Family Don't Break

CHAPTER 13

JACK'S POV:

Alex's a natural at this. She sells almost as good as me, and this is her first day. "Man eaten by an alligator at the shipyard! Only covered here!" she shouts out. A man comes over and drops a few coins into her palm, taking a newspaper. "Can't believe he actually bought that. Worst lie I've come up with yet!" she chuckles.

I wave my newspaper, calling out. A woman comes over and buys two. I stick the coins in my pocket, the metal cold against my leg. "Papes for sale! Papes! Come get ya papes!" Alex's voice attracts a rich woman in a fancy hat, a fur coat wrapped around her shoulders. She's about to hand Alex her money when she catches sight of her ponytail. She draws her hand back, a worried expression on her face.

"Dear lord, what are you doing out here selling newspapers? A young girl like you should be at home, not wearing these indecent clothes and masquerading as a newsboy." her voice is shrill, the accent of an upper class lady clear in every word.

"Well, I need the money, miss. There are certainly worse ways to get it." She pointedly stares at the prostitute standing on the corner, a man slipping her a pile of bills. The lady huffs, brushing a lock of finely curled hair behind her ear. "At least wear some proper clothes. Have you no shame? You'll never find a husband dressed like this."

"I doubt she'll have any problem with that." I walk over, crossing my arms. The lady hums discontentedly. "This is why we need the workhouses, to get vagrants like you two off the streets." I fight the urge to roll my eyes. "I have a house and parents, you know. But unlike you, we don't have the money to wear nice furs and spend all day drinking tea and playing bridge. So instead of looking down on us, maybe you should show us some respect. We certainly work harder than you do."

The lady puts a gloved hand to her mouth, her eyes widening. "Such disrespect! Girls like you turn into prostitutes too, it's just a matter of time." I clench my fists, ready to give her a black eye if I could. "Times are changing, miss. Women have more options now, whether you like it or not. I mean, by the time I'm your age, I might even be able to vote. You should come join us at the suffrage meetings, they're every saturday at noon." the lady wrinkles her nose at this. "Preposterous. You should learn your place, young lady." with that, she stomps off. I look at Alex in awe.

"That was amazing." she shrugs, beginning to hawk her papers again. "Her generation is stuck in the past. Things are moving forward. You know what I'm talking about, you formed a union. You should understand it better than anybody."

"I never thought I would end up doing that. I almost didn't. If it wasn't for Katharine, none of it would have happened."

"Katharine? Is that the reporter you told me about?" I nod. "I'd love to meet her sometime. She sounds swell." Alex and Katharine would get on like a house on fire. These two have more in common than anybody else I know. If these two put their brains together, I bet they could find a way to solve world hunger and get world peace while they're at it.

"I'm surprised you two haven't met yet. I would've thought you two would bump into each other at some point, considering how often you come hang out with us." To be honest, the only reason they haven't been introduced is probably the fact that Katharine has been busy with her job. She's publishing an article or two a week, which is pretty impressive.

"Why don't I invite her to join us for coffee?" I ask. "Sure. Just know that most girls don't tend to like me."

"I'm sure she'll love you. You two are going to be fast friends, I'm certain of it."