Silence (Newsies Fanfiction)

Chapter 2

Davey's mother opened the door. "David, you're home! How was your's and Les's first day of selling? And-" she glanced over at Liana and Jack. "Who might you be?"

Davey stepped forward. "This is Jack Kelly, my new selling partner, and this is his sister Liana-"

"Marcs," Liana interjected.

He nodded. "Liana Marcs. she sings at Medda Larkin's Vaudeville."

"It's nice to meet you Ma'am," Liana said.

"It's nice to meet you, too," she beamed. "Come inside, stay for dinner!"

"Thank you Ma'am," Jack said.

They stepped inside. Mrs. Jacobs hurried around the kitchen, preparing dinner. "Dinner will be ready in five minutes."

A couple minutes later, they were all sitting around the table eating the dinner that Mrs. Jacobs had cooked. Davey's father had joined them. Jack was recounting the tale of how he had escaped from the refuge  on the back of the governor's carriage, his eyes lighting up and his hands flying around in wild gestures as he talked. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs were charmed by him, and Les was practically in love. Liana had been silent through out the entire meal, save for a bit of polite talk at the start of the meal.

Davey was sitting next to her, with Jack on his other side. He was not fully paying attention to the conversation, but was watching Liana. He caught her eye and she looked up. He noticed there was something  sad in her eye. "Whats wrong?"

"Nothing," she shook her head. How could she explain that she was intensely envious of him and his happy, laughing family? How could she explain that his mother reminded her of her own, long since dead? That would certainly dampen the mood.

He didn't look like he believed her, but let the subject drop. She made her excuses, and got up for the table to find the bathroom.  Away from the happy chatter of the dining room, she splashed water onto her face. Memories consumed her.

A tiny four year old girl was sitting on the floor in a slightly run down apartment building. She held a limp rag doll in her hands. A young woman sat in a chair a couple feet away, sewing. 

"Mommy?" the little girl whispered. "Will you read to me?"

"Alright, love." She set aside her mending, and smiling, reached for a book that was laid near the chair. "Come here."

The little girl jumped up and clambered onto her mother's lap. She curled up against her warm body, clutching her doll to her chest. The woman opened the book and began to read, her voice like warm tea.

A six year old girl sat at a small wooden desk in her own living room, studying a textbook that was laid out in front of her. She was still small for her age, and pale. A tired looking young woman read over her shoulder. Her mother and teacher pointed to a definition in the book. 

"Mommy?" the girl asked. "I don't understand this."

The woman knelt down beside her and began to explain the concept.

A seven year old girl, tiny and pale was lying in her bed, shivering, cold sweat dotting her forehead. Her eyes were closed. Suddenly, she shot upward, screaming. Her mother was sitting on the end of the bed. She took her daughters hand and hugged her tightly. 

"Shhh love," she whispered into the girls ear. "Its going to be okay."

The girl flew into a fit of coughing. After a few seconds, she stopped. Her mother made her drink her medicine,  and then made her lay down. "Sing to me, Mommy." Her voice was weak and scratchy.