NeuroQueersies ~ The Diverse Story of the Newsies' Strike

Epilogue/Author's Note

Wow. A mirror. A full circle.

I am not ready for this.

Except I do want to write this.

This isn't going to be too too long I don't think (but we never know haha).

Well, here's to the end.

Enjoy! :)

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They all go about their day selling papers, and what they do when they're done is when their paths diverge.

In the darkness of backstage of Medda's theatre, while Les is watching the show, Jack explains everything about his past to David.

Denton and Katherine walk back to the apartment, ready to write the story up, arms around each other. Katherine's other hand is holding Sarah's.

Race and Spot go to Sheepshead, making playful bets against each other of which horse is going to win.

Kid Blink and Mush walk around the city together, holding hands, talking, laughing. They brush noses and grin and blush, just like they did when they first got together.

Crutchy, Boots, Skittery and Tumbler, Bumlets, Specs, Itey ... all the newsies, really, have found something to do. They smile up at the sun, happy for how this day has gone. They all feel like finally, everything is going to turn out okay.

And, by the end of the day, they all go home.

David and Jack are the last to make it to the Manhattan Newsies Lodging House. 

On the inside, Jack is ecstatic that David agreed to come. On the outside, he tries to remain as calm and collected as possible. Heart beating faster than a speeding train from nervousness and excitement, he opens the door and gestures for David to walk inside.

David takes in all his surroundings, and it's like being washed over by a gentle wave of safety and love.

All around him, newsies are talking, laughing, smiling. There's a cadence to it. 

In all this chatter David hears many languages being spoken; some are newsies teaching others their first language, some speaking their first language fluently with others. And there's not a single disgusted face as they do so.

There are lots of newsies fidgeting with their hands, too. Those who are sitting down bounce their leg. Newsies who are talking excitedly a million miles a minute about the things that they're interested in. Some making animal noises at each other. And there's not a single disgusted face as they do so.

Older newsies playing with younger newsies, smiling at them fondly.

Bonds between newsies so close it's like they truly are related.

There are the newsies who are unwrapping the bandages layering their chests, knowing that it's not good for them to keep their chest bound for much longer. There are newsies approving them as they unwrap their chests, smiling. They call them he and him to help them feel better. And there's not a single disgusted face as they do so.

And then there are the couples. There's Kid Blink and Mush holding hands and brushing noses, then kissing, then their foreheads pressed together, smiling. There's Race and Spot (who came here after Sheepshead with Race), holding hands, grinning at each other. Spot gets bold and kisses Race on the cheek. Race's eyes widen in surprise, and then he kisses Spot back. And there is not one single disgusted face as they do so.