A Newsie Story

Chapter 18

I walk over to the Delancey house dressed in a light blue dress that makes my eyes pop. "I wonder if he'll like this dress,"I ask myself quietly so no one else hears. I slap my own hand,"This is just to thank him for saving your life!" I know this is something more though even if I try to deny it.

I arrive at the house and lightly tap on the door. Morris opens it almost instantly with Oscar standing behind him in his underwear. Morris is wearing a light blue shirt and nicer corduroy pants. I smile knowing that it looks as if we planned to match.

"Hello Morris,"I say smiling at him.

He smiles back shyly,"Hello Olivia. Ya look beautiful today."

I can feel the blush spread across my cheeks but I try to hide it anyway. The house looks old today. I don't remember it being like that at night. It's paint job is pretty lousy but it's a beautiful house anyhow. I can see slightly inside the door. What I see in the first room are two disheveled beds. It's probably a security precaution.

Oscar looks at me as if it's totally natural for people to see him in only his underwear. He smiles at me,"Im glad Morris likes you. Most a the floozies he takes out he has to pay."

Morris and I blush as Oscar laughs. He said that Morris likes me! Oscar after he has laughed plenty starts again,"Anyway I'm happy that he is keepin good company. If you'se could try an keep da newsies from attackin him today that would be wonderful."

"Of course Oscar. He's got several of us on his side and we are the important ones. Spot wouldn't dare hurt him,"I start but Oscar cuts me off.

"Is it true? That Spot is ya brudda,"He asks excitedly.

I smile,"Yes he is my brother. Also Jack, Race, and Davey knows that he is alright. Crutchie likes him quite a bit nowadays. Specs knows that he saved me too. So all the leaders will keep the other newsies at bay."

Oscar comes out of his house still basically naked. He gives me a hug and whispers quietly in my ear,"Do you'se like me brudda?"

"I think so,"I whisper back.

I can feel his smile against my neck,"Try ta be good ta him. He's neva really had a goil befoah and he's real nervous about today."

I just nod this time. Dan told me yesterday that it seemed like Oscar always has a girlfriend and Morris is always alone. I feel something deep in my heart saying that today will be wonderful. Of course it will be. Not only am I getting closer to Morris but this will make Davey and Race realize that I can go with whoever I want.

Oscar breaks the hug and 'accidentally' pushes me into Morris's arms. Morris and I are both stunned as he supports me up. I laugh lightly,"Looks like I've fallen for you."

Morris's eyes get big and I see something that hasn't ever been there before. Happiness, a radiant joyful happiness that suddenly I'm feeling too. Oscar coughs,"You'se two ah gonna be late if ya keep starin into each otha's eyes like that. Go on. You can probably find a quiet place ta do that lata."

We both blush again as Morris links his arm around my arm that isn't occupied by the crutch. We walk silently at first but we are the kind of people that aren't even shy at these times. Morris starts quietly,"So uh what did my brudda say to you'se?"

"Oh nothing really. He just said that it was a lovely day,"I say not wanting him to know that I admitted that I like him. Morris stops walking suddenly and lets out a little pained sound.

"What's wrong,"I ask touching his arm.

"This is the place that you was hurt,"Morris says quietly.