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| The worst weather since Angel had returned threatened to pounce as she hopped up onto the Ice Carriage. The man's voice she had heard still echoed in her mind as she looked up at the dark ominous clouds. She had gotten over the conflict with Spot and dismissed it as just another one of their games. They fought like that often before she left, then though it was more of a playful quarrel, now it seemed like there was more behind it. As this thought entered her mind however she pushed it away and hopped off the carriage to help the man with his ice. "Josephine?" The man jumped a bit. "Yes, it's me. Here let me help you with that." "Oh yes of course, thank you." Mr. Fordham seemed to be the same as when she left. He was most likely in his early fifties and still surprisingly healthy, his wife was much younger then him and she had just gave birth a few months before she left. "So Mr. Fordham how's Claire?" "Not very well I'm afraid, shes come down wid somthin' terrible." "I'm sorry to here that. I'm sure she'll be fine though. If she's anythin' like her mother she'll be more den that." He laughed a bit at this and they continued to deliver ice down the road. When they were finished he headed across the bridge and she got off as he went to deliver the last of the load. It was mid morning and the newsies were out doing there best to make ends meat. The clouds became ever more menacing as she entered Medda's. It was assured to be a depressing day. The place was empty now but usually didn't get going till much later. She just walked around the place cleaning or polishing where it needed it. As she came to the front she just starred out the door at the crowded street. The people of New York knew when there was a storm coming and they were trying to get out of its way. In all the furious confusion the newsies tried to sell their papers to the hurrying peoples on the street. CRASH! Deafening thunder now silenced the city and everyone stopped for an instant caught by surprise. The pause didn't last long as they now moved quicker with that warning from the heavens. The street cleared and there were few out and about other then newsies. The rain did not come right away but when it did it came hard and fast. By then most newsies were out of the way. She figured some had headed to Tibby's so she grabbed an umbrella and went to grab a bite to eat. Under the cover of the canopy over the door she closed the umbrella and went in to see who was around. Jack and David sat on the other side of the room with Racetrack and Mush across from them. The rain however couldn't keep them from laughing and joking, and she was glad to see that. She sat alone at a small two-seat table near the door and next to the window. No one but the waiter noticed she was there and he came over. "Ill just have some water and a ham sandwich." He nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen. She continued to look around the room and saw that not all the newsies looked as happy as Jack, David, Mush and Racetrack. With in minutes though the waiter came back with her order and she moved to a table closer to the smiling quartet. "What in the world could get you to smile so much on such a day?" This she asked as she leaned over closer to their table. Realizing who was addressing them they turned to face her. "Well?" "I was just teachin' da boys a few tricks." Racetrack, cards in hand, was dealing another hand as he said this. "We's headed to Brooklyn tanight for a little get tagether." Jack laughs. "There's a big card game tanight by da docks." He looks at Racetrack still dealing and laughs. "Race heah is just teachin' us how ta be a shawk like him." "Ah yes, well if youse wanna git outta Brooklyn in one piece I suggest you let dem win a few." Angel smiles pointing out the obvious. She had to admit to herself however she didn't know anything about the get together, but didn't let on to them. It didn't bug her too much, but the decision to go or not did. Spot hadn't invited her so he must not want her there, or perhaps he forgot or just didn't see her to invite her. Now thinking perhaps that the quarrel meant something to him she thought it was a good idea not to stay too long if she went. But she had to go, not going could ruin her reputation even worse then being gone for a year. She paid for her lunch and left without saying goodbye as the boys continued to play cards. It was still raining out and she opened up the umbrella as she stepped out. Heading to Medda's she decided that she would be going. The boarding house wasn't that far away from the docks and she could just act like she stumbled across the game. ************************ The evening approached and the newsies had sold most of their papers. They continued to sell the rest as they headed to the Brooklyn Bridge. Angel was already in Brooklyn, she pretended to be immersed in her window washing. Every once and awhile she glanced over her shoulder toward the bridge as the newsies filed across and headed for Spot's dock. Race however caught her looking and casually walked over. She tried not to look at him though as she continued with the windows. "Heya Jo, care for a game of chance, a game of mystery and intrigue?" He tried to sound mysterious and whimsical but it just came off as sarcasm. Angel looked down from the windowsill and smiled. He held out his hand and bowed mimicking a gentleman and off they went for the dock. If she was going to go this was the best way. This way she wasn't intruding or crashing the party she was invited, not by the host but it was close enough. As they got closer she could tell that the games had already begun. It seemed to be quite a big affair, Jack was there with Sarah and there were a more then a few newsies with girls on their arms. Things settled down quickly, the girls chatted amongst themselves and the guys did their guy things; play poker and brag about the girl they were there with. Race headed over near Mush and Boots to join their game, Angel awkwardly walked over to the other girls. 'Greatgirly girls' she thought as she walked closer to the chatty giggling bunch. Les seemed to be the life of their little party as he tried to show them a card trick Race had taught him. Sarah noticed Angel and motioned for her to stand beside her. She did and just stood there as the girls laughed at Les, who by then was beginning not to like this attention. Les eventually got out and the girls continued to chat and gossip. As they sat there giggling Angel sat somewhat near the outside of the bunch not having much fun. She sat next to Sarah who was also beginning to get tiered of the endless giggling and gossip. Jack however came and rescued her, they went off somewhere more quiet and left Angel alone with the girls. Slowly the girls began to leave as the newsie they came with beckoned. Race being the shark stayed quite long: "So Spot, what'll it be?" Race questioned as he looked over his cards. "I'll see you and raise ya 5 cents." He answered, obviously feeling quite sure of himself. "I'm out." Mush folded. "To rich for my blood." Boots followed suit. Spot mimicking Race: "So Race, What'll it be?" "I'll call." Race looked a little nervous as Spot began to lay out his cards. "Four of a kind." Race seemed to wince as he looked over Spot's four Jack's. "Well," Race nodded. "That's purtty good." But just as Spot began reaching for the money "Hold on dere." Silence. "In your honor sir...a Royal Flush." Spot looked stunned as Race laid out his cards in front of him. Spot was quite frustrated and pushed the pile at Race, nearly sending pennies and nickels flying. He then just sat back with that famous sourpuss glaring at Race. Angel watched from afar and witnessed the event, knowing that perhaps tonight wouldn't be the best time to talk with Spot. After this game it was obvious that it was time for the Manhattan boys to head back home. Only one or two of them brought a girl, and they walked off towards the bridge. The sunset was nearly scarlet red and the darkness would consume the city in a matter of minutes. Race walked over again trying to be the perfect gentleman. "Shall I walk you home my lady?" Angel laughed. "That's okay," She glanced away from him for a second and saw Spot still sitting where he was before only now looking quite intently over at her. "I've got some business to take care of. Youd bettah head back before it gits to dawk." Race looked a little hurt but figured it was for the better as he caught a glimpse of Spot as he walked towards the bridge with Mush and Boots. Angel sat there still and looked back at the sunset. She leaned up against a crate behind her as Spot found his way over. He sat beside her. "I still say it's the same sun...but I suppose I don't look at it enough...Reminds me o' the sayin' red sky at mornin' sailor take warnin', red sky at night sailors delight..." Spot said sheepishly, he hadn't sounded like that since she was in the closet. "Oh shut up." She smiled and looked over at him, he looked back but didn't smile. He just looked sort of sad. She moved over closer to him and leaned up against his side, he leaned back a little and put his arm around her shoulder. They both sighed as the sun disappeared over the end of the world. End Part Four |
| Red Sky at Night Sailors Delight |
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