Hidden Romances

¢нαρтєя 4

The next day my father wanted to take me out to lunch. Just him and I. He wanted to catch up on what's been going on at school while he was away. I got dressed in one of my casual-looking dresses and loosely braided my light brown hair down my back, letting some of the front pieces fall out. I get downstairs to see my father all ready to go.

"Where would you like to go for lunch?" He asked as he opened the front door for me.

"How about Tibby's?" I asked him. I didn't want to go anywhere fancy, and besides, I liked the food there. He nodded and we walked down to Tibby's, talking the whole time.

"The school play is gonna be 'Little Women' this year. I'm thinking of auditioning for it," I told him.

"That's great, sweetie!" He beamed.

We got to Tibby's and sat down in a booth near the window. The waiter greeted my dad and handed us both menus.

After we ordered and got our food, dad saw someone he knew and excused himself from the table. I sighed and looked around the crowded diner. There were a lot of newsies scattered around in different groups.

I stopped looking around when my eyes met a familiar other's. Mush. He smiled at me and I smiled back. I gave him a little wave and he got up from his crowded table.

"Well, looks like da mayor's daughter isn't all fancy and proper," he grinned, "Isn't this place a little too down in the dumps for ya?"

"Actually, no. Mush, I may be the mayor's daughter but that doesn't mean I'm like all of the other rich girls. I much rather prefer the simple little things than the big and fancy," I said. I motioned for him to sit down. "And ya know, I have a name, I thought I told you when we met," I knew very well that I told him my name, I don't know why he insists on calling me 'the mayor's daughter.'

"I know. Ellie. So, what are you doing here?" He questioned.

"I'm with my dad, he saw one of his colleagues and left to talk to him," I sighed.

"Oh, isn't da point of going out wit' ya dad actually talkin' to 'im?" He asked. I nodded.

"But, he's 'the mayor!' Sometimes his work seems more important than my sister and I," I sad, getting a little upset.

"I'm suah that's not true. You're his daughter," he said. I shrugged my shoulders and looked over to where my dad was, who was now shaking the man's hand getting ready to come back to the table.

"You should go, my dad's coming back," I said. I know how my dad feels about the newsies, the same way my mom feels about them. He just addresses the situation differently.

"Okay, good seeing ya again, Ellie," he said as he got up.

"Oh wait," he turned around before I continued, "do you have any more papers left? My dad would think it's weird if I didn't buy a paper from you," I said pulling out a nickel.

"Yea, but they're only a penny," he said as he picked up a paper from one of the newsies close to us.

"I know," I smiled. He smiled back and handed me the paper and I gave him the nickel. "Bye Mush," I said. He waved and turned to go back to his table.

Dad sat back down. "Why were you talking to a newsie?" He asked.

"I was buying a paper for you," I said handing him the paper. He looked at the headline and set it down on the table.

"Ellie, I don't want you taking to those boys," dang it. I thought he would buy it.

"I'm sorry dad," I said. He turned back to his food.

I looked over at Mush to find him already looking at me. I smiled and he smiled back.