“ Look all I’m sayin’ is if we join together then….then” Skweekers
sighed. This meeting wasn’t going well at all. Manhattan was listening
but not anyone else… except maybe Spot but even he was being quiet
(which was rare).
“ Skweeks we ain’t joinin’ up with some street trash from Jersey for
nothin!” One proud New Yorker called out. The room was divided Jersey on
one side and New York on the other. The yelling increased as the two
halves of the room bickered.
“ Oh boy,” Skweeks put her head down. Racetrack tried to comfort her
but that wasn’t working.
“ Hey!” A voice from the doorway yelled, everyone in the room got quiet
as they stood in shock looking at the figure that stood there. She had a
small child asleep on her shoulder and there stood two other figures
beside her. One also held a child that was out cold.
“ The kids are tryin’ to sleep, so you mind keepin’ the party down?”
Action yelled as she entered the room and made her way to a bunk. The
two that followed her looked out of place. The boy behind her looked no
older then Action and carried a young boy. Then came the older woman.
She looked tired and like she had been threw a lot.
“ Action?” Skweeks said as her mouth dropped.
“ That’s what they call me,” Action smirked as she laid the young girl
down on the bottom bunk. Her eyes gazed across the room at all the
faces, “ So anyone up for some craps?” The room suddenly broke into
shouts again and soon the two children were a wake and looking around.
Action made her way to where Skweeks was and the two spit shook as if
nothing had changed.
“What the hell are you doin’ back?” One newsie shouted from across the
room.
“Not much, just got back from Ireland last night,” Action answered
shrugging as she stood there in front of all of them, “so why are you
here?”
“ We were just leavin’” Spot stood up and signaled for his boys to
leave. He gave a smirk to Action and all of Brooklyn left.
“ Okay,” Action said raising an eyebrow, “ wonder what that was all
about…”
“ It’s about Jersey and New York never joinin’ and dats final.” Another
leader took his territory and left, soon followed by another and another
until Manhattan was the only one left.
“ Oh, that explains it…NOT.” Action said sitting down next to Skweeks.
“ So why were ya gone so long?” Skweeks asked.
“ Why not?” Action shrugged.
“ Oh there’s an answer,” Skweeks rolled her eyes. She caught a glimpse
of the new group of people Action had brought with her, “ and just who
is this? Did you like Ireland so much that you decided to bring a
souvenir back?”
“ Oh very funny Skweeks, “ Action smarted off.
“ I know, “ Skweeks smarted back.
“ Look they’re staying with us, okay? Now if you’ll excuse me, I gotta
go find out what his little attitude was all about.” Action stood up and
Skweeks pulled her back down to the ground.
“ Hey lover boy can wait, now we got bigger problems.”
“ What? He is not my—“ Action said getting in Skweekers face when she
heard Katie speak.
“ Mum where’s dah?” Katie asked half asleep.
“ He’s in Ireland Katie,” Mellony said trying not to cry. Action
ignored the fight between her and Skweeks and walked over to Katie.
“ Heya kid, wanna go with me to sell some papes?” Action said squatting
down beside the bunk.
“ What’s a pape?” Katie asked.
“ Come wit me and I’ll show ya.” Action said holding out her hand.
“ Can I go mum?” Katie asked.
“ Well I don’t see why not.” Mellony smiled.
“ What about me?” Jacob asked.
“ Well I thought it was a 2 for one deal, kid,” Action said with an
ornery smiled, “Come on lets go.” With that Action picked Katie up and
put her hat on her. Jacob followed at her side and Donavan tagged along
behind. Mellony stayed seated on the bunk and watched them go off. From
across the room Skweeks was giving Action questioning glances.
“ I’ll talk to you later okay Skweeks?” Action stopped by her before
they left. She looked back at Donavan and had a though, “See if one of
the Manhattan boys will take him the territory.”
“ I’ll just stay with you.” Donavan shrugged.
“ Nah, there’s no tellin’ if I’ll sell anything today but I have ways
o’ makin’ up for it on my own. You on the other hand have to start
makin’ money as soon as possible. This ain’t Ireland, money is
everything here.” Action told him.
“ Then not much has changed.” Donavan said to himself.
“ So how about it Skweeks?” Action said turning back to her.
“ What’s your angle Monroe?” Skweeks said shaking her head. This wasn’t
like Action at all.
“ For once I don’t got one… so just do this for me?” Action looked at
the floor.
“ Yeah , Race’ll do it.” Skweeks kept starring at Action.
“ I will?” Race said entering the conversation.
“ Yes,” Skweeks kept her stare on Action.
“ So I’ll see ya around kay?” Action left quickly.
“ Okay Donavan, I’m Racetrack…we sell papes…I’ll show ya around.” Race
said leading Donavan outside. Soon the room was empty except for Mellony
and Skweeks.
“ Thank you so much for lettin’ us stay here, I know it’s a hastle.”
Mellony started a conversation.
“ Nah, “ Skweeks smiled, “ Don’t worry about it. You can stay as long
as ya like.”
“ Thank you.” Mellony said again.
“ Hey ,uh, why don’t you get some sleep. You look tired. I’ll make sure
nobody disturbs you.” With that Skweeks left the room.
*****
“ So,” Sinner said to Blink as they sat in Central Park, “Tell me again
why this whole New York and Jersey unification won’t work?”
“ Well, it has to do with the fact we hate them and they hate us and
its good that way.” Blink shrugged.
“ Couldn’t you do something to change that?” Sinner pouted.
“ Like what?” Blink couldn’t believe she was giving him the gilt trip
again.
“ Like, I dunno stand up for it.” Sinner pleaded.
“ Manhattan is doing the best it can. Nobody else is for it and to tell
you the truth I’m not either.” Blink shrugged.
“ Why?” Sinner couldn’t believe he said that.
“ Because it just don’t fit.” Blink looked at her helpless.
“ So did anything big happen at the meeting?” Sinner asked, giving up
on talking about what was good for New York with him.
“ I wouldn’t know,” Blink said standing up from the park bench. He had
to keep from looking at her because this was going to be bad.
“ What do you mean you wouldn’t know?” Sinner asked curiously.
“ Because,” Blink sighed and turned to her, “ Because I didn’t go.”
“ What?” Sinner said standing up.
“ I told you I don’t like the sound of it so I didn’t go.” Blink
replied honestly.
“ I can’t believe you did that Blink!”
“ Look I told you why”
“ Skweeks was depending on you to be there!”
“ Well I’m sorry but I can’t go against something I believe just
because your pal is in charge of it!” There. He had finally said what he
had been thinking all along.
“ You just don’t want to go up against everyone else you personally
don’t care Blink and I know this for a fact.”
“ How do you know that? You aren’t me!”
“ NO but I know you Blink and something like this is something you
would want to be a part of ….just not if it means taking a stand when
you’re the only one standing.”
“ oh yeah well what about the stirke!”
“ You had all of Manhattan behind you and New York!”
“ Not at first.”
“ Yes you did…and you know it.”
Blink got really quiet for a moment. Maybe she was right.
“ Well I’m sorry but I refuse to be seen with a coward like you!” Sinner
yelled as she stormed off.
“ Sinner wait!” Blink started after her but stopped. There was no point
in going after her when he didn’t know the truth himself. Blink went for
a long walk.
*****
“ Come on guys,” Chance begged, “ You gotta trust me on this one…it’s
a sound investment.”
“ Sorry but anyone in the slightest bit related to Action Monroe ain’t
got no right usin’ my money for investments even if you say its for yer
new job.” Shiner said shrugging her shoulders. Jack laughed and Chance
gave a mean look.
“ I’ll invest,” Baby Doll Blue said pulling out a coin and handing it
to Chance.
“ Me too.” Mush also gave Chance some money.
“ Hey thanks!” Chance said smiling as she took off down the street.
“ Why on earth did ya do dat?” Jack said in disbelief.
“ You both know that kid ain’t gonna use it for no job.” Shiner rolled
her eyes.
“ Yeah and I also know as well as everyone else that she isn’t related
to Action Monroe in the slightest bit. But if the only way she’s going
to be able to afford food is by gamboling than I don’t see the problem
in helping her out.” Baby Doll said shrugging.
“ Me neither.” Mush smiled.
“ Mush you only did it because your girl did it.” Jack said hitting
Mush upside the back of his head.
“ Nope, I believe in the cause,” Mush said proudly as Baby Doll Blue
stepped up to get her papes. He then turned and whispered, “ The cause
being a guy trying to stay on good terms with his girl.”
“ I heard that!” Baby Doll Blue said turning to him.
“ Oh, I was just ….uhhhhhh,” Mush started thinking of something to
change the subject. Than it hit him, “ Guess who’s back in town?”
“ Who?” Shiner asked.
“ Chances long last relative that’s who!” Mush announced proudly.
“ Since when?” Baby Doll Blue couldn’t believe what she had just heard.
“ Since today.” Jack replied.
“ And yous was planin’ on tellin’ me this when?” Shiner said giving
Jack a curious look.
“ Well I …..uhhhh” Jack looked helplessly at her, “ I forgot to.”
“ Sure…that sorta thing slips your mind ?”Shiner shook her head, “
can’t wait till our anniversary.”
“ Our what?” Jack said raising an eye-brow.
“ Oy.” Shiner said putting her head in her hand.
“ Ya know,” Baby Doll Blue said as she stepped away from getting her
papers, “When you think about it, Chance and Action could very well be
related, I mean look at ‘em they have the same luck.”
“ And attitude.” Jack smirked.
“Yeah but sisters?” Shiner sighed, “ Its just some kid trying to make a
name off someone else’s.”
*********
“ Look, I dunno what yer talkin’ bout,” Chance said as she was held by
the collar of her shirt. This guy was big and ugly, making one hell of a
scary combination, “I beat you fair and square,” he tightened his grip,
“ Okay somewhat fair but still…” Chance kicked the guy hard between the
legs and he dropped her to the ground, all of his thugs looked at her
ready to pounce, and she sat crouched like a cat on the floor. She
suddenly smirked, “ Love ta stay boys but when the dice are rollin’ yer
best to go with ‘em…and mine are goin dat way—“ And with that she
darted out of the alleyway. They came quickly after her, but she was
fast. She’d been running for so long her legs were quick and her mouth
even quicker. She could feel one of them right behind her and she knew
better than to look back. She thought for a moment and decided to give
them her specialty in chases. She dropped down to the ground in a ball
and the guy behind her quickly tripped over her. Chance scrambled to her
feet and took off even faster. She knew the fairy that left from
Brooklyn everyday would be waiting for her if she could hold out for a
few more streets. She wove in and out of alleys and they followed her
every step of the way. She could now see the fairy up a head but it had
already left port. She had another thought and headed for the bridge.
Now she was outrunning mobsters and a giant boat. Chance moved even
quicker now, and they followed. She was almost there and the fairy was
almost under it. When she reached the middle of the bridge she stopped
and took a breath. She clutched on to her necklace and gave it a kiss
for luck, like she always did. Chance backed up to the other railing.
She saw them coming, the fairy was under the bridge now. She dashed
faster than lightening to the other side and jumped. Chance hit the deck
of the fairy with a thud. For a moment she laid there breathing.
“ Right on time,” One of the crew members whispered to a passenger, “
Everyday at the same time in the same place this kid jumps on top of our
fairy.”
“ And ?” The passenger asked.
“ And then we throw her overboard for not having the money to stay on
board.” The crew member shrugged.
“ Not today, “Chance said forcing herself off the ground, “ Not when I
got da money!” She thrust two dollar bills at the crew member and than
made her way to the back of the boat, “ SEE YA BOYS!!! GUESS YOU DIDN’T
GET THE BEST OF CHANCE MONROE AFTER ALL!! HA!” With that Chance waved
goodbye.
******
“ See that Katie,” Action said pointing, “ Dats the statue of Liberty.
Big huh?”
“ wow,” Katie starred in wonder. It was huge even from the shore.
“ Dah would love it!” Jacob said smiling. Action smiled at their
innocence. She didn’t want them to be anything like her…they deserved
better and she owed it to Tom to make sure they had better. Being
Newsies was all fine and dandy for some kids, but not them. They were
going to go to school and have all the things Action never had. She
shook her head. What was she thinking? Money was the key to this city
and the only way to get it was dishonestly, at least that was the only
way Action knew how to. The sun was setting slowly now, and it was time
to get them back.
“ Extra! Extra!” She smiled at the sound of the familiar voice that
called out the headlines. It was Crutchy, in his normal selling spot.
“ Heya Crutchy!” Action called over. She lead Katie and Jacob to him.
“ I don’t believe it!” Crutchy smiled, he had missed the meeting this
morning but had heard rumblings of it, “ I heard it but I had to see for
myself. Action risen from the dead.”
*******
“ So the party’s just never stop around here huh?” Action said to
Skweeks threw the loud music that filled the crowded lodging house. It
was dark now and Action had long since brought Katie and Jacob back with
her and she and the rest of the newsies of both the Bronx and Manhattan
sat at Tibby’s. Drinking and laughing like they always had.
“ You bet they don’t,” Skweeks laughed, she took a drink of her beer
and watched Action’s response to everyone.
“ They’re so many of em.” Action sighed.
“ Well, I guess they’re always was…nobody ever realized it though till
we gave ‘em a place to stay and a job to go wit it.” Skweeks shrugged.
“ You did good Skweeks,” Action said facing her, “ A lot better than I
though you would have.”
“Oh gee thanks,” Skweeks laughed, “ Ya know Action, you’ve changed.”
“ No I ain’t” Action said taking a drink of her beer, “ I just
reprioritized dats all.”
“ Naw…somethin’ about you’s different,” Skweeks insisted, “ I dunno what
it is yet, but when I find out…”
“ Action!” Baby Doll Blue screamed from across the room.
“ Heya Blue!” Action said getting up to go see her.
“ How ya been?” Mush said standing beside Baby Doll Blue and smiling.
“ I’m back ain’t I?” Action joked patting him on the shoulder.
“ Yeah from the dead.” Action heard Sinner say from behind.
“ Hey!” Action turned around, “ I don’t feel like a ghost.”
“ Yer bout as pale as one.” Shiner piped in from beside them. Action
never felt more at home in her life. Craps could wait…for once
******
“ Chance come on!” Patches yelled up on the roof. She Fool, and Moe
stood watching her and Spitfire closely as they climbed to the roof of
Brooklyn Lodging house.
“ Dey said not to even think o’ comin’ threw the door ever again.” Moe
warned.
“ Yeah and we ain’t thinkin’ bout it,” Spitfire said pulling herself
up, “ We’s only thinkin’ bout sneakin’ in from the roof.”
“ See, “ Chance said, finally up as well, “ Nothin’ to it. ‘sides we’s
gonna be legends once we steal Spot Conlon’s cane.”
“ We’s gonna be dead that’s what we is,” Moe mumbled. Fool rolled her
eyes and shook her head.
“ Keep it down,” Patches yelled up to them, “ They’ll hear you!”
“ Awe who gives a Rat ass if they hear me or not, “ Chance laughed.
Suddenly the sound of the Lodging house door opened , “ Shit,” Chance
said as she and Spitfire ducked.
“ Oy,” Patches sighed as she Moe and Fool dove into some bushes.
Everyone sat barely breathing as they watched the Brooklyn Leader Spot
Conlon headed out…with his cane.
“ Great, “ Chance said putting her hat on her head with force.
“ So now what?” Spitfire asked giving an questioning look to Chance.
“ Now, “ Chance smiled slyly, “ we go for da sling shot.”
“ Sling shot?” Spitfire said with an attitude.
“ You gonna fold on me now ?” Chance replied back.
“ Naw,” Spitfire smiled, “ I think I like this hand.”
*****
“ Fool!” Chance called down, the others were up on the roof now, and
Fool kept climbing slowly.
“ I’m comin’ !” She yelled up in a whisper.
“ Well so’s Christmas and I already out da tree up!” Chance yelled
back. Everyone looked at her, “ what?”
“ Where da hell did you hear dat one?” Spitfire asked giving Chance a
look.
“ What one?” Chance asked.
“ The little ‘So’s Christmas thing?” Spitfire said to Chance still
giving her a look.
“ Oh dat, me dad used ta say it all da time,” Chance shrugged.
“ yer dad were corney.” Patches joined in the conversation.
“ Hey shut up,” Chance got defensive.
“ Hey guys,” Fool called up. All she could hear was the mumbling of the
argument above her. She looked down and suddenly lost her nerve, “ oh
boy,” she thought. Her grip suddenly felt like it was slipping “ Oh
shit,” she whispered.
“ Guys shut up,” Moe said looking out into the street. She froze when
she saw him , “ CHANCE!”
“ What?” Chance said getting out of the fight.
“ Look!” Moe pointed. Chance’s mouth dropped.
“ WHY DA HELL IS HE COMING BACK!” Chance said loudly.
“ Who?” Spitfire came over and saw Spot walking back to the lodging
house.
“ We’re screwed!” Patches threw her arms up in the air.
“ No we ain’t….just a little outta luck fer da time being…we just gotta
hide again.” Chance said shrugging.
“ What about Fool?” Moe said pointing down. Fool’s knuckles were a pale
white.
“ shit,” Chance, whispered in a high pitch, “ okay ….ummmmm stay still
and don’t move…I’ll come get ya.” Chance slowly climbed back down.
*******
Spot walked slowly back to the lodging house. He had forgotten his
sling shot and, though he doubted he’d need it at night, he always
carried it with him. His mind had been on other things all day. This
whole alliance with Jersey was a screwy plan that he didn’t trust. And
to top it off Action had to come back into town…with baggage none the
less. Souvenirs from Ireland or where ever the hell she’d been. Spot
stopped for a moment and leaned against the wall of the lodging house.
****
“ Oh boy,” Chance hung on rope that Spitfire had brought just in
case…well lets just say it was a ‘just incase’ situation. Moe, Spitfire
and Patches lowered her down by Fool.
“ Chance,” Fool whispered, scared to death, “ What now?”
“ Well uhhh,” Chance really hadn’t thought of what would happen after
she was lowered to Fool… guess she’d have to wing it from there.
“ Holly shit, Chance!” Patches said holding the rope, “ what the hell
you been eatin’?! Rocks?!” yelled down in a whisper.
“ Shut up!” Chance looked up at them. Chance had an idea, “ here,” She
started to take the rope off, “ you take the rope and I’ll take the
wall. They can pull you up and I’ll climb…okay?” Chance said gripping
the wall, “ okay now take the rope.”
“ Hey Spitfire…did she take the rope up?” Moe asked.
“ Yeah I think so,” Spitfire shrugged and slowly they pulled the rope
up.
“ Must be Fool….much lighter.” Patches said pulling.
“ Hey what are they doing?” Fool said. They had pulled the rope halfway
up the wall now.
“ Guys!” Chance tried to signal them. But they couldn’t hear her,
Chance suddenly lost her footing, “ shit!” she said falling.
***
Spot didn’t expect to be tumbled upon by a falling Newsie, so when
Chance fell on him, he hit the ground with a thud.
“ uha!” Chance was now looking Spot directly in the eye as she lay on
top of him.
“ hi….and you would be?” Spot was trying not to kill this kid.
“ uhhh….outta here.” Chance jumped up and started to run, but Spot
stuck out his cane quickly and knocked her to the ground, “ oy.”
“ Now,” Spot said standing up. He walked over to her and pulled her off
the ground by her ear.
“ oww owww owww.” Chance said in pain. All of the others stood ( or
hung there) in disbelief.
“ Now, wave to yer pals,” Spot ordered. Chance waved and everyone let
out a sigh. They knew what was coming next…and it couldn’t be good.
******
“ So anyway, I ended up so drunk that Donavan here had to drag me up
stairs!” Action had everyone in the lodging house laughing. Donavan gave
his sweet Irish smile and shook his head remembering.
“ You were talkin’ to the door!” Donavan laughed.
“ Hey,” Shiner said interrupting, “ There ain’t nothin’ wrong with
talkin’ to buildings.”
“ You’d know best huh?” Baby Doll Blue laughed. Action caught a glimps
of Sinner sitting by a window looking outside.
“ Heya Sinner, “ Action called over, Sinner looked back at Action, “
How ya doin’ dese days?”
“ Same old same old.” She shrugged and went back to looking outside.
“ Oh yeah,” Action said to herself, “ That was believable.”
“ SKWEEKS!” an unfamiliar voice broke in to the group down stairs.
“ Yeah Whispers?” Skweeks turned to her. The girl began to whisper
something in her ear. Action could tell it was bad by the look on
Skweeks face.
“ What?” Action asked.
“ Come with me, this you have to see.” Skweeks said standing up and
heading to the door.
*****
They stood in a row. All with theirs heads hanging as they looked at
their feet. All but the one that held a smart ass look on her face. She
looked away towards the door.
“ I caught these.” Spot smirked.
“ Really,” Skweeks smirked, “how quaint…what was they doin’?”
“ Won’t say,” Spot sighed he spotted Action, “figured you
was behind dis.”
“ oh real nice Conlon real nice.” Action said getting loud.
“ Thanks, I have a tendency to be that way.” Spot smarted off matching
her volume.
“ What way? The ass hole way?” Action said back.
“ Excuse me,” Chance said interrupting, “ Can I go now?”
“ No!” They both yelled back.
“ Yippes…I get da picture oy,” Chance said backing off.
“ PEOPLE!” Skweeks yelled. Spot and Action shut up, “ Spot go home,
we’ll take care of them,” Skweeks ordered. Spot gave Action a murderous
look and stormed out. With the slam of the door everyone directed their
attention to the group of cowering girls. They also caught Chance trying
to sneak upstairs.
“ Get back here!” Action yelled. Chance sighed and walked back slyly.
“ Can’t blame a girl fer tryin’.” Chance shrugged.
“ Since when?” Action replied giving her a look. She began to look at
all the faces and then spoke, “ So who did what?”
“ Nobody did nothin’.” Chance answered.
“ Listen smart ass I ain’t as dumb as you look,” A few of the girls
cracked up at this. Skweeks kept a smile on her face, boy was Action
gonna flip when she heard this kids story, “ now, anyone wanna confess?
I personally would like to know just what ya did that pissed him off so
bad?”
“ Just runs in da family I guess. “ Chance smarted back. Just who did
this person think she was to order her around. Skweeks was the
leader…either her or Action, but since Action disappeared Skweeks was in
charge.
“ Oh really,” Action said looking Chance in the eye. This kid was too
cocky and way too confident.
“ Uhhh, “ Skweeks piped in, “ I think I need to talk to you real quick
Action.”
“ Who?” Chance’s mouth dropped when she heard that.
“ Action, Chance,” Skweeks smiled, “ Action Monroe.” Chance froze. This
was bad….very bad.
“ Hey Chance ain’t that—“ Before Moe could finish, Chance had a hand
over her mouth.
“ Well we are all very sorry….” Chance said dragging Moe towards the
steps. Spitfire looked at Chance and got the I’ll tell ya later, just
help me now look.
“ And very tired so,” Spitfire helped to move the others towards the
steps as well.
“ Good idea Chance,” Skweeks voice stopped Chance for a moment, “
Better run along while I talk to Action Monroe huh?” Chance gave Skweeks
stonewall look and continued to drag Moe.
“ What is with you and sayin’ my full name?” Action said turning to
Skweeks.
“ Listen we need to talk….”
*******
“ You didn’t think she’d come back did you?” Spitfire whispered as she
and Chance climbed quietly out to the fire escape.
“ NO!” Chance said running down it.
“ So now what?” Spitfire stood there.
“ Now….I gambol,” Chance had reached the bottom. She looked up at
Spitfire, “comin’?”
“ Naw,” Spitfire sighed and looked back inside, “ I’m tired…I’ll talk
to you later okay?”
“ Sure,” Chance shrugged and then took off towards Crap Game Alley.
Spitfire watched until she saw Chance was gone and quickly headed down
the fire escape. When she came to the street corner, she looked around
for a moment. It was clear. Spitfire took a deep breath as she headed
towards down town.
****
“ She said what?” Actions mouth hung open.
“ I’m not lyin’ to ya Action, the kids convinced dat she’s somehow
related to you.” Skweeks shrugged.
“ Does she know that that’s impossible?” Action said sitting down on
the steps of the lodging house.
“ Evidently she don’t care.”
“ So nobody has thought to tell dis kid that there ain’t no way on
God’s green earth dat I am in anyway shape er form related to dat kid?”
“ Action , she’s an orphan. She’s got nobody and never has had anybody
either. She drinks, she gambols, gets the spit knocked outta her on a
regular basis..”
“ No wonder no one ever questioned the relation.”
“ Look all I’m sayin’ is dis kid needs help. Who knows maybe she is
related to ya.”
“ Skweeks you and I both no that is completely and totally not
possible,” Action stood up, “ I think its time to pay Crap Game Alley
another visit.”
“ Action, “ Skweeks rolled her eyes, “ Why the hell are you goin’ back
there?”
“ Cause,” Action smirked, “ What’s life with out a little action huh?”
“ What ever,” Skweeks stood up and headed back in, “ just be back in
time to help yer new little family find a place to live tomorrow.”
“ Why?” Action gave Skweeks a look.
“ Think about it Action,” Skweeks turned back to her, “ They ain’t like
you and me. This town is going to chew them up and spit them back out
again. They are gonna starve if Mrs.what’s her face don’t get a job.”
With that she headed back in. Action sat back down on the steps.
“ Oy,” she sighed. She hadn’t thought about that. They weren’t like
Action. They needed somewhere stable to grow up at and school and all
that jazz. Action needed a plan and fast. She looked down at her dice.
They had a little soot on them still from the fire….the fire. Action
never wanted to think about that ever again. Ever since that night all
Action could ever see in her dreams was Tom in that fire and the gun
and…Action winced and held tightly to the dice. She promised him
something that night…it was going to take a hell of a lot to keep that
promise now.
******
“ What do you know boys, “ Chance called out over the crowd of crap
players in bar that night, “ Looks like I wins again huh?” There was
loud music playing the tavern and the room was full of smoke, gamboling,
and beer (needless to say she felt right at home). Chance took a drink
from her glass. There was an especially rowdy group in there
tonight…with an exceptional amount of money.
“ Damn Monroe,” one of the bartenders called out, “ you got some secret
we don’t know about?? Loaded dice?”
“ Naw,” Chance smiled, “ dat would be the difference between Action and
me…I can play fair and win at the same time.”
“ Dat so?” Chance froze at the sound of that voice. Everyone turned and
looked at Action who had crept in to the game. Chance tried to put on a
tough look.
“ I never tell a lie.” Chance smirked.
“ Really?” Action gave a smart ass look to her, “ Nice last name, if I
do say so myself.”
“ Thanks,” Chance smirked back, “ Me father gave it to me.”
“ Alright, “ Action shrugged, “ Lets see you put your money where your
mouth is kid.”
“ Don’t call me kid.” Chance said pulling out her money.
“ Sure thing short stuff,” Action threw her money on the table as well,
“ Lets get this thing started.”
***********************
Spitfire walked quietly threw the streets, watching her back the whole
way. She was in an old part of town full of hate. She couldn’t believe
she was coming back here through this part of town by herself, but she
promised she would. She kept telling herself it would be just a few more
steps and she’d be there. Soon Spitfire reached the old tall building.
She starred up at the huge doors and took a deep breath.
“ Here goes everything,” Spitfire sighed as she knocked on the door.
There was a sound of 10 or 15 little footsteps coming towards the door.
When the big door swung open Spitfire smiled at the old face that
greeted her.
“ Porter?” The old Swedish woman said with a smile. There were at least
a dozen tiny kids behind her with the same comforting smile.
“ Porter!” The children who gathered around the door cried out.
Spitfire smiled as she entered her old home… “Sanctuary Orphanage”.
************************
“ Where is she?” The old woman asked. The two sat by a fire that gave
the only light in the run down orphanage. They sat in torn up chairs
while a crowd of underfed , sick children sat around them.
“ You know how she is Ms. Hapsah,” Spitfire held a now sleeping child
in her lap, “ Something about her past makes her refuse to except it, ya
know?”
“ Is a shame,” Ms. Hapsah sighed, “ I miss her…” She looked up at
Spitfire, “ I miss you too Porter. I miss your playful natures and kind
smiles.”
(
geocities.com/hollywood/lot) (
geocities.com/hollywood)