That was the start of my new beginning. A real new beginning.

From dat day on I managed to really make a place for myself in with da other Newsies, earning their respect and trust as dey slowly earned mine.

I'm definitely not saying dat it was a walk through da park though. People still stared, people still mocked; they still didn't understand what my life was like and total strangers spat their hateful words at me as they took out their anger in kicks and punches.

Those didn't hurt any less.

But this time, Jack was there to pick me up again and help me back on my feet, giving me that million dollar smile and returning my crutch to its rightful place under my arm. He would straighten my hat and smooth out the strap of my paper bag, scanning me over for injuries and dragging me back to his rooftop if he found a scrape or cut he said 'must be treated right now'; no matter how much I protested that we had to get back to work.

He was like the older brother I never had but always wanted, and I really do think he was my guardian angel, sent to me by someone who decided to finally hand out some luck my way. Whoever it was I am eternally grateful.

Now, as I look back to the time before Jack, even before I became a Newsie I think how lucky I was dat Jack had found me when he did. I didn't want to admit it back den, and I'm not even sure if I could admit it now but... I was close. So close to taking what I had fought so hard to keep alive and just throwing it all away.

It still makes me frown every time I think back to that dark period in my life, much much darker than what it was now.

I had a nice, solid schedule now and that was just another thing that I was thankful for. I would get up in the morning - I still stayed with Jack - then Jack and I would watch the sunrise. He would sketch for a bit and then came my favourite part. He would walk to the edge of the roof and take in a deep breath, calling all of his Newsies awake and telling them that it was time to hit the streets. It was like he was da one responsible for waking Manhattan from its sleep and everything just came alive at his command. And yes, I was now part of the boys; and that made me happier than ever. It was never really'a official thing but I could tell when the o'da boys finally accepted me into their group. They looked at me differently, and'dey didn't have their guard up around me.

That really made me feel like part of the Newsies, because even families could sometimes have their disagreements but you could always count on your friends, your true friends dat is; the people who weren't use'in you for nothing and liked you for who you were to have you back when ya needed them.

And that's what I found in Jack, and his Newsies.

One penny.

One paper.

A Newsie.

A cripple.

A dime a dozen dreamer, we're all the same but different. We're all working towards something better and hope fuels us to strive towards that dream. Because we all want more but that's okay. Just because you have more doesn't mean you don't want more, and I now know that it's okay to dream. That it's okay for everyone to dream, even the rich are granted the ability to hope.

Ultimately, it's us who has the decision to take our lives and make it our own. We can just let our lives play out and let it knock us off our feet, not even putting up a fight; or we can say no. We can fight back and make our own way, reach out and seize the day to make a better future for ourselves.

And helping each other make a better life we make a better world for everyone, and isn't that really the point?

Sometimes in the act of trying to make things right all by yourself, you can make things all the more wrong. So don't be afraid to look back on your actions and learn from them, make sure you know what you're doing before you do it, and if you do do it, make it count. If you're gonna work, work hard, and don't let anyone get in your way.

Accept help if it's offered, and give credit where credit is due. Life isn't meant to be spent alone, but choose your company wisely.

My name's Crutchie, I am an orphan and all da living relatives that I had known are dead. I grew up alone and having my old man and ma toss me to the curb hurt. I wasn't able ta admit dat before but I can now. Just because I'm an orphan doesn't mean dat I don't have a family, quite da opposite really 'cause now I have a family with more bro'das den I can count. I have friends who I know'll have my back in I need it and they know dat I'll have their back to if the time comes.

And most importantly.

I finally found someone I can lean on.

The End.

"Friens and feller workers. This is a time which tries de hearts of men. Dis is de time when we'se got to stick together like glue.... We know wot we wants and we'll git it even if we is blind."

-Louis "Kid Blink" Baletti, age 18 (The original Jack Kelly)