The Goils from 'Hattan

Chapter 11

The next day everyone went down to Tibby’s to meet up with Denton for news on Jack. Everyone was uncharacteristically quiet. I’s sat at a table with Spot, Tori and Kid who cling to each other constantly. Tori sat with her head resting on Kid’s shoulder. I sat next to Spot who lied with his head in my lap as I nervously drummed on the table. “Are you’s okay, Angel?" Spot asked looking up at me." No.” I’s drummed my fingers louder." Doll, you’s gotta relax its gonna be fine.” I looked down as Spot when a newsie came up to me a tapped me on the shoulder." ‘scuse me, Miss Queen of Brooklyn Ma’am, but can i’s talk to Spot please.” said a very small newsie who was probably around 5. He looked pretty small for his age with light brown hair and hazel eyes. Looked up at Tori and Kid and then back down to Spot who was already starting to sit up. “Sure kiddo.” Spot sat up a gave the kid a very serious look. “ day pickin’ on you’s again, Smalls” Smalls looked down as his hands trying to cover them. Spot grabbed his hands lightly and looked over the scuffs and bruises on them. “C’mon Smalls lets go take care of dem. See you’s later Angel.” Spot pecked my cheek before he left holding Smalls hand. I looked back to Kid and Tori. “ That was weird.” Tori laughed. “ Da Queen of Brooklyn ay Angel?" I smiled at her and shrugged. “ Who knew Spot was such a fada.” Kid said. My smile grew. “ yeah, who knew.” The door opened again this time Denton walked in. He slowly made his way to Dave; shaking hands with a newsie on the way." Why didn't the sun print the story? “ Dave asked tossing his paper onto a table. “ ‘Cause it never happened.” I stood up. “What do you’s mean it never happened?” everyone started yelling. “If it's not in the papers it never happened. The owners decrees that it not be in the papers therefore it never happened. Anyway, I came to tell you fellas goodbye.” You could hear everyone in the rooms disappointment. “ What happened did you get fired?” Dave asked worried." No, I got reassigned back to my old job as the Sun’s ace war correspondent. They want me to leave right away. The owner thinks that I should only cover the important stories so, yep, wish me luck fellas. At least half of what I wish for you. They don't always fire you, David. I would be blackballed ( haha I'm crying I can't) from every paper in the country.” Dave turned to Denton." Hey, I'm a newspaper man. I have to have a paper to write for. This is the story I wrote about the rally, and I want you to read it, at least” He said as he placed the paper in Dave's hand and left. “ What do we do now?" I plopped back down into my chair with my head in my hands. Dave crumpled up the paper and threw it onto a table. “ We break Jack out of the Refuge tonight. From now on we don't trust anyone but the newsies.” Everyone got up and started to head out of Tibby’s.

Later that night Dave, Les, Blink, Tori and I all went to the Refuge to break Jack out. We followed a carriage into the Refuge as cover so nobody would see us. Dave pointed up to a window," that's where we saw Crutchie.” A whistle was blown; we all ducked (I can't stop laughing at what ducked kept auto correcting too) behind crates and other stuff. “That's Jack.” Les said moving slightly out of his hiding place. Tori and I grabbed him and pulled him back into the shadows. “hush kiddo, you’s gonna get us caught.” Tori said trying to quiet Les. “where they taking him, Dave?” I asked peeking around Tori and I’s box. “Only one way to find out. I'll meet you guys at the square.” Dave ran off after the carriage carrying Jack leaving us to make our way home to the laughing house.