The Lesser Kelly

Chapter Nine: poor GUYS Head is SPIning

"You ever think i didnt wanna be found."

I slapped Jack across the face.  "Ow! Hey what was that for?"

"For being an idiot, and disappearin, and leavin the boys, and makin me worry."

"Oh so now you care where I am!"

Davie stood next to me and grabbed my hand, whether just because he wanted to hold my hand or to stop me from hitting Jack again I dont know.

"Is that a real place? That Santa Fe?" Davie said quickly diffusing the situation.

When he didnt answer I spoke up "Did ya see the papes? We made front page Jackie! Above the fold!"

Davie nodded "Above the fold." He said holding up a pape.

"Good for you." Jack said as he went back to working on his painting.

"Come on, everyone wants to meet the famous Jack Kelly."

Jack just looked up at me "I read the article Emerson. They aint tryin to see me, youse the famous one now."

I snorted "Says the president of the union of the newsboys of lower manhattan."

"Dont matter. We got stomped into the ground."

"So they got us this time, but with press like this our fight is far from over." Davie said.

"Every Newsie who could walk was out there sellin papes this morning. Like the stike never happened."

"I wasn't. Cause we i got to the gate, i saw Weasels face. He was nervous, so i walked away. Besides If ida had my way half our boys wouldnta been out there."

"Why cause theys bruised? You do realize they'll live through a couple punches right?" 
Jack stood up and got in my face.

"Romeo has scrapes on his face that keep reopening when he opens his mouth. Someone had a knife, they got Albert and Blink bad. Theres a gash the size of my hand on Specs arm. Some one bit Tommy Boys arm and now its swollen, Jo-Jo is walking with a limp. Those boys should not be out there but they are. You cant say I'm babyin them."

"The fact that they are already back up and working scared Weasel too. The Delancys clearly were too. Lots of kids walked away Jack. Thats what you call a beginning." Davie said.

Jack just rolled his eyes.
"So whats goin on with you two?" He asked pointing to our interlocked hands.

"Maybe if youd not ran away you'd know."

Just then Les ran in with Kathrine trailing behind.
"There they are just like I said!"

"For cryin out loud whats a fella got to do to get away from you people?" Jack yelled.

"Theres no escaping us Jackie."

"Yeah we're inevitable." Davie let go of my hand as Les ran over.

Les knew he had gone out with a girl but didnt know it was me, plus Kathrine still thought i was a dude.

"So what's the scoop can we have the theater?"

"Pipe down we didnt ask yet."

Les turned to me "Whats the hold up? I gotta let my girl know we gotta date."

I snorted "Your goil?"

"You heard me. I've been swattin skirts all moring. Ya see fame , its one intoxicatin potion and this here girl Sally, she's a plum."

I snickered while Davie just looked mortified.
"I mean, I aint stoppin ya kid, Davie might, but i won't."

Les smiled and turned to where Kathrine and Jack had been talkin.