Six Years From Now

Part Twelve: Goodbye

They laughed and Winnie and Sarah went downstairs to help bring in more crates.
Once the boxes were all in, they didn't stop. For the rest of the afternoon there were no breaks. They patched clothes, organized food, made trips to stores, and threw together makeshift beds.
By the time the first newsies began trickling into the apartment, Winnie was exhausted. Sarah and Katherine sat next to her at the table. Hugo was out making one last trip to the store.
Elmer was the first to come.
Sarah handed him an apple and asked, "How was it today?"
He flashed a weak smile. "Pretty rough. If we hadn't won the strike I wouldn't have a cent in my pocket right now."
"Where's Crutchie?" Winnie asked him.
He shrugged and took a bite of apple. "Haven't see him all day."
Winnie bit her lip in anxiety.
"He said he was going to see Jojo," Finch said as he came through the door.
"Do you know when he'll be back?" Winnie asked.
"Hard to say. He hasn't been himself since the fire. And I don't mean-" He motioned to his leg.
Winnie nodded. "I know."
She sighed, wishing that Jesse would come and yet dreading the moment when he would.
When she'd have to say goodbye.

Jojo spiraled into a coughing fit again, the third one in ten minutes. Jesse tilted a glass of water at his lips.
Buttons had been there earlier, but Jesse had insisted that he sleep, even though they both knew Buttons was too anxious about his brother to even doze a little. The nuns had put him in a room right next to Jojo's.
Sister O'Neill came through the door with a fresh tray of bandages and water. Behind her was Dr. Ronnel.
Jesse stood and moved out of the way. From the corner he watched Dr. Ronnel apply salve to the burns.
Jesse asked, "How's he doin', Doc?"
Ronnel sighed. "The wounds might heal, but he'll never get over this cough. That is, if he survives. And I'm afraid that is unlikely. All we can do now is pray for a miracle."
Sister O'Neill made a quiet, strangled gasp and hurried from the room.
Jesse didn't say anything else as he settled back into the corner. The doctor's voice resounded in his head. A miracle.
The idea came to him like a flash of lightning. With no further words, he slipped from the room and went outside.
"Crutchie! What are you doin' out here?" a familiar voice asked.
Jesse turned and squinted against the setting sun to see Davy in his ice wagon.
"I was visitin' Jojo," he replied.
"Oh. Right. I was planning on comin' tomorrow," Davy said as he glanced at the convent. He sighed and looked back down at Jesse. "Want to ride back to the apartment or-"
"Actually, could you drive me to the train station?" Jesse interrupted.
Davy looked surprised. "The train station? Why?"
"I just need to get outta town. I've got enough money saved up for a ticket. Cargo, anyway."
"You're leavin' us? Just like that?" Davy asked in disbelief as Jesse climbed up next to him.
"That's not like you, Crutchie," he continued as he reluctantly flicked the reins. "You wouldn't ever leave your friends at a time like this."
"I have to," Jesse said with a twinge of guilt.
"I just don't believe it," Davy said, shaking his head.
"Look, I'll be back," Jesse replied in an attempt to apologize. "It'll only take a day or two."
Davy looked at him. "Well, all right. I trust you."
"Thanks, Davy," Jesse said. They drove on in silence until he said, "Just don't tell anyone I've left, would ya?"
"I won't," Davy promised.
A few moments later they arrived at the station. "Thanks Davy," Jesse said as he swung down.
"See you around," he replied. With a flick of the reins he disappeared.