The Queen of New York

Chapter 5: Our Rooftop

My eyes slowly open and I stretch my arms before quickly getting changed. I look out the window and I smile as I climb out of it, I climb up the outside stairs making my way the rooftop. I see Crutchie and Jack sitting on the roof already, "Hiya, boys." I call out and they turn to look at me. I sit in between them and Jack puts his arms around me.

"Drink in da view, little sista." Jack sighs as we look at the view.

"Our penthouse! High above da stinkin' streets of New York!" I add on, with wonder in my eyes.

"You'se two is crazy." Crutchie laughs.

"Why? Cause we likes fresh air? Cuz I like seein' the sky and stars?" I ask him with a huge smile on my face.

"Those streets down dere. They sucked the life right outta our old man. Years of rotten, starved on by bosses, an when they found him broken, they tossed him to the curb like yesterday's papa," Jack takes a breath, "Well, they ain't doin' that ta me or ma sista."

Crutchie nods, "But everyone wants to come to New York?"

"New York's fine, for those who got a big strong door ta lock it up. I tells ya, there's a whole otha world out there." I sigh softly.

Jack stands up and leans over the edge of the building, "You keep ya small life in the big city. Me, give me a big life in a small town." Get ready to hear about our Santa Fe plans.

Jack: They say folks is dyin' to get here. Me, I'm dyin' to get away, to a little town out west that's spankin' new. And while I ain't never been there, I can see it clear as day. If you want, I bet'cha you could see it too.

Dixie: Close ya eyes, come with me. Where it's clean an' green an' pretty. And they went an' made a city outta clay. Why, the minute that ya get there, folk's we'll walk right up and say, "Welcome home, son, welcome home to Santa Fe!"

I smile as a dreamy smile grows on Crutchie's face as we talk about our dream of Santa Fe.

Jack: Plantin' crops, splittin' rails! Swapping tales around the fire, 'cept for Sunday when ya lie around all day. Soon ya friends are more like family, an' they's beggin' you to stay! Ain't that neat?!

Dixie: Livin' sweet!

Dixie/Jack: In Santa Fe!

"You's got folks there?" Crutchie asks us and I scoff

"Nah, I don't need folks. I got friends," Jack responds and I hit his arm, "And my little Songbird." Jack puts his arm around my shoulder and I lean on him.

"Hey, how's 'bout you come with us?" I ask Crutchie and his eyes widen.

"Me?" He asks as I reply and I walk over to my friend.

"Yeah! No one cares 'bout no gimp leg in Santa Fe!" I tell him excitedly.

"Yeah, you just hop a palomino. You ride in style!" Jack exclaims and I jump on his back, he runs around while giving me a piggy back.

"Picture me, ridin' in style." Crutchie laughs at us.

"Hey, I bet a few months of clean air, you could toss that old crutch for good!" I smile at him and I get off Jack's back.

All: Santa Fe, you can bet! We won't them bastards beat us. We won't beg no one ta treat us fair and square. There's a life that's worth the livin', and I'm gonna do my share!

Jack: Work the land, chase the sun!

Jack/Crutchie: Swim the whole Rio Grande just for fun!

Crutchie: Watch me stand! Watch me run.

I see Crutchie's eyes fill with tears and I put my arms around his shoulders, making sure he's looking at me.

Dixie: Hey, hey. Don't ya know that we's a family. Would I let ya down? No way.

Jack walks over to us and puts his arms around the both of us,

Jack: Just hold kids, till that train makes.

Dixie/Jack: Santa Fe.

Jack sends me a sad smile before I sigh and walk over to the ladder, "Time for dreamin's done boys, get a move on. These papes won't sell themselves," I smile at them before walking down the ladder and into the boys room, "Hey, Race, Specs, come one! Get up ya lazy bums" I yell at the boys and they all slowly get out of their beds.

"Ya heard her, lads!," Race jumps out of his bed, "The Queen gave ya an orda."