"Hey! What'cha do'n!? You wanna break your o'da leg to?"
"N-No, I just wanna go down."
I stuttered as Jack grabbed me under my arms and hauled me back up the ladder, taking me and setting me down on da rags and discarded pape's he used as a bed.
"Just take'a moment, relax in my penthouse way above the stink'in streets of New York."
He winked and sent me one of his million dollar smiles.
"You're crazy Jack."
"Why? I'm crazy cause I like a breath'a fresh air? Cause I like to see da sky and da stars?"
My smile grew as he waved his arms around, casting his eager sight back to me.
"Ha, you're seein stars alright."
Jack always made the worst things seem like a privilege. His little house on the top of one of New York's abandoned buildings wasn't much, but gratitude made it everything.
Even yesterday, when da Delancey brothers beat me up when I was buy'in papes, Jack had chased them off for me. He carried me back to da house due to the many bruises on my chest, arms, and legs. Through thick and thin, he always looked out for me. I don't know why, there was no angle, he couldn't get anything out of helping me. I was just a dumb cripple. Still, Jack was always there for me.
I had determined early into my childhood when my old man and ma tossed me to da curb in front of da orphanage that I couldn't count on anyone but myself, honestly, who would want to help me?
Even da sisters in the abbey that we visited often would give me that fake look f compassion. I had no family, after my parents ditched me I deemed myself an orphan.
By da age of 9 I was working three jobs, one in da morning, one in da afternoon, and one dat took up a few hours in da night. Even though I had my disadvantage, I wouldn't let that stop me from getting a job and supporting myself. It would take me longer than all da other boys to complete my tasks since I had to walk with a crutch but, the long hours working kept me off da streets.
The streets were way worse than the workhouses and orphanages, the people out their were made to hurt. Yeah, I am ashamed to say it but I had my share of nasty men and women who had no business having the right to live, let alone having the privilege to walk along the alleyways at night. I was older now and pretty much knew the alleyways to avoid but, da memories are still there, I don't think those will ever fade.
Day in, day out, beatings, hunger and mockery filled my life until finally, I was old enough to work as a Newsie, selling papers and boosting me up the status ladder. Well, easier said den done. I had watch with wide eyes as a boy, about 14 had stood on the side of da curb and had people flocking to him, all with their hands digging deep into their pockets. It was then that I decided that someday, I would be him.
Two Months Ago
"Boy! Get back in'ere!"
"Sorry sir! I'm coming right away!" I grabbed my crutch and hurried back inside, guilty dat I had been caught staring at the Newsies again.
"I'm sorry sir I-"
"Shut-up!"
I saw the slap coming a mile away so I shut my eyes and turned my face away. Like I expected, he held nothing back as he ran the length of his dirty hand across my face over and over again, along with aiming a kick or two along my stomach and legs after I had fallen over, some boss.
After my morning shift, I had a few hours to myself so I decided to see if I could catch some sleep. My boss had targeted mostly my bad leg so I couldn't go far. I knew that I really only needed one leg to work and I think he knew that too.
I backed myself up into the farthest part of da alley and hid myself behind a few boxes, closing my eyes as I leaned my my head up against the cold and uneven brick wall that raked at my back.
Just a few minutes...
I was awoken by a shove that set me sprawling across the gritty cobblestones. I groaned but managed to give a smug smile to my attacker.
"Hey dere Morris, com back to-"
I was cut off by a bow to my stomach that left me doubling over heaving. He ripped my hat off my head and yanked my hair so I was standing somewhat straight again. He leaned in close to my face so that he could spit out his words through gritted teeth, his foul breath washing over my face.
"What gives you da right to speak ta me you filthy good fir not'in?"
"I-m s-sorry, sir." I managed to choke out. I was starting to blackout due to the pain that was shooting through my entire body. I took in as much air as possible, trying to clear my blurry vision.
"Oy! What'cah do'in? What do ya think dat--oh, Morris Delancey. You pick'in on o'da kids again? I should'a known."
"Jack Kelly, come back for another knuckle sandwich? Your in luck, today you can get one fir free."
Morris threw me to the ground and I fell back onto the cobblestones, my knees protesting as they met the hard and unforgiving bricks. My head was spinning so I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to process the conversation going on above me.
Jack Kelly. Jack Kelly. Where had I heard that name before? Jack, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Jack? I can't remember ever seeing any- Oh. How can I be so stupid. Jack Kelly, leader of da Newsies of Manhattan. The famous Jack Kelly was standing right in front of me.
"Lucky for you Morris, I gotta git somewhere. But, dis time, jus give me da kid and I'll be out'a your hair, final offer."
Jack shrugged his shoulders and strode forward when Morris just sneered at him. He delivered a well placed punch to the side of his head and then swept his legs out from underneath him, causing him to bang his head against the side of the alley and knocking him out effectively.
"Come on kid, we gotta go." Jack ran over to me and extended one of his calloused hands, glancing repeatedly back out into the front of the alley.
"I'm s-sorry sir, go without me, I'll jus slow you down. I can't walk without my crutch and Morris so kindly broke it."
Mr. Kelly focused his attention to me and I could see him scanning me up and down.
"Alright den."
My heart sank. Of course, I knew he would leave. I mean, I just told him to but that comment completely shattered me.
"Com on kid, grab my hand, I can't pick ya up when you're all da way down there. Help me out."
He gave me a quirky smile and reached his hand out farther to me.
I took it.
Once I was on my feet Jack grabbed under my knees and carried me. I didn't what to say. At this point, only my dreams had gotten me dis far. I stayed silent until we stopped, trying to shake the stars out of my vision.
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