From The Journals of Katherine Plumber

September 8th, 1899

5 weeks. 5 wonderful weeks. Yes, I had no job. I had no life other than seeing the Newsies each day, but I didn't care. I was with Jack. That's all that matters. Our days were exactly alike. Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Jack would stay with me. No matter, first thing I did in the morning was go see the fellas. I would help with the younger ones and make sure all of them were ready for the day. Once they all left for work, I would spend most of my day looking for work or walking around the park. A few hours before supper time, I would find Jack and sell with him. He always seemed to get a little more when I was with him.

After we were done selling, we would go have supper with the boys. Well, whatever we could find to eat. Father was still sending me $60 a month, which covered rent and left $5 for anything else I needed. Jack was now steadily drawing for The World, so he had an extra $5.25 a week to put towards food and clothing for the boys. After supper, we would stay together till late then I would either go home or stay with him.

As I woke up this morning, I felt a rough hand on my hip, the sun beaming through my window and onto my cheek. Thing is, it was Friday so I didn't expect to wake up next to Jack, but there he was. He slept so contently next to me as I placed a hand on his cheek. His eyes opened and he smirked at me, "Mornin'." He mumbled.

"Morning." I smiled, "What are you doing here?"

"Don't ya rememba' fallin' asleep on da way 'ere last night?" He asked.

"No." I giggled.

"Ya fell asleep on my shoulda' while walkin'. Ise carried ya for 4 blocks." He chuckled.

"Sorry." I said with a soft giggled.

"Don't be." He smirked, a finger under my chin to have me look up at him. I blushed lightly as he kissed me deeply and quickly, "Ise like da feelin' of youse in my arms."

I blushed and smiled, "We should get up."

He sighed and nodded, sitting up on the edge of the bed. He slipped his suspenders over his shoulders and stood. I smiled at him, standing and putting my robe on, "So, Jack, I was thinking, and since I can't find a job right now maybe I could sell with you today? You know people pay more when they see a girl with you. Remember that time that lady gave us 50 cents?" I asked.

He chuckled, "Y'know, ya becomin' a Newsie more and more." He smirked at me, throwing his blue shirt over top of his under shirt.

I giggled, "Is that a 'yes, I can come'."

"Ace, Ise don't want ya out dere dat much. Bein' a Newsie ain't safe. Da way da Delancey's hurt you,... people like them target newsgirls more." He said, holding my hand, "Ise can't have ya gettin' hurt."

"I'll be fine. I survived the Delanceys. I think I can survive anyone. Plus, you'll be at my side. Or, are you sayin' that you're too weak to defend the both of us? I suppose, if that's what you are saying, I will just walk the streets on my own all day and wait for you." I said with the smallest smirk. Jack's biggest insecurity was not being able to defend the people he loved, and I may have used that in my favor to get what I wanted sometimes. I was bad, but then again, I wasn't the most good girl.

Jack gave me a look and groaned, "Fine. But, ya ain't leavin' my sight."

"Yes, sir." I smirked, standing.

I ran over to my dresser and grabbed a blue skirt with a gold-ish tan colored belt and a blue jacket to go over my ruffled white blouse. I went to my vanity and placed my clothes on it, sitting to do my hair. Jack looked at me and chuckled, "Ya ain't gonna be wearin' dat on da streets. Ya look like a powder puff."

"What?" I asked, turning to look at him.

"Da reason people give us more is cause we're poor. Ya dress like dis, ya look like we belong on da Uppa' East Side." He said.