Brewin' in the Boroughs

Chapter 19

"I'm back," Jack called as he made his way up the stairs of the lodge.

"Where were you?" Crutchie asked.

"It ain't important," Jack shrugged, then lowered his voice. "I'll tell youse later, after these busybodies have gone to bed. I don't need no eavesdroppin'."

Crutchie nodded and hobbled back over to the bunk he shared with Jack, sitting down to wait.

Jack made his way over to Mike, who was once again sitting alone. The boy quickly sat up when he heard the footsteps, gazing questioningly at him.

"I got somethin' for you," Jack said, holding the hat out. When he'd first gotten to the lodge he'd made sure to scrub the blood out of the hat. There was no way he'd even let Mike see it until the blood was gone.

Mike hesitantly reached forward, holding the cap carefully as he observed it. His brown eyes darted up to meet Jack's. "Is this... Ike's?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah, Ise got it back for ya. I hope it don't upset youse, I can take it back if you don't want it-"

Jack was cut off as Ike leaned forward and threw his arms around the older boy.

"Thank you," Mike choked out.

"No problem," Jack replied, a small smile growing on his face.

Mike loosened his hold on Jack and leaned back, allowing the boy to return to the rest of the newsies.

Mike sat alone, just holding the cap. He could feel some of the others watching him as they started getting around for bed, but he ignored him. He was sick of people walking on eggshells around him.

The bed dipped as someone sat down next to him and Mike fought the urge to roll his eyes. He just wanted people to leave him alone.

"Hey there Mike! How're youse doin' today?"

"I'm fine Romeo."

"You sure? It's been a long day. It's been rough for everyone."

"I really am fine. You guys don't need to be so worried about me all the time!" Mike exclaimed softly.

"We're just tryin' to look out for ya," Romeo's face fell and Mike immediately felt guilty, though he pushed it back.

"That ain't gonna work on me."

"What are you talkin' about?" Romeo sounded puzzled, but Mike knew better.

"Wese all caught on to that trick by now. You ain't foolin' me."

Romeo gave up, shrugging with a smile. "It was worth a try."

Mike didn't seem amused and Romeo quickly turned serious. "I was bein' honest. We're just lookin' out for you."

Mike sighed. "I know, I just feel like you guys are always expectin' me to bawl like a baby any time you even mention Ike."

His point was proven as Romeo watched for the flinch that sometimes came when Mike heard his brother mentioned.

"See? You did it right there."

"I'm sorry! We just don't wanna upset youse!"

"If you really wanna help, start treatin' me like normal. The sooner I move on, the better I'll feel. I'm so tired of cryin' all the time."

"It's okay to cry, we don't think nothin' less of you for it!" Romeo insisted.

"I know," Mike replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just don't like it. I'm sick of cryin' when someone brings him up, I ain't a kid. I want to be strong, I don't want to cry all the time. Ike wouldn't have liked it either. After tonight, I'm done actin' like a baby."