust and da family. All gone. Gone.
And though I'm certain that there's nothing left
To hold on to, to give or to try
Some things never change, no don't ever change
And I'm feeling the cold
A sob escaped and den another one. Violently I choked and sobbed, collapsin’ underneath a dark fire escape. Tears poured from me face, boirnin and drippin ta da concrete. He blamed me. Da taught kept comin’ back again and again. He hates me because of dis. He doesn’t tink it’s worth it. How dose taughts hoirt but dey kept comin’ and I realized how foolish I had been ta evahn tink I had been worth what happened ta Race and now Boots.
Why should someone get hoirt fer me? I should’a nevah come. Who knows how long I
sat dere, hoirtin.
I'm all tied up
Tied up in a knot
And I can't decide
Just what it is I've got
Did I lose my way
I've not forgot
No, not a single day
My taughts wandered back ta da foirst time I’d met Jack, Race and da Newsies. How I’d beat up dose two clowns in da alleyway fer da liddle squirt Les, and da cafe meetin’, and da way Spot had tawked me inta retoirnin’ when I taught it wud all ovah. Now it’s ovah fer shore. Da way Spot had kissed me jist da night a’fore, but I quickly put dat taught out of my mind. And the happy times I’d had wit Jack and Race sellin’ papes. Race can’t sell papes now, can he? The look on Race’s face as Crutchey beat him at cards. We’d gotten so close in da few weeks I’d been dere, like I’d known dem ferever. And now, now Jack wus lettin’ all dat go. I don’t blame him. Two ‘a his closest friends were near killt ‘cause ‘a me.
But dat ain’t fair! I didn’t ask da trouble ta follow me! I didn’t ask fer dem ta beat on me new friends. Why? Da tears had stopped and my mind wus tinkin’. Jack didn’t tink I wus worth it, huh. Should I leave and start ovah? Always runnin’ from da trouble and hoirtin people?
But I don’t want anyone else hoirt. Dat was fer coirtain. So what was I ta do? Before I could contimplate dat taught I hoird a noise. Old instincts kickin’ in I crouched low undah da fire escape and watched.
Aftah a minute I taught perhaps I’d imagined da noise. Nuddin’ happened so’s I cautiously slid out from undah da stairs and took a couple ‘a steps towards da street. Big mistake. Now I’s had a problem. Well, six problems actually. And each one wud bigger and strongah den me.
"Spokane’s got a huge reward on youse, liddle goyle." One a’ da problems spoke, wit’ a leerin’ grin at his friends he added, "And we intend on claimin’ it." He took a step forward warnin’ly. "One way or da uddah."
Six scabs against me, I taught. Bad odds, but I’ve don it a’fore. Course I didn’t have anytin sept Muddah and Anthony ta lose a’fore. Den I taught ta meself, Jack don’t want me and da rest ‘a da Newsies would be bettah off witout me. I nearly got Race killed. Dey probably would be relieved ifin I jist decided ta leave on me own. I got nuddin’ ta lose and nuddin’ ta gain.
Wit out warnin’ I felt my insides go hard. My mind fought away da pain at my loss of friends and instead I heard a voice inside me head.
No one will hurt me again
No one will cause me to lie
No one control me by pain
No one will cause me to cry
No one will ever manipulate
Make me promise to do or die
No one can make me hesitate
What can I lose if they try
Contradicted - conspired
I connived and designed
Nothing on earth could arrest me
"Your gonna have ta earn dat reward." I told dem, gettin’ ready ta fight. Da guy who’d spoken gave a laugh and came towards me. Catchin’ him off guard I lightnin’ quick punched him in da stomach as hard as I could. In surprise and sudden pain ‘e doubled ovah and I was able ta give him a solid kick in the shins and den knee him in da face. He yelped and stumbled backwards, leanin against da brick wall ta get ‘is breath back.
Anuddah scab approached, warily aftah witnessin’ ‘is friend’s defeat. He tried ta punch me in da head but I ducked and stomped on ‘is foot. He swore and caught my arm wit his next jab. Instinctivly I socked him in da stomach twice but failed ta dodge when he delivered a blow ta da side a my head. We was both slightly off balance but I managed ta kick him in da groin real hard and put him out ta action fer a few minutes.
Now two ‘a dem stepped forward ta fight and I realized dat I was in a bit a trouble. Winded, slightly dizzy, and tired, I dodged ta da left and whacked the right hand guy in da side. At da same time one ‘a dem kicked my left ankle and delivoired a punch ta my shouldah. I clenched my jaw and returned da kick in dere shins, den punched one a’ dem in da stomache.
I wus grabbed from behind, both arms pinned ta me sides, and lifted off da ground an inch or two. As I struggled ta get away from his grip da guy infront of me smacked me hard in da face, and den in da gut. I keeled ovah in pain and wus glad when reality faded away inta darkness and I passed out.
Chapter Four
If dere’s a road you’d like ta take,
I’ll go wit youse,
We’ll take our own time,
...
It wus dark, too dark. I wus wawkin’ towards home, da
old basement ‘a da factory where it got so cold I barely
slept at night. I could heya my muddah tawkin softly ta Antony,
as he fussed in his cardboard cradle. I could smell da candle
boirnin’ in da middle a’ da room, and da smell a’
dust and dirt. I kept wawkin’ and wawkin. Everytime I taught
I had reached da doorway ta our home, it toirned out ta be
anuddah basement. A different one witout my muddah and Antony. My
feet began ta feel sore and I finally leaned against a wall ta
rest.
"Muddah?" I called out softly ta da darkness. "Anthony?" Dere weren’t no answer except da beatin’ a my heart and da echoin’ song inside me head.
Like every tree,
Stands on it’s own,
Reaching for da sky I stand alone,
I share dis woirld,
Wit no one else,
All alone,
By meself..
It’s true. I taught to meself. I am alone now. No family, no friends, naddah. Oh muddah, I nevah taught I could get so lonely! I want ta be back wit youse or back wit da Newsies and Jack and Race and Spot. I cain’t make it alone!!...
"Cat! Cat!" A voice called out. Groggily I opened my eyes to find them staring into a pair of brown ones. Blinking a couple a’ times I tried ta focus. "Cat! Geez! We taught youse was nevah gonna wake up!" Da voice was familair and in a second I recognized it as Ten Pin. Wait a second! Ten Pin! Where was I?
I sat up quickly, only ta regret it as muh head began spinnin and muh stomach violently protested. Damn! Looking around I recognized da inside a’ da refuge. Da refuge!
"Youse ok?" Ten Pin asked concoirned. I nodded vacantly and tried ta steady muh head.
"What happened?" I finally asked, tinking ‘bout da last ting I rememboired. Ten Pin sat down beside me and I looked up at him.
"Well, near as we can tell youse must a got caught by dose scabs dat Snydah hired." I shook me head. Da motion caused stars ta dance before me eyes.
"No." I told him leaning back on da post ‘a da bunk bed. "It were Spokane. It wus his boys from back home." I rememboired what da guy had said ‘bout da reward.
Ten Pin frowned. "Richard L. Spokane?" He asked troubled. I nodded worriedly. "Da kitchen staff said dat Snydah put in a call ta him aftah deys brought youse in. Who is he ta youse?"
I sighed, wondoirin’ how I should put it. "Well, back home he’s da head honcho police guy. See, I’s got in trouble a few times and den when he couldn’t catch me he got a bit mad and put a reward on me head."
Ten Pin whistled. "Youse must ‘a made him plenty mad cause he’s comin’ heya." I jumped off’a da bed.
"What!" My eyes was wide and I tried ta push away da ringin’ in muh head and da pain in my stomache. "Heya!!? Youse shore?!" Ten Pin nodded and I looked around frantically. "I’s gotta get outta heya! I gotta get out!!" Suddenly I felt a hand on me shouldah.
"It’s ok Cat." Ten Pin told me. "We’s already sent da message ta Jacky boy and if anyone can get youse out he can." I looked away. But would he? I taught sadly, rememberin’ da way he had looked at me. He’s probably tinkin’ dis is da easiest way ta get rid ‘a me.
A Newsie came up ta Ten Pin and cleared his throat. I rememboir him bein called Stick and I realized dat he really did look like a stick, thin a tall wit brownish skin. "Uh..Ten Pin?" He began. Ten Pin toirned and looked at him. "Dere’s a visitoir at da window fer Cat." Ten Pin nodded his thanks.
"Youse have da most immpecable timin’, Cat." He told me. I gave him a small smile and toirned and wawked ovah ta da window. It wus dark out! How long I been heya?! I taught frantically! It had been mid aftah noon when dose guys had jumped me. I must ‘a been heya fer hours! Damn!
Dat’s when I noticed who wud at da window. It wusn’t Jack like I taught it would be. Hoped it would be? The voice inside me thought. But uddah tings was goin true me head at dat moment and I shoved da thought aside along wit da dissapointment I wud tryin not ta feel.
"Race!! What in heaven’s name are you doin’ heya!!!?" I nearly yelled. "Youse shouldn’t be outta da hospital!! And especially not hangin’ from buildings!!" The surprise and shock of it made me ferget where I was and I hoird quite a few ‘shhh!’s from behind me.
"Nice ta see youse too." Race told me, smilin’ and pullin’ his hat more snuggly onta his head.
I blushed and looked down. "Sorry. Didn’t mean ta yell at youse. I jist didn’t expect ta see youse."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Know whose up on da roof?" He asked. I shrugged.
"Davey?" I asked, Race Track shook his head. "Pie Eater?" I asked, Race again shook his head. I frowned, Spot wouldn’t ‘a come all da way from Brooklen jist ta let Race hang from da raftoirs. "Who den?" I finally gave up.
"Jacky-boy." Race said. I froze. The woirld stopped. Jack? Jack was up on da roof? "Why!?" I blurted out, then realized what I’d said and looked away.
Race’s eyes grew troubled. "Listen ta me, Cat. Dere ain’t nobody as blames youse fer what da scabs did. Jack...he...well, he was angry ‘cause ‘a Boots, but dat don’t mean he should’a been angry at youse. He told me dat you’d left and dat he taught youse might’a gotten da wrong idea."
I frowned and looked him in da eye. "I don’t tink I did." I told him.
And when you feel you're near the end
And what once burned so bright is growing dim
And when you see what's been acheived
Is there a feeling that you've been deceived?
Suddenly everytin’ jist seemed ta come crashin’ down on me and I didn’t know ifin I could carry it anymore. I wanted Jack ta trust me and be a friend and I wanted ta tawk ta Spot and I wanted ta hug Race and have him tell me it was gonna be ok. I must’a had a weird look on me face cause Race spoke quietly and like he was tawkin’ to a hoirt horse or sometin’.
"We’re gonna get youse outta heya, kay?" I nodded tiredly, "We’s got most a’ it all woirked out, youse jist have ta git down’stairs and to a window. Kay?"
It sounded easy but I knew it wasn’t gonna be. "Snydah’s keepin’ tabs on her." Ten Pin suddenly appeared at me shouldah. "And dere’s someone comin’ ta get her tomorrow." Race frowned,
"Good thing we’s gettin youse out tonight den, huh?" I nodded numbly.
Spokane’s face came inta my ind witout warnin’. Hot anger flared up inside me. How dare he hoirt me friends and trap me heya?! I taught. "I ain’t stayin’ heya ta let Spokane grab me." I said aloud, sharply. "How long do youse need ta set up?" Race told me he needed jist a couple ‘a minutes and den he swung up ta da roof. Where Jack was. I taught. Den scolded meself. Shore Jack says he don’t blame me and he don’t hate me and he trust me. But I saw da look in does eyes. I know.
Ten Pin led me to da door. "When youse leave dis room youse’ll come to a hallway. Go left until youse get ta da stairway and den go down it. Da kitchen’s on da right and Snydah’s uddah rooms are on da left. Go to da right."
I smiled. "Geez, I wud tinkin’ I should go ta do left. Tanks fer clearin’ dat up." Ten Pin grinned but his eyes was woirried. "Don’t worry, I’ll write." I told him, den quietly opened da door and slipped out inta da hallway.
My feet made soft footsteps on da floor as I crept along da wall to da stairway. Peerin’ down I saw a long red carpet at da bottom. Hope dese steps ain’t squeeky. I taught, den stepped on da foirst one. No noise. I sighed softly and continued down dem. Wit out warning da second ta last step gave a loud creakin’ noise. I froze, eyes soirchin left fer any sign ‘a Snyah. Aftah a minute I let out me breath and nimbly hopped to da floor bypassin’ da last step. No need ta take chances dere.
Quickly I now made my way to da kitchen door. Silently I opened it and stuck me head inside. With a stifled curse I jist as quickly ducked back inta da hallway. "Damn!" I taught. Snydah was in da kitchen obviosly checkin’ ta make shore da kitchen was bein’ cleaned right. Dere was also four Newsies in dat kitchen, and Snydah’s back had been ta da door so he hadn’t seen me.
Frantically I looked around fer a place ta hide. Puddin’ Face would be comin’ out any second! No closets, no doors! I hoird his footsteps start fer da door and wit out tinkin’ I nearly ran down da hallway and inta da foirst door I saw. I leaned against da wall inside and prayed fervently dat Snydah wouldn’t come into his office.
Da kitchen door squeeked as it opened and den I hoird heavy footsteps come my way. I closed my eyes and tried ta make meself as invisible as I could.
Suddenly I opened my eyes again. Dere, right in front of me was a window! I almost laughed. Wit speed I didn’t know I could muster, I leaped across the room and onto Snydah’s desk. My feet wrinkled papah’s and I smiled as I imagined Snydah’s responce when he saw it.
Pryin’ open da window I put one foot on da ledge and began hoistin meself up. Dat’s when da door behind me banged open wit a loud crack and I hoird Snydah yell, "Stop!!!" bellowing like a buffalo.
I shook my head, as if I’d really stop so he could lock me up again. Witout even a glance back I jumped through da window and into da black night. Luckily I was on da foirst floor so I didn’t have much of way ta fall, heck, I eveahn landed on me feet.
Now, where were Race and Jack? A voice beside me startled me into givin’ a short yell. Den I saw dat it was Skittery. "This way!" He whispoired, and I followed him as he ran towards da gate at da end of da long driveway.
We hoird Snydah yellin’ from da window but I didn’t pay him much attension. Skittery looked back once but dat was all. Finally we reached da iron gate and I looked at Skittery as if to say, What now? He pointed to a black shadow headin’ for us. At foirst I taught it might be police or somtin’, but den da shadow seperated and I saw it wus Jack and Race.
Jack had a long rope and wastin’ no time he slung it ovah da gate and caught da end through da metal poles. Den he tied it to da gate and grabbed hold a’ da rope firmly.
He braced himself on da gate and began to climb swiflty and practisedly. He reached da top and swung ovahr. I hoird a comotion and realized dat Snydah had finally left his office to chase us into da night. Instead of climbin’ down da uddah side Jack jist jumped.
He landed on his butt, but didn’t evahn curse. Instead he leapt to his feet and swiftly tried to unlock da gate. "Damn!" He cursed aftah a second. "It won’t open!" Snydah was getting closah and I knew I had ta do sometin’ or we’d all be caught.
I abruptly reached ito my shoe and pulled out a stiff piece of wire. Race watched curiously as I stuck it into the gate’s lock and began twisting with practised movements. "Goyl youses full a’ soirprises." He told me at the same time as I hoird da tumbloirs click into place and da gate swung open. We dashed through the gate and closed it hurriedly, hearing it click as it locked itself.
I grinned. "Well, look’s like Snydah loses again." And we ran off inta da night.
Chapter Five
For love and understanding need to grow
Dere’s so much about eachuddah dat we’s need ta know
We’s practactly ran back ta da refuge. No one tawked along da way. Only when we’s was back in da room did Race speak. "Well, dat was fun." He commented, very winded and I could see it hadn’t done him any good.
"Race. Sit down before youses fall." He did. "Youse really shouldn’ta been outta da hospital, and don’t tell me da noirses let youse out cause I won’t believe youse."
He grinned mischieviously. "Deya me, I jist taugh I had spent enough time on me butt." I smiled back, suddenly very tired.
"Tanks Race." I told him, meanin it wit all me’s heart. "Dere ain’t no one like youse." He grinned. I sighed inwarly, knowing dat I would have ta tawk ta Jack eventually.
I toirned and saw him lookin’ at me. Pain was written in his eyes, and someting I couldn’t understand and really didn’t want to. "Jack." I began, softly. "Tanks." For a split second I found myself seeing what was truly in does eyes ‘a his. Fear rushed through me and I pushed da taught away. I couldn’t deal wit it right now. "Good night." I said to Race and Jack and Skittery and a few uddah Newsies. "Tanks fer bein’ dere." Den I walked ovah to my bunk and collapsed on it, nevah evahn feelin’ me head hit da pillow.
I guess it wus nehar mornin’ when I awoke. Da dark wasn’t as dark as it had been before, but I wus da only one up. Or so I taught. As soon as I stepped out onta ta fire escape a figure sat own next ta me. Only by grittin’ me teeth did I stop from yelling in surprise. Den I saw who it was and I didn’t evahn have to do dat.
"Hi." Spot said quietly. I nodded back at him. "I hoird what happened and I came ta help but Jacky-boy and da uddah’s had already beaten me to it." He gave a half smile.
"Yeah." I nodded, "Dey soirtainly knew what ta do." wit a smile I added. "Sometin tells me dat aint da foirst time dey’ve done it."
Spot nodded an agreement. "Listen Cat. I’s need ta tawk ta youse ‘bout sometin." I sighed.
"Spot." I began, wanting to get what I had ta say in foirst. "Youse really are a great guy." He looked at me wit dose deep blue eyes and I winced inside at what I wus gonna do. "Youse is dependable, smart, funny, I can always count on youse ta be dere, and youse accept me fer who I am." I paused. "But I don’t love youse like dat. I love youse like a friend. Someone who’s always dere and someone I can always tawk to. Someone I can trust ta tell me da truth even when everyone else won’t."
Spot had remained silent durin’ dis and I despereaty hoped dat I hadn’t hoirt him. Dat was da last ting I wanted ta do. "Cat." He answoired. "Youse took da woirds right outta me mouth." And den he grinned. I choked back a laugh. He felt da same way! I couldn’t believe it!
I sighed and broke inta a matchin’ grin. But it quickly faded. "Spot. Tell me da truth heya. How many Newsies have gotten hoirt cause a me."
His grin dissapeared and he looked away. "I don’t know." He answoired truthfully. But it was dere in his tone ‘a voice. It had been more dan jist a few of dem dat had gotten hoirt cause a me.
Guilt, pain, and angoir flooded through me. I looked away. "Why didn’t anyone tell me?" I asked quietly.
Spot didn’t answoir fer a moment. "We didn’t want youse leavin on account of a little ting like dat." He told me.
"A little ting?" I asked, shocked. "Getting soaked is a little ting?" Images of Boots flooded back ta me. I blinked back tears. "Youse may tink it’s little but I’s don’t." Suddenly I knew what I had ta do. It came ta me in a rush and left me feeling scared and dizzy. Could I actually do it?
One look at Spot told me I could. I had to.
"Spot." I said, determind yet frightened. "I need ta tawk ta Jack and Race and youse when dey wake up." I paused, "It’s important."
For a second his eyes stared into mine. Den he looked away and nodded. I realized dat he taught I would be leavin. I knew it was wrong but I felt a pang of happiness dat he’d actually care so much. "Spot. I’m not leavin." I told him, rewarded by a look of relief and den curiousity.
"Shore. I’ll tell dem when dey get up. You gonna stay out heya fer a bit?" He asked, not really needin’ an answer. I silently nodded and Spot slipped inside and shut da window leaving me to my taughts.
I knew what I had ta do now. Da question was did I have da guts? I taught about Race and Boots and da uddah Newsies dat had gotten hoirt. No matter what Jack did dey was my family now. I had take care a dem jist as much as dey took care ‘a me.
There's no way
I'm gonna let go
There's no way
Because it's my show
I'm hangin' on
For a little while
I won't go down easy
That's not my style
My taughts toirned ta Race. I knew dat I didn’t love Spot but what about Race? He always made me laugh when I was down, and seemed ta know what I was tinkin afore I said anytin. He was caring and considerate, not ta mention handsome, but...a realization hit me. He was my best friend.
Could I love my best friend? I knew I could but I also knew I didn’t. Not like dat. Race was me best friend, and dat was enough fer me. In fact when I taught of Race it seemed he was more of a bruddah ta me dan anyting. I pushed away sudden taughts of Anthony and focussed on da present. Spot was a friend and Race was like a bruddah ta me. It all made sense and left me feelin’ like a big weight had been lifted off’a me chest.
Chapter Six
To make dis woirld da place we’d like ta be
Den I rememboired what I had ta do, and da weight came back. "Cat?" A soft voice said from behind me. I toirned and saw dat Spot had opened da window and dat Jack and Race were behind him. I took a deep breath as dey climbed onto de fire escape, knowing how hard it was going ta be ta say what I had to.
Jack sat next to me and a funny feeling fluttered in me stomach. I pushed it away and watched Spot settle down on da stairs beside me and Race lean against the wall looking a bit peaked.
"Ok." Now I taught, how do I say dis? "Guys. Youse all know dat I’m, well, I’m a thief." I gulped and watch dem all nod. "Well, back home I’s had to provide fer me family. My muddah and me little bruddah." I paused. "Anthony."
Race’s eyes widened and he opened his mouth ta say sometin, den closed it again. I was glad. I’d talk ta him ‘bout dis when I’d said what I had ta say. "See, dere’s dis guy. Spokane, you’ses all hoird ‘a him right?" I knew dey had.
I licked my lips and continued. "Well, see he always was aftah me back home. Cause I stole and stuff. He sent da scabs aftah me dere and den when I came heya he came aftah me again." I closed my eyes. "Dere’s sometin’ youse don’t know’bout him though." I paused, hating myself fer havin’ ta say it but knowin’ I had to jist da same. "He’s me father."
I sat witout a woird. I let da silence grow and den witout warnin’ words started ta tumble out. "See, he wus supposed ta marry me muddah but den he backed out ‘cause she wasn’t from a good family. So’s my muddah had no money? So’s what?" I was angry and I spit out the words. "Her father had died and she had no money. We’s lived in da basement ‘a some factory. Jus’ me and muddah and little Anthony."
I looked up and found myself lookin’ inta da blue eyes ‘a Spot. I shifted and caught Race’s eyes unexpectedly. He wus sad and angry. Angry at me? I taught. Den Jack spoke.
"Cat. Tank youse fer telling us." His voice was softer than I’d evah hoird it. "Tank you fer trusting us." I looked into his eyes and realized someting I hadn’t evahn taught about befere. But not right now.
"Dat’s why he’s so intent on catchin’ youse! He’s da lead police guy and youse," He paused, eyes suddenly laughin’ wit mirth. "and youse is da best thief in New Yark!" Jack laughed and Spot snickered. I couldn’t help but give a grin at the irony of it all.
"Well, maybe not da best. But it’s still pretty funny." I agreed. "Youse guys, youse ain’t mad cause I didn’t tell youse afore?" I asked hesitantly, not daring to look at Jack.
"No." Jack told me, but I didn’t meet his eyes. "We’s ain’t. But we’s is glad you told us now." I knew he ment it but I didn’t want ta deal wit da feelings I wus feeling so I’s switched da subject.
Witout pausing ta back out I told dem. "And today. Today I’s goes to da refuge ta tawk ta Spokane."
"What!!" Spot nearly yelled, jumping up. Race followed shoutin’ somekind a’ profanity I didn’t want to know where he’d gotten it from.
"Youse most soirtainly ain’t!" Jack exclaimed from beside me. "At least not alone." He finished, den sat back down and I knew he was waiting fer da explaination. Wow, I taught. He trusts me enough ta know I wouldn’t do nuddin witout reason.
"Well," I began. "It’s like dis."...
Chapter Seven
So put our hands together friend,
My friend,
My breath was comin’ fast and I nearly back away from de door. Den I caught Race lookin’ at me and I made meself glance at him. He gave me his usual charmin’ grin and a thumbs up sign. I smiled despite meself.
Den da door opened. Dere stood Snydah. He didn’t know what ta say. Fer once he was speachless. I nearly laughed at da expression on his face. Den it toirned cold and he acted like he was jist playin’ along wit some silly joke as he said, "Well, this is a surprise. Won’t you come in?"
Race stepped inside witout hesitation and nodded. "Why tank youse. Dat’s very kind. We’s is heya da seen Mr. Spokane." And den looked expectantly at Snydah.
Snydah gave a funny half grin and den nodded and asked us to follow him. I knew he wus jist waitin’ ta get us locked up. We’s woirn’t about ta give him dat chance. On da way ta his office we’s ran inta Stick jist carryin’ da dinnah stuff away. He stared at us, den at Snydah, den back at us. I knew he was gonna tell da boys upstairs bout dis as soon as he could. I winked as he passed.
Snydah opened da door and we wawked inside. I had nevah been so noirvous in me life. Den I saw him, and da woirld stopped. Spokan sat in a highback black leather chair. He didn’t see us at foirst, but when he did da whole expression on his face changed. Shock, den anger.
I couldn’t believe dat he was sittin’ dere. In all da time dat I had seen him nevah had he been so close and nevah had I felt so helpless. Suddenly I felt a hand close around me own. I realized dat it wus Race’s and I shook meself from me taughts and gave him a smile. I knew den dat I had been right ‘bout loving Race like a bruddah. But now I had ta make Spokane tink I was confident ‘bout dis.
"Hello." I said, gulping, "Father." Spokane sat up sharply, Snydah’s face changed ta surprise.
"What is this?" Spokane asked sharply, lookin’ ta Snydah as if fer an answoir. I answoired fer him.
"It’s da end, Spokane." I told him forcefully. "Da end of youse chasin’ me. Da end of lying, and," I paused. "da end of me’s stealing." Da last part wus hard.
Spokane looked as if I’d lost me mind. "Snydah, why haven’t you locked these thieves up?!" He bellowed. Snydah mearly smiled and nodded fer me ta continue. If nuddin’ else he was enjoying dis confrontation, and I, fer once, could’a hugged him. Den I realized dat Snydah probably couldn’t stand Spokane, heck, nobody could.
"Spokane." I said loudly. "If youse don’t stop chasing me and settin’ da scabs aftah me and me friends den all da woird is gonna know dat youse is da father of a thief and dat youse toirned youse back on da woman dat youse said youse would marry." I let da woirds sink in.
He glared at me. "Who the hell do you think you are? Who would believe you and how would you tell everyone once Snydah here’s locked you up?" He nodded ta Snydah as if ta say, You can lock dem up now, den smiled confidently. I felt me angah rising and I let go of Race’s hand.
"Listen ta me, Father. I am a Newsie. Youse know what Newsie’s do? We’s delievah da paps." I pulled a sheet ‘a paper from my pocket. "Know what dis is? A pap!" I shoved it in his face so he could read da headline. "Spokane’s Dark Secret Revealed"
"Know what all da Newsies in New Yark are gonna do if I don’t come outta heya?" I paused, letting da fear entah his eyes. "Dere job." I paused. "Let’s jist say I know a guy wit a printin’ press."
Snydah was lookin’ at me wit sometin’ like glee in his eyes. Spokane sat frozen in his seat. "What do you want?" He finally stuttered, starin’ at da pap like it was a snake. I pulled da pap away.
"I jist want youse ta leave me alone. Call off da scabs and
da rewards." I paused. "I’ve found a new job now,
Father. I ain’t needen ta steal no more." My woirds
were harsh and like steal. Spokane didn’t say anytin’
fer a minute. Den he nodded.
"Fine." He said, suddenly switchin’ ta cold. "Fine." And den he stood. "I have no daughter." He announced to da room. "Now get out of here." I was only too glad to comply.
"I can’t believe I did that!" I nearly shouted as Race and I walked happily from da refuge. I’s had nevah been in a refuge by me own free will before. And I’s nevah had walked out wit Snydah at da door watchin. It was a strange and great feelin.
As we’s walked away I toirned ta see Ten Pin up in da window. I waved and smiled. "Carryin’ da Bannah!" I shouted, knowing he’d get da piece ‘a paper I’d slipped ta Stick on me way out. I knew he’d enjoy da readin.
Race stopped me once we’s got passed da gates. "Youse was great, Cat." He told me. Den looked down. "Youse bruddah, Anthony. Was dat why youse got so upset on da roof when I told youse me name?" He looked into me eyes.
"Yes." I told him, trying not ta tink ‘bout me bruddah. "I’m sorry." Race took my hands in his and said steadily.
"Cat. Youse may not have a fathah or muddah and youses little bruddah may be far away. But youses big bruddah, Anthony RaceTrack Higgins, is always heya fer youse. And always will be."
I brushed away a teya and gave him a small smile. "Tanks. Youse don’t know what dat means ta me." I told him. We’s walked slowly back ta da refuge.
Chapter Seven
And we will find,
We’ll find a bettah end.
I wus sittin’ on da roof a’ da Lodgin’ House and lookin at da stars. Dey was so beautiful, none a’ dem da same. Silently I said a prayer fer me little bruddah and told him I loved him and would miss him. Then I let tears trail paths on me cheeks and drip down to da ground. I let me bruddah go. I’d probably nevah see him again, but I’d nevah ferget him. Nevah.
"Cat?" A soft voice from behind me said. I didn’t bothah ta toirn. I knew who it was. And I knew what had to be said.
Jack sat down beside me, legs overhangin’ da roof. He didn’t say anytin fer a minute. Den when he did speak it wus so soft dat I wasn’t shore he had actually tawked. "Now that Spokane’s taken care of, youse don’t have ta leave evah." He said, as if tryin’ ta reasurre both of us.
I nodded quietly. "I nevah wanted ta leave, but I nevah wanted ta hoirt anyone either." I told him. "All’s I wanted was ta be somewhere I’s could get along." Pause. "Somewhere wit family. And da Newsies, dey is me family as much as me muddah and me bruddah evah was." I didn’t mention me fathah, I didn’t have a fathah anymore.
We were silent fer a few more minutes and I stared at the stars, tryin’ ta tink of what ta say. Jack spoke foirst. "Cat. Why’s did youse become a thief?" He asked.
I was startled, dat weren’t what I was tinkin’ about at all. I taught fer a second. "Youse know, I became a thief ‘cause it wus everyting me fathah wasn’t. He was inta da law, so I’s wasn’t. I stole because I knew he hated it and dat it got him angry, especially when he found out who I was."
I paused fer a second. "I’s nevah really cared much fer takin’ tings dat weren’t mine, at least at foirst. But aftah a while I figured, heck, dey’s got more dan me, why not? And it didn’t mattah anymore. But now, now I ain’t got ta steal no more and I’s don’t tink I will eiddah." I gave a small grin. "Though it may be a hard habit ta break at foirst."
He retoirned me grin, den became solemn again. He cleared his throat and toirned ta me. "Cat. Listen, I know youse and Race, well, youse are-"
Before he could get any foirthoir I interrupted him. "We’s family." I told him firmly. He gave me a questioning look. "Race and I are like bruddah and sistah and I’s love him like a brudduh."
Jack’s face cleared, and I saw his eyes fill full of relief. We kept lookin’ at eachother. "What does dat make me?" He asked softly. Getting nearah and nearah.
I gave him an impish smile, "Youse’ll jist have ta guess." I told him, quietly. Wit out a woird he closed da gap between us and pressed our lips togethah. Tingles ran through me like shivahs, and my head felt dizzy and light. There wus a bubble a happiness inside me that threatened to explode at any moment. Dis was what I wanted. A place ta live, a job, family, and someone dat loved me. Dis was all I needed. I knew it wus what my muddah wanted fer me too.
We was strangers
Starting out on a journey
Nevah dreaming
What we’d have ta go through
Now heya we are
And I’m suddenly standin’
At da beginnin’ wit youse.
We’s broke da kiss and grinned at eachother. "Did I guess right?" He finally asked wit a smile. I answoired wit anuddah kiss, dis time he wrapped his arms around me and I knew I could nevah feel happier den I did at dat moment.
And there are something we don't know
Sometimes a heart just needs to go
And there is so much I remember
Underneath the open sky
With you forever
Here in the night I see the sun
Here in the dark our two hearts are one
It's out of our hands
We can't stop what we have begun
And love just took me by surprise
Looking through your eyes
"Deya me Jacky-boy!" A familair voice called out from da street below. "Way ta go Cat!" We toirned ta see Race in da street below us wit a huge smile on his face. It couldn’t have been any biggah den mine though.
I waved and called out, to the sky, the stars, the moon and ta me bruddah Race down below. "I’m home! And dis is where I’m gonna stay!" My woirds echoed off da streets and inta da dark night where I knew me muddah was listening and smiling.
Den I toirned ta Jack again, watching him smile and knowin’ dat he understood. And suddenly I found dat tears were once again running down me cheeks, but dere was a differece from all da uddah time’s I’d cried. Dis time I was crying wit happiness.
Jack and I wrapped our arms around eachother again and as Race laughed in da street below I kissed Jack as long and hard as I wanted, knowin’ he was heya ta stay. And knowin’ I was too. That made all the difference in da woirld.
And love jist took me by surprise. . .
The End
(Thanx for reading guys! I hope it was as good as the first one, it certainly was longer thats fer sure. Tell me what you think, (please?) good or bad, I need the imput:) Thanx!!)