"Carryin da bannah man ta man.  We'll be out dere...."  I awoke hearing this damn song almost every morning.  I was pretty sure I had the whole thing committed to memory.  On the step below me lay one of my best friends.  I looked down at her to see if the newsies racket had woke her up too.
Nope..... guess its up ta me ta do da doyty woyk.

"Touchdown?....hey T.d?" I shook her a little....No response.  I gave a  dangerous smirk. "Touchdownnnnnnnn......its seven o'clock da crabs ain't gonna wait ferevah  fer us ta catch 'em."  With that said I pushed her off of her step.  She crashed down onto the next step which was occupied by our friend Freckles.  I tried to hide my laughter when I saw the stunned expressions on their faces as the tangled mass rolled down two more steps until they collided with the
ground.

"Dammit Gallant! Why'd ya do dat?" Touchdown said sending a murderous look my way.  No need for an answer it was a rhetorical question.

"Well good mornin to you too sunshine."  I walked down the steps to join Touchdown and Freckles.

"Whaddya mean 'good mornin'?"  Touchdown started one of our many quotes.

"Do ya wish me a good mornin, or mean dat it is a good mornin whether I's wants it or not, or dat youse feel good dis mornin, or dat its a mornin ta be good on?" we recited at the top of our lungs together.  Freckles had walked a little ways ahead of us...probably pretending not to know us.  She did that a lot though.  We ran to catch up to her laughing and holding our now aching sides.

"We's gots plenty a time fer breakfast so we can grab a bite ta eat den git ta woyk."  I told them after looking at my watch.  I had gotten it from Touchdown for Christmas a few years back.  It was gold and on the back there was an inscription...."To my darling Benjamin....The hours I spend with you are golden."  I got a kick out of that!  Some sappy girl had it specially made for 'Benjamin' when Touchdown swiped it off the counter before she could even pay for it.

"Not da breakfast nuns again!," moaned Touchdown, "I's sick a bread.  I want sumt'in more tasty dis mornin."

"Yeah! more tasty." Freckles licked her lips

"Ok.....youse guys wanna pull da 'bakery routine'?"  I gave a dangerous smile.

We walked into the bakery at 7:15, because every morning at 7:15 we knew old man Andy would be mopping his floor, preparing his bakery for the day.  It was like clock work.  Freckles would casually walk over to the glass display case to admire the breakfast pastries.  Touchdown and I would walk over to cake section to marvel at the old man's designs.  As we praised him for his work, we heard a loud bang and turned to see Freckles groaning on the floor.

"She musta slipped!" Touchdown would cry out as we all ran over to her.

While old man Andy and Touchdown tended to Freckles, I would slip into the back room and steal a couple pastries.  Not too many, just enough to satisfy our hunger.  I felt bad for doing this to the old man.....but he was some kind of nut.  We could pull this stunt everyday and he'd still fall for it every time.  But we only did it for kicks every now and then and also as to not take advantage of him too much.  I slipped the pastries into my sack then snuck back into place behind old man Andy to watch the end of Freckles performance.

"Be more careful young lady." he'd stutter as we made our exit.

"I will!" called Freckles, "Ya crazy fool." she'd finish under her breath.

"He's not crazy he's just forgetful since he's so ancient." Touchdown stuck up for him today.

"Thank God fer old age!" I called holding the sack containing our meal in the air.

"C'mon lets head t' da docks." I said reluctantly after our 'feast'.  Every morning we'd walk the distance from Manhattan, to the docks in Brooklyn to catch crabs.  Make that TRY to catch crabs.  We didn't have nets and for those who have been crabbing before know its almost impossible to catch anything without a net.  Whenever, if ever, we caught anything we'd sell it to the market.  During the winter we would deliver books for the bookstore.  The rich people who didn't want to go out in the cold would call the bookstore to order books, to probably read by their fireplaces, and we would deliver them.  These were how we made our livings.  As to answer any question of why we live in Manhattan instead of Brooklyn......well.....good ol' Freckles and Touchdown had developed lovely little crushes on Racetrack and Snitch.  Though Race and Snitch less than knew we existed, my pals had their hopes up.  They figured if they ever had the chance to get close to their guys they could snag their hearts and become attached at the hip.

I of course didn't want this.  I didn't need a bunch of newsies to look out for, and I definitely didn't need them to look out for me.  Touchdown and Freckles were plenty.  I'd rather be looking out for just myself but Touchdown and Freckles found their way into my life.  I've been in and out of foster homes for as long as I can remember.  None of those families were ever good enough for me because they weren't my family.  Besides all they ever did was pity me, they never loved me.  So whenever I was taken in I did the most I could to make my stay as difficult as possible.  Eventually the family would send me back to the orphanage.  This was the way life worked for me.

My farthest back memory was one of my foster families taking me to the market.  I ended up wandering off and wound up completely lost.  I wandered around carts and shoppers calling for my real mother.  Although as I look back on this I don't know why I would call out for her since I don't even know her.  A woman heard my hopeless crying and came over and knelt beside me.  I told her what had happened, through tears, except I said that I had wandered off from my real mother not my foster mother in the hopes that they would return my to my true mother.  After somewhat managing to get the story out I started my wailing and asking for my mother again.  She led me to a cart.  She handed the vendor some money then handed me what she had bought (it was either a lollipop or ice cream.....I remember it was one of the two)

I suppose this treat was to keep me quiet and calm me down.  We walked side by side to a police station.  I listened while staring at my shoes as she retold my story to a cop.  She gave him her address and led me away.  We got into a carriage.  I remember looking out the window because I was afraid to look at the stranger seated next to me.  We arrived at her place and as we exited we were greeted by a little girl about my age, 5 years old.  I looked from the girl to the house to the woman trying to take in as much as possible through my wild, scared eyes.  As we entered the building my eyes darted around the rooms.  I've forgotten what it looked like but a few things stick out in my mind every now and then, but slip away as soon as they are remembered.  The woman introduced herself as Ann and the little girl (who turned out to be her niece, visiting on vacation) as Brianne.  Only a few things  stick out in my mind about what they looked like.  I do remember two things about Ann though.  She was a singer (she used to sing Bri and I to sleep.  She had a beautiful voice) and she used to always put flowers in Brianne's and my hair.  My stay lasted but a week.  I was still in bed when a cop came to take me away.  He told me my mother had come to the police station early that morning to report me missing.  I was ecstatic...... My mother....MY mother.  I didn't even bother thinking that it could have been my foster mother.

"Why did she wait so long to claim that her daughter was missing?" Ann questioned curiously.  I hadn't even thought of that but I was just to overwhelmed about seeing my mother to care.  I gathered my things (which didn't take long since I had next to nothing) and headed towards the door. Ann didn't say anything, but her niece did.

"Where's she going?"  I barely heard her but it snapped me back into reality. I had almost walked out on two people who had taken me in without a moment's hesitation.  I turned back.  Ann was crying.  I stood still, shocked with the thought that for the first time someone really cared about me.  She held her arms open and I ran to her and let myself be hugged.  I felt awkward but safe at the same time.  Slowly my awkwardness began to ease away, until I felt a hand grasp my arm.  I was yanked away from the newfound sense of security.

"Your mother is waiting."  I shook the cop off my arm to run back to Ann. She turned her back on me.  I stopped in disbelief.  I looked over to Brianne.  She was as stunned as I.

"Get!" I heard Ann say.  The ice in her voice froze my heart.  I couldn't move.

"I said Go! Now!" she didn't even turn to look at me.  I was too young to understand what was happening.  As far as I was concerned at that point she was just like any other foster family.  I turned and stormed out the door.  I quickly climbed into the carriage and turned my back to the house.  I didn't even look back when I heard Bri yelling.

"No you made her leave! Tell her to come back. Please! Say your sorry!"  I waited in the carriage silently for Ann to come out.....she didn't.  Brianne did though.

"My aunt is sorry! Come back in! Please!"  I shook my head.  Bri began to climb into the carriage.

"Then I'm coming with you."  I pushed her back out.

"No."  My action and response had upset her but she reached into her pocket and pulled out a silver ring.

"This was my aunt's an' it was supposed to be for me when I grew into it. I'm not supposed to have it yet, but here." she outstretched her arm.

"I don't want it." I said stubbornly still upset about what was happening.

She quickly put it in my shirt pocket and ran away.  I was going to throw it at her but I couldn't.  As I rode down the dirt path I let the ring dangle on my fingertips before placing it back in my pocket for safe keeping.  I wiped away a single tear that had escaped from my eye.  I blinked back the rest.

I now understood what Ann had meant when she turned her back on me.  She knew how much I wanted to see my mother, and that I felt I needed my mother. Little did Ann know that the cop wasn't taking me to see her.  I sat frantic in the back seat watching my surroundings from the window.  I knew exactly where I was and we weren't headed for the police station.  I started to jump out of the carriage but the policeman was on to me.  He grabbed me by the shoulder and forced me back to my seat.  I watched gloomily as we entered the gates of the orphanage.  They had somehow found out I wasn't living with my foster family and had sent for me.  They figured I would give Ann trouble so they took me away before I could cause any, by saying my mother was looking for me.  I don't know why they would want me back after so many failed attempts to get rid of me.  Back to my life in foster families.  Maybe it was fate.

Well if it was it was meant to be changed.  One day my latest family had me go to a Church Social with them.  I wouldn't have despised it so much if they hadn't made me wear a dress.  There, I met two other girls that refused to get involved in the activities too.  They were both nine and I was ten.  We talked and found out we all had one thing in common.  We all wanted out.  And we were determined to get out.  While everyone at the social ate cake we headed back to our houses and gathered some items.  I shoved mine in a sack and ran all the way to the train station where I was to meet up with the girls.  We left New York and wandered through states doing odd jobs for money and just seeing the world for what it was worth.  We had a plan to see every state but after six years of wandering we decided to take a break and head back to New York for a little visit.

I looked down at the silver ring which now fitted on my thumb.

"What a fine life....Carryin da banner...." the words drifted through my thoughts.  I looked at my friends gawking at Race and Snitch as the singing boys walked by.  The guys caught sight of my friends staring at them, and turned, heading our way.

Shit! I don't wanna loose me friends t' a couple a newsies.  Race and Snitch (followed by other Manhattan newsies) were no more than twenty feet away when I had an idea.

"I hope we's don't smell too bad."  I acted concerned about what the boys would think of us.

"They probably smell woise" Touchdown assured me.

"Nah, we's da ones dat woyk wit seafood remembah?" I pretended it was a joke and smiled at her.  But she took it seriously.  Exactly what I wanted her to do.

"Whadda we do now?"  Touchdown and Freckles whined.  They feared any possible flaw they had that would make the boys not like them.

"Don't worry I'll make somet'in up." I said a little too quickly.  They gave me the once over but decided to let me go talk to the boys for them.  They waved to the guys then quickly turned the corner to head for Brooklyn.  I watched them until they were out of sight.  I turned back to look at the guys but ended up face to face with Kid Blink.

"Hiya" Kid said a little too loudly into my face.

"Hi yaself an see how youse likes it." I said taking a step away from him. Blink proceeded to try and kiss my hand.  As he drew it up to his lips I yanked it away.  He looked at me with a wide and confused eye.  I raised my hand to my mouth, like I had seen so many newsies do, and spit in it.  I
stuck it out for him to do the same.  He did so, cautiously with a questioning look on his face.

"Sorry.....I's jist nevah had a t'ing fer bein treated like somet'in I ain't....jist wanna be treated like on a da guys. Ya know?"  He nodded ever so slowly.

"So...uh....?" Racetrack started.

"Gallant" I filled him in.

"Yeah, Gallant......where was ya friends headed in such a hurry?" Race and Snitch kept looking over my shoulder at the corner my friends had turned onto.

"Touchdown an' Freckles? Ta Brooklyn."

"Ta see Spot Conlon probably." Skittery said the kids name in a high pitched girls voice while clutching the wrong side of his chest.  (I knew all the Manhattan newsies names because I had been interested in the strike.  I even had a copy of the newspaper with their picture on the front page.  I kept it hidden from Touchdown and Freckles so they couldn't get their hands on it)

Most newsies laughed at Skittery who had continued to make fun 'Spot', but Race and Snitch's faces fell.  I noticed this. (Keen observation huh?) Great dey like Touchdown an Freckles....now whad am I gonna do?  I can't not tell me friends bout dis...Well I's ain't exactly positive yet.....

"Well" Race started.

"Dere's dis pawty we's havin" Snitch cut in.

"Friday at Medda's in honor a da strike an well...." Race thought a moment.

"Well would youse an yer friends like ta....uh.....well...uh...?" Race and Snitch were bumbling idiots right at this point.

"ATTEND!" Crutchy finished for them, clearly rolling his eyes. Jist say no...Dese boys'll steal me friends...jist say no But my conscience wouldn't let me.  Normally I'd say the first thing that popped into my head, but it was different this time.  I couldn't do this to my friends.

"I'll git back ta ya on dat" (Hey it was better than 'no')  Race gave an effort to smile.  Snitch looked longingly at the corner.  My friends deserved to have some fun and these guys could show it to them.

"But as far as I know we's free on dat night" I said with little emotion. This response got a better reaction.

I walked away after other small talk had been exchanged.  As I walked I went over the conversation so I could repeat it word for word to Freckles and Touchdown, when a name hit me.

Spot Conlon......familiar.....oh dats right 'e was involved in da strike too. I quickly put this name in the back of my head and kept walking.  The docks were quite crowded.  Some of the Brooklyn newsies were resting and swimming there. Hey! dey might scare da crabs away or tangle our lines!

But when I saw Touchdown and Freckles I put that thought in the back of my head too.  They were spitting out questions right and left.  I shared what I knew, which started fits of shrieking and squealing followed by jumping up and down.  I watched them in annoyance as they did this.  I never realized what prissies I had for friends.  I grew tired of waiting for them to calm down so I did the only logical thing to do when in a situation like this.  I pushed them off the dock.  Someone above me laughed.  I squinted looking up but the sun was too bright to see.  Giving up I turned back to my friends who were now splashing water at each other.

"Catch somet'in while youse down dere." I called.  They looked at each other then at me.  I hoisted myself on to the pier above before the water could reach me.  I didn't need a bath as much as they did.

"I hoid youse is goin t' da pawty Friday."  I turned to see who had been listening to the conversation I had held with my friends.  This boy was in the picture associated with the strike.  Boy was he handsome.  I put two and two together and figured it was the ever so famous Spot Conlon.  It caught me by surprise but I had to act like I didn't care who he was. Brooklyn leader or not.

"Yeah.....so?" I said as laid back as possible.  I even leaned against the post for the full effect.
What's 'e gettin at? The tone in his voice had told me this boy wasn't about to ask me to save him a dance.

"Well, I's don't recall yer havin ta do wit da strike at awl."

"So? Whaddya sayin?,(I should have stopped myself right there but I didn't) "I's ain't invited?"  I began to fiddle with my ring. (an old habit I have)  I looked up into his eyes.  Those eyes......seen too much for a boy of his age. All the newsies carried that look somewhere in their eyes.  Spot didn't hide his though.

"Dats exactly what I's sayin."  No matter how many times people show you how unwanted you are it will still hurt every time.  My trick is to act invincible, like nothing they say bothers me.  I stared deeper into his eyes, trying to prove I wasn't scared of him.

"Somet'in I's can do fer ya?" he shot at me.  Finally I looked away out at the water.

"Yeah, git yer boys away from our fishin area."

"Me boys go where dey please as do I."  He snired at me.  I looked out at his newsies.  I opened my mouth and turned to say something but he was gone.  I stood rooted to the pier for a few minutes deep in thought.

"Gallant, Gallant! We's got one!"  I jumped down to the dock below to assist my friends.  Walking back to Manhattan we sang and joked.  All in all we had a successful day.  We caught three crabs, receiving ten cents for each one. We were more then pleased with the days earnings.

"Ladies, tanight we's sleepin in style!"  I called out.  This comment started a chant of "Beds, Beds, Beds, Beds......"  I led my friends into a girl newsie lodging house and signed us in.

"That will be five cents each."  I paid the woman behind the counter and led the way upstairs.  We laid some belongings on the beds we had chosen to show that they had been 'claimed' already.  Then decided to get some dinner.

Freckle's and Touchdown took it upon themselves to decide on Tibby's since that's where most newsies ate.  We took a booth on the left side of the room. As we waited for the waiter I began to rock back and forth in my chair. (another old habit I have)

"Did ya see dat? Snitch eats 'is bread wit a fork! Ain't dat cute! I's gonna eat me bread like dat too!" Touchdown cooed while kicking the leg of my chair to see if I had been paying attention.  I shot up but didn't have time to stop the chair from crashing to the ground.  All eyes turned to me.

"Glad ta see I's got yer attention now. I, uh...I jist wanted ta let ya know dat we's, we's definitely comin ta da pawty Friday." I called to the newsies.

I heard a chorus of muffled laughter and someone say "Glad ta hear it" before I sat down, glaring at Touchdown. She just shrugged her shoulders.  I gave her the 'big mistake' look.  I kicked her shin under the table.

"Ow!" she gasped and shot out of her seat, just as the food arrived.

"I mean Ow! Dat looks hot! Heyah set it down on da table!"  The waiter watched in disbelief as she came over and took the warm platter of bread from him.

"I's didn't want ya ta boin yaself!" she said setting the platter down on our table.  He turned quickly and walked away shaking his head.  Another chorus of muffled laughter erupted from the newsies.  Touchdown sat down heavily and glared at me.  I simply shrugged my shoulders.

At the end of the meal Freckles called for the check. "Ladies," we all laughed at the word he used to describe us, "Your tab has already been paid for."  We turned in our chairs to look around the room.

"Oh look Snitch an Racetrack are waving, could dey possibly be da ones dat paid fer our food? Lets go ovah an find out shall we?" I grumbled under my breath because before these words could even leave my mouth Freckles and Touchdown were already at the boys table thanking them.  Reluctantly, I joined them.  While Touchdown and Freckles swooned over Snitch and Race I slid into a seat between Kid Blink and Mush and across from Itey and Jack. We all got to talking after introductions were made (mostly about the strike of course) but I also found out a lot about them.  I hated to admit it but the newsies were really great guys unlike that Conlon character.

Bumlets, Kid Blink, Snitch, and Race decided to see us to our lodging house after most of the newsies had returned to theirs.  I was grateful to Blink and Bumlets otherwise I would have had to walk behind the two pairs of lovebirds alone.  That would have got my temper boiling.  If there's one thing I can't stand its being left out of things.  After the boys dropped us off at our lodging house my friends practically flew in the door and up the stairs.  We walked into the room and were greeted with all our stuff thrown in a heap in the middle of the floor.  I stopped and leaned against the door frame.  My friends continued forward to pick up our belongings.

"Who's responsible fer dis?" I questioned lightly while glancing around the room.

"I am.  Yer t'ings were on our beds." she said pointing to herself and two other newsies, who nodded, confirming what she said.

"Do ya got a problem wit dat."  She was obviously the leader.  I glanced at the three.  My friends and I could take them.  It was all the girls behind them I was worried about.

"I's said-Do-you-got-a-problem-wit-dat?" she repeated.

"Yeah." I yawned.

"An so do we." Touchdown and Freckles said backing me up.  The girl just laughed at us.  While she laughed, I left the door frame and went over to the bunk I had claimed in the first place and laid down.  She walked over to my bedside.  The laughter had ceased.

"Foist of awl dis is a newsie lodgin' house an youse ain't a newsie. Second youse ain't welcomed heyah." she waited for my response.  I propped myself up on my elbow to look at her.

"I's an honest hard-woykin goyl so it don't mattah how I's makes me money. Second I ain't welcomed nowhere." I answered fiddling with my ring again. She had no idea what to say to this.

"Goodnight." I said and rolled over.  I could feel her eyes burning into the back of my head, and I could hear Touchdown and Freckles' feet shuffling across the floor to the beds the had claimed earlier.  I knew it had to be them because none of the newsies dared to move.  They stood still waiting impatiently for their leader's response to my disrespectful action.

"I know how we's gonna settle dis." she finally replied.

"So's do I an it involves you walkin out da door." I said not bothering to look at her.  She walked over to the other side of the bed, grabbed my elbow and dragged me to the floor.  My shoulder hit first with the rest of my body following.  I was so tired I almost didn't get up but when I heard the newsies laughing I pulled myself onto my feet.

"Dat wasn't smart" she pretended like she hadn't even heard me.

"Whoevah remains conscious gets da bed...." she started.

"An' whoevah's unconscious sleeps where dey land." I finished for her.  I had used this form of settlement many times over many disputes before.  She lunged at me, knocking me back down to the floor.  My head missed a night stand by inches.  She started pulling my hair and although it hurt I almost had to laugh at her. Is dis da best she can do?

I pushed her away.  As I got up to charge at her one of the newsies tripped me.  Back down on the floor again.  She repeatedly kicked my in my side. I guess she can do more den pull hair.

The painful expression on my face must have been what Touchdown thought was her signal to step into the fight.  She grabbed the girls shoulders and spun her around so they were face to face.  Touchdown took a step back and threw her fist into the girl's stomach.

"T.d........Touchdown.......TOUCHDOWN!" she looked at me then at the newsies edging towards her.  She still didn't let go of the girl's shoulders.

"Tank's but da fights tween me an 'er...." I waited to see what Touchdown would do.  She backed off and the newsies did the same.  I took a deep breath and swallowed the pain I felt from my side.  I took a second to see where Freckles was.

The leader didn't need to ask for anything more, she took this opportunity to resume fighting.  We flew back into the wall.  She paused when the echo of footsteps coming up the stairs was heard.  Without releasing me the leader nodded to a newsies who quickly left the room and headed toward the stairs.  I made out something about a pillow fight and how we'd try to be more quiet.  We listened as the footsteps retreated.  I watched the newsie come back into the room just as the stinging, pounding sensation came over the left side of my face.  For a quick second I couldn't see but my eyes reajusted in time to see the next punch coming.  I slid to the floor allowing the wall to catch this punch.

She crouched on the floor and held her throbbing hand.  I grabbed her good arm and twisted it behind her back and pinned her to the wall.  She was squirming and thrashing at me with her free arm and kicking at me with her feet.  I struggled to keep her pinned against the wall until she had drained some of her energy as well as some of mine. But without thinking I proceeded to put her in the 'sleeper'.  A wrestling move I picked up while watching a match.  It reduces the amount of oxygen going to your brain causing you to pass out.  The newsies watched as their leader crumpled to the floor.  A few started for me but the bigger ones stopped them.  Freckles put my stuff down on my bed and gave me this 'that was pathetic' look.

"Whats da mattah I beat 'er didn't I?"

"Yeah, but if I were youse I woulda punched da lights outta 'er."

"Oh real smart! Den you'd hafta deal wit awl 'er newsies." I replied rubbing my cheek.

"Aw shud up an git some sleep." Touchdown whined from somewhere under her thin sheets.

"Youse don't even know how ta t'row a punch" I commented looking at Freckles' back.  The only response I received was a sarcastic snore. Why'd I hafta git stuck wit da top bunk? I took a deep breath and jumped up onto the bunk above Touchdown.  I cringed as I rolled onto my side.  A good night sleep and I was sure my side would be fine in the morning  I said a silent prayer that the newsies wouldn't try anything while we slept.  Though quite nervous about having to let my guard down, I slowly let dreams take over my reality.

I awoke early the next morning to sun in my eyes and a jolting bed.  The mat I lay on would rise then fall with a bang.  It stopped and I listened intently.  The only sound I could make out was several newsies stirring.  I swung my head over the side of the bunk only to see Touchdown grinning wickedly at my confusion.  She had her feet up in the air then gave one final hard kick to the mat above her, which sent me flying up and sailing back down with a thud.  More newsies stirred and a few sat up to glare at us.  I jumped down off my bunk to beat her with my pillow.  This was a morning tradition.  Touchdown and I had carried it on for the six years we had known each other.  Each morning whoever woke up first had the 'privilege' to 'wake' the other.  Such as how I pushed her off the step yesterday morning.  Freckles declared she was too mature and delicate to be included in our childish game, but we usually let her be.  I raised my pillow for one more hit but before I could bring it down on Touchdown, it collided with something, make that someone.  I turned and grinned stupidly at the leader.  She took my pillow and threw it across the room.

"Pipe down, will ya?" she turned on her heel and walked back to where she had been sleeping, slumped against the wall.  She and her friends were falling back asleep and so was Freckles.  I was glad to see the she had kept her part of the deal and had slept where she had landed.  Touchdown got Freckles up while I went to the washroom.  We had an hour before the girl newsies had to get up, but decided to split as to not overstay our welcome.  Like we hadn't already. I opened a window in the washroom and let the cool Thursday morning air in.  No doubt it would turn into a sweltering Thursday afternoon.

"Lets skip woykin taday." Touchdown suggested walking into the washroom after me.

"An what are ya supposin we do instead?" I asked looking at her reflection in the mirror.  I bent down and splashed some water on my face, then came up and looked at her in the mirror again.

"Anyt'ing but woyk! An will ya hurry it up some of us would like ta wash our faces too!"  She was oblivious to the nine other sinks sitting all around us.

"Heyah use dis!" I said splashing some water over my shoulder.  I walked over to a closet and grabbed a towel to dry my face.

"Freckles whadda youse t'ink?" I asked while stuffing the towel and some soaps in my sack. (We would sell them when we were really low on cash. Otherwise we'd just use them ourselves)

"Bout Touchdown wantin ta wash 'er face? I t'ink it shows good hygenine" she replied also stuffing her sack with soaps.

"Youse an idiot, ya know dat?" I threw some towels at her.

"She don't wanna woyk an neither do you." Touchdown said perched on a counter.  I threw her a towel to dry her face with.  I gave in to the idea. Who wants ta woyk when dere's money ta spend.

"Well we's gots 15 cents left ovah from yesterday ta spend." I announced pulling the change out of my pocket.  Touchdown, Freckles, and I each emptied whatever else we had in our pockets.  We had a dollar between us.

"We's gonna split thoity cents each an Touchdown's gonna keep da extra ten cents fer emergoincy ok?"  Touchdown threw a glance at me but knew there was no point in arguing.  She took a moment to do some calculations in her head, then finally nodded in agreement.  I waited for Freckles to do the same, then I dispersed the money. "I t'ink I's gonna blow me money at da tracks." I said thinking out loud.  I had a thing for making bets.

"I's gonna go wit ya." Freckles volunteered.  I knew she figured Race would be there.

"Youse t'inkin a placin a bet?" I joked with her.

"Hell no! I ain't gonna waste me money I's gonna buy somet'in dat'll last! Ha! Makin a bet!" she didn't seem to catch onto the fact that I was joking.

"Like what?" Touchdown asked.

"I dunno....maybe a trinket.....or a new scarf." she looked at the sky imagining herself wearing the accessories.

"Now dats whad I consider ta be a waste a money!" Touchdown whispered to me. I nodded.

"Youse gonna come wit us T.d?" I asked climbing out onto the fire escape.

"I's ain't bettin' but I's game ta go."

The race didn't start for a few hours but I knew how the lines got at the betting windows, so we went straight there.

"Deah me! I didn't know youse was bettin ladies." came an all to familiar voice.

"We ain't.......she is" Freckles replied pointing at me.

"Well she is bettin' but she ain't exactly a lady!" Touchdown laughed at her own joke.

"Go with Real Quiet ta win," Race commented trying to sound like an expert,

"'E's a shoo-in."

"Dats where ya wrong Race. It ain't to often a hoise wins awl t'ree races in da Triple Crown. Real Quiet'll mess up an' Victory Gallop'll take away 'is title." I predicted.  I really should have gone with my prediction instead of Races'.

"You listened ta Racetrack Higgins?" Blink said throwing his hands up in the air. "'E ain't nevah won a bet in 'is life!" Blink was laughing at my misfortune.  He had come to meet up with Racetrack after the race.

"Guess, I's still got quite a bit ta loyn bout youse guys." I said trying my best not to let my frustration overtake me.  Blink wasn't helping any.

"You guessed right! By da way while we's on da subject a loynin......what happened ta yer face?" he asked admiring my latest shiner.

"Dere was a simple misunderstanding last night but I cleared it up." I replied trying to sound as tough as possible.

"How mangled was 'er face when youse was finished wit 'er?" Blink laughed.

Damn boys always laughing! Touchdown was right da kid ain't awl dere! "How do ya know it was a 'her'?" I was upset at his assumption.

"Because, ya stayed at a goyl newsie lodgin house an far as I know only goyl's stay dere!" he laughed a little harder.

Stupid Gallant! Jist Stupid!

"Would youse goyls like ta accompany us while we sell our papes den we'll head ovah ta Tibby's afta we sell a fair amount." Race spit out.  Freckles agreed but Touchdown and I decided to meet up with them at Tibby's at one. The whole point of taking a day off from work was so we didn't have to work. I was glad Touchdown could see this point too, but I knew it would have been different if Snitch were there.

"So whadda ya wanna do?" I asked after the boys and Freckles were out of sight.

"Marry Snitch, have kids an live happily evah afta." she answered without even a moments hesitation.

"Besides dat smart ass."

"I t'ink I's gots an idea.....wait heyah!" she called while running off.  I leaned against a building and started fiddling with my ring.  I hate waiting. She'll find me latah an even if she don't, den I'll jist meet 'er at Tibby's. I took one last look around to make sure she hadn't come back before I started walking.  I cleared several blocks before stopping to take a breather.  I sat down in the shade of a doorway and was dozing off until fits of shouting, whistling, and thunderous applause jolted me awake.

I took in everything I could about the building before heading over to it. Irving Hall eh? Looks familiar enough, but den again every one a dese buildings looks da same.

I saw a gap in the carriage traffic and darted across the street  I took a flying leap for the curb just as a huge man stepped onto the spot where I was about to land.  I collided into his big stomach and bounced back into the street.

"Whadda t'ink yer doin kid?" he had the deepest voice I had ever heard.  I scurried to get up and back onto the curb.

"I jist didn't wanna git run ovah." I told him honestly.  He had a booming laugh.

"Ha! You ain't gonna git run ovah! Da carriages can't come ovah on dis side a da street! Dey hafta stay ovah dere... Can't youse see we's got construction goin on right heyah? Dis whole side a da streets blocked off!" he laughed even harder.

"Oh." was all I could say. I guess I was too busy lookin at da buildin ta notice anyt'in round me.

"Yea, da dame dat owns dis joint is puttin up a new sign a 'erself. Don't see what was wrong wit da old one, but sure can't wait ta see da new one."

"Where is da old one?" I asked not really interested.

"Not sure, but I'd be glad ta take it off 'er hands! Hey, I gotta git back ta woyk! See ya lata kid! Watch out fer dem carriages!" he laughed his booming laugh and walked off.

"Yea sure, see ya" I called after him. Ya horny bastard.

The clapping, shouting, and whistling erupted again.  My curiosity got the better of me so I went in.  Well it was either my curiosity or the sweltering heat.  Music filled my ears and smoke filled my lungs.  I knew this place, no I had to be mistaken.  What I wasn't mistaken of was how badly I had to go to the bathroom.  I took a left and headed down a short hallway.  First door on the right.  I knocked.......no response, so I opened the door to the unoccupied washroom. Wow!...good guess!

I patted myself on the back for my keen sense of direction.  It was either my sense of direction or my bladder leading me.  After using the washroom I headed back to where the crowd was.  I couldn't quite see through all the people or hear over all those singing along so I decided to head to the bar. But whoever was on-stage sure knew how to work a crowd.  I sat down on the barstool heavily glad to be off my feet.

"Well, well....what have we heyah?"  I turned glad to hear a familiar voice.

"Heya Jack! Whadda doin heyah?"

"I was about ta ask ya da same question.....along wit anudder one."

"An what would dat be?" I asked kind of flirtatiously, not really even meaning to sound like that, its just the whole bar scene got to me.

"What happened ta yer face?"  I told him about the fight the night before and how I was lured into Irving Hall by all the racket I heard.  He told me about how he had come for a bite to eat and to watch his friend Medda perform.

"So dis is Medda's?" I said taking a better look at my surroundings.

"Yea, I'll intraduce ya ta 'er at da pawty tammarrah, ok?.......hey, ah.....Gallant....if youse didn't know where Medda's was den how was ya plannin on findin it fer da pawty?"

"Good question.....I dunno." I shrugged my shoulders, but he wasn't looking at me.

"Say Jack....ah.....Whadda lookin at?"

"Da goyl starin' at ya."  I turned and sure enough the girl behind the bar was staring at me

"Youse gotta problem?" I dared the girl.

"Nah," she shook her head, "I was just wondering whether youse was gonna order anyt'in" she said a little intimidated.  I eyed her suspiciously wondering what her real reason was.

"Nah, I's ain't got any money."

"Heyah...git 'er a drink." Jack ordered for me.

"No Jack....dats ok, don't waste yer...." I started.  The girl cut me off.

"Its on da house." She handed Jack his money back.  She set a glass down in front of me.

"T'anks" I said as politely as I could.  I felt bad about the way I talked to her in the first place, but she shouldn't have been staring at me like that. "Hey, whats dat in yer hair?" I asked after downing my drink.  It felt good to get a liquid back in my system.

"Its called an Iris." she said referring to the flower in her hair.

"Jack what time is it?" I asked changing the subject as quickly as possible but I couldn't get a certain thought out of my head.

Ann used ta put Irises in Bri's hair.  I could see Ann sticking the flower behind the child's ear.  She would stick tiny lilac flowers all through my hair.  I could see her run that brass brush through our hair with soft gentle strokes.  The vision soon left me and I was back at the bar.  I tried desperately to remember it again but Jack's clouded words got in the way.  I gave up and focused on Jack.

"You ok? Did ya even hear one woid I said?"

"Sorry........must be da heat." I said pulling out the watch Touchdown had given me.

"Hey why'd ya ask me da time if ya got yer own watch?"

"Guess I fergot I had one." I flipped the watch cover open and glanced at the time.

"Oh shit! It's 1:10...I'm late!..T'anks fer da drink." I said to the girl.

"Where ya headed?" Jack asked getting up too.

"Tibby's" I called over my shoulder.

"Wait up...I'll walk ya."  I turned around and tapped my foot impatiently.  I watched as Jack handed the girl money for his meal.  He let his fingers brush against hers as he slowly pulled his hand away.

"Move it lover-boy....or I's hightail'n it outta heyah wit out ya!"

"Slow down Gallant! No mattah what yer awlready late."  Jack had a good point.  I slowed down to a brisk walk.

"Take a left up dere." he pointed out a street.

"Jack, I know where I'm goin! I know where Tibby's is awlready."  I sighed when the restaurant was finally in sight.  We entered the overcrowded restaurant and scanned the room for our friends.  We spotted them and headed over.

"An jist where have  youse been young lady?" Touchdown asked mockingly.

"Findin out where Medda's is so you won't git yer sorry ass lost tamarrah night." I answered matter of factly.  Jack laughed at me, then mentioned he had already ate and told us good-bye.

"We alwready know where it is. We asked Snitch an Race."  Freckles spit out.

"So where exactly did you go T.d?"  She had her mouth full of bread (which she used a fork to eat it with) so she pointed to something leaning against the wall.  I went over to investigate.

"Do ya like it?" she asked walking over to where I was standing.  It was the best crabbing net I had ever seen even if it wasn't brand new.

"We could sure use one but where we gonna keep it?"

"Well. I figure we's could leave it wit' Harry an pick it up everyday a the way ta woyk."  Harry was the crab store owner, nice enough guy.

"How much ya pay fer it?" I wanted to know what kind of deal she had gotten. "Twenty-seven cents! Snitch was gonna pay fer it but I told 'im it wouldn't make any sense fer 'im ta do dat."

"Snitch was gonna pay fer it?" I repeated quietly.

"Yep, I ran inta 'im on da way ta buy it so I bought a pape from 'im, den 'e offered ta come wit me t' da shop an' like I's said, 'e offered ta pay fer it! Ain't dat sweet?  Well I wouldn't let 'im so 'e asked me if I wanted ta join 'im fer lunch! Can ya believe?"

"I sure can, cause 'e's standin right dere Touchdown." I said pointing at the obvious.  She slapped my hand down.

"Don't point! E'll t'ink we're tawkin bout 'im!"

"But we are!" I laughed.

"'E don't need ta know dat dough." she said shaking her head.

"How much money ya got left?" I asked changing the subject.

"Uh.......two cents I t'ink, hey Gallant how ya gonna pay fer ya lunch? You can have da two cents I's got but I doubt Freckles has any money left, she bought a scarf.....an she's itchin ta show it off. ....besides even if she had any money, I doubt she'd give it t' ya."  This did present a problem.

"Heyah, jist use da emergoincy money." she took it out of her pocket.  I shook my head.

"Nah I can't. Besides if Freckles found out she'd t'row a fit!"

"I bet she don't even remembah dat we even had any money left ovah. Jist use it." Touchdown thrust it into my hand then joined the boys.

"Well, we gots ta git back ta sellin our papes." Race motioned for Blink, Snitch, and Jake to follow him.

"Yer welcome ta join us again." Snitch suggested while scratching his side.

"We'll pass." Freckles and Touchdown answered in unison.  That caught my attention. What are dey doin?

"Well den, would ya care ta come ovah ta da lodgin house tanight fer a friendly game a Poker? Race asked not giving up.

"Poker huh?" I gave him a dangerous smile.  Race nodded.  Freckles and Touchdown knew Race had said the magic word.

"We'd be honored."  Basically I had already declared victory on the poor saps.

"Hey Gallant, ain't youse da least bit curious as ta what I's bought?" Freckles wanted to show off her new scarf again.  Touchdown had told me that while they waited for me she had shown it to each and every newsie that had come in.
"Nah." I decided to mess with her.

"Fine. I didn't want ta show ya anyways." She said obviously using a little reverse psychology.

"No! I do wanna see what ya bought! I do! I didn't mean it Freckles! I's sorry.......Please show me! C'mon show me!" I said jumping up and down.  She looked around at all the people staring, obviously embarrassed.  Mission accomplished.

"Ok Gallant, Calm down, its jist a little scarf...nothin ta git so woyked up ovah!" She hissed at me.  I rolled my eyes.  She pulled out a dainty fake silk scarf.

"I wanted a new dress so I could git rid a dese ol' rags but I's didn't have enough money." Freckles looked down at her poor excuse for a dress.

"You really do need a new outfit." Touchdown said seriously while Freckles spun in a circle to show off how tattered it was.  It had several threads dangling from where they should have been, it was shredded at the hem, there was a hole where her armpit was, and it was oversized to begin with.  It had been somewhat of a light tanish color but now with all the stains and dirt it bore it was a lovely shade of brown.

"Ya shoulda stole one a da newsies outfits back when we was at dere lodgin house." I told her.

"Dey don't wear dresses." Freckles was the only one who wore a dress.  I despised them and Touchdown, well I guess she didn't mind them, but we were perfectly happy with our long pants and 'white' undershirts.  We kept our overshirts unbuttoned and hanging loosely over our shoulders or else we just tied them around our waists.

"Freckles how much money ya got?"  She reached into her pocket and pulled out a nickel and two pennies.  She counted her fingers.

"Seven cents......why?"

I need dat money fer da poker game tanight, but Freckles ain't gonna jist hand it ovah.

"Well, if ya give me da seven cents, I'll git ya a dress."

"Seven cents won't buy ya a dress." she informed me.

"I know but if I can guarantee ya a dress will ya hand ovah da money?"

"Uh....sure...I guess." she said unsure of what the hell I was talking about.

"Ok, Freckles we'll meet ya at da lodgin house tanight, Touchdown come wit me...I need yer help."  I grabbed her arm and dragged her away.

"Freckles will ya take da crabbin net ta Harry?"  We were already too far away to hear her response.

I watched Touchdown enter the store.  I counted to what I thought was fifty, like planned then took a deep breath and casually walked in.  I prayed Touchdown had completed her part of the plan.  I glanced at her and she gave me a thumb's up sign.  She had the saleswoman in the back of the store looking for a certain type of fabric.  I quickly grabbed a dress off the nearest rack and ran to a deserted corner on the far right side of the store. I pulled on the dress and prepared to make my exit.  I knew if the saleswoman had seen me come in she'd keep a close eye on me like she was on Touchdown..  Thats why I had to sneak in.  Then I would walk out like I was a regular customer with the dress as my disguise.  I walked slowly towards the exit, admiring clothes along the way as to not draw attention to myself. Ok....jist ten more steps...nine more.....almost dere.   I heard footsteps behind me. Eight more....

"Excuse me miss?"  I felt someone tapping my shoulder.  Should I make a run for it?   I decided against that and turned around to face the saleswoman.  I glanced behind her only to see a pale faced Touchdown holding the fabric she had requested.

"Yes, Ma'am?" I tried my best to imitate a southern accent.

"Would you like any help find......"

"Run fer it Gallant! Run!" Touchdown cut her off then bolted out the door. The woman glanced at her then down at me.  She grabbed my arm then pulled a  the sleeve of the dress.  A price tag fell out.  I looked at it then up at the woman.  I smiled sweetly then with a quick yank I broke free of her grasp and headed out the door as fast as possible.  Touchdown was no where in sight as I ran into the streets followed by the saleswoman.

"Stop that girl! That street rat's a thief!"  I turned down streets I'd never heard of and probably ran into every meddler on those streets, until I was in a part of New York I'd never been to before.  I wandered, looking for anything that could tell me where I was.  I stopped to watch a father throw a
ball around with his son.

"Tweeeeeeeet!"

Great da bulls are still afta me! I quit starin and started running.  The people I passed became a blurry chain of colors.  I slowed down a bit.  While jogging down a corner a girl flew past me.  I picked up speed until I was running right next to her.  We threw sideways glances at each other and raced neck and neck until she suddenly grabbed my arm and dragged me into an alley.  We took deep breaths.

"What da HELL are YOU doin?" she spit fire at me.

"Runnin from da bulls, what da HELL are YOU doin?" I imitated her.

"Running from da bulls.......What da HELL are YOU doin?" she repeated with a smirk.  I cracked a smile at her but mostly because for once I wasn't the one being chased, she was.

"Nice dress." she said sarcastically.  I looked down.  The bottom of the dress was torn and now had dirt stains but it was still nothing a street rat would wear.

"Oh, it ain't mine. I stole it fer a friend but got caught in de act dats why I t'ought I was da one bein chased."

"Ya shouldn't be tellin people ya don't know bout t'ings ya stole" she informed me.  i quickly took off the dress and shoved it in my sack.

"Why? Ya gonna tell on me?" I pretended to whimper then gave her a puppy dog look.

"Might hafta." she laughed, "Cause dats da most pathetic look I've evah seen."  I kicked some dirt at her.  She promptly kicked some dirt at me.

"I did awl dat runnin, now I'm lost an I'm standin heyah kickin doit on some goyl dat I don't even know. Awl dis fer seven cents ta spend in a poker game, dat I's ain't even gonna make it to. Plus I don't even git da money till I hand ovah da dress." I said thinking out loud.

"Poker huh?" she questioned.

"Yea poker." I eyed her suspiciously.  Her eyes lit up.

"Do ya play any craps?"

"Freckles! Is Gallant heyah?" Touchdown ran into the lodging house room.

"No why? She in trouble?" Jack took charge.

"I hope not"  Touchdown sat down to explain what happened.

"Nah nevah loyned." I answered honestly.  She looked at me in disgust but continued.

"Da names Monroe.......Action Monroe. Yer in Da Bronx." she ushered me into a warehouse, "An dis is Crap Game Alley."  I looked around.  It was a decent gamboling hall.  I noticed there were at least two or three poker games set up in the joint.  The people at the tables didn't seem to friendly though. I'd rather play poker where I know dat when I win I can walk out alive.

"Da Bronx?...I got some walkin ta do if I'm evah gonna make it home." I said turning for the door.

"Where's home?" Action asked.

"Manhattan." I said as I swung the door open.

"You'd never make it." she said simply.  I paused.

"Whaddya mean?"

"I mean, it gits dark soon, an well lets jist leave it at da fact dat you'd nevah make it home."

"Alright......Touchdown, Freckles you can stay heyah tanight an if she's smart she'll know ta come heyah....if she don't come....den in da mornin' we'll look fer 'er." Jack informed everyone.

I just stared at her, not really at her but through her.

"Look I suppose yer welcome ta stay heyah fer da night.  I run Crap Game Alley now.......I won it a week ago." she announced proudly.  I would have been proud too.

"T'ank's. Ya sure ya don't mind?"

"Nah, but if yer gonna stay heyah....ya gotta loyn ta play craps."

"Ok." came my simple answer.  I shut the door and followed her.  Basically she was going to teach me another way to win people's money.  Who could say no to that?

"Skweeks!"  A girl reluctantly came over to Action.

"Whaddya want? It bettah be good cause I was makin major money offa dose thugs ovah dere." She kept throwing looks over her shoulder to keep an eye on her opponents.

"Yea ok, Skweeks dis is.....dis is uh.......?

"Gallant." I said realizing I had never given my name.

"Gallant dis is Skweekers McCain."  I didn't know whether to spit shake or nor so I just gave her a nod of my head.

"Gallant heyah's gonna be stayin' wit' us fer da night.  So when youse done ovah dere, can ya fix 'er a bed upstairs while I teach 'er da tricks a da trade?"

"Yea sure.....How much she payin us ta stay heyah?" Skweekers asked innocently.  I shifted.

"She ain't got any money. But since its only fer tanight I's willin ta let dat fact pass."

"Hey Action youse in dis game or not?" called one of the thugs Skweeks was playing against.

"Oh I fergot ta tell ya Marty wanted ta play ya." Skweeks whispered.

"I'm in." Action called back pulling out her golden dice with silver spots. We all started to walk over to the group waiting for Action.

"Marty nevah turns down a crap game....an neither does Action. No mattah da stakes." Skweeks whispered to me, "Dats how she won Crap Game Alley."

"Awlright Gallant, I's gonna show ya how its done." she joked loud enough for the boys to hear her.

"Uh-oh stand back boys. We got a big timer in da game now." they joked back but I heard a hint of seriousness in their voices.

"Is she really dat good?" I whispered to Skweeks.

"Nah, she's got loaded dice." she whispered back, cautious to make sure the thugs didn't hear, "But when she has ta play without dem she can usually pull it off."

After being Actions shadow and listening to her describe the game for 45 minutes I decided I wanted to head off on my own.  I could tell Action didn't want me hanging around her that much longer either.  She and Marty wanted to play serious and they couldn't do that with Action stopping every now and then to explain what was going on in the game to me.  I pick pocketed a few quarters off of her but I had the feeling she knew what I was doing and wasn't about to stop me.  I set off to work the poker tables.  Quickly, taking command over them.  I played until daylight set through the windows. I watched as my last opponent got up and left empty-handed. Now as long as I stay inside dey can't kill me.  I thought of all the people I had beat during the night.  I stretched and headed upstairs, my earnings safely in my pocket.  While climbing I looked up and saw Skweeks heading down.

"Good mornin" she laughed.

"Whaddya mean 'good mornin'?  Do ya wish me a good mornin, or mean dat it is a good mornin whether I's wants it or not, or dat youse feel good dis mornin, or dat its a mornin ta be good on?" I joked.  She gave me a strange look and continued down the stairs.

Its not da same wit out Touchdown.

Skweeks paused and called, "Yer beds in da last room on da right side a da hallway."

"T'anks" I called over my shoulder.  I walked down the hallway listening to the echo of my footsteps.  I reached for the doorknob to my room when the door across from mine flew open.

"Finally plannin on usin yer bed eh?" Action whispered, obviously recovering from a minor hangover.

"Yea, t'anks." I stepped into my room and shut the door.  I looked at my watch.

Five-thirty in da mornin......ug..........I guess I'll jist sleep a few hours den head back ta Manhattan.

I looked around the room.  There was next to nothing in it, with the exception of a coat rack and my so-called bed, which was really a pile of newspapers spread out on the floor with a thin sheet laying on top of them. It's bettah den stone cold steps.

I took my jacket out of my sack and balled it up to make a pillow.  I placed my sack next to my 'bed' and laid down.

"Awlright Touchdown...I'll tell dem....but we got papes ta sell!" Touchdown let go of Jacks arm,

"Awlright guys, Gallant still ain't back yet so while ya sell yer papes be on da look out fer 'er.  An don't ferget da pawty starts at six but if ya can show up eoily ta help wit decorations....I's sure Medda'd be grateful."

"Touchdown.....Race an I'll help you an Freckles look fer Gallant." Snitch commented.

"I's said youse could stay fer da night, not de entire week!" a voice said. Its owner kept nudging her foot into my back.

"What time is it?" I asked sitting up and stretching.

"A little after noon."

"No wondah I's so hungry! Soon as I git back I's headin straight fer Tibby's!" I told myself.

"Tibby's huh?"

"Yea." I said getting up, "Hey by da way Action t'anks fer da bed, but heyah's some money ta pay fer it." I handed her a dollar.  She accepted the money, but her face read 'tightwad'.  But I wasn't about to hand over too much money, my stay hadn't really costed her a cent, except for those quarters I took.  "Oh an heyah's da money I's took from ya yesterday."

"Bout time youse handed it back ovah, I's plannin on soakin' ya." So I was right she had known I was taking it.

We walked down the hallway.

"Dis is a nice place ya run an I'll definitely be back soon ta visit an ta play some craps wit ya, until den I'll see ya lata." I said descending the stairs.

"Hey Gallant, youse gonna be back a lot soonah den youse t'ink." she called to me.

"Whaddya mean?" I took a few steps back towards her.  She definitely had my curiosity going.

"Well seein as how ya don't know yer way back ta Manhattan, I's figurin ya'd hafta come back heyah ta ask fer directions." she replied nonchalantly.  All I could do was look at the ground.

"But I's gonna do bettah den give ya directions, I'll take ya dere. 'Bout time I pay Manhattan a visit.  Hey Skweeks!" she waited for the girl to appear, "How bout a trip ta Manhattan?"

***********"Take a left heyah."

"But it looks like a dead end." I spit out.

"Trust me."  Sure enough there was a small passageway leading to the right behind a building.  When we exited I knew exactly where we were.  We headed straight for Tibby's.  I walked in and not a single newsie was there, let alone Touchdown or Freckles. I guess dere awl at Medda's.

"Damn!"

"Whats da matta?" asked Skweeks.

"I was hopin da newsies would be heyah so I's could intraduce ya." I replied.

"No need, we awlready know dem quite well." Action informed me.  I wasn't too surprised.  Seems everyone knows the newsies.

"How'd ya meet 'em?" I asked, trying to pass the time while we waited for lunch to arrive.

"Well....it awl started in an orphanage in Chicago....." Skweeks started.

"Its a long story." Action cut her off, "But trust us we know 'em."

Irving Hall was crammed with newsies drinking, dancing, singing, gamboling, and just having fun, but as soon as we walked in all that ceased.  Whispers flew about the room.

"Its Action an Skweeks...."

"Yea dats dem...."

"What are dey doin heyah?"   All around the room, their names were being spoken about.

"Wow. I didn't realize how popular youse two were." I said in awe, looking around the room.  Jack sauntered over.

"Heyah Skweeks, its been awhile eh Monroe?"

"Sure has Cowboy......sure has. Now whats dis we hear bout youse t'rowin a pawty an not invitin me an Skweeks?"

"Well, I guess I wanted everyone ta leave wit awl dere money still in dere pockets an not in yers.  You two jist watch yer hands." He looked from Skweeks to Action.

"Well if I can't pick pocket 'em den I'll jist hafta take dere money anudder way." Action took out her dice, threw them in the air, and caught them in her palm.  She gave Jack a smile then stuck them back in her pocket.  I watched as the three reminisced.  Finally Jack turned to me.

"You disappear an when ya finally show up, ya bring back no goods like dese two?"

"More like dey brought me back." I answered, "By da way, where's Touchdown an Freckles?"

"Probably still out lookin fer you wit' Race an Snitch. Dey'll give up soonah or lata an show up heyah."  I nodded in agreement.

"In da mean time lets git some drinks." Jack suggested.

"Where's yer friend?" I asked referring to the girl behind the bar from before.

"I dunno, I was tawkin ta 'er before youse awl came in." he glanced around the room.

"Oh she's jist on break, she'll be back shortly." said a short round man,

"What can I git ya?"  We all ordered and sat talking to newsies we knew.  Out of the corner of my eye I kept seeing Jack glancing behind the bar to see if the girl had come back.  She had seemed pretty nice.  Ol' Jackey-boy really must have thought so too.  I was about to tell him to go look for her when I was pushed from behind.  I clenched my fists and prepared to use them if need be.

"Where da hell have youse been?"  It was just Touchdown.  I put my hand down.

"Youse gonna end up gettin hoit if youse keeps sneakin up on people like dat."

"What if someone had hoit ya, what if someone had killed ya, what if..." she hadn't even heard me.

"What if youse was ta shut up an let me tawk" I laughed.  She looked at me, not laughing.  She had actually been worried.  I opened my mouth to speak, but only Racetrack's voice was heard.

"Skweeks!" he came rushing up to the unsuspecting girl, "Heya Action." he added.

"Heya Race." they both said.  Freckles watched the three talk.  She obviously felt left out.  I took the dress out of my sack and threw it at her.  I hoped it would get her mind off Race for awhile.  She looked at it then at me.

"How did you?"

"You mean Touchdown didn't tell youse guys?" I was shocked.

"Guess I was too busy worryin ovah where da hell you were." she punched my shoulder.

"Well?" Freckles urged me to continue.  I told those who were listening about my plan to get the dress, and how Touchdown almost had me thrown in the Refuge, and how I met Action and Skweeks.

Freckles walked out of the bathroom wearing her new dress.  She smiled at me as I walked over.

"T'anks Gallant.  I love it, heyah's da money I owe ya." she was still upset about Race.

"Keep it."  I glanced around the room.  Race and Skweeks were in a corner talking by themselves.

"Dat goyl's gonna git da soakin' of 'er life!" Freckles threatened.

"Come git a drink." I was prepared to get her drunk if I had to as long as it kept her mind off Race.  I led her to the bar to join Jack, Action, Snitch, and Touchdown.

"What's wrong wit' Mush?"  The kid was sitting at a table by himself, sulking.

"Goyl trouble. 'is date up an left 'im." Jack informed us.  I had an idea.  I walked over and sat down next to him.  We talked for awhile and then I went back to the bar.

"Whad ya say t' 'im?" Jack asked.

"You'll see."   We watched as Mush got up and walked toward Freckles (who had her head in her hands and saw none of this coming)  He tapped her on the shoulder, then escorted her to the dance floor.

"Well? Whad ya say to 'im?" Jack repeated.

"I'll let ya t'ink about it."  I turned to Action, "So what's da woid on Skweeks an Race?"
"
Dey used ta sell tagether."  I didn't need any further explanation on that question.

"Well den what happened to 'em?" I asked a little curious.

"Skweeks went back ta da Bronx an dere visitin' each other kept gettin less an less frequent, until it stopped."

"Gotcha."

"I t'ink I's gonna go play some craps." she announced after gulping down the rest of her drink, "No sense in wasting any." She turned and walked off to the other side of the room, designated as the game section.  I turned and looked at the bar.  Snitch had asked Touchdown to dance, Mush and Freckles were still somewhere on the dance floor, and Jack was now engulfed in a conversation with the girl behind the bar.  I decided not to bother them. A poker game's what I need right about now.

I made my way to the other side of the room.  A kid stepped in front of me. I turned to go around him and he stepped in front of me again.  I looked up to meet his eyes. Oh great.

"T'ought we cleared up da fact dat youse wasn't invited.  Specially if ya bring people like Action heyah."

"Me friends go where dey please as do I."  I turned on my heel and walked away.  I wanted so badly to turn around to see the look on Spot's face but that would ruin my exit.

"Back so soon?" the girl Jack was talking to asked.  She turned to Jack,

"Look Jack its yer little friend!" she cooed.

Little? I'll show ya little!

"Whaddya mean little? I could take ya." I challenged her.

"Oh, I didn't mean anyt'ing by it, its an expression really, cause obviously yer taller than I so how could I call you little? I mean..." she babbled. She looked kind of scared.  I laughed a little.

"I suppose its awlright, Iris." I said sitting down next to Jack.

"Iris?" she looked at me waiting for an explanation.

"On account dat ya look kinda like dis goyl i used ta know, an she always had an Iris in 'er hair too." I said.  She looked down at the table.

"I like it." Jack said trying to make eye contact with her, but Iris was still staring at the table.  I shrugged my shoulders and turned to watch the couples dancing.  I heard a door open and someone else joined Iris behind the bar.

"Oh, hello Jack!" the woman cried.

"I see da signs still not up Medda."

Is awl of New Yawk woyked up ovah dis damn sign?

I turned to face the bar to introduce myself to Jack's friend.  I couldn't open my mouth.  Ann stood before me, but she hadn't noticed me. As soon as she sees me she's gonna freak!

"Gallant dis is Medda......Medda dis is Gallant." Jack introduced us.  We locked eyes.

"Oh hello dear!" Medda said. Her voice had changed a little but it was still as beautiful as I had remembered.  I still couldn't say anything.

"Bri.....isn't it time for yer break, Bri? Whats wrong dear?" Medda looked worried.  The girl was still staring at the table. BRI?   My mind was screaming.  Medda?...her name is Ann! Why doesn't she
recognize me?

"Its her Medda! Its her!" Bri cried.....a little bit frightened.

"Who dear? What are you talking about....child are you feeling alright?" Medda shook her.  The girl wouldn't look away from the table.

"Look...look at her hand!...see the ring! Its her...remember I told you I gave her the ring! You said I lost it....but see I gave it to her!"  So she had been looking at my ring not the table.  Jack looked at the three of us completely confused.

"Ann..." I whispered.

"Sherry! I didn't even recognize you! You've all grown up!" Medda cried....."Oh Jack you've brought me a lovely present!....do you mind if I take her to the backrooms...so we can talk?"

"Only if ya tell me whats goin on latah." Jack had no idea what was going on.

"Agreed." Medda sounded so happy.  I jumped over the bar eager to talk to my oldest friends.

"Why aren't you with yer mother dear?" Medda was curious.  I told Bri and Ann exactly what had happened after I had left.

"Why didn't you come back here then?" Bri asked.

"Because, I was mad at Ann fer makin me leave." I told them honestly.

"You understand why I did that child don't you?" she asked tearfully.

"Yea I do now but I didn't den."

"Bri wouldn't speak to me for the rest of her visit after that."

"You wouldn't?....Are ya visiting again? Is dat why yer heyah?" I asked Bri. She turned away.

"No dear," Medda answered for her, "Her ma died last year. She lives with me now."

"Oh! I's sorry!" I felt ashamed and embarrassed.

"No, its ok..I'm happy here with Medda." she said quickly.  I smiled glad she had a nice home.

"Ann...why'd ya change yer name?"

"For show business dear.....I've been doing very well...I renamed Bayling Hall, Irving Hall."

"So dats why da place looked fermiliar."  I told Medda about my visit yesterday, how I had found the bathroom, and how Bri and I had seen each other. "I knew she looked familiar."

"So whats with the changing your name to Gallant?" she asked.

"Sherry's me past...when I chose da name Gallant....its like I was startin a new life."

"Then you would like us to call you Gallant?" Medda asked.

"Yea...an I'll call ya Medda instead a Ann."

"And you can call me Iris instead of Bri." Iris jumped in.

"Iris?" Medda asked confused.  I explained to Medda.

"Medda, Iris.........dis is Touchdown an Freckles.  Freckles, Touchdown dis is Medda an Bri."  I had sat Freckles, Jack and T.d down and told them my story.  We danced, sang, talked, and drank the night away.  It was the best night of my life.  It was early morning when newsies actually started to leave.  Touchdown, Freckles, Snitch, Jack, and I stayed to help clean up. Around noon we all took a break to eat lunch.  Medda gave me money to go to the bakery and buy a cake.  I walked in and said hello to old man Andy...I doubt he even remembered me.  I picked out one of his cakes, and he placed it in a box and set it down on the counter.  I pulled out the money and placed it on the counter.  He looked at it then at me.

"Where are yer friends?"  I just stared at him.

"Yer actually gonna pay fer sumt'in?  Not gonna put on a show fer me?" he chuckled.  I turned a little red, and started to back away from him with the cake.

"You knew?" was all I could spit out.

"Well, if its the only way you girls could git a decent meal then I wasn't going to stop ya, even if ya were stealin it." he was laughing at my embarrassment.

"Look, I's real sorry bout dat..."

"Actually you girls were pretty good actresses, and it was quite a treat ta watch ya perform." he held my change in his hand for me to come get.

"Keep it...we owe ya fer not callin da bulls on us." I said exiting the store.

"Well Snitch we bettah go git da papes Race bought fer us, T'anks fer everyt'ing Medda." Jack gave her a kiss good-bye.

"Well we bettah git goin too. We gotta make some money somehow too." I said getting up.

"What do ya do for work?" Bri asked obviously very interested.  Touchdown explained to her and Medda.

"Well where do you stay?" Medda asked worried.

"Ya mean where do we sleep?" Freckles asked, Anywhere we can."  Medda gasped. Dat was stupid Freckles now she's gonna be worried bout us awl da time.

"Oh no, I can't send you out on da street! Gallant, you an yer friends are gonna stay here with Bri...I mean Iris and myself."

My friends thought it was a wonderful idea. But they insisted on paying a rent.  Medda insisted on the lowest rent she could get us to pay.  So it was official.  We now lived with Medda.  We went to work and then came back to Medda's.  She and Iris had fixed up a room for us.

"Ohhhhhhh.....Touchdownnnnnn....welcome to the first morning in our new home!"  I said as I dumped a bucket of water on her.  She opened her eyes and shut then just as the water hit her face.  She screamed and threw herself to a sitting position.  I was rolling on the floor laughing.

"Dis ain't our home remembah so ya can't go messin it up." Freckles reminded me.

"I know why do ya t'ink I brought da towels."  I reached into my sack and pulled out our towels.  I threw one to Touchdown for her to use, then set to work cleaning up the water.

"Correction dear...this is your home....but I agree that you shouldn't go messing it up on me." Medda said from the doorway.

"Sorry bout dat....its jist da watah was dere an it was too good ta pass up."

"Its alright dear.....just go get the mop in the storage room...it will take less time to clean up with it." Medda suggested.  I walked out across the stage, down a small hallway, and into the storage room.  I grabbed the mop, but the bucket was on a high shelf.  Instead of just getting a small ladder I decided on trying to climb up the shelves.  Big mistake!  Halfway up I lost my grip...grabbing anything I could on my way down.  I sat up just as Medda, followed by everyone else rushed in.  I was covered in blue paint.

"Are you alright?  What happened here." Medda rushed to my side.

"I'm fine...I jist had a little accident."  She helped me to my feet then froze.

"No...Oh no!" she knelt back down.  I realized what had happened.  I had landed on her new sign......and when I was falling I somehow managed to spill blue paint all over it and myself.

"Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! I'll pay fer it!" I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.  I held them in as well as I could.

"Its alright....you three go to work. Iris will help me clean up." Medda squeaked out.  Touchdown dragged me and Freckles out into the street.

"Guys I gotta go back. I hafta at least go help clean up. I'll meet ya at da docks lata."

"Awlright." they called racing off.  I walked silently to the storage room and stopped at the door.

"Oh what will I do? I can't pay for the damages! Oh, I need to think!" Medda was trying her best not to cry.

"We could try to wipe off the paint." Iris suggested.

"Its too late....and besides did you see? The board is cracked halfway up. The only thing to do would be to buy another sign, but you know thats impossible. I used all the money on this one."

"Why did the construction workers put it in here?" whined Iris, "Its all their fault!"

"No. I asked them to put it in here."

"What are we going to do?" Iris kept saying over and over.

"We're going to have to sell Irving Hall." Medda said bluntly.  I watched them embrace, sobbing.

Its all  yer fault! You ruined the lives of the people who took you in and actually loved you when no one else would! You have to fix things! I ran all the way to The Bronx.  I tried to retrace my steps and find Crap Game Alley but I was hopelessly lost and Action nor Crap Game Alley were anywhere around. I have to find Crap Game Alley!

I figured I could win all Medda's money in poker...that way she could buy another sign.  I figured Crap Game Alley was the best place to play.  I wandered and wandered, until I got the feeling I was being followed.  It was getting dark and I decided it was time to head back home, when I remembered Action's words.

You'll nevah make it....it gets dark soon an lets jist leave it at da fact dat you'd nevah make it.

I didn't know what to do....and there was definitely someone following me.  I decided to just confront my fear.  I turned around and I saw someone slip into the nearest alley.  I walked to the entrance and yelled.

"Yeah ya bettah hide!"  I don't know why but I felt so invincible in the one second. I turned to run away.....but whoever it was pulled me into the alley. At first I wasn't scared because I thought it was just one person.  There was now a fire lit, and several thugs were sitting near or around it.

"Now whats da mattah?" one asked me.

"Huh." I was in a daze.

"You came an yelled somet'in at us...we'd like ta know what it was." another said.

"Oh...well I jist t'ought someone was followin me an' I saw 'im come in heyah....an I t'ought 'e was hidin from me so I jist..." I stopped when I saw I was getting no where.  "Yea well nobody was followin ya." One thug got up and started walking toward me.  I clenched my fists.

"Don't come any closer." I warned.  He kept walking.  I waited until he was close enough, then threw my fist at his face.  I caught him square in the jaw.  It threw him back a few steps and the thugs grabbed my arms.

"Let 'er go it was my fault.....besides I jist wanted ta see if it was da goyl I t'ought it was." the thug said.  He did sound familiar, from somewhere.  But I turned to make a run for it, after my arms had been released but  stopped short of leaving the alley. For some reason I turned back and walked up to the thug.

"Youse ain't gonna hit me again are ya?" he joked.

"Marty?" I asked.

"Youse even remebah me name..ain't dat nice." He rubbed his jaw.

"Hey..sorry bout dat."

"What brings ya heyah?"

"I was tryin ta git ta Crap Game Alley but got lost."

"Boy youse really are lost. Crap Game Alley's bout two miles from heyah.  Why ya gotta go dere?"

"Jist in need a some money."

"Well yer in luck. Welcome to our gamboling hall.  We only play craps heyah dough."  I felt lucky so I decided to go for it, even though this would be my first crap game. I decided to watch a few games before actually playing.

"Want us ta walk ya home?" Marty asked after giving me directions to Brooklyn.

"Nah...T'anks dough...hey ya sure dats where da pawn shop is?"

"Yea, I's positive." Marty assured me.  I think he thought I was joking.  Boy was he wrong.

"See ya round kid! Bettah luck next time." Marty went back into the alley to play.

I walked defeatedly to Brooklyn admiring the sun rise, while following the directions Marty had given me and eventually found the pawn shop.

"How much will ya give me fer dis watch....almost new...solid gold, an da ring....silver." I was doing my best to get the best price possible.

"Eighty fer da watch an thirty fer da ring."

"Da watch is worth way more...Its solid gold!" I said trying not to get too frustrated.

"Its got an inscription on it.....nobody wants a watch wit an inscription on it."

"I did....Its solid gold!" I repeated.

"Awlright I'll give ya ninty-five but dats it, so a total of one hundred-twenty-five dollars fer da watch an ring."

"How much fer da jacket?"

"You'd hafta pay me ta take it."

"Fine jist da watch an ring."  I silently handed over my prized possessions.

I crept into Irving Hall thinking everyone would be asleep.

"Where have you been? We've been so worried." Medda ran over to me.  I quietly handed her the money.

"Where did you get all this."

"I know its not enough but please don't sell Irving Hall.....I'll find some way to pay you back the rest but.."

"Sell Irving Hall?" she questioned.

"I heard you an Iris tawkin an I felt real bad....."

"Its ok dear.....we weren't going to sell Irving Hall......I just wasn't thinking then.....its too important to us all.....We'll just have to do without a sign for now...but this money will come in handy, tell me one thing though."  I looked up at her.

"How did you get in here unnoticed? Everyone is out there looking for ya kid."

"They are?"

"Yea."  She leaned over and gave me a hug.  Suddenly there was a knock at the door.  I ran out to the front door and threw it open.  I expected either Touchdown or Freckles to be standing there.  My watch and my ring were laying on the porch.  I looked around.  I saw a shadow slip around the corner.  I picked up my belonging with joy and hurriedly put them on.

"Be back soon!" I called to Medda.  I slammed the door and ran after the figure.  I poked my head around the corner and saw the retreating figure of Spot.  I pulled my head back and stood where I was. Do I want to go after him?  Was he really the one who left my things on the porch? I didn't know what to do.....by the time I had my mind made up it was too late to follow Spot even if I wanted to.  I decided to head to Brooklyn anyway.  If I didn't see him along the way then maybe I'd run into Touchdown or Freckles.  I headed straight for the docks almost expecting Touchdown and Freckles to be there.  No such luck.  I sat down on a crate and stared out at the water.  I must have been staring for quite awhile because my eyes felt strained.  As I got up I heard a noise above.  I climbed up to the dock above me.

"I should've known, it'd be you." I said.  He didn't say anything.

"Hey t'anks fer my things back." I said realizing this was probably my only opportunity to thank him.

"Yea well..."  He didn't say anything more.

Hey wait a second....how'd he know I sold my things to the pawn shop. "It was you that was following me last night.  Wasn't it?"    No answer.

"Yea well t'anks anyway."  I said getting up to leave, I wasn't going to sit around trying to make conversation with him.

"Ya got guts kid....ain't nobody evah thrown a punch at Marty." he said after I had walked a few feet.  I walked back to him.

"So it was youse.....why were ya followin me?"   No response but he did look at me.  I stared straight back at him.....the answer was in his eyes........because when someones in trouble ya don't just leave 'em ta fend fer themselves.

But he definitely wasn't going to say that.

"How'd ya git me stuff back?" I needed to know.  I would have beat the answer out of him if I had to.

"Pawn shop owner's a friend a mine...'e owed me a favah."

"Yea well t'anks." I said getting up again.

"It wasn't enough money was it?"  He asked after I had walked a few feet again.  I walked back.

"No....No it wasn't."

"What ya gonna do about it?" He wanted to know.

"Why do you care what happens ta Medda's?"

"Because its da one place I can go legally an have a good time, besides she's like a mudder t' us awl. An I want ta know what yer gonna do bout it." he said firmly.

"Guess.... go ta Crap Game Alley."

"That ain't any good.  Dat ain't gonna git ya anywhere."

"Well den what do YOU have in mind?"  He had been waiting for me to ask that question.

"Tell Medda ta have a show tanight.....tell 'er ta expect more people den usual......tell 'er ta stock up on drinks....an tell 'er ta use Jack's dame in da show."

"Dat awl?" I asked kind of sarcastic.  I sat down next to him on a crate.

"Just do it." He said getting up and walking away.

"Spot?," I called after him.  He turned around. "T'anks." I said it with as much meaning as I could.  I ran all the way back to Medda's.

People started piling in around five.  I went backstage and found Medda brushing Iris's hair with the same brass brush.  She topped off the scene by placing an iris behind the girls ear.  I was finally home.  Medda turned when she heard my footsteps getting closer.  She smiled at me then walked over to the curtain and peeked out at the audience.  She gasped.

"What is it?" Iris and I both asked at the same time.

"There's so many people out there!  People I've never even seen before.  How did you know they'd all come tonight?" she asked me.

"I didn't.....it was all Spot....."  The music started playing.

"Thats our cue!" Iris cried.

"Good luck.......an knock 'em dead!" I called as they made their way on-stage. I went back out to where the audience was.  Touchdown was working the door, Freckles was taking money, and Jack was working the bar with the short round man.  I was to walk around and keep an eye on everyone.  I glanced up and a figure could be seen in the balcony. No one's allowed in the balcony. We closed that off because it was too full of junk.

I walked up the stairs preparing to yell at whoever it was.  The door burst open and I looked all around the room.  There was Spot seated on a crate watching the show.  He turned and looked at me.  I didn't know what to say...I couldn't tell him to leave the balcony because if it weren't for him we wouldn't be making all this money tonight.  He motioned for me to come over.  I was a little nervous he was going to throw me over the balcony, or something, then I told myself how stupid I was and walked over.

"Spot how'd ya git awl dese people ta come?"

"Easy...I jist had me boys spread da woid bout Irving Hall ta men in places udder den Manhattan.  Medda's sign's only seen by people in Manhattan, or dose who are travlin t'rough Manhattan......I figured...better business if advertised t'roughout awl a New Yawk."  I didn't know what to say.

"Gallant! Come quick...Touchdown needs help..dere's too many peole..Irving Hall's packed awlready.....C'mon!" Freckles called to me, then ran away.

"Freckles, how'd ya know I was up heyah?" I called after her but she was already gone.  I looked at Spot.

"Go on...git outta heyah." he said seriously but I heard a hint of playfulness in his voice.  I looked at Spot and smiled.  I thought I saw him smile back...but then again the light wasn't too great.

"T'anks Spot.....fer everyt'ing." I whispered as I left the room.

*************

"Gallant? Whaddya still doin up?" Touchdown asked coming out of the hallway.

"I was jist cleanin up."

"Youse know Medda said not ta bother dat we'd do it latah......"

"Yea I know but I couldn't sleep."  I looked at my watch....it was almost eleven.... in the morning...people only started to leave at six and then they had all left by eight after being kicked out.... Medda suggested we get some sleep and we'd clean up later.

Touchdown grabbed a broom and started to help me.  There was a knock at the door.  Touchdown and I argued for a minute as to who would get it.

"Fine! I'll git it!..Its probably a drunk who was at the party last night!" she called.

"Dats exactly why I don't wanna git it!"

I listened intently for any noise.  There was none...no one talking.........nothing.  I walked a little closer to the door.  I could see Touchdown outside looking down at something.

"What is it T.d?"   She hadn't heard me.  I watched her slowly pick it up.

"Gallant! Youse bettah git ovah heyah! Ya might wanna see dis!" she called not even turning around.  She let a small envelope slip from her fingers and hit the ground.  I rushed over to her.