The Rose of Manhattan

The Cripled Boy

Rose's POV

I made breakfast for Snyder and the Delancys the next morning, trying hard not to laugh as the Delancys groaned in pain at every movement. Oscar had a purple bruise covering his left eye, courtesy of Jack and Morris had a busted up lip.

Personally, I think the Jack should've beaten their asses more.

"I only wish we would've gotten more than just one of those newsies." As he said the word 'newsies' he sounded like he was dry-heaving.

Wait, did he say one?

I almost dropped the coffee pot in my hand. I instantly pictured the smiling faces of the newsies, praying none of them were here.

"Hello? Earth to Rose!!" I gasped when I felt a piece of toast hit me on the back of my head.

"Yes?" I said, snapping out of my daze.

"Cream and sugar?" Morris asked, clearly annoyed.

"Oh, right." I said forcing a laugh.

I made sure to take extra time cleaning the kitchen. I waited for Snyder and the Delancys to leave before taking an empty laundry basket upstairs to the boys' rooms.

When I opened the door, every pair of scared little boys' eyes turned to me. "Don't worry, it's just me." When they heard my southern accent, they instantly relaxed.

"Rose!!" A little boy who's name is Johnny ran up and wrapped his 7 year old arms around my legs.

"Hey little Johnny," I smiled sadly as I leaned down, put the basket down and picked him up.

Johnny's story is one of the saddest of the boys. He's been here almost 2 years and he didn't even do anything. The only reason he is here is because another kid threw a snowball at Snyder's head and it just happened to be full of pebbles. And, the boy who did throw the snowball was none other than Morris Delancy.

I gasped when Johnny gently touched the bruise that's been forming the past couple of days. "What happened?"

"Is that from when you lied to Snyder about that one boy gettin' out? What was his name?" William asked.

"Jack Kelly," Henry smirked at me.

"You really do work for Snyder." I jumped slightly when I heard a new voice. I turned around, Johnny still in my arms, to see a boy covered in bruises with a crutch leaning against his bed.

"You must be the newsie Snyder caught yesterday," I said slowly.

"That's me," he smiled. "The name's Crutchie." He tried to stand up, but gasped in pain. I put Johnny down, ran over and helped him sit back down.

"Don't move. I'm going to get some bandages and some water to clean ya up."

Before I could turn and leave, Crutchie reached out and grabbed my wrist. "Thank you, Rose."

"It's my job."

After I had cleaned Crutchie's cuts and stole some pain medication from Snyder's secret stash, I helped him lay back down. "Get some rest. That medicine will help a lot, but you are gonna get really tired."

"Thanks, Rose. I see why Jack likes ya so much." He fell asleep before I could ask him what he meant.

**********

A few hours later I was remaking some of the beds when I heard the window being jiggled open. I turned to see Jack and a few other boys trying to unlock the window. I couldn't help but laugh as Jack got frustrated that the window wasn't opening.