By: Hoity
Chapter 1
A lot of things have happened in my life which would change me forever. But the most important episode happened to me on August 4, 2001. I was walking home from my friend Crick's house. (Well, actually her name's Brittany but I dubbed her with dat Newsie and its what I'se called her eva since) Up till then she called me hoity since me real names Heidi.
Back to the subject. (You'll start to see I jump around a lot it's one of my weak points.) Crick and I had jest been chatting with all our Newsie chicks on-line so I wes in me Newsie la-la land. What made it woise was I wes listening to the soundtrack on me headphones while walking down da street. I threw down my duffle bag and started ta throw punches at an invisible Oscar Delancy. Then, like the psycho I am, I started dancin in the middle of da street. I was engrossed in me own woild dat I didn't notice dat everyone on da street wes staring at me. Anodda thing I missed wes the cherry picker and road blocks set up along da power lines so I walked right through the plastic cones.
By now, King of New York was playin and I once again discarded my duffle bag to do their little dance routine. I rememba singin the last woids of the song, " Front page story, guts and glory, I'm da King of New York!" Then I picked up my bags and tilted my head to da sky only ta notice the live wire fallin right for me.
ZZZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPP!!!!!!!!! It hit me smack in da face but the funny thing was I never suffered any electric shock. As soon as it struck me, the houses and street all disappeared. For a moment, all I saw was white rays. "Oh, gosh! I can't be in Heaven!" But then the beams began to fade away and I was suddenly thrown forward by some invisible force.
All I recall was my head hitting a brick wall and me fallin forward. How many minutes was I out cold? I'll neva know but when I finally came to my senses I still thought I was in my little home town by the beach in 2001 Florida. Boy was I shocked when I got up and found myself in an alley. I looked out at the street and saw the Brooklyn Bridge across the water.
My lower jaw nearly disconnected from me mouth. I was in NEW YORK! But when? My question was answered when I heard a newsie yell out, "Fire spreads in Chicago, worst in 1899!" (Whad a lousy headline, can't ya tell I'm new at dis fan-fic stuff?)
"1899!!! GOD, NEWSIES!!!!!!!!!" I shrieked. Seriously, I bounced up the brick wall and began screamin like any intelligent goil would if she had just zapped back ta 1899. After bein psyched for several minutes I picked up me duffle bag and me poise. I headed towards da street and saw a group of girls my age walking across da corner. They all had on those blouses and skirts dat covered deir ankles.
"Oh, geez! What am I doing?" I looked down at my bare legs. Though it was almost da end of August it was still hot as hell at home. I began fiddling with me red bandana which adorned me neck. I had copied Jack's style eva since I saw da movie and wes seldom seen without one on.
"Well, at least my shoit has sleeves." Once again I looked at my legs. "I can't do this can I? Of course geez I'll be okay. What'll dey think? Gee um maybe that I'se some psychotic whore or something, duh! What else would dey say.
"Oh wait, she ain't no whore, just a psychotic goil from the 21st century." Yeah I'm sure that'll be da first thing that comes to their minds. Well goil, looks like yer stuck hea and there's no sense stayin in dis alley any longer...so hea goes nothing. God help me!
My legs began movin and me eyes soaked in the surroundings.
Chapter 2
Ok so it wasn't like dat but all the people on da street gave me da weirdest looks. Hmm maybe cuz my legs were showing and my tan was at its seasonal climax, geez. It was funny seeing their faces cuz I knew exactly how they'd be. Some real decked up ladies quickly turned deir heads only afta giving me a disgusted look. Then were wes this stuffy guy who turned his head to look at me once I'd passed. I jes turned to him and gave him dat, "You got a problem ?" look. Next, I spotted (yay, Spot! I hope I see him!) A group of well off guys dressed in suits. They turned off a corner and where bout 150 feet ahead of me. Unfortunately, the street was empty now so I couldn't hide behin noone. Their eyes gaped open as big as saucer and one of them had this evil grin on his face.
" Great, jes great. Least, dey don't seem too tough. I'se can soak ‘em if I have ta." I said ta meself. I wasn't ready to do dat jest yet so I crossed da street and briskly walked towards the voice of a newsie. (Presumably da one I heard in da alley) Luckily those guys didn't follow me so I slowed down and kept on towards da voice. As I got closa, I recognized it.
"Jack Kelly!" I shouted. I would've screamed but nothing would've come out. As I got closer I saw HIM. I could see his gray trousers, long-sleeved strip shirt rolled up to his elbows, and bandana. Gosh it's really him! I began getting noivous and started messin with my own bandana again. I was bout to meet Jack Kelly, the man of my dreams! Thousands of goils would die to be me, I would die to be me but I don't have to! Ok, I let out a deep sigh. You can do this. Just keep ya cool and pretend ya legs are covered.
"Fire spreads in Chicago, hundreds left homeless!" he yelled out.
Yay! It was him I hoid in da alley. I betta leave a tip for enlightening me earlier. Wait, I'm gonna give him a whole buck geez I made 150 dis week babysitting. Whoa, $150 dat would make me rich!
"Woist fire of da year, hundred die!" he yelled out again. There was a crowd around him buying papes. I waited on the edge and finally walked up when everyone flocked away. When he saw me I could tell his hormones were racin but his tongue didn't fall out er nothing.
"Good business today huh, Cowboy?" I said smilin as I placed da buck in his hand and took da pape he held out ta me.
His jaw dropped at da buck and mine did to cuz it sure as hell didn't say 1999 on it but instead was from 1876. Weird!
"Umm...thanks Ms..." he trailed off.
"Heidi, Heidi Anderson."
"Well, Ms. Heidi I'se can't accept dis."
"Yeah you'se can, I don't need it."
" Wow, thanks a lot Ms." He looked at me as he placed the bill in his shoit pocket and began ta grin.
Oh gosh, not the grin! *sigh* Ok snap out of it goil. "So, how bad did ya have to improve da headlines Jack?" I said skimming through my pape. He didn't answer so I looked up at him and he was in a frozen stage.
"Hey Kelly, Sullivan! You ok?"
"How'd you know me name, Ms?"
" Oh, well," how wes I gonna put dis, "well Cowboy where I'se from you'se boys were in da article durin da strike. It was fron page and everything and it had a picture of you'se and some of da Newsies." Ok so I lied, give me a break. It's not like he'd believe a total stranger.
"Well where are ya from Ms.?"
"First, call me Heidi and I'se from Florida."
"Florida!" He was very shocked dat the story reached dat far.
"Yeah..."
" So wad's it like down south, Heidi?" he put an emphasis on me name which sent a tingle down my spine.
"It's beautiful, Jack. No tall buildings, there's trees, grass, oh and I can't forget da beach. Da sand is as white as snow and the wata looks like emeralds." I looked at him and he wes dreaming away.
" So, uh Jack, you'se planning to eva go ta Santa Fe?"
" Well, I ain't in as big as a rush befoa. I'll get dere someday. Hey how'd you'se know I wanted ta go ta Santa Fe?"
Great goin! How'm I gonna make up a lie for dis one?
"Hey ya Jack!" Oh thank you Lord! I turned and saw Mush headin down da street. Immediately he looked at me wid gapin eyes.
"Hey Mush, dis here's Ms. Heidi Anderson. She's all da way from Florida!"
"Wow, nice ta meet ya ms." he said still gawking at my legs.
"So, uh Mush, how was ya day?" Jack asked tryin ta get his attention.
"Oh, well it was ok I guess. I ain't carrying nothin am I? How bout you Jack?"
"Heidi, hea jes bought me last pape. So, let's head ta Tibby's I'se starvin."
"Yeah, me too. Spot's supposed ta meet us anyways. Well, Ms...Ms.?"
Mush was bout ta ask me ta go wid dem but as soon as Jack mentioned Tibby's I crept back and walked away. Yeah, I know. Wad was I thinking? I jest met two incredible, hot Newsies and left before they invited me to lunch. I just couldn't picture myself in their woild. Not yet anyway. I mean come on with the way I was dressed and all.
I walked on and headed ta Central Park. (I had memorized practically all da streets in New York on my atlas) I wes bout 3 blocks away when I met them. Oh goody, I though to myself, the Delancy bruddas. Great, a desoited alley and I'm in shorts what a wonderful recipe for danger. They were at da far end of the alley goofin off with each odda and then they noticed me. Their eyes got huge like da guys I had seen earlier and they did that thing with their tongues.
"Lord, help me," I whispered. I should've turned back but now it wes too late. They did da usual cat calls and whistles. I looked right through em and wes bout ta pass buy when Morris grabbed my elbow.
"Where ya goin, sweets?" he asked while Oscar took my duffle bag and threw it down.
"Bad, pick up line Delancy." I muttered breaking free of his grasp.
He grabbed me from my back and whispered in my ear, "kay, goilie, next time I'll go straight to the good stuff." He began trying to take off my shirt with the help of Oscar. "Okay, Anderson don't jest stand dere." I quickly tried ta think of somethin ta do. Before I could pull anything I hoid a voice come from da end of da alley.
"Hey, whys do ya two always woik togedda? You know it ain't quite fair ta da ladies or to you'se fer dat matta. Ms. I think you could be of use of my assistance." I couldn't see da speaka but the accent said everything.
"I think I'se can handle dis meself Spot. Spot, Spot Conlon!" I turned my head and saw the Leader of Brooklyn standing there, cane at his side.
"That's me Ms. Please allow me ta..."
"You hoid 'er Conlon, she can handle herself." Oscar said holdin on to my shoit which he had somehow managed to get off.
" I sure can," I replied tryin to sound seductive. Hey, if I looked like a slut to dem I might as well act like a slut. Then I turned to Morris who had slightly loosened his grip on my arm and I began playing with his collar. Spot jes stood dere figurin out what da hell I was doin. His eyebrows raised when I began makin out with Morris. It wes a livin hell; his breathe was of vodka. Yuck, I wanted ta hurl. Slowly, I pulled away and did da same to Oscar cept his breathe was like gin. I placed his arms round my practically bare back. Den I turned to look at Spot. " You see Spot. I'se jes fine. I know wad dese two need and I intend to give it em."
I turned back towards da two slobberin dogs and reached out my hands as if to touch deir cheeks. Then, as I touched their faces. I said, " I know exactly what you need." Then with all my might, I bashed deir heads together. They conked out right on impact. I bent ova and took my shoit from Oscar's hands. "Sleep tight boys," I whispad. I stood back up, put on me shoit, and grabbed my bags. Spot was still standing dere with his jaw dropped open. I walked ova, "I told ya I'se could handle it Conlon."
"You sure did. Surprised their heads didn't crack open."
"Funny, Spot."
"Well, Ms. you know me but I'se don't have ta pleasure of knowin you."
"Oh, my name's Heidi."
"A pleasure ta meet ya, Heidi."
"Don't you wanna know how I know yer name?"
"No, everyone knows Spot Conlon."
"Gee, you really do have a big head!"
"Hey, noone talks ta me like dat. You'se betta take dat back or else I'll have ta.."
"Ta what? Soak me? Ok try, I'll do da same thin ta you dat I did ta dose two cept I'll replace da odda head with da wall."
"Yeah, well I don't let me guard off dat easily."
"Of coise not, yer majesty." I mocked.
Then, he lunged at me but instead of throwing punches he tickled me. I couldn't stop laughin and rolled back against da wall. "Don't mock me goil!" he shouted above my giggles.
"I'm shakin Spot! Please stop, I can't breathe." And wow, just like dat he stopped and offered me his hand while he helped me up.
"Hope yer stomach don't hoit ta bad...oh chit, stomach....lunch...Tibby's. I'se gotta get ta Tibby's, would ya like to accompany me, Heidi?"
Great he's goin ta meet up with Cowboy. "Um, no thanks Spot. I'm headin ta Central Park. But I'll be round."
"Well, ok. I'll guess I'll see ya sometime soon. Nice meetin ya.
"Oh, Spot?"
"Yeah"
"I may not have needed you today but that don't mean I'll neva need yer help."
"I'll be dere for you wheneva ya need me." he smiled.
"Thanks, bye." I turned da corna and headed for da park.
Chapter 3
Soon, I found meself surrounded no longer by buildins but by trees. "Aaah, Central Park!" It wes as beautiful as I thought it would be. Hard ta believe you'd fins so many trees on ones side and then turn around to see nothing but buildings. I meandered throughh the trees and laid against an elm dat faced a pond. I wes exhausted. Not only was I sufferin from a severe case of time travel lag but I'd barely gotten any sleep dat night at Crick's house.
"What am I gonna do? Everyone thinks I'm a harlot and I ain't got nowhea ta go. Well, dere is da Lodgin House. True I had met Jack, Mush, and Spot but common to them I'se a trollop. I'd neva fit in. Well, Spot did say he'd help me out. Maybe....
That's all I remembad thinking befoa I dozed of ta sleep. I would have stayed dere all night if my growlin stomach hadn't woken me up. I got up and reached for me bags. They were still dere, had ta be a miracle! Geez, I ain't eaten all day. I might as well see if Tibby's is any good.
The sun had jest disappeared as I began headin back to Manhattan. I took busy streets to avoid anodda dangerous incident. It wes bout 7:30 when I found da place and without thinkin of nothin but me stomach I walked right in. Boy, was I surprised ta see Jack, Mush, Spot, Blink, and all da odda Newsies when I walked in. Damn, I didn't think dey ate hea all da time! You'd think they'd at least go to a few odda joints.
Luckily they were all da guys I'd met dat aftanoon were all too engaged in a conversation to notice me so I took a seat at da bar and ordered chicken and mashed taters. I tried not ta eavesdrop but my curiosity got da best of me.
"So we ran inta da same goil taday, huh Spot?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, and dat goil, Heidi, handled da Delancys all by herself."
"No kidding. Where'd ya say she was goin?"
"Central Park. Wonda if she wes plannin on spendin da night dere. She had all dose bags with her so it didn't look like she had a place ta stay."
"Wait," Blink said, "you say she had some bags wid her?"
"Yeah, why?" Spot asked.
"I saw her at Central Park . It's a good thin too cuz she wes sleepin and some guy was bout ta jump her but I soaked him good." Woah! I'm gonna have ta thank him for dat lata!
"Guys?" I heard da oh so familiar voiceof Race ask.
"Yeah," dey all said.
"This goil you all met. You said she had brown hair past her shoulders, dark skin, and dressed kinda different, right?"
"Uh huh," Mush said, " her legs were showin. Gosh she was a sight. Think she's a whore?"
"Well, you sua let her know how you thought she looked, Mush." Jack joked.
"Aw shuddup!"
"Ok I will, but I wouldn't doubt it if she was with all the skin she was showin." I knew it!
"Bare legs and some big bags wid her?" Race asked.
"Yeah Race, why you'se seen her too?" Spot asked.
"Sure have and I'm lookin at her right now." I choked on my wata and started ta cough.
"Where?" I assumed he pointed at me cuz I heard footsteps comin my way. Out of da corna of me eye I saw da five of em standing dere. I turned round and smiled. "Hey Jack, Mush, Spot, Blink, Race. So you'se guys serprised ta see me?"
"Hey Heidi, so you'se been listenin to oua convasation?" Spot asked.
"Yeah, I wes. I usually don't eavesdrop but when yer sitting with yaself it's a little hard not ta."
"Well then don't sit by yaself, sit with us at dat booth. I won't take no fer an answer." Jack said offerin me his hand.
"Okay Kelly, I guess it won't hoit." I took his hand and was bout ta reach for my stuff when Blink said, "Allow me Ms." He bent down and carried my bags to their booth.
"Um, thanks Blink. That's twice taday you'se helped me."
"Gee, I guess ya hoid everythin didn't ya?" Mush asked shyly.
"Yeah Mush I did."
"Well um I wes jes wonderin ya know cuz..."
"Dats ok Mush, I ain't no whore." They all looked at me serprised. "Yeah I'm showin my legs but where I'm from people dress like dis."
"You mean in Florida?" Jack asked. He wes sitting next ta da window on me left.
"Um well, yeah..." I wes gonna leave it at dat but asked, "Guys I know you'se don't know me enough ta trust me but would ya believe it if I told ya I wes from da 21st century?" I expected them ta laugh deir heads off at me but instead they jest looked serprised. Da odda newsies all hoid whad I said and gathad deir chairs round da booth.
Finally, Blink asked, "Really?"
"Here," I said showin dem my pocket calendar. Then I pulled out my wallet and showed him my ID with expiration date. Spot took my wallet and filed through da pics I had in dere.
"Hey, dats Blink and Jack and oh...me! Dats me picture, dats me picture!" I blushed.
"Uh, yeah I got dat off whad dey call a computer. You can write stuff on it like a typewriter, play poker, and find all sorts of neat info, like a library on what they call da internet."
"Why wes our pics on dis computer?"
"Well, they have a flick bout you'se guys and da strike. So I lied bout seein ya in da papes Jack. But I really am from Florida."
"So why'se our pictures in yer wallet?" Blink asked.
"Oh, hehe cuz you guys are real cute. Some guy friend of mine back home thinks you'se live in da 21st century cuz I showed him yer pic, Jack." The three of them were da ones blushin now.
"Why did ya want him ta think I wes alive den?"
"To get back at him I guess. Ya see I used ta like him and he would continually drop hints dat he liked me but he neva did ask me ta be his goil. We spent da entire weekend togedda at sem campout and den a week lata he went out wid dis odda goil. Next time I saw him I gave 'im ta cold shoulda. Later I talked to him and he honestly didn't think I liked him da way I did. Bout that time I wes gettin hehe obssessed with yer movie "Newsies" and began wearin a bandana jes like you Jack. Dis guy, Trevor, asked me bout my bandana one day and I told him I got it from you. Den I showed him yer pic."
"Wow," they all said. I smiled recallin da look on Trev's face when I told him bout Jack.
"So, this uh, movie," Spot began, " I guess dey showed me a lot huh?"
"Oh, gosh, Spot. Yeah dey showed enough of ya ta get thousands of fans to write stories bout ya. Dere's tons of fans out dere dat write stories bout you'se guys."
"Fans?" Mush asked.
"Yeah. They have tons of stuff on the internet bout you'se guys oh and pics, lots!'
"Of all of us?" He asked again.
"Yep, all of you." They all sat back with an amazed looked on deir faces. Race went back to lookin at me wallet and looked inside, "Woa! You'se got enough money ta be da mayor himself!" I tried ta get me wallet back but he took out my bills and started countin.
"Forty, sixty, ninety..."
"Holy cow!" Blink broke out.
"Ahem, oh let's see ninety-five, ONE HUNDRED!"
"A hundred!" several voices perked.
"Wait, dere's more. One-twenty, one-forty, one-fortyfive, one hundred and forty-nine dollas!"
"God!," Mush said, "you could live off of dat fer a year!"
"Yeah ok, give me my money back Race!"
"Ok here ya go."
"All of it, Race," I saw him jokingly take a five. Yeah, I'se stingy and I wasn't gonna let noone not even Racetrack Higgins steal from me. He took da five and put it in my hand. Jes den da waiter came with our food. We all ate quickly but in between bites I filled dem in on practically everything from da future. They soaked it all in while devouring deir food. When I finished I turned my head ta da guys at da booth and Snoddy, Skitts, Dutchy, and all da oddas, "Well, ya guys gonna turn me inta an asylum?"
"Course not!" Jack said, "we all believe ya!"
"Yep" "Sure do!" they all replied. Good, they don't think I'm a psycho. The waiter den came with all da bills. Before he started ta pass em out I took the receipts and looked em ova. Den I handed him enough money ta pay da bill.
"Gee thanks," Spot started," you'se didn't have ta do dat." All da odda guys showed me deir gratitude.
"Don't mention it boys. All my pleasure. I'se best be goin now. It's gettin late." I squeezed my way out of da booth, took my bags, and practically ran out da door. I turned down an alley and felt a hand grab my elbow, Jack.
"Heidi, you'se got no whea's ta go. Why ya runnin? We'se don't scare ya do we?"
"No, Jack ya don't. It's jest dat I feel weird cuz I know a bunch bout you'se guys but you barely no nothin bout me."
"Well, I awready like da little I know and I'se sua ta like da rest. So, come on back wid us." I wes blushin again but thank goodness for da dark.
" Ok Jack, I'll go to da Lodgin House but Kloppman won't like it will he?"
"Don't know but we'll get ya in eidda way." He offered me his arm and I gladly took it. From da corna we saw Spot, Race, Blink, and Mush come out. "Well guys, we broke 'er."
"All right, she's sleepin er I mean stayin wid us!" Blink said. I laughed.
"Sure Blink we know what you were thinkin." Mush said play punchin him.
"You'se gonna stay in Manhattan tanight, Spot?" I asked.
"Coise I'se gotta help settle you into your new livin arrangements."
"Wonderful," I turned and smiled at Jack. Things were gonna be al right.
Chapter 4
"Welcome to da oh so exotic Manhattan Lodgin House." Race said bowing as he opened da door, "this here is Kloppman. Kloppman dis is Heidi."
" I hope you don't mind if I stay hear sir I ain't got no place ta stay but I can pay me boardin fee."
"Well, ya look like trouble but yer character surely doesn't show it. Whose girl are ya?"
"Sorry sir I'se noone's goil. To tell ya da truth I'se hear by way of time travel. I'm from the 21st century." He lifted his eyebrows and stared at me in disbelief.
Luckily Jack spoke up, "She ain't lying Kloppman. That's why she's dressed like dat." He looked at Jack and all da odda boys. "I can always tell when you boys are lying and as weird as this story sounds I believe you Ms. You'll always be welcome here."
"Thank you very much sir. What's da nightly board fee?"
"First stay is on da house. Afta dat its a nickel a night."
"Ok. Thanks again."
"Now, Ms.," Race said playing steward once again, "if you'se will kindly follow me up these stairs, we'll show you your new home." I was so excited I tripped on the stairs and fell on Blink who was walkin up in front of me.
"Oops, sorry Blink." I felt so stupid.
"That's all right," he replied while helpin me to my feet.
"What's da matta Heidi, dey ain't got stairs in da 21st century?" Race asked from da top.
"They'se got stairs Race, lots of em. I jes tripped. Noone's poifect."
"Don't go tellin Spot dat cuz he thinks he is." He said quietly as I reached da top. Howeva, the proud leader of Brooklyn was right behind me.
"I hoid dat Race and you'se betta shut yer trap if ya know what's good fer ya." He did as advised and Blink motioned me to follow him. The room looked jes like in da movie. He led me to an oh so familiar pair of bunks with a desk in between. (If ya haven't guessed it da one da left belonged ta Race and Blink)
"You'se and Spot can take this one next ta my bunk," he said puttin my stuff down.
"You mean we're gonna share da bed?" These guys have got ta be jokin!
"No not da bed da whole bunk, top and bottom," Race said.
"But, whad about Snipes?"
"Oh, he wes in dat movie too? Well, he went back home to help wid his family since his mudda had anodda baby. So now da bunk's empty." He again filled me in.
"Ok, well I'll take da top. Dat ok wid you Spot?"
"Hey ladies get foist choice." I opened my duffle bag and pulled out my sleepin shorts, a shoit, and cosmetic bag.
"Where's da washroom?"
"Right dis way," Jack led me to da famous room whea part of "Carryin the Banner" wes sung. Though used by boys it wes surprisingly clean.
"Thanks, Jack."
He walked out and I went inta one of da stalls ta change. I got out and brushed me teeth, washed me face, and wes gonna pull out my contacts holder but decided ta keep em in. Then, I started brushin my hair fer a few minutes. "You sure are a lucky goil, gettin ta spend da night with da Newsies! God, I hope I'm hea for awhile." I walked out and put me things in me bag. Everyone had gotten undressed while I wes in da washrooms. Too bad I missed it. Gee, dey all looked so hot! The guys (Jack, Spot, Race, Blink, Mush, and Crutchy) where all round a table playin a game of slap jack wid two decks. Da guys let me slap in and we played fer awhile. Da game dragged on til finally it wes down ta Race and Spot. We all watched dem amid our chatter. Finally, dey decided ta call it a draw and we headed to our bunks. Jack's was on da odder side of mine. Jack waited fer us all ta get in befoa turning off da lights. I did my best to gracefully get on top and I must say did a pretty good job.
"Night Jack, Spot, Blink, Race."
"Night Heidi," Spot said from unda me mattress.
"Good night." (Dat was Race)
"Sleep good, least hea I won't have ta beat up anyone for ya while ya sleep." Blink said.
Afta turnin out da lights, Jack walked ova to my bunk. He bent down and said somethin ta Spot. Den, he rose, took my hand and said, "Night, Heidi. Sweet dreams."
"You too Jack and thanks." I squeezed his hand which he continued holdin for a bit and den he slowly let go. I watched him get inta his bunk and lie down. Then, I shut me eyes while the Santa Fe song began playin in me head.
~
"Wake up da presses are rollin! Come on get up ya sleep yer life away!" Ah, da eva wondaful voice of Kloppman. I'm not bein sarcastic eidda. I'd always wanted ta hear him say dat, maybe cuz I knew whad was comin next. He had jes finished shakin Blink and turned ta wake me but I wes already sittin up.
"Mornin Kloppman." I smiled.
"Well it's good to know yer in a cheery mood." he returned my smile.
"Lucky fer you I'm a moinin person. Mind if I have da hona of wakin up Cowboy?"
"Sure thing, one less person fer me ta shake."
"Goody," I smirked as I slid off da side careful not ta distoib Spot who hadn't fully waken up. I walked over ta Jack, he had the goofiest grin on his face. But he looked so cute. I almost didn't want ta wake im up, but den I thought Na. First, I started pokin him. Afta no response, I began ta tickle him in da stomach.
"Stop it, stop it!" he said groggily. Thinkin I wes Kloppman he reached out inta da air and slapped my face. It wasn't hard jes playful. I tickled harda and said, "That ain't no way ta treat a lady!" Then I softly jabbed his stomach.
He opened his eyes on hearin my voice. Guess he was shocked to see me. I glared at him and walked back to me bunk pretendin ta be mad at him. He jumped out of bed and took my elbow. I froze and smiled to meself.
"I'se sorry Heidi. I thought you'se was Kloppman, honest. Don't be mad.." I spun around now so he could see me smiling.
"Ok, Jack I forgive ya!." He now knew I wes laughin at im.
"Where ya jes playin wid me?"
"Of coise," I said takin one of Race's cigars and looked it ova. He den leaned out from his bunk.
"That's my cigar!'
"You'll steal anodda!" Sensin I wanted them all to sing, Blink came in.
"Hey bummas we got work ta do." By now, da odda has hoid us and started singin da whole song! While Mush wes punchin Jack, I changed inta black pant and a plaid shirt. I walked out of da stall right when Blink did and hoid him sing, "I smell money!"
When we walked out of da Lodgin House, dey did da flips and everything! The nun were dere too and dey actually sang. But Patrick's mudda didn't show soguess who got ta fill in? Ok I'll tell it wes me! Bet ya neva woulda guessed. Thank goodness I knew her part. The song went on dis time with no Delancys. Da only odda part I'll mention is when dey sang, "We need a good assassination!" Oh, dey do da pelvic thrust sooooo well! I thought I wes gonna die right dere in da street. We were wrappin it up and I climbed da Distribution gate with Jack. As it opened, he grapped da rope and put his hand round my waist. We slid down ta be wid da oddas.
Chapter 5
Jack let me walk up first. Whad a sweetie! When Weasel opened da window he wes serprised ta see a goil in front of him but he didn't say nothin. I put down my fifty cents, "A hundred papes!" Morris who was standing next ta him recognized my face and sneered.
"Hey dere toots!" Gee no hard feelings.
"Hey yaself, I see yer brains still woiking."
"Of coise it is how could I forget yer pretty face?"
"Jes give me my papes," I scoffed.
"Sure thing." He handed dem ta me and I walked down da steps thinkin of whea ta go.
"You'se can sell with me, Heidi." Jack said comin down afta me.
"Sounds great."
"Now da foist thin ya gotta learn is..."
"Headlines don't sell papers, Newsies sell papers. It wes in da movie and dey told of improvin da truth too."
"Geez dey gave away all me lines."
"Dat's Hollywood fer ya."
"What?"
"Oh, neva mind. So where's we headed?"
"Da harbor."
Surprisingly, I did a good job and sold out in whad wes probably record timing. I walked ova ta da corner whea Jack wes. "Hey I sold out befoa you!" "Dats cuz those loadin boys liked da way ya looked." I ignored whad he said and offad ta help rid him of his load. Wid me help we finished by eleven.
"Is da harbor always a good spot ta sell?"
"Sometimes when deres a lot of ships in like taday."
"Oh, speakin of Spot whea is he? I didn't see him dis moining."
"He gets up and buys when he feels like it. Probably showed up when we wes leaving." We walked without payin attention to where we were goin but afta awhile we found ourselves right in front of Tibby's.
"It's early but let's go ahead and get a table." Jack said takin my hand and leadin me in. His hand felt so strong holding me but he held it so gently. At dat moment I felt so secure I never wanted him to let go. But he did and we found a boot near the front of da place ordered some food. Da oddas all started to come in along with Spot. In the group I also noticed David and Les. Jack instantly introduced me as Heidi from da 21st century Florida. Dave did his uh ha thin and Jack mocked him.
" I'm serious Davey." David looked at me and seeing da honesty in me face he finally said, "oh, wow..."
"Gee, looks like walkin mouth ain't got nothin ta say." I joked.
"Hey, how'd ya know me title? Boys have been talkin bout me ain't dey?"
"Uh, no in the 21st century dey have a movie bout da strike and you'se and all da odda guys were in it. By da way how long's it been since da strike."
"Bout month."
"So it's early September here right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Cuz where I'se from it wes only August. And whad's taday?" I should've known dat I wes handlin papes all mornin.
"Monday."
"Thanks."
"So..." Once more I we showered wid questions bout my life. I answered dem quickly. Da faster I got done the sooner dey'd stop askin and I'd get ta see what dey really talked bout.
Afta lunch, I sold da afternoon edition wid Blink. When we finished sellin eighty each we headed ta Central Park to relax. (Not dat way you sickos!) We walked round a bit and finally sat down on a bench. "It's so beautiful here, Blink!"
"Um, yeah it sure is," he said not able to take his gaze off me. As I admired da scenery I noticed him leaning closer to me out of da corna of my eye. Oh crap, he's gonna kiss me! (Don't get me wrong. I wanted him too but it wes jest... neva mind.) He wes bout ta lift his hand to my face when Race came walkin down da path.
"Hey guys!"
"Heya Race!" Oh, Race poifect timing!
"Hi," blink muttered.
"I'm headin back to da Lodgin House, you two wanna come?"
"Sure," I took Blink's hand and he willingly followed. Afta signin in, Race immediately started a game of poker wid Snoddy, Pieeater, and Blink. I jumped on me bunk and tore me journal out of me poise and began writin bout my time travel. I had jes finished when Jack walked in and came ova ta me.
"How was ya aftanoon wid Blink?"
"It was nice, we went ta Central Park afta sellin and unintentionally met up wid Race. Whad you do, Jack?"
"I sold some papes but didn't do to well cuz I kept thinkin of ya."
"I had a hard time gettin ya off me mind too." Did I jes say dat out loud!? I should really keep me mouth shut but obviously he didn't mind cuz he held me hand. Oh, dere goes dat feeling from Tibby's.
"Scuse me Jacky boy, can I get ta me bed?" Spot said, our hands instantly slipped out.
"Sure Spot, ya gettin in bed a little early, huh?"
"Well I'se gonna leave early tomorra but don't worry Heidi I'll be back Friday. Maybe you'se can come ta visit Brooklyn some time."
"That'll be great Spot!"
"Sure will, night," he took my hand and kissed it. I smiled. Woah, did I jes see Jack glare at Conlon? No couldn't of.
"Night Spot," den I looked back at Jack, "I'se godda admit but I'se tired. Ain't used ta gettin up early."
"Ok, you get some rest den." He squeezed my hand like da night before and turned to da table where da guys where still playin poker. Last thing I remembered before fallin asleep was Pieeater accusin Race of cheatin.
Chapter 6
Tuesday was great. But Spot left at dawn so I didn't get a chance to say goody-bye. Kloppman officially told me I could always wake Jack up. I stuck to ticklin him and it still worked. All morning I sold with Jack. For lunch, instead of goin ta Tibby's, Jack said we could go to the Jacobs' house since Sarah was home today. Sarah! I'd forgotten all bout her! My heart sank da minute Jack told me where we were goin fer lunch and all I wanted to do was soak her. Not dat I hate Sarah or anythin I wes jes jealous.
We reached da houase and Sarah opened da door. She hugged Jack and he introduced us.
"Les and David told me all about this pretty girl from the future yesterday that they met at Tibby's. I can only assume they meant you."
"Thanks Sarah, it's nice to meet you." I hope dat didn't sound too fake.
"Speakin of da bums they ain't comin?"
"They're eatin lunch out with dad and mom today."
"When's his arm goin ta heal?"
"Doctors say he can go back ta work by next month. Well, I have to finish foldin clothes real quick. When I'm done we can eat. You two just stay here."
"Are ya don't need help?" I asked not wantin to be rude.
"No, I'll be fine it'll only take me a minute." When she left, I finally got da guts ta ask Jack dat oh so important question.
"So, Jack are you and Sarah still um togedda?"
He smiled, "No we both started ta see each odda as a brother and sister since I didn't have a family and all."
"Oh, ok." I was really, really, really glad they were not togedda. She came back and we enjoyed our simple meal. Jack and I headed back to da DO to get some afternoon papes and sold jes a few blocks from Mush who was where else, Bottle Alley. We met up wid him and picked up some vendor food which we ate on da way back to da Lodgin House. I joined in Race's poker game and wasn't doin to well.
"I wish you'd bet more Heidi. You'se rich enough to."
"Yeah, well I'se smart too Race." At da last game I actually beat him wid a royal flush. He was a bit sore but least his ego wasn't as big as Spots.
~
"Wake up beautiful." I opened my eyes to see Blink standin by my bunk.
"Mornin Blink."
"How's bout sellin wid me taday? You'se can pair wid Cowboy afta lunch."
"Sounds great!" After wakin Jack I got dressed and Blink and I headed ta da DO.
"Hey Heidi!" Jack was walkin afta us.
"Oh hey Jack, I'se gonna sell wid Blink dis mornin but I'll sell wid you afta lunch."
"Ok," his faded smile reappeared when I told him I'd sell wid him later. Blink and I got done sellin early so we hung out in da alley behind Tibby's. He told me how he got his patch and whad had happened ta his family. I'd write it down but seein how he told it to me in confidence I won't. Sorry! I didn't have much of a story to tell im but I related to him my incident wid Trevor. (How he liked me and I didn't know it. Then how I got ta like him and he led me on.)
"Are you still hurt?"
"You know, Blink. I really wes neva hoit jes disappointed. I guess I really didn't like him or else my heart would be broken. It bugged me a little til I got obsessed wid you and da odda Newsies." Whoops, wrong words! He laughed so hard we bumped heads. I quickly drew away when I heard Mush hollerin at us.
"Come on you'se guys!"
"K, Mush!" Blink yelled soundin a little irritated. We went in a took a seat next ta Jack.
"Hey I missed sellin wid you," he said puttin his arm round me.
"Well don't be ta glum cuz ya got me all aftanoon."
We were leavin and I told Blink I'd see him back at Tibby's for dinner. "Well tonight we'se goin ta Medda's."
"Ok, I'll see ya dere den." Jack and I sold at da harbor and met back up at an abandoned warehouse. He sat by me on da stairs and started ta read his last pape he'd saved. Suddenly, his face turned pale.
"Was wrong Jack?"
"Uh, dis article's bout me fadda. He got out of jail like right afta da strike but he's back fer good, look." I read da article, "Sullivan, previously released, now sentenced for life for homicide."
"Wow."
"Yeah, I didn't even know he got out of da slammer."
"I'se really sorry Jack." I placed my hand on his shoulder.
"It's ok he probably would of beat me if he found me anyway."
"Did he always beat you?"
"Only afta me mudda died. That's when he started drinkin, too. I don know whad happened ta him."
"It's obvious he was upset probably wid God and da woild ova yer mudda. Lot of people can't handle death and dey take out deir stress on uddas. Dey don't mean ta but dey'se jes so frustrated."
"Guess yer right. I neva saw it like dat befoa." He reached for my hand and held it. I gazed into his deep hazel eyes. "So um, I'm sure you have a boyfriend back home huh?"
"Actually no," I said.
"You'se mean a pretty goil like you doesn't have a guy?"
"Yep. Dat's ok dough cuz there ain't noone there I'se met."
"Whad about dat Trev guy?"
"Him, well..." I related to him my story bout that whole problem. The time seemed to fly but we headed back to da Lodgin House so I could get ready fer Medda's. I felt like changin inta somethin a little nicer. I took out my white sleeveless dress which miraculously wasn't wrinkled. After puttin it on, I twiste my hair and put it up wid butterfly clips.
"Wow," Jack said when I walked out.
"You like it?"
"Can't believe I'se escoitin such a beautiful goil ta Medda's." I smiled so big I thought my head would crack. He offered his arm and we walked togedda down da stairs and out da door.
Chapter 7
"Heya Jack, hey...Heidi?" Blink's voice broke out. "Dat you, you look so,so..."
"Overly dressed."
"No, ya look wondaful," he pulled out a chair next to me and Jack took da next seat.
"Oh, hea comes Medda," Jack said, "I'll introduce ya to her. Medda!"
"Oh, Kelly, hi boys! Jack who is dis lovely lady?"
"Medda, Heidi, Heidi dis is Ms. Medda Larkson da Swedish meadowlark."
"Pleased ta meet ya Medda."
"I da same dear. I havta start da show now, any requests dear?"
"Mmm, how's bout High Times, Hard Times?'
"So you've heard dat one. Sure I'd love ta as lon as you sing along."
"Of course." She walked up to da stage and started with dat numba. Den she walked ova to our table and we all sang along til da end.
"You've got a beautiful voice, Heidi"
"Thanks Medda." Funny, I neva considered myself any good at singing
"How's bout singin somethin?"
"Tonight? Well I don't know..."
"Come one Heidi." Blink said.
"Yeah go on!" Jack and da oddas chimed in.
"Well all right but it'll have ta be acapella unless yer piano man can magically wing."
"Bob is great be ain't Beethoven. Whad did ya have in mind?"
"It's definitely somethin noone hea has eva hoid but I'll be alright on my own."
"Great, I'll introduce ya afta dinna."
"Ok," just den our food came and everyone ate deir full. Da guys did anyway, I didn't want ta go on stage belching so I ate light. Medda had walked back on stage now and started talkin.
"Now, I'd like you all to velcome to da stage a very talented young lady." Talented she only hoid me sing one chorus and she's callin me talented! Jack nudged me and I got up and walked on da stage.
"Everyone dis is Heidi," dere was lots of cheerin and whistles. Den Medda walked off da stage. For a few seconds I jes stood dere and den I started talkin.
"Well, I hope you a enjoyin yerselves. I must say I'se new in town but I've met so many people who've been son kind ta me dey've become me best friends." Jack, Blink, and da odda Newsies who where der all beamed wid pride. "Ok nough said. Now, I'se gonna sing somethin none of you'se have eva heard befoa, it's called "Then You Look at Me". I took a deep breath and started.
"Laugh and cry, live and die. Life is a dream we are dreamin. Day by day, I find my way, look for the soul and the meaning. Then you look at me and I always see, what I have been searchin for. I'm lost as can be then you look at me and I am not lost anymore." I paused to take a breathe. Well dey seemed to like it. Da people had turned around ta listen and Race had actually stopped smokin his cigar. But I barely noticed dese thing cuz all I could do was look at Jack.
"People run, sun to sun, caught in their lives ever flowing. Once begun life goes til it's gone. We have to go where it's going. Then you look at me and I always see. What i have been searchin for, I'm lost as can be then you look at me and I am not lost anymore. And you say you see, when you look at me the reason you love life so. Though lost I have been, I find love again and life just keeps on running and life just keeps on running. You look at me and life comes from youuuuu." As soon as I finished, clappin and roaring shook Irving Hall but I could barely hear it cuz I was still lookin at Jack. I walked offstage and decided to cool down in da back fer a minute.
Jack came backstage, "You were wonderful like an angel, Heidi. That song da woids meant so much..." he drew close, bout ta kiss me when Medda came.
"Oh, darlin you were excellent. She's good Kelly, really good! Well, you two bedda get back out dere."
"K, thanks Medda."
"Oh, be sure ta come here Saturday. I'm throwing a dance.
"Sure thing," Jack escorted me through a side door and we went back to da table whereI was greeted by, "Great job" "Good singin" "Wondaful voice!"
"Thanks guys, your really sweet."
"Well, we should be heading home now," Jack said. We all walked out with Jack, me, and Blink trailing. We got to da Lodgin House extremely tired. I quickly got changed and climbed up to my bunk. I don't even know why I bodda goin all da way up here, noone sleeps on da lower bunk. Wait, yeah I do. It's so you can turn one way and look at Blink, den roll on yer odda fat side to stare at Jack. I smiled to myself and said goodnight to everyone.
~
Friday morning, I sold wid Blink while Jack went Brooklyn to get Spot. We headed ta Tibby's fer lunch. Jack and Spot where already der and we managed to sit across from dem with Mush.
"Hey, Heidi, miss me?"
"Sure did Spot."
"Good cuz I missed you." Was it me or did I see Jack and Blink look like they were gonna punch Spot?
"So, how're things in Brooklyn?" I asked.
"Dese past few days we'se been havin problems wid da Queen boys sellin in our territory and soakin some of our younger Newsies."
"Oh, so who's da leada of Queens?"
"His name's Max." Ooo, very intimidating.
"Uh huh"
"So I've been hearin thins from little boidies. Sounds like ya did a great job singin at Medda's last night."
"Yeah, I guess I did alright."
"Ya guess ya where all right?" Race said from da booth behind me, "You'se was poifect!" My face turned crimson but luckily Sarah walked in so it went back to it's normal shade.
"Hi, Sarah!" I wes da first ta greet er.
"Hi Heidi, hey boys. Listen Heidi I was in da neighborhood and wes wonderin if you'se goin to da dance tomorra."
"I had planned on it."
"Great cuz I have a dress you can use. It's really lovely, not dat your clothes aren't but.."
"Yeah, I understand Sarah. I'll come by roudn 5:30 is dat ok?"
"Perfect, see ya den. Bye."
"Bye," we all chimed in.
Jack and Spot sold papes but since it wes so nice Blink and I headed ta Central Park. We found a huge oak tree and I started to climb. Blink was not far behind me. I was doin fine but I grabbed a weak branch and it snapped. I started fallin but Blink grabbed me jes in time. We were fine for a second but then he lost his balance and we tumbled to da ground below. Luckily, it wasn't a high fall. Blink had landed on op a me and wes just lay dere lookin at each odda. Finally, he snapped out of it and stood up.
"You ok?" He offered me his hand and I stood up.
"Yeah, jes got a little wind knock out of me but I'm ok. Thanks fer grabbin me up dere." (Ok, stop thinkin dat you disgusting people you!)
"I'm afraid it didn't help much but yer welcome."
Just then we heard a cry of pain. We walked past some bushes and saw da Delancys beatin up on Les. "Hey leave da kid alone!" Blink yelled. They quickly dropped Les and walked ova to me.
"Hey suga. I missed ya dis afternoon. How come ya didn't come by?" Oscar asked.
"Well it was a nice afternoon so we thought we'd take a brake."
"Next time ya wanna relax you jes come see me." He said reachin for me but I stepped back. He grabbed me from behind and started kissin me. Blink rushed ta help but was forced to beat up Morris foist. Les helped me dough by jumpin on Oscar's back. He let go and tried ta get Les off. I wasted no time in kickin his stomach. Les slid off in time befoa I turned round and tripped him while he was bent ova in pain. Morris had run away and Blink had come up to me. He kicked Oscar once before takin my hand and Les's and we walked to da Jacobs' house.
Chapter 8
"You'se ok Les?" Blin asked.
"They didn't hoit me ta bad. I'se can still walk."
"What were ya doin by yerself?" I asked.
"Well, I went ta visit Snipes and wes comin home. Dats when Oscar and Morris bumped inta me." We were in front of deir door now and Les opened it.
Mrs. Jacobs froze from her cookin when she saw Les's poiple eye. "Oh God what happened?"
" I ran into da Delancys but Blink and Heidi helped me out."
"Well, I'm glad they came. It's nice to meet you, Heidi. The kids have been tellin me bout you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Jacobs."
"Well we betta get goin Heidi. We'se got ta meet everyone at Tibby's again."
"Bye kids, nice meetin you Heidi." We walked in to Tibby's havin joked around da whole way dere.
"There dey are!" Spot shouted.
"Where were you'se guys?" I sat next ta Jack and Blink took a seat across me.
"We were rescuin Les from da Delancy's." I said.
"Well dats twice ya beat the, up!" Mush said.
"Blink helped take Morris but da coward ran away."
"Aw, so humble," Race joked and patted my back.
"Ow!" I guess had a bruise from my fall.
"Hey was wrong?" Jack asked.
"Oh, I fell on my back."
"Da Delancy's?" Spot asked.
"No, um I was climbin a tree with Blink and I uh fell."
"Ouch dat musta hoit."
"Yeah specially cuz I fell on top of her." Blink said. The guys all teased cept Jack and Spot. "Ooops." He said lookin at me sheepishly.
"It's ok Blink," I said. The boys were still laughin and Spot jes said, "Ok everyone jes shuddup!"
You can imagine how quiet it got. Just den our food came and we ate in silence. Not dat we had nuthin ta say but we were pretty hungry. We all headed back to da Lodgin House. Blink put on his hat when we walked outside. Mush ran up from behind\n and took it runnin down da street. Blink chased it like lightnin leavin me to walk with Jack and Spot.
"Any of you'se know when da dance starts?" I asked breakin da silence
"7:30," Jack and Spot said simultaneously. Ok, den I'll have ta eat dinner afta I get ta Sarah's. When we got back Snoddy, Swifty, Itey, and Race played poker while da odda fellas gathad round me bunk and started ta tell me all bout da strike. Unsurprisingly, Spot made himself look big. We all went ta bed at midnight and I fell asleep right away. But den I woke up at 3a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep. I slowly climbed down from my bunk, quietly opened da window and somehow got up to da roof.
The sky was so beautiful and unusually clear. I was wonderin what everyone was doin at home. Sure I missed Crick and me udda friends but I sure as hell wasn't homesick. I leaned against the roof railing and looked up at da sky. I found myself startin ta sing "Santa Fe".
"..for a dreamer nights the only time of day," then from behind I heard Jack sing, "and I'm free like da wind, like I'm gonna live forever." I turned around and sang, "it's a feelin time can neva take away." Togedda we harmonized da rest of da song. In between da breaks we did dis supermergentroid dance. When da part came when he got on da horse he swung me towards him and finished da song in each oddas arms. "Dat was wonderful!" I whispered.
"Yeah, you were great. Can't believe they had my song in da movie."
"It's one of my favs. I hope I didn't wake you up goin out da window, Jack."
"No I jes rolled ova and saw you weren't dere so I saw da window was unlocked. I figad you were on da roof and I wes right."
"Yeah I couldn't sleep."
"Heidi..."
"Yes?"
"I was wonderin maybe if I could you up at Sarah's round 6:30 and we could eat dinna before goin ta Medda's. That is if nobody's asked ya yet."
"I'd love ta go wid you Jack. Noone's asked."
"Really? Great! I'se serprised ya haven't been asked."
"Nope and I'm glad nobody did." For awhile we stood dere. I yawned and Jack rubbed my shoulders.
"Ya want ta try and sleep again?"
"Sure." He jumped down to da fire escape and held out his arms. I lept down and he caught me. Gosh is he strong! Didn't even flinch. I opened da window still in his arms and we somehow managed to fit through. He gently hoisted me up ta me bunk and kissed my palm and said good night. He headed for his bunk and I brought my palm to my lips.