Newsies One-Shots

Chapter 111 - Jack and Race

Thinking Logically is Not Something Race is Good At.
Ship - Jack and Race (brotherly)
Era - Modern
Triggers - Running away.

Race grabbed onto his bag straps as he walked out of school, watching the cars parked nearby to make sure nobody would notice him rush away from the school.

The path to the small apartment that was more his home than any placement had ever been was practically second nature to him. It was a bit of a walk away but it was always worth it to see his big brother.

School got out at three, and it took his thirty minutes to get to Jack's apartment and Jack finished work at 5:30 so Race had around two hours to do homework and read his book.

It was going to be a perfect day.

~~~

Jack knew things weren't going to be good when a police officer showed up to his work with a patrol car outside and another officer waiting in the car. And Jack only had thirty minutes left on his shift too, then he could go back and make dinner and call Race.

"Mr. Kelly, can I talk to you?"

Jack finished helping a customer, making sure to take his precious time.

"What can I help you with, officer?"

"Jack," the officer said slowly, "you know the rules with Antonio and visitation, you can't just visit him whenever you want."

"I know. I have visitation two Saturdays every month and I can call him three times a week. I've been doing that."

"I understand that but you need to be adhering to that all the time." The officer sighed before asking the question that made Jack's heart stop. "Where is Antonio, Jack?"

"What do you mean? What happened to him?"

"Antonio's foster mother went to collect him from school but he wasn't there. Another student said they saw him leaving as soon as the bell rang. Do you know anything about this?"

Jack shook his head. "Is he okay?"

"We haven't found him yet. We decided to talk to you first, Mr. Kelly, knowing your and Antonio's history."

"What? Why? He could get hurt. I've been at work all day and haven't seen him, you can ask my boss. I haven't left the building."

"Where is your boss?" the officer asked. Jack pointed to the old lady that ran the small bookshop he worked at.

As the officer walked away Jack started to serve customers. He smiled at a teenager buying a book he'd seen Race with many times.

"This is a great pick," he said.

The teenager perked up and smiled slightly at Jack. "Have you read it?"

"No, but my little brother's read it more times that I can count and I trust his judgement."

"My friend's read it a load of times, that's why I'm buying it."

"Good thinking. I hope you enjoy it." Jack said as he handed over the teenager's change.

Jack served a few more customer before the police officer walked back over to him.