The Goils from 'Hattan

Chapter 4

We's walked all the way from the distribution building towards the Brooklyn bridge; the sun was shining and people were out and about on the streets. I's smiled as I's grabbed a crate and set it in front of a small bakery. The bakery was owned by a little old couple, the Owens; they’s were Irish immigrants. They were the closest thing I's had as parental figures in a long time. They's would take me in when it got cold or on rainy days; and they's would give me samples of their foods that weren't good enough or pretty enough to sell. I's stood up on the crate and started calling out the todays headlines. I's sold dem all in about 3 hours; so I's counted my money and decided to go into the Owen’s bakery. I's pushed open the door as the bell above me rang. I’s saw a short gray haired women behind the counter, "Hiya Mrs. Owen.” I said while's smilin. She looked up from where she was, decorating some cookies, “Oh hello Angel, how are’ya dis aftar’noon?" she asks smilin back. “Just finished sellin’ do you’s need any help here I’s got nothin’ betta to do,”. I's spent hours in the bakery, decorating cookies, cakes and any other baked good that Mr. Owen made. “Ya betta head on home sweetie, it’s gettin dark out there,” Mrs. Owen informs me. “I’s guess you’s right. Well I’s’ll be off then.". We's say our goodbyes and I's head off into the dark streets of Manhattan. It was late when I's got to the lodging house so I's knew most of the boys would be asleep and that Tori would be out at Meddas doing one of her shows. I's took my chances and went to the tried the door but much to my dismay it was locked. I's made my way around to the back of the building and up the fire escape. I's looked into one of the windows that looked into where the newsies slept; it was pitch black in the room except for some candle light in the newsies bathroom. I's quietly pushed the frame of the window up just enough to slide in. I's left the window open for Tori knowing she would have the same problem with the door that I's did; considering it was our secret that she performed at Medda’s in the night. I's quietly made my way over to the bathroom making sure not to wake anyone up and drew a bath so I's could get all of the frosting and dirt off of me. After my bath I's changed into a large cotton shirt that went down to my knees. I's sat on my bed drying my hair when I’s hear the quiet sound of the window closing; I's looked over to see Tori tip toeing over. Once she made it over she sat on my bed and let out a sigh of relief as she leaned back into my mattress. “What's wrong Tori?" I's asked as I's grabbed my hair brush. "I’s saw something at Medda’s tonight that I’s concerned about.” she turned her whole body so she was on her right side facing me. “ I’s think I’s seen a Brooklyn newsies which can't be good ‘cause they’s ain't usually on our turf,” I's shrug, "I's don't know what the big deal is. They’s just newsies like Race or Kid or even Jack.” Tori sat up holding me by the shoulders and gave me a stern look, “They’s ruthless, Angel. You’s neva meet they’s leader Spot-” I cut her off, "neither has you’s,” she stops for a moment but kept going with her rant, "That may be true but I’s hurd things ‘bout ‘im and they’s ain't good.” I set my brush down and pushed her hands off my shoulders. "You’s need to go ta sleep you’s been workin’ too hard. You’s ain't thinkin’ straight, they’s the same as us.” she got off my bed and started to climb her lader. She stopped and looked at me again before we went to sleep "Just promise me you’s’ll try ta stay safe you's my best friend I's don't want to see ya hoit; okay,” I's look at her concerned face and nod.