A Newsie Story

*AUTHOR'S NOTE: THIS STORY IS BASED OFF THE MUSICAL NEWSIES BUT YOU DIDNT HAVE TO SEE THE MOVIE TO READ IT.*

"That's my cigar," my best friend Race says taking the cigar quickly from my mouth and sticking it back in his own. I let him take it without a fight since I never win anyhow. The air from the city of New York slowly streams into my lungs. Today will be a good day. I can sense it.

Race looks at me carefully. We are sitting under an old bridge in a more deserted part of town. No one walks by much at all. Davey will be here soon and then we will be able to discuss what we need to.

"Liv. Do ya eva just wanna give up? To just let go a all the relationships you've built an jus' disappear?"

I look up at him startled, "No, I can't say that I have. Why would I want to disappear. I have you and Davey and that is all I need."

"Don't ya eva want mo'e though. Maybe a family, o at least someone ya know who will always be aroun," he looks at me with his big brown eyes pleading me to understand.

I don't understand though. I never understand his rants that involve family. I have my friends that will always take care of me and that is it. "You have Davey and myself. What more do you want?"

"I jus' wanna know that someone will always be there with me. You will go off an get a husband one day. Davey will go an be the president of a major company an I will be alone unda this bridge with no one aroun anymo'e."

The thought of myself leaving the bridge and getting a husband makes me ill. The bridge is my home. It's where Davey and Race found me, lying on death'a doorstep. I had come from money but once my mother had died I was sent to my aunt who hated me. She told me she was taking me to buy new hats when she took me to this bridge. I was so frightened that I wouldn't move for days. I had just expected the end when they had found me. They took care of me so that I could function properly again. I am actually the same age as Race but Davey is a year older. Boy does a year make a difference.

Davey knocks on the door to the little house we made. It is where Race and I sleep and Davey sleeps here occasionally when his family is being troublesome. We also have the a newsie stay with us every once in awhile if they need help. He opens the door and slips into the main room where Race and I sit very close to eahother. Davey bristles a little seeing the little space between Race and I.

"Hey Liv. Hey.... Race. So I sold enough papers fo both of us again Race. Why didn't you eva show up today," Davey asks not hiding his agitation.

Race grins showing off the cigar hanging from the corner of his mouth,"There were cigars that were calling my name, Davey ole pal."

Davey isn't amused by Race and I understand why. He didn't know anything about why Race wasn't there. Race could've been hurt but Davey wouldn't of known at all. Ever since Davey's little brother had died from small pox Davey has been very protective of Race. It's almost like he thinks of Race as his little brother.

"Never mind that you skipped today we need to talk seriously. I have been thinking about this for a while now and I think it could finally be a possibility. Liv, what would you think about becomin a newsie," Davey asks looking straight at me.

I nearly jump out of my seat. This is my dream. I have waited under this bridge every day imagining Davey and Race selling there papers. I have wanted to be a newsie since I came under this bridge.

Race glances over at me sensing my excitement. He puts a hand over my hand almost protectively and then stands up slowly pulling me up with him. He glares over at Davey, "Ah you out a your damn mind?"

"No, I'm really not. I'm tryin to help us survive an we just can't live on only us working. She is a tough girl and she can do it," Davey shoots back standing up as well.