Bound To Rain

July 28, 1900

~Olive's POV~

It's been rather boring without Elmer around. It's only the second day of him in Brooklyn, but it got lonely quick. I got up when I usually did, got ready for the day, and went downstairs. Crutchie went up to me.

"Hey, Olive, ya wanna sell with me today?" He asked.

"Sure." I nodded. We then went to the gate, slower since I wanted to keep his pace. The headline was already up and the gate was open.

Bell Boys End Strike.

"That was fast." Crutchie commented.

"Well hopefully they's gonna tomorrow." I said as we walked to the stand to buy our papes. I got 50, Crutchie got 25.

"Where d'ya normally sell?" The lame boy asked, limping along next to me.

"By the park." I told him.

"Let's go there." He nodded, hobbling faster. When we got there, I shouted out a fake headline.

"Wolf appears at dog shelter!" I yelled.

"Bush fire near harbor!" Crutchie called.

We finished selling early, at around noon.

"So he's gone ta Brooklyn?" Crutchie asked quietly as we walked through the park.

"Yeah." I nodded.

"How come?" He pressed.

"I dunno." I shrugged.

"I's neva thought he'd just leave." The lame boy muttered. "Without sayin' bye at that."

"I dunno." I said again.

"Did anythin' happen with ya both recently?" He asked.

"Actually..." I trailed off.

"OoO!" Crutchie nudged me. "What happened?"

"He kissed me." I mumbled.

"That's great!" He exclaimed.

"He ran away right afta." I shook my head.

"It don't sound like Elmer ta just go for it." The lame boy murmured.

"Harriet told him ta." I told him.

"Makes sense." He nodded.

"But why'd he go ta Brooklyn?" I asked.

"I dunno." Crutchie shook his head, deep in thought. "He's gonna come back."

"How d'ya know?" I took off my cap.

"He ain't gonna last every long in Brooklyn." The blond boy told me. "Them Brooklyn boys is big."

"They's bullies?" I gasped.

"Some of them." Crutchie nodded. "Reed, Fisher, Badger, Ben, Troll..."

"They ain't gonna hurt him, are they?"  I asked worriedly.

"Couldn't tell ya." The crippled boy limped along with me. I imagined a group of boys punching and kicking Elmer. What if Spot partakes in it?

"I hope they don't." I muttered. We had turned around, heading back to the Lodging House. We walked alot of the way in silence until we reached Newsie Square.

"Have ya got any goils?" I asked.

"Nah." Crutchie shook his head.

"Why not?" I questioned.

"No-one wants a crip." He told me bitterly.

"Well have ya got you eye on anyone?" I pressed. His face went into a subtle shade of red. "Who is it?"

"Miss Medda hired a goil last week." He mumbled. "She's a Bowery Beauty."

"How old's she?" I asked promptly.

"Sixteen." He responded.

"What's she look like?"

"She's got curly black hair and green eyes."

"Have ya talked ta her?" I urged.

"Once." Crutchie nodded. "Medda lets me in every otha night."

"That's great!" I grinned. "What's her name?"

"Anne." He rubbed his neck. We reached the door, so I opened it for him.

"Has Race got Honeybelle?" I asked suddenly. It'd been awhile seen I've seen her.

"Yeah." Crutchie nodded, sitting on the couch. "He's neva lettin' me have a turn!"

"I's could help that." I smiled, sitting down beside him.

We were just making smalltalk when Racetrack and Albert walked in the door. Honeybelle was perched on Races shoulder. She was getting a little bigger. I walked over and lifted the kitten off, then placed her on Crutchie's shoulder. Race gave him a sour look as he sat beside him, still smiling.

The rest of the night was uneventful. I went up to my room and feel asleep quickly. There's not much to do when your best friend left. I'm not even sure I can call him my best friend since I've only known him for a little more than a week.

~Elmer's POV~

It's been pretty miserable in Brooklyn. A group of boys (mainly Fisher, Reed, Troll, Ben, and Jasper) have been messing with me. I've already got a black eye and bruises on my arms and stomach. It'd be worse if Spot didn't have to interject every time. All I did today was sell and read Wizard of Oz. So I spent the rest of the night reading my book on the top bunk, falling asleep while doing so.