Racetrack's Newsie Races (A Racetrack Higgin's Love Story)

Chapter 2: Savior In A Newsie's Cap

We reached the racetrack 30 minutes later. Mason pulled the carriage up to the stables where they kept the horses before the races. I got off the carriage while Mason pulled the horses out. I could hear the roar of the people outside in the stands waiting for the horses to star their races. I could hear people making bets. When Mason pulled Wilder out the back I followed him into the stables. He was greeted by all the other horse workers who had obviously seen him there before. He led Wilder into one of the stalls. I went in there with Wilder. One guy came up behind Mason and patted him on the back. He was just about my age. He was wearing a newsie’s cap and a vest with a newsie’s outfit on. I stroked Wilder’s mane while Mason talked to the boy.

                “Hey, Racetrack,” Mason said, “How ya holdin’ up?”

                “Just great,” Racetrack said, “Hopin’ dat horse a yours wins today. I got money on it.”

                “Ya shouldna bet on dis house right here. It’s new to the races. Probably won’t do ya no good.”

                “It betta. I ain’t got enough money from sellin’ my paps. How come dis horse ain’t never raced? Pulitzer scared of it or something?”

                Mason laughed. “Nah, it’s his daughter’s horse. She didn’ like him to enter her horse in da races. He didn’ listen to her dis time. One of his other horses had a bum leg.”

                “How did his little girl take it?”

                “Why don’t ya ask her ya self?”

                It was the first time Racetrack had noticed I had been standing there. He stared at me with dark brown eyes widened. He stared back at him. He sure was cute with his bad boy, slick looking nature. He smiled a little as I realized he couldn’t say anything. Mason stared at Racetrack. He hit him on the back snapping Racetrack out of his trance.

                “So, uh, you’re Pulitzer’s daughter?” he asked me.

                “Yeah,” I said trying not to smile too big, “And you’re a newsie?”

                “Well, yeah. But I likes the racetrack better. Gets me more money.”

                “Is that why they call you Racetrack?”

                “Yeah, but Race is fine too.”

                “Ok, Race.”

                I saw him turn bright pink for a moment. I giggled and turned around so he wouldn’t see me blush too. I started brushing Wilder’s mane. Mason put his hand on my shoulder making me turn around. He looked annoyed, but I didn’t care.

                “What?” I asked with a smile on my face.

                “Ya flirtin’ wit newsies now?” Mason asked.

                “I’m not flirting. I was just being friendly,” I pointed out, “You’re the one that told him to start talking to me in the first palce.”

                “I don’t need ya father hearin’ about you talkin’ to a newsie. I would get fired cause I’m supposed to be watchin’ you.”

                I rolled my eyes. Mason went back outside to get out the rest of the horses. I followed him outside. I knew he was angry, but it wasn’t my fault I had talked to Race. It was his fault for letting me talk to him in the first place. Mason pulled one of the horses out. I stood there.

                “Look, I’m sorry,” I said, “I won’t talk to anyone else.”

                “Are ya tryin’ to rebel against ya father?” he asked me, “If ya are, don’t use me to do it.”

                “You think I’m using you?”

                “I don’t know. Ya sure did use me to get out here today.”

                I was furious. I pushed him which made him let go of the horse. The horse got scared and almost trampled me. I ran away with the horse behind me. Mason was running after the horse trying to catch it so it wouldn’t trample me. I kept running but my foot got caught in a sticky mud puddle. I couldn’t pull my foot out and the horse was coming fast. I kept trying and trying. The horse was gaining on me.

                “Sydney!” Mason yelled.

                I was ready to get run over when something grabbed me around the waist knocking me out of the way. I fell to the ground in the other direction as the horse ran passed where it would have flattened me. I tried to get my breathing back to normal as I grabbed my head which was hurting from the impact of the fall. The person who had knocked me out of the way was lying beside me. I sat up. Mason came running to me knelling down next to me.

                “Oh gosh, are you ok?” he asked me frantically.

                “I-I’m fine,” I stuttered.

                “Ya dad would kill me if you got hurt?”

                “Do you only think about yourself?”

                “Oh, a smart remark. Now I know you’re ok.”

                I smiled. The person who had pushed me out the way sat up rubbing his head. It was Race. He had dirt on his face now from landing face first in the dirt. I wiped some of the dirt off.

                “Race?” I said, “You pushed me out of the way.”

                “Well, I couldn’ let a pretty gal like you get trampled now, could I?” he said smiling.

                “Thank you.”

                We all stood up. Mason grabbed my hand and started to lead me back to the stables. Race track looked after us. His voice stopped me from walking behind Mason.

                “Wait,” Race yelled, “You got a name?”

                “Sydney,” I yelled back, “Sydney Pulitzer. You have a last name?”

                “Higgins. Racetrack Higgins.”

                I nodded to him and followed Mason back to the stable. That name rang in head as I walked back. Higgins…Racetrack Higgins…