Changes

"Mama, Joey isn't back yet. Should I find him?"

"I suppose. That boy is just lucky his father isn't home yet. Searching for a new job in a strange city is making your father irritable enough. If he knew Joey was wandering around New York, he would be furious!"

"All right mama. I'll be back shortly."

Laura grabbed her coat and slipped out the door to the tiny apartment she lived in with her parents and younger brother, Joey. She let out a heavy sigh and heavily leaned against the wall of the hallway. Thoughts of their old house in upper New York filled her mind--- a large green estate with Joey and his friends playing cheerfully on it; Laura's beautiful bedroom with her elegant canopy bed; the large kitchen, where her mother would prepare exquisite meals fit for royalty; her two best friends, Marie and Abigail with whom she would spend hours giggling about insignificant things. Why couldn't things always stay the same? If it weren't for her father's gambling, they would still live in that magnificent home. The bank had taken everything of value from their family. There was no way to change what had happened, the Rivard family would have to adapt.

As she stepped out of the seedy apartment building into the cool afternoon, Laura looked up and down the street wondering where to start looking for her brother. She decided to head where the most people were, so she turned left and started walking briskly down the street while glancing down each alley for Joey.

After walking for twenty minutes, Laura found herself standing at the entrance of a dark, cluttered alley. She tucked her blowing hair behind her ears and peered down the shadowy alley. She could have sworn that she heard Joey's giggle coming from it. She cautiously began walking into the quiet side street.

"Joey? Joey, I heard you, so don't try to hide. Mama is wondering where you are. It's time to come back to the apartment." Laura was beginning to feel nervous. She had heard of terrible things happening to young girls by themselves in the big cities. Even though it was only 4 o'clock and not even dark, she was afraid. Without any fighting skills, she would be helpless. The only sound was the muffled voices of passerby walking on the busy street.

Laura peeked cautiously around a pile of stacked crates and she let out a huge sigh of relief when her eyes fell on her 10 year-old brother. He was squatting with his dirty hands covering his laughing mouth. Laura felt her temper began to bubble up. She grabbed his hand and jerked him to his feet.

"Joey, this is not funny! I have been wandering the streets by myself for 20 minutes now look for you! Father may be home by now and if we are not there, we will both be in for it! Now come on, we are going home!"

"But Laura…" Joey's face quickly stopped smiling and turned to a scowl. "I hate the apartment and Father will be angry whether we are there or not. He is always cranky. He has been ever since we moved. I HATE this place." Joey was whining, but Laura began to feel her anger subside. There wasn't enough room for energetic young Joey to play in the small apartment. He needed to have fun.

"Calm down! It will be better once Father gets a job. We will get a bigger apartment. Or maybe…" Laura's voice turned wishful. "Maybe we can move back into our old house."

"Yeah! And then I could play with my friends again!" Poor Joey hadn't made any new friends in this harsh, cold city. No children his age lived in the apartment.

The two siblings walked home together without talking, each dreaming about what they left behind in their old house, but each realizing that things would never be the same.

The exhausted Manhattan newsboys were just starting to head home to the Duane Street lodging house when Kid Blink, a blonde newsie with an eyepatch over one eye, looked across the street and saw a girl walking with a young boy who looked like he was related to her. The girl had dark blonde hair whipping around in the cool autumn wind. He couldn't see her face because she was turning it towards the boy and talking. She was wearing a black jacket over an off-white shirt and a loose brown skirt. The clothes looked as if they used to be very nice, but overuse had caused them to become limp and dingy.

"Kid? Are ya listenin' to me or ain't ya?" Blink's closest friend Racetrack followed his gaze and saw what Blink was looking so intently at. "Hmmm…looking for a new goil? Are you finally over Samantha?" Samantha was Kid Blink's latest girlfriend. They had been together more than 4 months when she decided that she cared about someone else more. Kid had been hurt badly by her actions. For the past 2 weeks all he had done was moped around, but he was finally beginning to act more like he used to.

"Nah, Race. I don't even know who she is. I just thought she was pretty, that's awl."

Race playfully punched his friend in the arm and teased, "I bet I can beat ya ta the lodgin' house."

"Race," Blink protested, "I don't feel much like racing ya…" But Race had already ran away and was dodging pedestrians as he sprinted down Duane Street. Blink shrugged and started jogging in the direction of the lodging house.

Laura slowly opened the door and scooted Joey in, following close behind him. She pushed the door shut behind her. She could hear her parents in their bedroom yelling at each other in another one of their increasingly common fights.

"All I'm saying is that I want to be able to come home to a well kept house and have my children be there! "

"They can't stay in this tiny apartment day in and day out! They have energy to use! Anyway, no amount of scrubbing will ever make this hole in the wall seem like our home. And if YOU hadn't gambled away every penny we would still have our beautiful home!"

"Don't blame this disaster on me!"

"Then who can it be blamed on, Charles? I don't take care of the family's finances, and the children certainly did not spend all of our money!"

"Camille, I am trying as hard as I can to find a job, but it isn't my fault that none of the damn offices around here aren't hiring!"

"We can't stay here forever. Joey is too active, and Laura needs more privacy. She is becoming a woman, even if you won't admit to it. Perhaps you should come to your senses and realize you can't get as good of a job here as you had in Oakdale, and try to get a job at factory."

"You know Camille, it seems to me that a factory job is the only option we have left. Maybe YOU should also get a job."

"Not with your attitude I couldn't! How can I keep the house tidy and work? Hmmm?"

"I don't know Camille! I just don't know anymore!"

Laura began chewing on her lip and shot Joey a look that said "you better behave tonight". Joey looked like he wanted to be loud and have fun, but he knew it would be the best choice to be calm and quiet since both parents would be irritable. Laura watched him walk towards the bedroom they shared. Once she saw the bedroom door shut, she turned and checked on the supper her mother was preparing. It was going to be a long night.

Two weeks later, Laura stood in front of a building with a faded sign that said Newsboys Lodging House. Every other position she had tried to get was either taken, required more skills than she had, or not willing to hire a 17 year-old girl. Laura thought that although becoming a newsgirl would be a difficult job, she would be able to adjust to the early hours and difficult working conditions. She would have to. Her family was still in desperate need of money. Her mother had gotten a low paying job as a governess and part time cook to a rich family, and Joey had gone to work with their father at the Milcox & Samson factory. Laura had been cooking and keeping the house clean, but she knew the time had come for her to get a job also. After 3 days of fruitless job hunting, she turned to her last resort, becoming a newsie.

"Hurry up Blink!" Race was yelling as he ran down the lodging house stairs. " We ain't missin' the show tonight! We promised Medda dat we'd be dere!"

Blink ran his fingers through his blonde hair and dashed after his friend. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he saw a familiar looking girl talking with Kloppman, the old man who ran the lodging house. He thought for a second, and then remembered her as the pretty girl he say walking down the street a couple of weeks ago. What was she doing here? The girl turned around and began to leave and he was mesmerized by her face. She had light golden skin and and cheeks that were slightly flushed from the cool air in the lodging house. Her beautiful eyes held Blink's attention the most. He couldn't tell if they were green or blue. She carried herself proudly, with her shoulders back and head held high. Kid thought she might be the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

After she exited the lodging house, the boys began to leave and start heading to Medda's. Kid Blink hung back behind the rest because he wanted to talk to Kloppman.

"Sooo…..who was da goil?" Blink tried to be nonchalant, but Kloppman saw through his act. He knew that Blink had been hurt badly by Samantha and was happy he was finally showing interest in the opposite sex again.

"Laura Rivard. She is thinking about becoming a newsie." Kloppman started tidying up the desk he stood behind.

Kid Blink was shocked. "A newsie? Her? Why?"

"I don't know the details, but she came here because she wanted to know what she had to do to start carryin' the banner."

"What did ya tell her?"

"I told her where to go tomorrow morning." Kloppman ducked down and picked up a piece of paper he dropped. "And I told her I'm sure that one of you boys would be glad to show her the ropes."

Kid Blink felt like someone had just told him he was about to receive $500 for nothing. "Dat's great!" He abruptly turned and dashed out the door to catch up with the rest of the newsies.

The next morning, Laura showed up at the World distribution center at 6:15, just like Kloppman had told her too. She wasn't sure how to dress for her first day as a newsie, so she wore a simple dark gray skirt and a plain blouse. The worn black jacket she loved so much was pulled tightly around her. Laura had pinned up her hair, but now she was wishing she had hanging down on her cold neck. She began to shiver and wonder what she should do. Kloppman said he would have someone help her out, but no one had so much as said a word to her. Everyone just looked at her strangely, like she didn't belong.

Kid Blink dashed along the crowded sidewalk, dodging men in suits on their way to work and shopkeepers sweeping out their stores. "Of all da days to lose me shirt," he moaned. "Dis is da worse. One of da other boys must've found 'er already."

By this time, he was standing at the distribution center. His anxious blue eye scanned the crowd. There she was! Even standing by herself, looking scared, Laura held her head high. Boldly, Blink walked up to Laura and stuck out his hand. "Da name's Kid Blink. Kloppman said dat you would be needing help today."

Laura looked shocked at the abrupt introduction. Her fingers were twisting the end of her jacket nervously. "Yes, I do need help. I don't know what to do to be a newsie."

"Dat's no problem! I'm da best dere is! Second to Jackie Boy of course." At Laura's questioning look, Blink explained. "Jack is da one over dere wit da cowboy hat. We call him Cowboy. He is da leader of us Manhattan newsies."

Ten minutes later, Laura and Kid Blink were walking along the street together each holding a bundle of newspapers. Even though Laura had only 20 papes to Kid's 50, she was having troubles carrying them. Kid noticed her troubles. "Do ya want me ta give ya a hand?"

"No, I have to carry these myself if I want to be a newsie. Thanks anyway." Laura smiled at Kid. He almost dropped his papes because her smile melted his heart. "How do I sell these? Just yell out the headlines?"

Kid was pleased to be able to teach her. "Well, dat's part of it. But ya have ta enhance da headlines. Make 'em a little more excitin'. Like wit dis headline," Kid gestured at the headline. It said Steps Made to Exterminate City's Roaches. "CITY PLANS TO KILL OFF NEW YOIK'S CITIZENS!" Two people walked up to Blink and bought papes.

Laura tried to hide her smile behind an ink-smudged hand. Blink smiled and said, "Da number one rule of being a newsie is headlines don't sell papes, newsies sell papes!"

"Even through lying?"

"It ain't lying! It's just making da truth more appealing to da public!"

"Well, I guess I'll have to learn how to improve the headlines from you!"

"Yea, and I know da perfect place to practice: Central Park. Dere's lots of mothers and other women dere, so I think dey will feel bad for youse. Pity helps sell papes."

"Ok, let's go. You'll have to show me the way though. I don't know exactly where it is because I haven't really seen the city since I moved here."

"Really? Well den after we sell our papes, how's about I give youse a tour?"

"All right. I do need to learn my way around if I'm going to be a newsie."

During the day, Laura and Kid Blink explored the Manhattan. Kid showed Laura the places that she should avoid, the diners that were good to go to, where to find cheap entertainment, and how to avoid the police (or "bulls" as Blink called them). The pair had an amazing time laughing and getting to know each other better.

Laura told Blink about how she needed a job to earn money because her family was poor. She told him the story of her father's gambling and how they had lost their home. Blink, in turn, told Laura about how his mother died when he was young and he had lived with his father. He talked about how he got so fed up with his father's constant drinking and beating, that he left and became a newsie.

Later that day, after giving Laura a tour of Manhattan, the two newsies ended up standing on the Brooklyn Bridge. They were looking over the glistening water and the cold wind was whipping around them.

"Dis is one of me favorite spots to go when I'm feeling mad. It's so calmin' to watch da water. The noise from the city is always dere, but I've learned ta block it out and enjoy da peace." Blink glanced over at Laura and saw her shivering and vigorously rubbing her arms. Blink quickly shed his jacket and gave it to Laura. When she put it on, the long sleeves covered all but the tip of her fingers. Blink laughed. "At least it'll keep ya warm!" The two stared off over the water. After a minute, Blink asked, "Are ya still cold?"

"I don't got anudder jacket, but we can head back ta your house."

"No, I'll be ok here. The view makes it worth it." She sighed and leaned happily on the bridge.

Blink stared at Laura and felt himself being pulled towards her. Laura, who did not realize that he was so close, suddenly turned her head and started to speak. "Blink… I…Oohh…" She stopped speaking when she saw his face so close to hers.

Staring into her turquoise eyes, Blink felt as if he could find the answers to all the world's questions. The distance between their faces was becoming smaller. Blink brushed his lips against hers, then, as if as an afterthought, her kissed her again. Laura pulled closer and wrapped her arms around Blink's neck. It felt like the world had stopped. It felt like everything was revolving around the kiss. Laura was the one who ended the kiss. She moved her head and rested it on Blink's shoulder. Her arms were still wrapped around him.

"I guess dis means ya'll be my goil. Now I don't need ta ask!"

Laura quietly laughed. "I'll gladly be your girl, Kid Blink," she whispered. Shivers ran down Blink's spine when Laura's breath tickled his neck.

"We should get youse home. It's startin' ta get dark."

"Yes, I'll tell you the way."

Hand in hand, Blink and Laura headed back to Manhattan.

One warm morning a month later, Kid Blink woke up to Kloppman's call and washed up for work. He made his way to the Distribution Office and bought his papes. He waited right outside the gates for Laura. They always met up here. Soon the other newsies came, and left with their papers, and still Kid Blink waited.

After about a half an hour, he got worried and started walking quickly towards Laura's apartment building. When he got there he dashed up the first flight of stairs to the second floor, where the Rivard's apartment was. Sitting in the hallway, with her head in her knees and he back against her apartment's door was Laura. Her body was shaking with sobs and she was crying so loudly that she didn't hear Kid Blink ask her what was wrong.

Blink dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around Laura. She looked up at him with a tear stained face and puffy eyes and simply said, "Oh Blink!" and then continued to cry. Blink sat with Laura, holding her and gently rocking back and forth, until her sobs gradually slowed enough for her to talk.

"What happened? Are you hurt?" Kid asked gently.

Laura whimpered, "N-n-no…it's my father…an-and my brother. They're gone!"

"What? They ran off? They abandoned you?"

"No, there was an accident…at the factory…a machine ignited and…my brother, he was trapped. My father had gotten out…but he wanted to help Joey, so…he went back in to get him and…he…he…"

"Shhhhh…it's ok, you don't need to say it. I understand. But where is your mother?"

Laura turned her body and buried her head in Blink's shoulder. "When she heard the news, she shut herself in her bedroom. I thought…I thought she was just upset, so I left her alone. Then I heard…I heard a horrible thump sound, so I went in to check on her. But…but when I opened the door, I saw her on the flooring bleeding with a knife and a bottle of…of p-pills next to her. She-sh-she killed herself, Blink! She just left me here alone…" Laura burst into a fresh wave of crying as a shocked Blink tightened his arms around her trying to sort through what she had just told him.

"Laura, I am so sorry. Is it alright if I go into your apartment and get you a cup of water to drink?"

"NO! Never…I'm never going in there again, and neither are you!" Laura shouted as she jumped to her feet. She suddenly dashed around Blink and started running down the stairs.

Kid Blink stood stunned for a second, and then shook his head clear and dashed off behind Laura. By the time he got to the bottom of the stairs, she had already left the apartment building. He rushed out the front door and glanced to the left and right for Laura. With no Laura in sight, he hesitated and took off running towards the left, not realizing that Laura had simply sprinted across the street and was running down an alley.

After running aimlessly for at least 30 minutes, Laura came to her senses and slowed down. She looked around her and tried to determine where she was. Not to far ahead, she saw the Brooklyn Bridge. Looking at it made her remember Kid Blink and the first kiss they shared on the bridge. She made her way towards it, walking slowly.

As Laura stood in the center of the bridge, she looked behind her and saw the place she had run from. A city that she had grown to love and a city that held Kid Blink and all of her other newsie friends. A city that also held the memories of her family, crumbling and finally, breaking under the pressures of life. It reminded her of the tragic deaths of her beloved mother, father, and brother. When she thought of the pain, she knew what she had to do. Even though it would mean leaving Blink and the others and starting anew, she had to leave. It was just too much to handle.

She began walking, first slowly, then quicker as she gained confidence in her new plan. Even though she had never been to Brooklyn, Laura was certain that she could adapt and start over. She would have to try to remain unnoticeable so that Kid Blink did not find her. If he did, she knew all the memories of her family would come back, and the only thing Laura wanted to do was forget.

Turtle was running through the streets of Brooklyn. He knew it was late and Phillips, the man who ran the Brooklyn Newsie Lodging House, would not let anyone in after 11 at night. He had 10 minutes to make it back to the lodging house, so he decided to take a short cut. Turtle darted into a familiar alley that he knew would take him close to the lodging house. In the alley, he dodged past a person slowly plodding in the opposite direction, almost running into him.

"Hey watch it!" Turtle shouted as he kept running.

"Sorry…" A female voice said in reply.

When Turtle heard the voice, he slowed down a bit. The girl sounded very tired and worn out. He turned around, even though he knew it would cost him precious time. He may just have to sleep outside tonight.

"What are you doing out so late?" Turtle gently asked the girl.

She turned around, and gazed at him with weary eyes. "I have no place to go."

"Do you need a place to stay for the night? I know a place you could come…if you wanted to." Turtle was thinking that this girl could spend a night in the lodging house. He was sure Phillips would understand.

"Um…I really don't need a place. I have to go." And with that, the girl turned and started walking quickly away.

Turtle knew that he couldn't force the strange girl to come back to the lodging house, so he ran off.

Kid Blink was miserable. He hadn't seen or heard of Laura in six days. The day she had ran away, he had spent all night searching for her, but to no avail. He simply could not find her. The next day, he continued to look, but the day after, he was forced to go back to his job selling papers. He had to afford a place to live. Every day he would sell his morning edition of the newspaper, and then spend his evenings looking for Laura.

The other newsies felt terrible for Blink. He was hardly getting any sleep and wasn't eating. Race had noticed that during the nights, Blink would sneak out of bed and climb onto to the roof of the lodging house. The newsies missed Laura too, but they knew that there was nothing they could do. If she wanted to come back, she would. All they could do was hope.

Turtle was slowly plodding home from a day selling papers. It was getting late, but he didn't need to hurry yet. He still had time. He was walking down the street and decided to cut through an alley. He loved creating new shortcuts to help him get places faster when he was moving slow, and he felt that perhaps this alley would help him make one.

As Turtle was walking down the alley, he kept his guard up. When he heard a noise, he quickly turned to face the sound. There he saw, tucked in a doorway, a girl. She look familiar, and he realized it was the girl from 6 nights ago, the one he saw walking in the alley. This time, however, she was curled up on a doorstep. Turtle bent over and prodded her awake.

"Hey," he whispered, "You can't sleep here, you'll get in trouble."

"What?" said the girl. She seemed very groggy.

"Just move down the alley a little, then no one will see you."

The girl stood up slowly and took a couple steps down the alley. Turtle turned away and was heading towards the lodging house when he heard a loud noise. He whipped around and saw the girl sprawled out on the ground. She had passed out.

Turtle ran over to her and tried to awaken her, but it didn't work. She just lay motionless on the dirty ground. Turtle sighed and gathered the girl's body in his arms and stood up. He turned and started, once again, walking towards the lodging house, but this time, carrying the girl.

Laura opened her eyes and saw in front of her face a wall. Confused, she turned her head to take in the rest of the room she was in. As she moved her head, she felt a throbbing pain, but she ignored it and looked around.

She was laying on a bed in the corner of what looked like a very grungy bunkroom. In the large room was 3 long rows of bunk beds. It was dark in the room, but she was able to making out sleeping shapes occupying almost all of the beds. She rolled back over in bed,

and heard a voice say, "Goil, is dat you I hear movin'?"

Startled, Laura rolled quickly back over and saw that the shape in the bed next to hers was propped up on one elbow peering at her. "So youse finally decided to wake up, hmm? I've been waitin' up for you 'cause I told Phillips I'd let 'im know when youse came to. Now I'm thinkin' he's asleep, but I know what he was gonna do anyways., so I'll jus' get the job done for 'im."

The boy turned and got out of his bed and walked down the space in between the beds and out of a door that Laura hadn't noticed at the far and of the room. She suddenly got frightened. What was this strange boy going to do to her that 'Phillips' was planning on doing? She quickly tried to get out of bed so she could get away, but as soon as she stood up, her legs gave out and she collapsed on the floor. Laura realized that she wouldn't be able to get away, so she pulled herself underneath the bunk and curled into a ball on the dusty floor.

The boy opened the door and walked quietly back to the bunk so he wouldn't awaken any of the other sleeping forms. When he got there, he sat down on the bed he was previously lying in, and noticed that the girl was gone. "What da hell? Where did she go in five minutes?"

He stalked over to the window and looked at it. "Hmm…closed, so she must still be here somewheres."

Under the bed, Laura shook with fear. The boy seemed upset, and now he knew she was still there. When she saw his feet start off in the opposite direction, she quickly pulled herself out from under the bed, and started crawling across the floor to the far end of the room.

"What on earth are you doin'?" the boy whispered loudly. He had turned around and saw Laura's form stealthily crawling across the floor. He walked towards her and stopped in front of her. When the boy looked down at her, he saw a tired looking girl staring up at him with frightened eyes. He realized she was afraid of him.

The boy hunched down and said gently, "I ain't gonna hurt ya. I'm gonna help ya, ok?"

Laura slowly nodded and stuck out her hand towards the one the boy extended. He helped her up and with his arm around her shoulders, led her back to bed. After helping her lie down, he handed her a cup of water and a cool, wet cloth. "Dis is what I went ta get," he said gently.

Laura placed the cloth on her forehead and sipped the water from the cup. "Thank you," she whispered as she closed her eyes.

The next morning, Laura awoke again and felt disoriented as she looked around the room. Suddenly, the previous night came back to her. She remembered a dark room, and hiding, and crawling, and a boy. She slowly sat up, relieved to find her head did not ache as it had the night before. She swung her legs around and placed them on the ground.

Laura watched as a large group of boys came out of what appeared to be a washroom and left through the door that she had seen the boy use the night before. No one seemed to notice her since her bed was in the corner of the big room. Laura let her attention wander as she took in the room with its many beds covered in thin blankets. One large window was on the wall near her and although it was dirty, it let in the glow of the morning sun. She walked towards it and pressed her palms against the cool glass.As she gazed out of it, she heard a familiar voice, "You're not plannin' on leavin' are ya?"

She turned towards the sound of the boy from the previous night, and was met by a thin boy leaning against a bed swinging a gold capped cane. He had dark gray pants on that were held up by a pair of red suspenders. Under the suspenders was a slightly dingy blue-gray shirt. The boy had on a hat that Laura recognized as being similar to the ones that the Manhattan newsies constantly wore. From underneath the hat, his hair was showing. Was in light brown or dark blonde? Laura couldn't tell. The thing she noticed the most about the boy was his pale blue eyes. They were shocking. The color of ice, or a clear sky, or a robin's egg, she wasn't sure, but she knew that they were unlike anything she had ever seen before. Laura realized she was staring and quickly averted her eyes.

"Well? I asked youse a question, and I expect an answer," the boy impatiently prompted Laura.

Laura found herself growing angry at the boy's rudeness. He seemed to think very highly of himself in comparison to last night when he seemed sweet and gentle. "How am I supposed to know if I want to get up and leave? I don't have the slightest idea where I am, I don't know who you are, and…and…" Laura stopped ranting because she felt her knees growing weak. She started to fall as the boy leaped forward and helped her. He put his arm around her and, once again, led her back to her bed. Laura sat on her bed, as the boy perched on the one opposite of her.

"I'se Spot Conlon," the boy proudly stated, as if that explained everything.

Laura's blank look frustrated Spot. "Ya know, leader of da Brooklyn newsies?"

"What? Newsies? You're a newsie?" Laura's heart began racing.

"Yea, I'se a newsie. The toughest around." Spot seemed oblivious to the fact the Laura was beginning to look panicked.

"So then this is…a lodging house?"

Spot nodded. "So what did you say youse name was?"

"I didn't say. But only Brooklyn newsies come here right? Just Brooklyn?"

"Well, sometimes other newsies from the other boroughs spend the night if they's in town."

"How often? Weekly? Monthly? Yearly?"

"Not much, they mostly be scared of Brooklyn. It's rough here. Why do ya care so much anyways?"

"Nevermind. What time is it?"

Spot looked around at the empty room. "'Round seven. I guess I ain't selling papes today. I'm sure dey'er sold out by now." he scowled, "T'anks a lot."

Laura felt bad that Spot wouldn't be able to earn his money today, but she was angry that he was actually blaming her for it. "It isn't MY fault that you aren't selling papers! You could have left and gone out there. I'm sure I could have figured everything out on my own without your help. In fact, I'm leaving!" Laura stood up and started striding towards the door. "I don't need to stay here with your arrogant attitude." As she reached the door, a wave of dizziness passed over her. She stopped and leaned against the door frame breathing heavily and waiting for it to pass. As she straightened up to leave again, Spot was standing right behind her. She felt his presence and turned, looking straight into his eyes. They pierced her with their angry intensity and she had to look away. Laura turned and continued down the stairs and out the door. She stepped into the warm morning air and started walking away quickly, while thinking to herself, 'Nice job, Laura! Leave a dry bed and the possibility of some food. Make an enemy in a new neighborhood. That Spot could easily hurt you. You've heard what those Brooklyn newsies are like. Tough and violent and mean.'

Later that afternoon, Laura was sitting on a quiet dock tryint to decide what to do. She couldn't go back to Manhattan, it held too many memories. Brooklyn was beginning to seem like it would not work out. She had already been there 7 days and had not found a home, a job, or even some food. She sighed and said aloud, "If only I could just find something to eat, I could think more clearly and have some energy."

"Yea, and maybe it'd make youse less crabby."

Laura gasped and jumped up. When she faced the source of the voice, she saw Spot, casually leaning on his cane. "What are you doing here?" Laura demanded as she began backing away, looking for an escape.

"I was gonna ask you the same t'ing," Spot said with a smirk, "This is MY territory after awl."

Laura was feeling very frightened. Was he threatening her? She quickly glanced to her left and saw an old warehouse. She couldn't run there. Behind her was water, and in front of her stood Spot. The only place to go was to the right. Laura turned and started running, but Spot quickly caught up to her and grabbed her arm. She started to scream.

"What da hell are you doin'?" Spot demanded, "I'm not gonna hurt you! Shut your mouth for a minute!" When Laura didn't stop, Spot clamped his hand over her mouth and pulled her towards a crate that was sitting on the dock. He pushed her onto it and held onto her as he began talking. "I don't know what you were thinkin', but I ain't gonna hurt youse. I didn't mean to scare youse, but when I saw ya, I thought I should say something. Youse shouldn't be out in Brooklyn alone if youse a goil. This is a rough part of town, and youse don't seem like the type that could defend herself. Got dat?"

Laura was wide-eyed as she nodded. Spot cautiously took his hand off of her mouth, and when she didn't scream, he sighed.

"I'm very sorry," Laura started, "I was just scared because I haven't heard good things about the newsies here. I didn't want to get into any trouble…and I'm very sorry."

"Dat's more like it," Spot said with a smile. To his surprise, however, Laura continued talking.

"…but my behavior doesn't makeup for your attitude. You shouldn't have blamed me for not being able to sell papes. You could have gone and bought some! And you didn't need to grab me so roughly! You are very rude and arrogant and cocky…and…and…just plain MEAN!"

"Well, are youse done yet?" Spot patiently asked.

"Yes, yes I am," Laura said in a huff.

"I'se been called worse in my life, so I'll forgive you dis time for your…choice of woids. Next time dat you want ta insult Spot Conlon, you may just not find youse-self so lucky." When Laura opened her mouth to protest, Spot gave her an icy stare and she quickly shut her mouth and sat silently.

Satisfied that Laura would finally be quiet, Spot sat down next to her on the crate. Laura gave him a side-long glance and spoke up. "Spot, how did I end up at the lodging house?"

"One of da boys, Turtle, found youse passed out in an alley. 'E carried ya back and we gave youse a bed."

"Don't t'ank me, t'ank Phillips. E's da one who let youse in, even though it was after hours."

"'E runs da lodging house."

The two sat in silence for a moment. Suddenly Spot turned towards Laura and asked, "What were youse doin' in da streets of Brooklyn at night? You ain't from 'round here, are youse?"

"No, not exactly, but I'd rather not talk about it. Painful memories."

"Dat's awl right." Spot understood completely about not wanting to speak of the past, so he didn't pry. Without looking away from her stunning turquoise eyes, he asked, "How long were you out dere?"

"Six days, today is the seventh."

"Have youse eaten at all in dat time?"

Laura shook her head and looked away.

"Dat'll never do. Let's git you something ta eat," Spot said as he stood up. "Some of da boys are prolly at lunch right now at O'Malley's. We can go dere."

"Um…it's alright. I'll…just stay here. Thank you anyways, Spot."

Spot looked at Laura and saw the fear in her face. He remember that she had said she heard bad things about Brooklyn newsies, so he realized he was frightened of going to the diner where so many of them would be. His face softened as he said, "How's about I get us some food somewheres and we eat it outside here. No other newsies. Can youse handle dat?" Laura was relieved that Spot would still buy her food, even though she wouldn't go to the diner, so she quickly agreed.

After they had purchased a little bit of food, the pair began to head back towards the dock to eat. On the way, Spot suddenly handed Laura the food he was carrying and said to her, "Be right back." Laura watched as he jogged over to a girl who was walking down the street. He embraced her and the two exchanged a kiss. Laura realized that the pretty brunette must be Spot's girl. She felt strangely jealous. 'Laura, you're Blink's girl, remember? Well, at least you were. I'm sure he's over you by now' At these thoughts, Laura began to feel salty tears fill her eyes. After a moment, Spot returned and Laura quickly wiped her eyes and turned away.

"What's da matter?" Spot questioned.

"Nothing, it's nothing."

Spot shrugged and continued walking. When they reached the dock, Laura and spot spread out their food. After a delicious meal, Spot asked Laura where she was planning on going.

"I'm not sure, I haven't really thought it through yet."

"Well, youse could come back wit me and be a newsie. Have you evah sold papes before?"

Laura had a split second in which she had to decide if she would be honest and thus give Spot a clue to her past, or lie and push him further from the truth. She chose the latter.

"No, never. Is it difficult?" Laura hoped her blushing face was not obvious.

"Nah, 'specially not if I teach youse. Coise a goil newsie IS strange, but they do have one in Manhattan."

Laura's heart stopped. "What?"

"Yea, a goil newsie. I hear she's pretty good, too."

'Oh no! If he knows that there was a girl newsie in Manhattan, it's only a matter of time before he discovers that it was me! I can't let that happen!'

Spot noticed that Laura wasn't paying much attention to what he was saying, so he changed the subject. "You never did tell we what youse name is."

"Oh…ah, I'm…" Laura stuttered.

"If ya don't wanna say, it's awl right," Spot said. He was used to secrecy.

"Alright," Laura gratefully said.

Spot continued, "But we will have ta call youse something if youse gonna be a newsie. Hmm…let's see…"

Spot couldn't think of a name for Laura, so the two got up and began walking in the general direction of the lodging house. As they walked in silence, both had thoughts racing through their heads. Laura thought about how her job as a newsie would give her a chance to earn enough money to get further away from Manhattan and what it reminded her of.

Spot's mind was trying to piece together the puzzle of the girl next to him. She had yelled at him earlier that morning, but now she seemed withdrawn and quiet. She was very afraid of Brooklyn newsies, and she seemed overly curious about who, besides the Brooklyn newsies, stayed at the lodging house. He wanted to know why she was running away, but he respected her privacy, so he wouldn't pry. However, he wanted to figure out what type of person she was because if she was to be a Brooklyn newsie, she would have to answer to him and he needed to decide the best way to get her to do that. He glanced over at her.

She was very dirty from spending a week on the street, but he could tell she was pretty. A little sad perhaps, but he knew that could be changed. Her dark blonde hair was long and straight. Her eyes were such a fabulous color, blue-green. They were big and centered in the middle of a golden face. Yes, she was definitely pretty…

Spot shook his head to rid himself of these thoughts. He was the leader of the Brooklyn newsies! He couldn't think these things about one of those who he led! Besides, he already had 3 girls, it would be a mess to try to have another.

The sun was just drooping past the horizon as they arrived in front of the lodging house. Spot stopped and turned towards Laura. "If you want, I can help youse sneak in da back window. Dat way youse don't need to meet up with any of da boys tonight."

"That would be great. Thank you for everything you've done today, Spot." Laura gave him a smile and he found himself distracted by her beautiful smiling face for a second. He came to his senses and led her around behind the building.

"See that window up dere?" Spot pointed at a small window on the second story. Laura nodded. "Dat's my private room. Watch dat window. I'll go in the lodging house and when you see me open dat window, just crawl up dis here fire escape and come in. None of me boys ever come in dat room. Dey know it's mine, so no one'll see youse." With that, Spot turned and walked around the corner, leaving Laura alone in the street. After a few minutes, she began to get worried. What was taking him so long? Just as she was about to turn and walk off, she saw Spot's face in the window. She watched him open it, and so she crawled up the fire escape and in through the open window.

When she was in the room, she gazed around her. This room was very small. It had one single bed pushed against the wall and an old, scratched bureau. On top of the bureau was 2 candles, a key on a string, a grimey deck of cards and a small pile of pennies. Spot's hand darted out and closed on the deck of cards as the other hand scooped up the pennies. Spot looked at her and said, "You can 'ave da bed, I'll lay on the floor." He turned towards the door of the room and was about to leave when he turned back and said, "And try ta keep quiet. You ain't supposed ta be here, so now you'll jus' have ta be a l'il secret." Laura nodded and was sitting down upon the bed when Spot had an idea. "Hey! Dat can be your name! Secret! You seem ta 'ave a lot of dem, plus now youse are one! How's dat? Is Secret fine by you?"

Laura smiled and laughed softly. "Yes, Secret is fine. And it does kind of fit, doesn't it?"

"You bet it does. Count on da great Spot Conlon to t'ink up da best name," Spot laughed. "Well, now Secret, I'se gonna go playing some pokah wit da guys, so you can change and wash up wit dat water over dere." Spot gestured towards the corner, where a large basin stood that Laura had overlooked before. Next to it was a piece of old, yellow soap and a washrag. When Laura looked up, Spot was gone and she was alone in the room.

Laura gratefully washed her face, arms, and legs. She regretted that she couldn't wash her hair, but it felt good to get the layer of grime off of her skin. She realized that she had nothing to change into. Turning around, she saw the sleeve of a shirt protruding from the pillow case on Spot's bed. After pulling the shirt out, she saw that the entire pillowcase was filled with clothing. She grabbed the first pair of pants she saw and changed into the outft.

Laura eased herself into the bed and pulled the thin covers up to her chin. She nuzzled into the lumpy pillowcase that she now knew did not hold a pillow at all. She made up her mind to wait up for Spot so she could thank him again for everything he did for her, but her eyelids kept drooping closed until finally, she fell asleep.

Much later that night, a tired, but richer, Spot made his way into the bedroom. He pulled open the top drawer of the bureau and felt for the box of matches. Finding what he needed, he struck the match and lit the two candles. Once the room had the soft glow of the candles lighting it, Spot turned towards his bed. He saw the sleeping form of Secret in his bed. He gazed at her serene face and blonde hair fanned out of the pillow. Her arms were sprawled about wearing…

"My shurt! What da…" Spot loudly whispered. He was silenced when Secret whimpered and rolled over. Her face tightened into a pained expression as she curled up her body.

"Oooh…no!" She called out. Spot was slightly surprised when he saw tears squeeze out from her closed eyes. "Please, somebody…help…me…help…us." Laura softly cried. Spot had been standing next to the bed, perplexed, but suddenly he felt his instincts telling him what to do. He perched on the edge of his bed and smoothed her hair with one hand as his other hand held firmly onto her cold clammy hand. Spot sat with the sleeping Laura until the candles burned low. He felt such an indescribable connection with her. It was such a shame that she was sleeping, he wanted to ask her if she felt the same thing.

"Nah, why would she? Da goils scared of all da Broiklyn newsies, and dat includes me." Frusturated, Spot turned away from her and strode over to the basin and splashed the cool water up against his face He washed off his hands and the water using the yellow soap. By mistake, he hit the basin holding the water when he threw down the soap. It rocked and splashed water.

"Shit!" He loudly whispered. After mopping up the water with the sleeve of his shirt, Spot unhooked his suspenders and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. He slipped it off and stood by the window, gazing out at the streets of Brooklyn. Even this late at night, people were still outside. Lights were still on and voices were still heard.

Laura slightly opened her eyes. She had heard a sound, like a splash, and a voice. When her eyes focused in the dimly lit room, she saw Spot standing by the window. He was looking silently out the window. Laura's eyes wandered down and looked at his bare back facing her. It was thin and slender, but Laura was able to see hard muscles pulled tautly across his back. He was very tan, and Laura noticed three brown dots in a diagonal line across his lower back. She also saw a long scar that cut from his right shoulder to about the center of his back. It looked like it had been made from a very deep cut. Laura gazed once again at the entire picture he made. Standing against the window, with just his back exposed, he looked harmless. He didn't seem like the intimidating, icy-eyed arrogant leader he was. He just seemed like a normal guy.

Laura knew though, that Spot could ruin her life. If he found out who she was, or what she used to be, he could destroy what she was trying to achieve. A new life, a life free from the shadow of her family's memories. In fact, he didn't even need to know the truth about her to make her life miserable. He could just continue acting like the selfish, self-centered newsie he was. But Laura knew in her heart that she didn't believe he was like that. He had already shown her a softer side more than once, but that didn't change the fact that she was scared of Brooklyn newises. She had heard terrible things about them hurting women and beating up people. She did not want that to happen to her. He did seem to care though, so she knew she had nothing to be afraid of, but until she was certain that he was ok, she would keep her guard up.

At that moment, Spot turned around. Laura quickly shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep. Spot walked over to her and she held her breath as she felt his presence next to her. She braced herself for whatever he was going to do, but he simply turned and blew out the candles. Laura heard him curl up on the floor and she listened to his breathing until it got slow and regular. Then she knew he was asleep, so she relaxed her muscles and let her mind wander until soon, she too, was fast asleep.

All comments, questions or ideas can be sent to the aurthor, Pineapple