Brothers From Another Mother

The New Boy

    It was a crisp cold night in New York and the wind danced around the buildings with full force, it swirled and whistled loudly as it passed over, under, and through any object that came into its path. It was enough for a young boy walking alone at night in the city to almost be air-born, he was an average height for a 13-year-old but very skinny and he clearly hasn't eaten in days.

     "Papa!" He called out holding his vest close to his chest and shivering. His dad had only walked a few steps before vanishing and he was never seen again by the boy.

     "PAPA!" He screamed at the top of his lungs before the tears overpowered his eyes and he began to loudly sob while looking around frantically. He needed to go home, he needed to help his parents with his nine siblings they only listened to him and they would give his parents hell without him there to comfort every single one.

     He slumped over an old building's steps while continuing to sob for his father. The steps were old and worn down, they fit the building that it belonged to and the whole place looked like a standard boys' home but more decrepit. The boy's nose ran and he sniffed hard to try and stop the snot but the horrible stench of rot from the building was prominent and it filled his nose instead. It was strong to still be standing, the cracked brick was trying its hardest to keep the structure up but the sound of the boy's wails were bound to shatter that stability at any moment. He was deep in his sobbing fit and didn't notice the lights on the other side of the windows turning on and the door violently swinging open.

     "We don't got no money kid! Get fucking lost with your sympathy bull-"

     "TOMMY! Don't say that!"

     Both voices scared the youngster outside and he fell down the few porch steps in shock before crying even harder. The pain, shock, and emotions flooded his mind while he tried to pick himself up.

     "Look you scared him, Tommy!" The voice came from behind the teen at the door and the boy made his way to the front.

     "Hey- it's okay. You don't need to cry I promise! Why don't you come inside" he reached out a hand to mystery the child and when he felt a bony hand fill his palm he hoisted the crying child to his feet and lead him inside the bunkhouse. Many eyes were on him, none judgmental or mean, but they were soft and caring like the eyes someone would give to a lost puppy.

     The voice spoke once more "I'm Racetrack well Race for short! come to think of it I like Race way more." he laughed at himself and calmed down, "and that grump by the door is Tommyboy but we call him Tommy." He received a glare from Tommy, "what's your name?" He asked looking down at the slightly calmer kid.

     "Elmer," he said quietly wiping his eyes but Race understood.

     "Elmer?! That's one hell of a good name! Your parents must've cared about you a whole lot to give yah a good name!" The older boy tried to sound as welcoming as possible, mostly to stop the crying so the other newsies could get some sleep. The plan did work in his favor because it cracked a smile out of Elmer, a beautiful one at that.

     Race and Tommy helped Elmer get settled in on a spare bed they had, he slept almost immediately. The boys were worried because of his condition, he looked so skinny and frail, and sure some of the newsies looked like that but he was bad. Race went to call Jack to see what to do about this new boy and while he was gone Tommy decided to do an examination himself, all he needed to do was touch the child's cheek and rub the dust in between his fingers, it was ash, cold dark thick ash that covered the youngster's face. a concerned expression grew on his face because clearly, this kid was not from New York unless he worked in a factory but this much ash could only come from a mine. He has little time to dwell on the matter because Race had come back with a very visibly tired Jack.