Carry On

Chapter 3

The next day, Jack was almost back to his old self. He bought one hundred papes and sold them all before the morning was out. He walked cheerily down the street, and back to the lodging house. He layed down on his bunk and decided to take a nap.
He woke up a few hours later and looked out the window. It was getting dark.
"Shoot!"
He jumped out of bed and ran out of the room toward the door. He found the rest of the Newsies in the common room playing poker.
"Hey Jack, where're you goin'?" DAVEY asked him.
"I got places to be, Dave, ol' pal," he smiled.
Crutchie smirked, and layed down a dime. "I'll bet you ten cents that Jackie has a date tonight!"
"I'll raise you ta twenty!" Elmer exclaimed enthusiastically.
"You drive a hard bargain... But I'll take it."
The boys shook hands.
Jack rolled his eyes and raced out the door like a shot.
He made it to Newsies Square right on time to meet Clara, who was already there.
"Mr. Kelly," she greeted the boy.
"Miss Nicholson,"
She smiled approvingly. "Good work!" Her gaze softened. "I'm proud of you, you know."
"I figured you would be," Jack smiled sheepishly.
"Where did you say we were going?" She asked.
"We are going to a little vaudeville show run by my good, old, friend Medda Larken."
"That sounds nice."
As they started walking, Jack noticed Elmer handing Crutchie two dimes.
Jack looked away, grinning.
"What's so funny, Mr. Kelly?"
"Oh, my friends placed a bet on whether or not I had a date tonight."
"Who won?"
"The one who thought I did."
She giggled as they approached the theatre.
"So the show starts in about twenty minutes. Do you wanna see the rafters?" Jack said mischievously.
"Wouldn't we get in trouble?"
"I won't."
They went through the stage door, and up into the rafters. Medda saw their silhouettes.
"No children in the theatre!" She yelled.
Jack smirked. "Not even me, Miss Medda?"
"Jack Kelly!" She exclaimed. "Come down here and let me meet your date!"
They both blushed, but did object to the comment.
Jack went up to Miss Medda and have her a hug. Medda studied Clara for a few moments before saying,"You look very familiar."
"I'm the feminist who stands in the square with a petition and a bell."
"That's where I've seen you. I'm so proud of you! Jack, you remind me to sign that."
"Will do, Miss Medda."
"The show starts in a few minutes. Do you want to sit in the audience or the rafters?"
Jack turned to Clara, looking for her opinion.
"Rafters," she answered.
They went back up and watched the show. Miss Medda came on first and introduced the first three performers. They sang and Jack looked over at Clara, who seemed to be enjoying it. When Miss Medda started singing, Clara's eyes widened. "She's amazing!" Jack smiled. "Are ya havin' fun?" "Hell yes!"
When Medda finished her song, Clara clapped louder than anyone, and whistled at the top of her lungs. Medda turned around and winked at her. Jack laughed.
"You have a passion for the arts?"
"Oh yes! I want to be in a famous stage show one day. Maybe a Shakespearian show. Like 'Romeo and Juliet,' or 'M-'" she caught herself before she said "Macbeth." Jack laughed again. "You know your theatre." She nodded.
After the show was over, Clara ran down the stairs, leaving Jack behind. She went up and started chatting enthusiastically with Miss Medda about the arts. Jack stayed in the rafters observing. That's what Clara had told him to do︎. He admired her sculpted jawline, and blemished porcelain skin. She was a beautiful person with a wonderful personality. She was inspirational.
He went down the rafters, and joined the conversation.
"You would do that?" Clara asked excitedly.
"Of course, dear," Miss Medda smiled. "Can you sing?"
"A little."
"Go on! Sing for me!"
"Alright then."
Jack and Miss Medda listened intently.
She started to sing:
How 'bout a dance?
What do you say?
I've got some moves that I've love to show ya,
Let's find a spot,
And dance the night away...

She finished the song, and they sat there stunned for a moment, and then clapped as loud as possible. Her voice was amazing.
Jack stole a glance at the clock. It was 10:27.
"Well, Miss Medda, it was a wonderful. It's getting late, and we should get going," Jack remarked.
"Yes, thank you Miss Medda. Thank you so much for the opportunity!" Clara said gratefully.
"It's no problem! I'll tell Mr. Shaw about you next time I see him!"
They bid their farewells and hit the streets. Jack walked with Clara back to her apartment. They chatted about the show and about how Miss Medda told Clara that she would tell George Shaw, the famous playwright about her talents. They finally reached her home.
"I fun tonight, Jack. Thank you for taking me out."
"Anytime. I had fun, too."
She kissed him on the cheek and started inside. Neither of them noticed it, but they both flushed a vibrant shade of pink.
*************
Jack sat on the fire escape, thinking about that night. Crutchie came out, and sat with him.
"Whatcha thinkin' 'bout, Jack?"
"About this girl I met. I really like her. Crutchie, I think I might be fallin' for her. And I'm fallin' real hard." He sighed. "But Kath... Would she want me to move on?"
"Why don't you ask her?" Crutchie asked, pointing to the sky. With that, he hobbled out.
Jack laid down and looked at the stars. "Ace? It's me, Jack. I wanted to ask you a question. There's this girl. Her name's Clara. Two days ago, I tried to kill myself. I was devastated without you. She let me know that I had reasons to live. I'm fallin' for her real hard, Ace. Do think I should move on? If you think I should, let me know. I love you, Katherine."
He sat on the fire escape for ten minutes, with no sign from the sky.
"I'll take that as a no."
He started to walk inside, when he felt a drop on his head. It had started to drizzle lightly.
"Thank you, Ace."
{AN: Sorry it was so long. Stuff had to happen though, if there are to be advancements in the ship.}
-C ★