Dark Alleys, Light Papers

Chapter 3

As the sun rose the next morning, the streets of New York became flooded with life. I peeked one eye open to see Jack and Crutchie looking over the edge of the penthouse. "Hey Elmer! Specs, Race, everyone get up! Them papes ain't gonna sell themselves!"

"C'mon Dot, wake up! Jack and Is'l go down to the alley and wait for youse there." He tore off my covers and I bolted upright, grabbing them back. Once the boys had what they needed, they headed down the ladder.

I jumped up and smiled, reaching for the new clothes. I quickly put them on and was amazed at how boyish I looked. I couldn't have been more grateful. I tied my blonde hair up out of my face and put the hat on. I also grabbed the two quarters I had saved from earlier and shoved them into my pockets. I climbed down the ladder and waited for the boys to return.

I began thinking on how I could stay hidden from those Delanceys. It was dangerous to stay in one place for too long. "I'll probably have to keep moving," I thought to myself. "That means leaving Jack and Crutchie. I don't want to get them into trouble. I'll leave in the middle of the night. Yeah, that sounds good, and it'll keep the boys safe." I nodded my head and watched as Jack and Crutchie came back up the alley holding some fruits.

They tossed me an apple and we were off to meet the other newsies. By the time we reached the distribution center, there were newsies lined up to get their papers. We joined the line and a blonde kid with a cigar came behind us, along with more newsies.

"Who's da new kid?" The blonde boy asked.

"This here's Alleycat." Jack introduced me to the blonde kid, who's name was Race. He also introduced me to some of the other kids: Specs, Henry, Mush, Romeo, Buttons, and Finch. As the gates opened, I looked for the Delancys. Crutchie seemed to notice and lightly laid a hand on my shoulder.

"Dey ain't here today." He assured me. I sighed with relief and realized that I was at the front of the line.

I searched the pockets of my pants and found a dime. I lightly placed it on the table and was given 20 papers. Well, not exactly given, as the papers were slammed at my chest. I ran back over toward Jack and Crutchie.

"Youse gonna sell with Crutchie today. He'll show you the ropes." Jack told me. I nodded enthusiastically.

"Hey look! Deys putting up the headline. A little late though..." Crutchie exclaimed. I watched in anticipation as the man wrote. 'Trolley Strike Drags on Into 3rd Week.' Crutchie sighed.

"Man, three weeks of da same story." Romeo exclaimed. I shrugged my shoulders and walked off to sell with Crutchie.

We's here," he said, coming to a stop on a corner. "Are youse ready to learn from a master?" he asked teasingly. I rolled her eyes and punched him on the arm playfully. He grinned. "Okay, the first thing you gotta know is the people youse sellin' ta." He pointed to a well dressed lady walking by. "The rich ladies always give sympathy so you wanna act sick or hurt to get them to buy. They is also usually the ones who give ya more than a penny per pape." I looked at him, unconvinced. Crutchie smirked. "Watch and learn," he said, heading towards the woman. He leaned heavily on his crutch and gave a pitiful cough. "Excuse me, ma'am, buy a pape?" he asked weakly. The lady gave him a sad smile. "Of course I will," she said, handing him a nickel. I looked at Crutchie in surprise as he hobbled back to the corner. "Youse is up," he laughed.

I spotted another well dressed lady and made my way over. "Excuse me, miss." I faked a coughing fit before continuing, "would you buy a pape?" The woman gave me a soft smile and nodded. "Here you are, darling," she said, giving me a dime. "Keep it," the lady said, before walking off with her paper. I smiled and made my way back over to Crutchie. He laughed and shook his head. "Good job. Now for the more complicated tips," he said with a smirk.
                          •••••
We continued to sell papers until about six, when we ran out. As we walked back, I kept thinking about running away, and more importantly, if it was the right thing to do. I stared off towards the close -to-empty streets until I heard Crutchie calling my name.

"Hey Dot. Youse ok?" He asked. I snapped out of my thoughts and looked toward the ground.

"Yeah. Just thinking." He nodded and we climbed the ladder back up to the rooftop. We pulled out our sandwiches which we had bought from the deli earlier and sat and ate. I couldn't help but stare off at the setting sun and I saw Crutchie staring at me thoughtfully.

"Youse knows we ain't scared of the Delancys, right?" He stated.

I nodded. "Why you ask?" I wondered miserably.

"Believe me, Ise know the face of one plannin' to run away. You don't have ta... Youse a part of our family now."

I smiled sadly. "I just don't want anyone to get in trouble."

Crutchie took my hand and smiled. "We ain't afraid of no trouble." I smiled back at him. "Although if ya don't mind me asking, how'd you get on da bad side of da Delancys?"

"Well, when my parents died, I was supposed to go to the orphanage but I lived on the streets instead. I may have stolen some food and done some artwork on the walls and this guy named Snyder tried to drag me to jail. I escaped him too so he got the Delancys to take me back to him. That was the first time I've ever run into them, the night you found me." I could feel the tears forming in my eyes. Crutchie hugged me and I cried into his arms. Sometimes it feels good to cry all night. It leaves you feeling better in the morning.

"It'll be ok. Youse with us now." He comforted me. He stroked my hair and my tears slowed.

I sniffed. "I'm really scared, Crutchie," I whispered.

"Youse safe with us. I promise," Crutchie told her. I looked up.

"Thank you, for everything," I said softly.

Crutchie glanced down at me. "Youse is welcome." I could still feel the tears falling but I made no noise. Instead, I decided to sleep on it.