Jack stood up and dusted himself off, reached out a hand to me afterward. I smiled and took it, balancing myself with my crutch and straightening my hat.

"So, shall we go home Crutch? An don't try ta tell me that you ain't come'in home wit me 'cause you are." 

Jack narrowed his eyes and gave me a stern glare. I closed my already protesting mouth and furrowed my eyebrows, looking up at him in slight irritation before nodding my head stiffly.

"Fine Mista Kelly, you win. Just for tonight though."

"Good, plenty a time for me ta change your mind then."

Jack shot me his dazzling smile and stuck his hands in his pockets, turning towards the mouth of the ally and starting to stroll towards the front. He checked behind his back more than a few times just to make sure I was still following him.

I was, rather begrudgingly at first than more eager when he mentioned the nice view of the sunset. I hadn't seen a sunset before Plenty of sunrises but no sunsets. Usually I wasn't allowed out'a work before dark an when I was I always hurried home so I could catch'a few hours of sleep. Sleep was my only escape. 

After a few minutes, we reached the foot f the ladder leading up to mist-uh, Jack's house. We went through an awkward conversation were Jack insisted on carrying me up the ladder. I couldn't have even started to try and attempt to climb up the ladder myself in the condition I was in so it was a necessary conversation. 

Hello embarrassment, it's just me Crutchie again. 

---

"Oh, would ya look at that sunset. You don't get many chances to see something as beautiful as dat every day. A long hard day at work and den ya see something like that and it's all worth it."

I let out a small hum in agreement, marveling at the colourful sky above us. Jack sighed as a lazy smile stretched over his face, his head tipping forward hurriedly so he could continue working on the picture he was skething. I carefully shuffled myself a little closer to him, giving in to my curiosity and looking over at the crease-less piece of paper on his lap that he was furiously drawing on. 

"Wow Mista Kelly ya really good." I stared open mouth at the beautiful picture on Jack's lap, the perfect copy of the real sunset that was painted across the sky in front of us. 

"Ha ha, thanks Crutch. Call me Jack."

I rolled my eyes at him and he let out a chuckle, reaching over to ruffle my hair. He returned his attention back to the sunset and then down to his drawing. We were sitting on the edge of the building, legs dangling over edge and the streets of New York spread out like a map beneath our feet. My stomach decided to disturb this peaceful moment and growl loudly, causing my face to turn an unflattering shade of red and Jack let out a soft chuckle.

I'm sorry Crutchie, I should'a asked ya if you were hungry. Stay here, i'll be back in a few minutes."

And with dat, Jack swung his feet over the ledge and grabbed his vest, slipping his arms through the sleeve holes and putting on his hat. He shot me a wink and disappeared down the ladder, quietly singing a merry tune about Santa Fey before turning and running out of into the street. I could hear his departing footsteps fade away ad I sighed, wondering how I had ended up in this dreamlike situation.

I mean, dis morning started out pretty normal. I got up before sunrise, went to work, got beat up, raided the garbage cans, went to my o'da job, got beat up, Morris found me and then Mr. Kelly came into da picture.

He protected me from da Delancey brother, didn't that mean he cared?

Maybe he was my guardian angel, I smiled at the thought. 

Mr. Jack Kelly, leader of Da Newsies' of New York Crutchie the Cripple's guardian angel. I let out a soft chuckle and yawned, blinking my eyes sleepily and walking over to the spot right next to Jack's bed. I took the old blanket that I had used earlier and wrapped it around myself. I curled up on the floor and yawned once again.

Just a few minutes, just until Jack gets back...