“I’se jist t’inkin.” Jive replied.

Charm brushed her curly blonde hair out of her sky blue eyes.

“Bout what?”

“Bout Tippa.” She replied, sighin.

“Who’s Tippa?” Charm ast, sittin next ta Jive.

“Tippa was me boyfriend in da Bronx.”

“What bout Blink?!”

“I’se broke up wit Blink when I’se left. I went out wit Tippa but right before I left, but, he said some mean stuff bout Blink an I yelled at him an he probably hates me now.”

“Oh. So, why were ya t’inkin bout him?” Charm ast, sittin down next ta her.

“I sorta miss him, ya know?” Jive ast.

Charm nodded an said, “Yea, before I was hea, I was wit dis guy in Pennsylvania an I sorta miss him now. I don’t love him as much as I love Dutchy but, I miss him. Actually, I neva really loved him. I wasn’t even really his goyl. If he came, I’se’d neva eva leave Dutchy but I’se’d like ta see him again.”

“What was ya name in Pennsylvania?”

“I went by Juliana dere, like I did when I was in Brooklyn. I already have four identities, I’se don’t need no more. What bout you? What didja go by when you was in da Bronx?”

“Me name was Ace cuz I was da best card playa dere.” Jive smiled, t’inkin bout da Bronx.

“Oh I see.” Charm smiled. Kloppman walked in an was bout ta wake da guys up when Charm said, “Kloppman! Let us wake em up please!”

“Go ahead goyls. Maybe youse two can get em up fasta!” Kloppman walked out of da room shakin his head.

Jive an Charm walked ta da center of da room an yelled in unison, “Heya guys!!! Wake up!!!”

All da guys sat up quickly at da sound of a goyl’s voice.

“Huh?” Jack yelled.

“Get up Jacky Boy.” Charm said. Her an Jive laughed.

“T’anks fer da wake up call Charm!” Dutchy said, kissin her forehead.

“Youse neva get up when Kloppman calls anyways, he let us try taday.” Charm replied, smilin. “It got youse up fasta, didn’t it?”

“Shuddap Charm.” Blink complained.

“You shuddap Blinky!” Charm retorted.

“Me name ain’t Blinky!” he protested.

“Ya point bein?” Charm laughed. Blink hit her in da head.

“Hey! What didja do dat for?” Den, she an Jive left ta change.



When Jive an Charm came out, Charm saw Oscar standin outside da Distribution Center. When he saw her he motioned fer her ta come ova an tawk ta him. She nodded an said ta Dutchy, “I’se’ll be right back.” An walked ova ta Oscar. She said ta him,

“What?”

“Morris is gonna try an get cha. I hoid him tawkin ta some newsies from Harlem. Watch out, all right?” Oscar said soberly.

“Why are ya tellin me dis?” Charm ast suspiciously.

“Cuz I don’t want him ta hoit ya Charm.”

“Oh. Well, when an where?”

“When youse comin back from Medda’s. I ain’t shoa when. I’se’d tell Dutchy an some of da othas ta come wit ya.”

“T’anks Oscar. T’anks a lot.” Charm said slowly. Oscar nodded an walked away.

Dutchy walked ova an ast her, “What did he want?”

“He was warnin me bout Morris.” Charm said, starin afta him.

“What bout Morris?”

“He’s gonna try an get me. Youse gotta come wit me ta Medda’s until I’se shoa it’s safe so he don’t.”

“Can we trust Oscar?” Dutchy ast.

Charm nodded. “He ain’t such a bad guy ya know.”

Dutchy said, “Yea, whateva ya say Charm.” He put his arm around her. He smiled at her an dey walked ova ta get deir papes.



Afta dey sold all of deir papes, dey went back ta da Lodgin House. Charm an Jive tawked while Dutchy an Blink sat on opposite sides of da room. Tomorra was Charm’s boithday an Dutchy was wonderin what ta get her. While he was t’inkin, Jive ast Charm. “So, what did Oscar wanna tell ya taday?”

“He warned me bout Morris, he ain’t dat bad.”

“Oh really? Hmmm … dat’s interestin.” Jive said, smilin evilly. “Does Dutchy know?”

“Dutchy know what?” Charm ast confused.

“Dat ya like Oscar.”

“I don’t! God, Blink ain’t dat bad an ya don’t see me likin him! An maybe Blink could be informed of a certain occurrence while you was gone.”

Jive frowned an said, “Youse wouldn’t tell Blink bout dat, wouldja?”

“Tell Blink bout what?” Blink ast, suddenly interested in da conversation.

Charm an Jive looked at each otha an Jive said, “Nothin Blinky.” Jive an Blink left, an Charm walked ova ta Dutchy an said, “Hey Dutchy … Earth ta Dutchy. Come in Dutch.”

“Huh?” Dutchy said, snappin out of a trance.

“Youse jist drifted off. What’s on ya mind?”

“Nothin much Charm.”

“Youse hidin somethin from me again ain’t ya?”

“Me? No … why didn’t ya tell us it was ya boithday soon?”

“I didn’t t’ink youse mentioned it much, ya know? It jist didn’t seem like somethin ya say. Are ya still woikin at da Woild?” Charm said, changin da subject.

“Nah, I quit, it was too boring. I’se jist a newsie now.”

“So? I really don’t care what ya do … I jist care who ya are Dutchy.” Charm kissed Dutchy’s cheek.

“T'anks Charm.” Dutchy said, puttin his arm around her. She out her head on his shoulder an dey sat dere fer a while until Itey, Snitch, an Specs walked in.

“Sorry guys.” Snitch apologized.

“It’s okay Snitch.” Dutchy said. “It ain’t like we was doin anythin.”

“Good, cuz I might’ve been scarred fer life if youse had been.” Itey said laughin. Charm t’rew a pillow at his head an he caught it an t’rew it back at her.

“Hey!” Charm giggled as da pillow hit her in da head. Coise, she had ta t’row it back an dis eventually toined inta a full-scale pillow war. Afta a while, dey all stopped an Specs sat down.

“That was fun.” Specs said.

Charm laughed pantin, “Youse need ta have a little more fun, ya know?”

Dutchy sat down an Charm sat next ta him. He kissed her forehead. All da otha guys looked on uncomfortably. Den, Dutchy said, “Sorry.”

“No problem Dutch.” Itey said quickly.

“What’s wit da apologizin?” Charm ast. Den, afta lookin da t’ree guys up an down said, “Youse ain’t neva had goyls before, have ya?”

All t’ree of da guys looked at da ground sheepishly an Specs said softly, “No.”

“Well, why not?” Charm ast, exasperated.

“Let’s not dwell on dat subject.” Snitch snapped.

“Okay, whateva youse want.” Charm said, surprised. Da more she t’ought bout it t’ough, da less surprised she was, all newsies had touchy subjects an dis was one of em. “Why did youse come back so soon anyways?”

“We was losin too bad at poka, we wanted some money fer tamorrow.” Itey laughed.

“Youse play poka! Dutch, why didn’t ya tell me?” Charm toined ta face Dutchy.

“I didn’t t’ink ya played Charm, or I would’ve told ya.” Dutchy said.

“I wanna play next time. When is next time?”

Specs spoke up, “We'se playin in Brooklyn next month. You wanna play?”

“Yea, I wanna. I’se’ll see ya dere.” Charm said, smilin at Specs.

Dutchy narrowed his eyes at Specs. Den, he shook his head at hisself. Da otha guys left an he toined ta Charm an critically ast her, “Can ya really play poker Charm?”

She laughed an said, “Coise I can! Why didja narrow ya eyes fer a second Dutch?”

“No reason. C’mon, let’s go ta bed.” Dutchy put his arm around her waist.

“Youse’ll tell me lata, right?” Charm ast, laughin.

“Yea, shoa, right Charm.” Dutchy said. “How are ya feelin?”

“I’se fine, why?”

“Well, youse lookin kinda pale.” Dutchy put his hand ta her forehead an said, “No feva.”

“I am pale Dutchy. What do ya t’ink is wrong wit me now?” Charm sighed.

He kissed her. “Nothin, jist bein careful.”

She sighed an said, “Dutchy, ya don’t hafta worry so much … I’se gonna go ta bed now, all right?” When he nodded distractedly, she kissed his cheek an said, “G’night Dutchy.”

Long afta she left, Dutchy sat up t’inkin bout what ta get her. Finally, he figured it out. In da store by Tibby's, dere was a dream catcher dat would look great on Charm. Da only problem was dat it cost $20 dollars. It had a real jade in da center. Kloppman walked out of da room shakin his head.

Charm came runnin in, fasta dan any of em had seen anyone run. She leaned against da wall an slid down it, cryin. Dutchy ran ova ta her side. “Charm! What happened?!” He hugged her an she hugged him back an held on.

Charm cried inta Dutchy’s chest fer bout a minute an den said, “Morris Delancey.”

“What did he do ta ya?!”

“Nothin, I-I-I-I out ran him. I’se fine now t’ough. It’s jist, I t’ought of what I’se hoid youse say he’s done an I t’ought dat if he caught me-” Charm started sobbin again.

“Hey now,” Dutchy said. “It’s okay.” He squeezed her tighta an said, “C’mon, stop cryin. Ya know I hate seein ya cry.”

Charm slowly stopped cryin. “Okay, I’se fine now. I t’ink.”

“Ya must be tired. C’mon.” Dutchy helped Charm up an he walked wit her upstairs.

“Dat goyl’s got problems.” Jive shook her head.

“What do ya mean?” Blink ast.

“I mean, she’s always gettin chased by someone or havin some kinda problems eitha wit Dutch or wit her family, dat’s all.” Jive tossed some of her dark hair behind her shouldas.

“Leave her alone Jive!” Blink yelled.

“Well, she does!” Jive protested. “An why is ya yellin at me?”

“Never mind Jive!” Racetrack snapped.



Da next day, Charm walked inta Tibby’s in a daze. “What’sa matta Charm?” Dutchy ast.

Charm looked at him. “Nothin, I’se fine.”

“Shoa?” Blink ast.

“Yea, I’se shoa.” Charm forced a smile. She wasn’t okay but she didn’t wanna tell em why.

“Ya don’t look okay.” Jive said. “Ya look kinda sick an pale an not at all okay.”

“I’m fine, okay?!” Charm snapped. She sat down next ta Dutchy an said, “What’s goin on?”

“Nothin, where were ya all day? Ya didn’t sell.” Dutchy looked at her.

“Oh, I didn’t feel too hot, I’se jist laid around all day.” Charm said.

“Okay.” Racetrack said, not believin her at all.

Dat night, Dutchy said, “Has anyone seen Charm?”

“No Dutch, we ain’t seen her all night.” Jack said. “An she ain’t at Medda’s cuz we was jist dere.”

“Where could she be?” Jive ast. “Where would she go? Why would she go?”

“I’se worried bout her.” Dutchy said. “She wouldn’t go anywhere witout tellin us.”

“She’ll be back by mornin Dutch.” Mush reassured.

“I hope so.” Dutchy replied absently.

Da next mornin she still wasn’t back. “Where could she be?!” Dutchy ast exasperated.

“Dunno, t’ink somet’in happened ta her?” Itey ast.

“Why else would she leave?” Jack said.

“I don’t know.” Dutchy looked away.

Racetrack walked in an said, “Found her yet?” When no one answered, “I’se’ll take dat as a no. I’se goin ta visit me uh, cousin in da hospital, if I see her, I’se’ll tell her ta come back, all right?”



Racetrack walked inta da hospital. “Um, I need ta find Emily Higgins.”

Da nurse looked at him over her glasses, “Family?”

“I’se her brudder.”

“Okay. She’s in room 314a – maternity ward, you know that right?”

“Yes, she told me ‘fore she came hea.” Racetrack called back as he walked down da hall. He gently knocked on da door. “Heya sis.” Racetrack said.

“Racetrack!” Emily exclaimed. “What are ya doin hea?”

“I came ta see ya. I’se figured youse was goin crazy hea.” Racetrack walked ova an sat by her bed. “How are ya?”

“I’se fine but da goyl next ta me ain’t. She jist got hea last night. She’s been cryin da whole time. I t’ink ya know her. She’s a newsie in Manhattan.” Emily looked ova in da goyl’s direction.

“Da only goyl newsie in Manhattan is …” Racetrack’s eyes got wide an we walked ova ta da otha side of da room. “Charm?”

Charm stopped snifflin. “Racetrack? What are ya doin hea?”

“Shouldn’t I’se be askin you dat? What are ya doin hea?” Racetrack hugged her.

“Um, I’se pregnant.” Charm admitted sheepishly.

“You is?! How’d dat happen?!”

“Rememba five months ago when we took da train ta see me mudda? Dat’s how it happened.”

“How far along are ya?”

“Only four and a half months. I didn’t even know until yesterday, when I came inta Tibby’s I had jist found out.”

“When are ya comin back?! Dutchy’s toined da Lodgin House an New York upside down lookin fer ya!”

“Race, I can’t. I’se afraid ta tell Dutchy.”

“Why wouldja be afraid ta tell Dutchy dat youse pregnant? I’se could see if it wasn’t his but it is so, why not?”

“I don’t know. Promise me ya won’t tell him Racetrack, promise me.”

“I dunno Charm …”

“Promise me.”

“I promise. When ya comin back?”

“Afta I have da baby. In bout four months.”

“Youse’ll kill Dutchy! He’s goin crazy now!”

A nurse walked in. “You have to leave sir.”

“G’bye Charm. I promise.” He walked ta da next room an said, “G’bye Em. I’se’ll be back. How far along are ya?”

“T’ree months.”



A month lata, Charm was still in da hospital. Dutchy had stopped eatin, slept all day, an hadn’t sold in dat month. “Dis ain’t healthy fer Dutchy.” Jack said. “We gotta find Charm.” Racetrack sighed. He walked ova ta Dutchy an tapped him on da shoulda. “Dutchy, wake up.”

“What do ya want?” Dutchy snapped.

“Look, do ya wanna see Charm or not?”

He sat up quickly. “Ya found her?!”

“Well, I’se sorta known fer bout a month where she’s been. She swore me ta secrecy! She told me not ta tell ya!” Racetrack defended.

“Take me ta her.” Dutchy got up.



“Heya Emily!” Racetrack called out.

“Heya.” Emily replied. “Dat goyl, Charm, she’s sorta a wreck. Dey had ta sedate her last night cuz she was screamin an cryin. Keeps callin fer um, ‘Dutchy’ I t’ink. Sounded like dat anyways. You know him?”

“Yea, Em, dis is Dutchy. Dutchy is her fiancé an da fatha. Dutchy, dis is me sista, Emily. We’se gonna go see Charm now.”

“Charm?” Racetrack said.

“Heya Race! What’s goin on?” Charm replied.

“Charm!?” Dutchy yelled. “Where have ya been?!”

“Dutchy!!!!” Charm smiled. Dutchy hugged her an she said, “Racetrack! Ya told him! Ya promised!”

“Aw, I had ta tell him. He was miserable! He hasn’t sold in a month an he stopped eatin!”

“Ova me?” Charm looked at him.

“Ova you. I was scared dat somethin happened ta ya. Why are ya hea?”

“Dutchy … I’se pregnant. Rememba dat night, six months ago on da train on da way ta me mudda’s?” He nodded. “Well … I’se five and a half months along.”

“Why didn’t ya tell me Charm?”

“I was afraid dat you wouldn’t want kids yet an youse’d break up wit me an I’se’d be alone.”

Racetrack said, “Charm, if Dutchy dumped ya now, we’se’d soak him. I’se gonna leave you two alone now.”

“I’se’d neva leave ya Charm. Youse me foist an only goyl … I love you.” Dutchy kissed her.

Charm laughinly shoved him away, “Dat’s what got us inta dis mess in da foist place! So, ya foist goyl was Jewel?”

“Yea, an since dat was you I figure dat makes ya foist an only.”

“Youse so sweet.”

“Why don’t ya come back ta da Lodgin House now? Youse can stay in da extra room.”

“I don’t wanna be a bother ta youse – wit da mood swings an all.” Charm admitted.

“A bother? To me?” he kissed her. “Neva.”



Charm, Dutchy, an Racetrack stood outside da Lodgin House. Charm wasn’t dat big but dat was still pretty big. She stopped,

“What if deyse mad at me cuz I was gone an Dutchy was so worried? What if dey don’t want me hea?”

“Sh Charm, dey want ya hea. Deyse been jist as worried as me.” Dutchy said.

Racetrack walked in foist an den Dutchy. “Where’s Charm?” Mush ast.

Dutchy walked back out an walked in again wit Charm. “Heya everyone.” She whispered, lookin at da ground.

Jive shrieked, “Charm!!!!! Youse pregnant!!!!” Jive ran ova an hugged her.

“T’anks fer pointin out da obvious! Youse gettin more like Blink every day Jive!” Charm hugged her back. “I t’ink dat’s a bad t’ing.”

“When did dis happen?” Jack ast.

“Well, I found out bout a month ago an ‘it’ as you put it was when we was on da train ta see me mudda.” Charm said. “I’se been in da hospital all dis time.”

“How’d Racetrack know?” Itey ast.

“Me sista is in da same room as she was. Yea, I’se got a sista. But, she’s a whore. I still love her but, ya know.”

“She told me dat.” Charm said. “I made her promise she’d stop an if she didn’t I’se’d soak her … as soon as we both had da strength.” Everyone laughed.

“How far along are ya?” Jive ast.

“Five an a half months. Halfway.” Charm sighed. “I was afraid youse’d be mad at me.”

“Why would we be mad?” Blink questioned.

Charm started ta cry. Everyone looked at each otha blankly. “Mood swings.” Dutchy said. “You okay honey?”

“Yea. I’se fine.” Charm sniffled. “Sorry bout dat … I can’t help it.”



A week lata, she was sittin wit Jive playin cards. “I feel like a whale.” Charm sighed.

“Oh, c’mon. Whales are much bigger dan you … try cow.” Jive smiled.

“Gee t’anks Jive.” Charm suddenly clutched her stomach.

“Are ya okay?” Jive ast.

“No, but it ain’t da baby.” Charm replied.

Jive, alone in da Lodgin House wit her, helped her up an dey started walkin ta da hospital which, t’ankfully, was right down da street. “Excuse me ma’am. Dere’s somethin wrong wit me friend.”

“What?” da nurse ast cynically.

“She’s five an a half months pregnant but somethin’s wrong now.” Jive said.

Da nurse looked ova at Charm, who was huddled in da doorway an said, “Bring her over here. What’s her name?”

“She goes by Charm but her real name is Opal, she’s an Indian. Don’t ask.”



“I’m sorry to have to tell you this but, she lost the baby.” Da doctor said ta Jive.

“My God, didja tell her yet?” Jive gasped.

“No, I thought that it might hurt her too much. It might be easier coming from one of her friends.”

Jive walked in an said, “Charm, um …”

“I lost da baby, didn’t I?” Charm said emotionlessly. “I know I did, don’t lie ta me.”

“Ya did.”

Charm started ta sob uncontrollably an said, “Where’s Dutchy? Get him … please.”

Jive nodded an ran ta Tibby’s. She ran ova ta da guys, pantin. She slid next ta Blink an gaspin fer air said, “Dutchy … Charm … she’s … hospital … bad … news.”

“What happened?” Dutchy ast, his eyes wide. “What’sa matta wit Charm?”

“She … bad … come.” Jive said.

Jive got up an Dutchy followed her. So did Blink, Mush, Racetrack, Jack, Spot, an da rest of em.

“Charm?” Jive softly called out as she walked in. “He’s hea.” She stuck her head back out da door an said, “Only Dutchy can come in! Dutchy, c’mon.”

“What’sa matta Charm?” Dutchy ast. He took her hand an squeezed it.

Charm was sobbin too hard ta answer. “Do ya want me ta tell him Charm?” Jive ast. Charm nodded. “She lost da baby Dutchy. I’se sorry.”

“Charm! Are ya okay?” Dutchy said immediately.

“No Dutchy, I mean, oh God.” Charm cried. Dutchy put his arms around her an she cried inta his chest. “Our baby!” she sobbed.

A nurse walked inta da room an said, “She can go home tomorrow. I’m sorry.”

“What was wrong wit her?” Dutchy ast.

“Who are you?” she raised an eyebrow.

“Her fiancé.” Dutchy replied.

“We don’t know. She’s fine now. We think it was just natural.” She said. “She can leave first thing tomorrow.” Jive nodded.

Da next morning, Jive ushered Dutchy out so Charm could change. “Why didja make him leave Jive? It ain’t nothin he hasn’t seen.” She smiled weakly.

“C’mon, let’s go. Wait, lemme go foist … I’se’ll warn em not ta say nothin.” Jive promised.

“No, let em ask … so I can get it ova wit.” Charm said, she brushed blonde hair wit her fingers quickly an her curls separated.



Dutchy was da only one outside da door when Charm an Jive came out. Jive took da hint an ran ta catch up wit Blink an explain da whole t’ing. Dutchy walked wit Charm behind da othas until dey came ta Central Park. He said, “Do ya wanna tawk Charm?” Charm nodded an he led her off ta a secluded spot an sat down. She sat next ta him an she put her head on his shoulda. “I don’t know what happened … I was jist sittin dere an den, dey told me it was gone.”

“Sh. Charm, I know it’s hard but, ya gotta move on. Ya know I hate ta see ya cry, an ya bein like dis kills me. Try an get betta.” Dutchy said.

“I know … I feel bad bout not feelin woise. I feel okay now but I t’ink I should be hysterical.” Charm said.

“It’s okay. Ya jist move on fasta dan otha people.” Dutchy kissed her. She smiled an kissed him back.

Dey looked up at da sky an saw ominous black clouds gatherin ovahead. “We ain’t gonna make it ta da Lodgin House, I know a cave we can stay in.”

Dutchy led Charm ta da cave an dey lay in da back. “Ya okay sweetheart?”

“Ya ain’t neva called me dat ‘fore.” Charm said.

“If ya don’t like it-”

Charm kissed him. “I love it. I’se fine honey.”

“Good.” Dutchy kissed her.

Dutchy’s hand moved higher up her leg as he kissed her an den he stopped. “Why didja stop?” she ast. She brushed some of his hair out of his face.

“Ya shoa ya wanna?” Dutchy ast.

“Why does da guy always ask da goyl dat? I’se fine … it’s you I’se worried bout.” Charm said. She kissed him an he lay on top of her.



Dutchy looked at Charm, who was asleep finally an shook her gently. “Wake up sweetheart.”

“What? What’s goin on honey?” Charm sighed.

“We gotta get back … it’s late.” Dutchy motioned out da front of da cave. It was gettin dark already.

“Yikes.” Charm said. “Well, dey won’t t’ink nothin like what we did, deyse’ll t’ink we was tawkin cuz I’se a wreck.” She sat up. “Ya know what we say in me tribe, dat when a baby dies, it’s born again ta someone else. Same t’ing when people die. So, I t’ink dat’s why I’se fine, ya know?”

Dutchy kissed her forehead. “I know.”



“Heya everyone.” Charm said as she an Dutchy walked in.

“Hiya Charm.” Mush said.

“What’sa matta wit everyone?” she ast.

“Um, well, see, we um, we don’t wanna …” Racetrack trailed off.

“I know what youse t’inkin … I’se fine. I t’ink it’s anudder one of me Indian t’ings. We believe dat when a baby dies, it’s born again ta someone else. So, I’se jist t’ink dat.” Charm smiled. “Don’t feel sorry fer me. Please.”

“Ya shoa youse okay?” Blink ast.

“I mean, ya did jist lose ya baby.” Jive said. Jive kissed Blink lightly.

“I’se fine … I promise.” Charm sighed. “Dis is gettin old guys.” She kissed Dutchy quickly an Jive raised an eyebrow.

“I need ta tawk wit ya Charm, c’mon.” Jive took her arm an dragged her ta da bunkroom an out da window ta da roof. “What’s goin on?”

“What do ya mean?” Charm ast, confused.

“Ya jist lost ya baby an now youse fine. What happened?”

“I don’t know. I don’t – I mean, I don’t know. I’m jist not dat torn up. I know I should be but I ain’t.”

“What happened taday – when you an Dutch was gone?”

“Um, well, could we not tawk bout dat?”

“Ya slept wit him, didn’t cha?” Charm nodded. “Why Charm?”

“What do ya mean why? I can’t wallow in da grief process fereva an I love him. I ain’t gonna shut da woild out fereva!!!”

“Hey, youse two comin down?” Blink ast. He an Dutchy crawled t’rough da window. “What’s goin on?”

“Nothin Blink!” Jive smiled.

“Nothin at all.”

Dutchy looked at her an smiled. “Which one of you is lyin?”

“What do ya mean?” Jive an Charm ast.

“Well, both of ya say everythins okay but obviously one of ya is lyin.” Blink said. “Who is it?”

Jive an Charm looked at each otha an Jive said, “Did everyone else go ta bed?” When Blink nodded she said, “I don’t see how da day afta she lost her baby she could sleep wit Dutchy!”

Blink’s eye went wide an he ast, “Didja really?”

Charm nodded an said, “Yea.”

“I t’ink I see why.” Blink said. “But I might be wrong.”

“What do ya t’ink?” Dutchy ast.

“Cuz Charm’s upset bout da baby but she ain’t dat upset dat she’s gonna shut out da woild. An Dutchy’s jist as upset but when he saw dat Charm wasn’t dat broken up bout it, he realized dat he wasn’t eitha.” Blink said.

Charm smiled. “Right Blink!!”

Dutchy toined ta Charm an said, “Charm … I’se got a job as a reporter at ‘The World’ now an I wanna marry you as soon as possible.”

Charm smiled an kissed him. “Coise, let’s.” She giggled, “I already have da ring so all we got left is da weddin.”

“Jeez youse two, c’mon.” Blink laughed.



Charm fingered da dream catcher around her neck an t’ought of her fatha. Still he was sendin her an Buttafly money. She wondered what he would do if he found out she was gettin married. She drifted off ta sleep an da next t’ing she knew she was hearin Kloppman yell, “Carry da banna! Sell da papers! Youse sleep yer lives away!”

Charm rolled ova an found herself on top of Dutchy. “Heya Charm. T’anks fer da wake up call.”

She got off him. “Ya needed it. Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Dutchy kissed her.

“C’mon youse two!” Jive said.



At Tibby’s dat aftanoon, Dutchy an Charm was sittin by emselves, an Dutchy ast, “How we gonna pay fer da weddin?”

“Easy. Me fatha’s been sendin me fifty dollas a week fer t’ree months, dat makes six hundred. Dat enough?” Charm replied.

“Jesus Christ Charm! Youse still livin wit us an ya got all dat? Where is it?” Dutchy stared at her.

“Don’t ‘Jesus Christ Charm’ me! Yea, I’se still livin wit youse cuz I love you an da rest of em is like me family. Some of its unda ya bed, some of its wit me, an some of its wit Kloppman. T’irty unda ya bed, t’irty wit me, an da rest wit Kloppman in a box locked up in da Lodgin House. Okay?” Charm said.

“Sorry bout dat sweetheart.” Dutchy apologized. “I t’ink it is.”

“It’s okay Dutch.” Charm said. “Do ya wanna go sit wit da guys now?”

“Shoa.” Dutchy said. Dey stood up an walked ova ta everyone else. “Heya everyone.”

“Hiya Dutchy, Charm.” Racetrack said.

Dutchy sat down an Charm sat on his lap. “Heya everyone.” She said.

“Is it jist me or have youse two gotten closa since, ya know.” Specs said.

Dutchy kissed Charm an said, “It ain’t jist you.”

“When’s da weddin?” Jive ast.

“In four months.” Charm an Dutchy replied in unison.

“Who’s da best man Dutch?” Jack ast.

Dutchy shrugged an said, “I don’t know yet.”

“Jive, be my maid of honor?” Charm ast.

Jive smiled an said, “Shoa. What bout Jade?”

“I’se been closa ta you dan I eva was ta Jade.” Charm said. “I ain’t even shoa dat if I invited em dat dey’d come. You wasn’t hea but dey got dis t’ing against me goin wit Dutchy.”

“I take it Buttafly’s gonna be da flower goyl.” Blink said.

“Who else?”

“Can we tawk bout dis lata?” Dutchy ast. “Not dat I don’t wanna tawk bout it but … neva mind.”

“Shoa.” Charm kissed him. “We can tawk bout dis lata.”

“T’anks.” Dutchy said. “What’s goin on wit youse?”

“Oh, nothin much.” Jive said. “Oh! Look at da ring Blink gave me!” Jive held out her hand an on it dere was a gold ring.

“It’s beautiful!” Charm exclaimed lookin at da ring. While Jive an Charm tawked bout deir rings, Blink said, “Don’t take much ta impress dose goyls.”

“I t’ink it’s da t’ought dat counts Blinky.” Dutchy said.

“Maybe.” Blink said.

Charm rested her head on Dutchy’s shoulda an sighed, “I hate dis.”

“Hate what?” Mush ast.

“Da fact dat we’se gonna hafta leave all dis … I don’t wanna.” Charm sighed.

“Youse two can always come back.” Jack said.



When dey came in, Kloppman handed Charm a telegram. “Dis came fer ya Charm.”

“T’anks Kloppman!” she called out as she went ta her (an Dutchy’s) bunk.

“What’sa matta Charm?” Dutchy ast when he saw her face afta she read it.

“Nothin Dutch … I swear.” Charm replied. She forced a smile. “I’se fine.”

“Shoa?”

“Don’t worry bout me so much.” Charm kissed Dutchy.

“I’se goin ta a poka game in Brooklyn. Ya wanna come?”

“Nah, I’se gonna stay hea.”

“All right. See ya lata.” Dutchy kissed her hand an she smiled.

Charm stared at da telegram again. It said:

Charm,

If you are going to get married in April, you must spend the entire month of March here. Come March 1st. Bring anyone you want.

Midnight

“What’sa matta?” Jive ast, comin up behind her.

“Me mudda says I’se gotta come back fer da entire month of March.” Charm replied.

“Alone?”

“No, wit whoeva I want ta come wit me.”

“Who ya gonna take?”

“Whoeva wants ta come Jive. I’se’ll tawk ta Dutchy when he gets back.”

“I’se comin … an so is Blinky, he jist don’t know it yet. Where did all da guys go?”

“Ta a poka game in Brooklyn. I was too worried ta go.”

“Worried? Bout what?”

“Bout why I hafta go. I dunno why she’s’d want me ta come. I’se worried.”

“Don’t be. How could she hate Dutchy? He’s one of da most sane, smart, responsible, an carin people I’se know!” Jive smiled.



Dutchy came in wit da rest of da guys late dat night. He walked ova ta Charm an said, “How ya doin?” Dutchy quickly kissed her.

“Jist fine.” She replied. Den she said, “Me mudda wants me ta come home.”

“What?”

“Fer da month of March. Come wit me … please.”

“I’se’d neva let cha go alone sweetheart.”

She smiled an hugged him. “T’ank you.”

“G’night sweetheart.”

“G’night honey.”



Da next aftanoon at Tibby’s, Charm said, “Youse guys, an goyl, I’se gotta go back ta me mudda’s in March – fer da whole month.”

“I’se goin wit cha.” Jive continued. “An so is Blink.”

“I is!?” Blink looked confused.

“You is.” Jive answered.

“Me too.” Mush said.

“An me.” Racetrack added.

Spot, Jack, Skittery, Itey, an Snoddy said deyse’d go too.

“T’anks ya guys.” Charm said.

“Anytime Charm.” Racetrack said. “When we leavin?”

“February 26th. We gotta be dere by March 1st. Coise, since it’s only December, we’se got til da end of February.” Charm replied.

“We’se’ll be ready.” Jack said. “Why ya gotta go?”

“I t’ink she’s hopin dat I’se’ll change me mind an marry one of da Indian boys. She should know by now I have a strong will.” Charm smiled an Dutchy pulled her onta his lap. She rested her head on his shoulda an Dutchy kissed her.

“Ain’t dat sweet?” Blink said. Jive hit him in da arm. “Jeez, sorry.” He rubbed his arm.

“Be nice Blinky.” Jive said. She kissed him an he smiled. “I’se sorry too.”

“Didja decide who’s gonna be da best man at da weddin yet Dutch?” Spot ast.

“Skittery? Wouldja?” Dutchy ast, lookin at his friend.

“Shoa Dutchy.” Skittery replied.

“Okay, now can we tawk bout somethin else?” Charm ast.

“Like what?” Spot ast.

“Anyt’in but me an Dutch … we seem ta be a hot topic dese days.” Charm said.

“How bout what we’se gonna do fer Christmas?” Mush suggested.

“Good idea. What are we gonna do?” Jack said.

“What bout have a party?” Jive suggested.

“Why not?” Charm agreed. Jive smiled at Charm.

“Youse two always stick tagetha!” Racetrack said. “It don’t matta if one of you is wrong!”

Charm hit Racetrack upside da head an said, “We ain’t neva wrong!”

“Yea.” Jive said. Dey laughed an den Jive said, “What bout gifts an stuff … all of us ain’t rich like Charm hea.”

“Charm? Rich?” Jack ast.

“Um, see, I’se got six hundred dollas from me fatha.” Charm admitted.

“Wow.” Blink said.

“An ya still live wit us?” Spot ast in surprise.

“I love it hea.” Charm said.

“How bout we draw names fer gifts?” Buttafly suggested.

“Buttafly!” Charm said. “Youse hea?”

“Yea, I’se been hea not like ya notice or anythin. I’se twelve yeas old Charm, sometimes I’se’d like a little attention from ya.” Buttafly said.

“Sorry Buttafly.” Charm apologized. “But ya know wit da-”

“Weddin an all ya ain’t got much free time.” Buttafly finished. “So, how bout drawin names?”

“All right.” Jack said. “We’se’ll draw tomorra night.”



Dat night, while Dutchy an Charm was sittin on da roof, Dutchy said, “Charm, I was t’inkin … maybe we should leave da Lodgin House.”

“What? Why?” Charm ast in surprise.

“I mean, we’se gettin too old ta live hea.”

Charm sighed. “I guess youse right. How bout we tawk wit da guys – an Jive – bout it tomorrow?”

“Shoa.” Dutchy kissed her. “C’mon, we betta go back inside.”

Dutchy stood up an helped Charm up. “All right. C’mon.”



“What were youse two doin on da roof last night?” Racetrack ast da next aftanoon at Tibby’s.

“We’se been t’inkin an,” Dutchy looked at Charm who nodded. “We’se gonna move out afta Christmas.”

“Why?” Jive ast.

“We t’ink it’d be best fer us.” Dutchy said.

“Charm? Ya t’ink dat too?” Racetrack ast.

“Yea, I do.” Charm said. “I mean, I wish dat we could stay hea fereva but … ya gotta grow up sometime an our time is now.”

“All right.” Skittery said. “But we’se gonna miss youse two.”

“So, youse don’t gotta come wit me in March.” Charm said.

“An miss a vacation fer a month?” Racetrack joked. “No way. We’se comin.”

“T’anks.” Charm smiled.

Jack said, “I’se had Kloppman write all our names on a piece of paper so we’se can draw names, if ya draw ya own, put it back. Dat slip of paper is da tag ya hafta youse fer da gift so no one knows who bought it.”

“All right.” Snipeshooter said.

Everybody picked a piece of paper outta Jack’s hat. Charm got Jive, an, Jive got Charm. Coise, Charm knew she’d hafta buy somethin fer Buttafly an Dutchy too. But, she wanted ta do somethin bigger.

“Okay, da limit on who ya picked is gonna be fifteen cents, all right?” Jack said.

Everyone agreed. “All right. No one tell nobody who dey got, all right?” Jack said.

“Yes sir!” Charm laughed.

“Aw, shuddap!” Jack blushed.



“All right, four of a kind I win!” Charm yelled. Da othas t’rew down deir cards an muttered t’ings unda deir breaths. “I’se done playin now, have fun!”

Charm walked ova ta where Dutchy was standin wit Skittery, Specs, Snoddy, an Itey. “Heya Dutch.” She said.

“Oh, heya Charm.” Dutchy said. “What’s goin on?”

“Nothin, I’se bored of beatin em in poka.” Charm smiled. “G’night.” Charm kissed him lightly an she went ta sleep.

“Youse really leavin?” Skittery ast.

“Yea, I’se said I was, didn’t ya believe me?” Dutchy said.

“No, we’se ya family, we neva t’ought of ya leavin.” Itey admitted.

“Well, I am. I’se happy now. I’se got a good job … an I’se got Charm.” Dutchy looked ova at her. “I’se finally happy.”

“We’se gonna miss youse two a lot.” Snoddy said. “Youse been hea fer seven yeas.”

“I’se gonna miss it hea too but, we’se gotta grow up.” Dutchy shrugged.

“I guess.” Specs shrugged. “Do youse believe Buttafly’s twelve already?”

“I know!” Snoddy said. “How can she be twelve already?”

“We’se been tagetha fer a while.” Dutchy said. “An dere’s more ta come.”


The End

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