The Boy Who Smelt Like Cigars

Chapter 11- Babysitter

POV Brooklyn

I open my eyes to a bunch of blurry heads staring at me. They chat quietly.

"Jack! Jack! She's awake!" a voice that has to be Crutchy's yells.

More chatter. I stare blankly at the blurry faces for a minute before rubbing my eyes. My vision focuses as I stare at my hands in shock. 

One of my hands is all scratched up and my hitting hand is shades of red and purple.Jack walks in and crouches beside my bed. 

"Rise and shine Bridge. How ya doin?" he asks.

I turn to face him. 

"W-what happened?" I croak.

Jack placed two potatoes on my lap and said, "I believe these belong to you."

The boys cheer as I pick them up in disbelief.

"H-how did y-you know... w-where did... What?" is all I can piece together.

"Well, I watched ya leave alone last night and figured I's go with ya. So I's grabbed Racetrack and we went outside ta follow ya but yous was gone. Yous walk fast I guess. So we decided to look for ya cuz yous all alone and don't know da city too good. Afta 10 minutes of walkin' we turned da corner ta see you layin on da pavement outside some restaurant and Spot Conlon throwin shiners at some fat chef." Jack explains matter of factly.

So it was Conlon who took the chef off me.

"So sweetheart, I's carried ya back ta da lodge- ya welcome by da way. And Cowboy here and I cleaned ya up." Race pipes up. 

He smiles at me before popping an unlit cigar in his mouth.

"Thanks guys." I say looking from Jack and Race.

" 'Ey don't worry 'bout it. That's what friends are for." Jack says standing up to give me a pat on the shoulder.

"But seriously," he continues. "Don't go out alone at night. I don't want something like dis happenin ta ya again. Yous was lucky I's followed ya. Next time ya might not get so lucky. Forget it. There won't be a next time. Yous our little sista now. We's don't want anythin happenin' ta ya. Ya hear?" Jack asks. 

I nod. I understood where he is coming from but it pains me to hear how much worry I caused them. My idea of a little fun completely backfired.

I hold back tears. My old master was right. I am a handful. Look what I did. I scared them on day two. 

The boys start clearing away from my bed. I lift my blanket and swing my legs over my bed to stand up. My legs are still pretty shaky and badly bruised. 

I hit the floor with a thunk. Race quickly runs over to help me up. I grip his hand tight using it as help to climb back in bed.

"Whoa now take it easy." he says. 

His big brown eyes look into my glassy eyes seeing I am on the verge of tears. His expression softens as he stares at me with sympathy.

"Are yous ok?" he asks quietly.

I appreciate his quietness. I don't want more people to notice I am upset. I take a deep breath and swallow the lump in my throat.

"I was just trying to be... tough and steal food for all of us. I never meant for you guys to get worried or feel obligated to rescue me." I croak out. 

Tears begin to rush down my face.

"Cool it with da big words." he whispers, pulling me in for a hug. 

He hushes me as I cried into his shoulder.

"Don't eva say sorry for tryin ta help someone. Ya heart was in da right place, we alls know dat. Besides I's got ta hold ya." Race winks. 

I smile at his gesture to cheer me up.

"Listen... I uh think yous should take a day off. I's can stay back with ya if ya like. Ta keep ya company." Race offers

"That's real nice of you, Race. But you don't gotta do that. I'm not gonna stop you from making money. It's Sunday! Yous don't wanna miss out on selling today." I say assuring him I'll be fine.

Race just shakes his head. 

"There'll be otha Sunday's. I'll help ya with whatever yous need taday." he insists.

"I'll be right back," he adds before standing up and heading into the bathroom.

He holds a deep conversation with Jack who is at his hip. Jack nods and walks over to me and Race heads back into the bathroom to wash up.

"So am I's makin a mistake by lettin Race babysit ya today?" he asks with a smirk.

If only I had the energy to smack him with a pillow. Instead, I just smile and shake my head no. 

He ruffles my hair and walks away. He walks over to his bed to grab his cap.

Race struts back into the bedroom and over to me. Jack looks from me to Race me and rolls his eyes. 

"Be good!" he shouts pointing at Race. 

He then races down the stairs to lead the rest of the newsies to carry the banner.

I look back at Race who is still dressed as if he was going to work. He still wears his vest and cap and his damn cigar dangling in his mouth. 

"What? Did I's miss a spot shavin' or somethin?" he asks, noticing my stare.

I blush and shake my head no. I quickly avert my eyes from him. He looks at me, now trying to read my face, but still just completely and utterly confused.

"Stay a while why don't ya." I joke gesturing my hand to his vest and cap.

He takes off his cap and vest throwing it on his bed next to me. He runs his fingers through his slicked back hair and flashes me a grin looking for my approval.

"Betta?" he asks. 

 His smile is borderline goofy. Adorable.

"Betta." I giggle mocking his accent.