The Road to Harlem

6. Albert

Hi, my fancy friends! I've been busy lately, but I hope you like this chapter! I finally got to the part that I like! Love you all and tysm for 50 reads!! <33

(Finch's POV)

I opened my eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. I am safe! I stared at the ceiling until Jack yelled, "Up and at em' boys! Them papes ain't gonna sell 'emselves!" I couldn't believe that this wasn't a dream! I sat up and watched all the boys change into their clothes for the day. I watched Muriel rub her eyes and sit up in her bed. Race climbed down from his bunk and surprised Muriel with his existence. She smiled so wide like never before. She must have been as happy as me to be rid of the refuge for good.

Albert's head emerged from below my mattress and I smiled bigger than I have since my mom died.

"Are ya ready for yer first day as an official newsie?" he asked.

"Yep!" I grinned. I climbed down the ladder and put my suspenders on. Before I know it, I'm standing in front a wagon filled to the brim with newspapers. Albert put a quarter in my hand. "Ok, so yer gonna walk up ta the wagon and ask fer 50 papes."

"Ok." It didn't seem that hard. I waited anxiously for my turn to get my papers. When I got to the front of the line, the man who was giving everyone their papes looked me up and down and held out his hand. I placed my coin in his hand. "50 papes please," I squeaked. The boy who looked a bit older than me who was next to him gave me my papes. I counted them and went to join Albert and Elmer who were sitting in front of a store.

"Heya Finch!" Elmer said. "Do ya want ta sell wit us fer today ta learn the ropes?"

"Yeah, sure," I responded. I knew nothing about selling papes so it couldn't hurt to learn from Albert and Elmer.

I followed them down the street and turned a corner until they stopped in front of a store. Albert and Elmer put their papes in their bags and I followed suit.

"Okay," Elmer said, "All ya gotta do is shout out headlines, that sound interestin', and someone will get interested and buy one." Albert nodded.

"Yeah that's pretty much it," he said. He and Elmer started shouting headlines and it sounded crazy at first, but I caught on and I was pretty successful and sold all of my papes by the end of the day.

When we got back to the lodging house, it was dusk and everyone was already back. A bunch of the newsies looked really happy to see me like I would abandon them halfway through selling. The second Muriel saw me, she ran to me and threw her arms around me. When we finally pulled away, she almost screamed,"Oh my god! I'm so happy to see you! How was your first day?"

"Good, I sold with Albert and Elmer! You?"

"It was one of the best days of my life! I can't believe we're here! I've been pinching myself all day! I think I gave myself a bruise." She burst out laughing and I couldn't help but join. I couldn't remember the last time she was like this but I could get used to this. Race called her over to play cards with her and she happily skipped away after saying a quick bye to me.

When I thought everyone was asleep, I climbed out of bed and looked out the window. New York is so pretty at night.

I saw someone climbing up the fire escape and I decided to follow. When I made it to the roof, I saw Albert sitting next to the edge of the roof looking at the city. I sat down next to him and he looked surprised that I was here. "What are ya doin' hea?" he asked.

"I dunno, I saw you come up." He looked away from me to look at the view.

"How are ya likin' it hea?" He asked.

"It's nice," I answer, "To be honest, it's the best! You get to be with your friends and go wherever you want! I'm so glad I came here!" He seemed surprised by my answer. He turned towards me and I couldn't help but notice that the lighting made him look really cute. Not one person I know would approve of my thoughts so I pushed all the homosexual thoughts out of my head.

"Yeah?" He looked like he was searching my eyes for answers.

"Yeah," I lay down and stared at the stars. "The refuge was really horrible." I felt him lay down next to me and a shiver went up my spine.

"I'm sorry," he said, and he really sounded it. We just lay there in comfortable silence, thinking about our own things. I didn't even remember falling asleep.