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| The boat blew its whistle and people waved from the dock. Sarah was very excited to finally meet her cousin in person. They had been writing to each other since they were little. Sarina Jacobs was born in Ireland, her father Joseph was the younger brother of Sarah's father. Sarah's father had left Ireland a few years before she was born, he was hoping to find a new and better life here in New York City. The rest of the Jacobs family stayed in Mayo Ireland but kept in touch with their pioneering family abroad. Joseph however took his part of the family to England hoping to find a better life in London. As the boat docked Sarah's heart skipped a beat. Jack was there with her by her request. David, Les and their parents were also there; dressed up as best they could for the occasion. Sarina was sixteen almost seventeen and her parents felt that she should get out and explore the world, or at least that's how it was explained to Sarah and her family. They saved for years to be able to send her to America, but they didn't have enough to go with her, so sent her to live with Sarah and the family. "Sarina! Over hear!" Sarah shouted as loud as she could so that she could be heard over the other members of the welcoming party for the boat. Sarina heard her and started to head in that direction. Pushing through the crowd she eventually managed to get there dragging her luggage behind her. "Welcome to New York Sarina." Mr. Jacobs gave her a big welcoming hug as did Sarah and Mrs. Jacobs. "Well after that boat ride I'm certainly glad to be here. Its so nice to finally meet you all!" "Well we'd better get going before we're all late for work." Mrs. Jacobs hurried them all along. When they got out to the street where it was less crowded they began more formal introductions. "Well Sarina this here is my eldest son David." He pats David on the back proudly. "This is Les..." "I'm his younger brother!" Les, always pointing out the obvious. "Really?!" Sarina tried to appease Les and acted astonishingly interested. "Yes, and this is Sarah of course, and my lovely wife; your aunt." "Well it is as I said a real pleasure. But who are you?" Sarina looked in Jack's direction. Sarah blushed, she had forgotten about Jack. "The name's Jack Kelly your cousins business partnerand friend." Jack extended a hand and Sarina shook it politely. "Well like I said we'd best get going so we can all get to work. David you and Les already bought your papers so you can show her home and perhaps give her a little tour." Said Mrs. Jacobs. David didnt seem too excited about it but Les however was ecstatic. "Yea Sarina come on I know all the best places in New York! Come on Ill show you around! Come on!" Les pulled at her hand as his mother slipped her a piece of paper and left David to carry her luggage. ******************************************************** "You'll have to share a bed with Sarah, we don't have any more." David plopped her luggage down onto the bed and sat next to it to rest. "That's all right, I had to share a bed with a smelly obese woman on the trip here." Les laughed at this; David gave a little grin. "Come on David get up, we still have to sell our papes, we can show her around while we do that!" Les grabbed David's hand and tried pulling him off the bed. David resisted at first but reluctantly agreed. They headed down the stairs and back out into the wonderful sunny morning. "So you're newsies right? Or at least until your father finds another job?" "Yea we're newsies! You wanna sell with me taday Sarina? I can teach yea all about it!" Les begged her. "Sure Les, you know we have newsies in London too. Only in my neighbor hood even some girls sold papes. But we dressed up like boys; it was fun until the guys started challenging us over territory. Men and their territory!" Sarina gave a sigh and laughed at the obvious reality of it. "Really? Wow! You sold papes Sarina?" Les was honestly astonished by that fact. "Sure, it was hard over there though. I lived in a pretty rough part of London. I guess according to Sarah it was like Brooklyn to New York City." Les looked up at her admiringly. "Really? Awesome! Maybe you could teach me something then." "Les really. Come on Sarina where you're from couldn't be half as bad as Brooklyn, you're just fooling with Les." David was positive she was lying. Just then the newsies came around the corner singing about carrying the banner. In front of Sarina, Les and David were the nuns and the newsies stopped for a little something to wake them up. "Les quick give me your hat." Sarina took his hat. "Now today if anyone asks your name is Patrick, ok? When I start to sing you pretend like you are trying to run away from me, then just keep running, but make sure everyone sees you. Alright?" Les gave her a funny look but complied. Then she started to sing. "Patrick...darling...since you left me I am undone," Less breaks free of her arms and starts to run away. "Mother...loves you. God save my son!" Sarina reaches for Les as he runs away, gripping his hat like it's the only thing she has left. In the background the newsies sang as well. "Just give me half a cup...Something to wake me up...I gotta find an angle...I gotta sell more papes...Papers is all I got...Wish I could catch a breeze...Sure hope the headline's hot...All I can catch is fleas...God help me if it's not...Somebody help me please...If I hate the headline I'll make up a headline and I'll say anythin' I hafta...cause it's two for a penny if I take too many Weasel just makes me eat em afta...". They continued with their song, which got a little more hopeful in the end. Jack, looking on from the alley laughed and walked over to David and Sarina. David mean while was quietly astonished by what he just saw. "Not bad...for a Brit." Jack said as Sarina turned and smiled. "So David what were you saying about fooling Les?" "Alright so you weren't lying about the papes, but I'm not so sure about the Brooklyn thing." Sarina laughed. "Brooklyn couldn't possibly be as bad as you seem to think it is David." "You must not be from around heah" Racetrack walked up behind them and had heard what she had said. The other newsies had as well and were quite tickled by her comment. "So sweet hawt where yea from?" "Well I'm originally from Ireland but grew up in England, London actually." "Well uh me friends call me Racetrack, but uh you can call me whatevah you like." The newsies laugh and all at once try to introduce them selves. "I'm Boots!" "Kid Blink heah" "Heya I'm Crutchy" "Mush, Nice ta..." "Now, now let's not crowd the goil." Jack pushes through. "Give hah some room ta breath. Everyone dis is Sarina, Dave's cousin. Sarina dis is everyone." "Its a pleasure...I guess..." "Hey Davey why didn't yea evah tell us you had fox for a cousin!" Shouted Specks from behind the mass of newsies. Sarina felt a little bit over whelmed but was glad that she could get all this out of the way. Then out of now where Les came running up to her. "Hey look Sarina! I sold all my papes and this guy came me two whole quarters!" "What did he give you them for? You weren't drinking again were you?" David sounded annoyed. "Naw, I'm not sure exactly why but he said something about how sorry he was that...such a good little boy...was born to such a young mother. Then he said that I should give the quarters to her so she wouldn't...uh...oh yea sell her body or something, I sorta stopped listening after that." All the newsies started laughing hysterically, David however looked quite upset. "Sarina my father taught us not to lie." David's famous conscience started to peek through. "Yea so did mine, but he also taught me when a little white one comes in handy." Sarina's nice polite faade was starting to fall away and her true self began to show. "Any ways Dave, you've got papes to sell and I've got a job to find. Your mother slipped me a piece of paper with an address on it before she parted, so I guess I should go check that out first. Anyone willing to show me the way?" With that all the newsies offered their help. In the end however it was Crutchy she choose, he seemed to be less likely to try to take advantage of her, and she didn't feel like warding off any love struck newsies her first day in New York. ************************************************* By and by they got to where the note said. It was The Sun headquarters. "Well Miss it seems your aunt has some connections. Now all you'se gotta do is act the part she probably played you up ta be. Good luck." Crutchy patted her on the back and hobbled off. Sarina just shook her head as she looked up at the building. "Well here goes nothing." She said under her breath. She opened the door and walked it. The first thing she saw was a big desk in the middle of a titanic room. On either side of the desk were staircases leading to one main elevator with beautiful shiny doors. As she looked mouth wide open at this majestic room the rude little man behind the desk noticed her. "Excuse me. Do you have an appointment?!" Sarina jumped a little at the sound of his voice and quickly looked at the piece of paper, she thought she had seen a name or something. She tried from then on to sound as wise as she could and keep her insecurities inside. "Yes I do believe a Mr. Denton is expecting me?" The man rolled his eyes and looked down at the desk and searched through some sort of book. After what seemed like an eternity he answered. "Yes, office F309. The seventh floor. Please take the stairs, through the doors over there to your left. The elevator is for employees only." Sarina thanked him as politely as she could considering she felt as though he meant to insult her. 'Seventh floor?' She thought to herself. 'Mr. Denton could have left and gone out to lunch before I reach it. Mr. Denton...' The name sounded awfully familiar to her, all the way up she racked her brain trying to think of where she had heard that name before... 'Fifth floor, almost there...sixth floor...seven!' She opened the door to the seventh floor and began looking for F309. Finally she reached it and on the door was inscribed DENTON. 'Alright' she thought 'it's all or nothing.' She knocked three short knocks and waited for a reply from within. Almost immediately the door opened and there stood a rather tall man, skinny, brown hair and brown eyes. Not all together handsome, but not all together ratty either. "Well, well it's nice you finally decided to show up. I was about to go down and see if you had come yet or not." "Yes well I am sorry I would have gotten hear sooner but I had to bring my things so the Jacob's then the man at the front desk said that I couldn't use the elevator so..." "Wouldn't let you use the-well after today you will be able to use it trust me." "Well, Mr. Denton I must admit that I'm not all together sure what it is I am here to do." Sarina stood just inside the office trying not to look nervous. Denton laughed. "Please, sit down." He pointed to a chair in front of his desk and he sat behind it. "Well since the newsie strike it's been decided that I would be better here. I've...uhput in a request to have an assistant. Someone who can proof read my writing before I submit it to the editor. Mrs. Jacobs tells me that you are an accomplished writer?" "Well I wouldn't say accomplished, I can write though and spelling does seem to come natural to me. I can understand most anything that's put in front of me. When I was younger in London I would read every chance I got, and read everything I could get my hands on..." Well I think that would make you quite accomplished. I must tell you that I was a little hesitant at first to give you the job, Mrs. Jacobs and her husband, Dave, Les and Sarah are all dear friends and I promised that I would at least give you a chance. So this week we'll have a trial run, if things don't go well then I can help set you up with a job elsewhere" "Well thank you but you really dont have to..." "No, I'd like to. It's hard enough getting on in New York when you've lived here your entire life; this is your first day here so it will be twice as hard until you get your bearings." "Thank you very much Mr. Denton. I can't tell you how happy I am to meet such wonderful people. Most of the people I've met since I have arrived have been quite friendly." "Just be careful the newsies don't get too friendly." They both smiled at that, they had indeed began to get a little to friendly that morning. "Well there isn't much for you to do today." Said Denton as he looked around his desk. "So what do you say you start first thing tomorrow? I'm usually in the office from nine to five, I do other work outside the office but if I ever need you then I'll let you know in advance. So...how about it, are you ready for your first job in the Big Apple?" "As ready as I'll ever be." Sarina sounded very nervous now, she had successfully managed to contain it until then. Denton smiled at Sarina as though he was looking at a poor orphaned kitten in an alley. She sat there not knowing what to do. If she left she wouldn't know where to go or how to get there. She had only arrived here this morning and was completely lost. Not wanting to look afraid she got up. "Well till tomorrow Mr. Denton." "Yes till tomorrow...you know the newsies usually like to hang around Tibby's this time of day. It's time for lunch anyway and perhaps David will be there. Come, I'll walk with you." And so he did. They headed out of his office and went down the elevator. It wasn't too far to Tibby's by Trolley and Denton was more then willing to pay for the ride. It made Sarina feel a little awkward, not having known him for more then two hours and all. But she thanked him profusely. When they arrived at Tibby's the place was crawling with Newsies from inside and out. "Strange..." Said Denton thinking out loud to himself. "What's strange?" Sarina didn't need to hear that word filled with such doubt from a man who knew the Newsies so well. "Oh, nothing it's just I haven't seen this many newsies in one place since the strike, when they had the rally at Medda Larkson's theater." They looked on from across the street as the newsies had mock fights and poker games in front of the restaurant. Then Denton started across as Sarina followed close behind, peering out from behind him now and then to see what was going on. As they neared the door she saw nothing but unfamiliar newsie faces, but that didn't surprise her, she figured that she couldn't have met all the Manhattan newsboys in one morning. She also noticed that some of them had slingshots sticking out of their back pockets, not something she had noticed that morning. Denton managed to push his way in. As Sarina entered behind him she felt a sharp pinch through her dress on her backside! Through instinct and without thought she turned and kicked the boy in the shin. He buckled over in pain and the newsies outside got quite a kick out of it. Denton hadn't noticed however so she quickened her step to catch back up with him. The inside of the restaurant was filled with seemingly more mature newsies and more familiar faces. She saw Crutchy in the corner with Mush and Kid Blink, Dave and Jack sat at the table next to them and were accompanied by an unknown newsie with an awful sour look on his face. Crutchy waved and hobbled over. "Heya Sarina, how's the job hunt goin'?" Crutchy acted excited to see her; she felt the same considering the company she was in outside. "It seems her hunt is over." Denton half shouted over the chatter. "Heya Mr. Denton it sure was nice a' yea ta give hah a job, just right down swell." "Well if she's as good as her aunt says she is then I'd be a fool not to give it to her." Crutchy laughed. "So how's David, is it alright if I go say hello?" Sarina thought it best if she asked, it seemed that they were having a heated conversation at his table. "I tink we's bettah git a table some wheres else. Dey's discussing tings of a business nature ovah dere." So they went and sat with Mush and Blink, they seemed happy to see her as well. She tried to catch David's eye as she walked past, but wasn't able to. Jack and Dave were sitting on one side of the table with their backs to her, the only person she would have been able to make eye contact with was the sour faced, yet still attractive looking newsie across the table from them. Mush and Kid Blink sat across the table from her, back to back with Dave and Jack. Mush kind of leaned up against the wall giving Sarina a better look and listen to the conversation Dave was having with the two other newsies. She ordered a little something to munch on (Denton again offered to pay so she didn't get much) and strained to hear Dave's words as Mush, Blink and Crutchy chatted amongst themselves. Putting their conversation together as best she could she pieced together that there was "a problem with" some "distribution office" somewhere and that they were "sick of this shit that should have ended when the strike did." They did seem to get it together and come up with a good plan to solve it. Some of the newsies started to clear out by now and it was quieter so she could hear their speech clearly. "Well all dis chattah has gotten me starved. So...uh...I'se don't know about you'se guys but I'm orderin' me self somethin'." Jack seemed more relaxed as he stretched out in his chair. "I'm starved too. What about you Spot?" replied Dave. "Yea I heah yea dere." said the now not so sour faced newsie with a smile on his face, actually it seemed more like a smirk to her. She looked away quickly though, for fear he would see she was looking. When she brought her attention back to her own table she found they were all staring at her. They laughed rather loudly as her face became flushed with embarrassment. To avoid their eyes she glanced back at Dave's table and unintentionally caught Spot's eyes. He seemed taken by surprise at first to see any girl other then Sarah in the company of newsies. But he was then caught by a certain sparkle in her eye and kept gazing. Sarina became quite uncomfortable and unsure whether or not to look away. "Hey Sarina when did you get here?" Dave turned around to see what Spot was looking so intensely at. "Why didn't you say something?" Her eyes went to Dave and she quickly spurted out an answer. "Well you seemed to be having quite a heated conversation, I didn't want to interrupt." Sarina's face still a little pink began to cool down, she noticed however that Spot was still getting an eye full of her as she talked to Dave. She didn't mind though. There was something about him that attracted her, perhaps it was his smile/smirk or his icy blue eyes or that mysteriously dangerous look in his eyes, she didn't know but something made her want to be close to him. Feeling she could sit there and look at him and have him look at her for hours she reluctantly got up when David said that they'd better head out. Spot didn't say much as they headed out, which was uncommon for him. "Hey Spot, cat got your tongue?" Jack jokingly asked him as they headed down the street, Sarina didn't really know where they were going, obviously. "Youse could say dat." Spot spit the answer back quickly and uncommonly quiet. "Oooo. So who's da lucky goil?" Jack mockingly put his arm around Spot's shoulder and Spot pushed it off. Jack continued to get it out of him while Sarina and Dave walked ahead of them. "So where are we going David?" Sarina couldn't wait any longer; she needed to get her mind of that newsie. "Oh yea...uh...I'll swing by and drop you off home. Then I'm headed to the newsie lodging house to finish discussing what we were talking about at Tibby's." Dave seemed bothered by Sarina's tagging along, and acted like he was going out of his way to show her home. Hurt by his unspoken but obvious feelings Sarina tried to think of a way to shed better light on the situation. "I got the job with Denton. I'm not sure how to get there but I can ask someone else tomorrow. Perhaps Crutchy will show me again. Well you won't have to worry about me tagging along anymore, I'm a fast learner and I'm sure I can figure out this maze soon. It can't be too much harder then London, did you know that the roads in London are the same as the Middle Ages and that's really-" "Here we are, you do remember which apartment it is right?" David seemed to be running on a short fuse. "Yes I think-I mean...of course...sure...no problem." Before she had time to answer completely Dave was already starting to leave. "Davey what do yea tink your doin'? You ain't goin' nowhere's until we's been properly intrahdused." Spot seemed annoyed that David hadn't already done so. "Oh yea. Well Spot this is Sarina my cousin she'll be staying with us for a while and Sarina this is Spot." David hurried through the introductions but caught Spot's threatening eye as he thought he was finished. "He's the leader of the Brooklyn newsies..." Spot still looked at David. "whom we couldn't have won the strike without..." Spot now seemed pleased with the introduction and looked with a smug face at Sarina. "Pleasure to meet you." Sarina said, this time being very sure to mean it. "No, no the pleasure's all mine." Spot sort of did a little bow and extended his hand and Sarina took it and they shook. A tingle went through her arm and down her back as she held his hand for those few seconds. He had strong hands, they were warm and rough from all those newspapers but they still seemed inviting and somehow gentle. Sarina snapped out of it when she heard David breathe a heavy sigh. "Cool it mouth dey ain't goin' no wheres." Spot turned to David while letting go of her hand. "I hope I'll be seein' you around." He looked back at Sarina tipped his hat and walked off with Jack and David. David looked back and gave her a cold look. Sarina tried to shake it off and went up to the apartment, as best she could remember. ******************************************************** It was dark out now and Sarina looked out the window from where she laid. It was hard to make out the stars because of the gaslights below the building, but she had a better view here then the one she had in London. As she strained to see the sparkling lights she heard a noise from outside the window. It sounded like someone was climbing up the fire escape. Sarina got quite tense all of a sudden when wondering whom it could be at this time of night. It was early September but still hot out and the nights still had an air of humidity. The window was wide open and she was too afraid to get up and close it. She looked over at Sarah sleeping beside her, she didn't seem to here anything, she was still sound asleep. As she looked back at the window however someone was climbing in. Sarina broke into a cold sweat as she froze from fear under the cover of the blanket. She kept a close eye on the person as they headed across the room. Then they bumped into the bed giving her a fright and waking up Sarah. "Davey?" Sarah rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Yeah?" Answered the intruder's voice. "What are you doing? It's so late. Mom and dad will not be happy, that meeting better have been important." "It was Sarah, just go back to sleep." David the intruder answered back in an annoyed tone. Sarah didn't answer and just watched him quietly crawl into bed. Sarina was relieved that it was David but felt a little angry when he treated Sarah like that. He had been treating everyone that way since she got there. He even gave attitude to Spot, and by the way the newsies talked about him it was obvious that that wasn't a very genius idea. Trying to get rid of that bad feeling she thought of home. She thought of city she so loved. London was her home and she could never forget it. Walking past Saint Paul's Cathedral, one of her favorite things to do when she was upset or lonely. She didn't have that here now and wondered what she was going to do to get her through this. It seemed obvious that David wasn't exactly happy she was here and she didn't want that over her head forfor however long she was with them. 'Well' she thought 'today was certainly interesting, a very long day...I hope tomorrow will be...not as busy...I hope...I hope I meet someone I can talk to...'Tears now silently rolled down onto her pillow as she gazed out the window into the humid, dark, alien, New York night. ********************************************************** Morning came quicker then she had anticipated and she had to drag herself out of bed. Feeling as though she didnt get a wink of sleep she washed up and got dressed. The rest of the family was already eating a little something for breakfast. "Sarina dear, good morning. We weren't going to wake you till just before we left. You don't have to be to work until nine right? Well I'm afraid we have to be at work much earlier. Here have some bread and milk, it's all we have for breakfast but it'll do." "Thank you." Is all she said as she sat down at the table. Les came up behind her as she sat down. "Sarina?" He called timidly. "Yeah Les?" She was still half-asleep. "Umm, will you uh..sell with me today?" He seemed much more shyer around her today. "Sure Les, were you expecting me to day no?" "No it's just that..." David gave Les quite the look. "Never mind I guess I'm just still a little tiered. Come on lets go buy some papes." Sarina finished her bread and milk and followed Les to the distribution alley. "I think I'll wait out here Les, you go and buy the papers." "How many should I get?" "Let's just start with twenty today, just to play it safe. Don't forget I need to get to work by nine. Do you know the way there Les?" "Sure no problem, I'll be right back." With that Les went and bought his papes. Sarina waited up against the wall just outside the gate and watched as the newsies left with their papes on their shoulders. They didn't even stop to see her they were in such a rush to get to their favorite selling spot, before someone else found it out. Eventually Les came out doing the best he could to hold even the twenty papes. Sarina graciously took most of the awkward papers. "So Les show me what you got." Sarina thought it would be best if Les tried to sell on his own a bit, with only helpful nudges from herself. Les began hawking out some of the headlines, but with no luck. The Les said with shame in his voice: "I'm not much good with out Jack or someone helping me I guess." "Oh come on Les your great, you just have to believe in yourself. You've been selling with Jack for a while, right?" "Yeah I guess." "Well something must have rubbed off. Besides it takes awhile to get into it, you know find your niche, your gimmick. Do you know what I mean?" "Not really." Les sat on the curb with his chin in his hands and Sarina sat beside him. "Well everyone is good at something, it just takes time to figure out what it is and how you can use it. While your young you might as well take advantage of it. Come on, I'd like to see a newsie as cute as you, you've gotta run with that. Give any woman a smile and they'll melt like butter. Give her a little cough and she'll want to buy all your papers to make you feel better." Sarina nudged Les with her elbow. "Come on give it a try." Les smiled a little and stood up. Sarina sat on the curb still and watched him. With all his courage he went up to a woman, a rather wealthy woman by the looks of her, coughed and asked her if she wanted to buy a pape. With the biggest smile on his face he sold her five! He ran back to where Sarina was sitting and showed her his profit. "Look! I just sold five papes." "Well would you look at that. I'll bet Jack Kelley can't sell five papers at once." She smiled back at him and watched him sell a few more. "Hey Les!" Les ran over. "I'd really better get going to work. You do know the way right?" "Sure come on." Les thankfully did know the way and she even got there a little early. She headed towards the stairs leading up to the elevator and was stopped again by that man at the front desk. "Pardon me, but where do you think you're going little girl?" The man sounded British to her, but he also had the strangest lisp, which made his voice even more annoyingly intrusive. "I'm just going to work, I'm Mr. Denton's assistant." "Well I'm afraid I was not made aware of his hiring an assistant, so you'll have to take the stairs." Sarina, not wanting to make any enemies so soon in New York decided that she'd take the stairs now but have this worked out by tomorrow. Taking the stairs however took long enough to make her late, even though she had gotten there early. When she reached the seventh floor she saw Denton standing outside his office. He didn't look pleased and she was afraid that she would loose her job for being late. "He made you take the stairs again, didn't he?" Denton looked upset, yet there was pity in his eyes, which reassured her. "Come on let's get this worked out before you lose more time." He motioned her towards the elevator and they went down together. She felt a pinch of pride as she rode down the elevator, she hadn't felt anything of the sort since she left London and headed to the shore for her boat to New York. As the gate and shiny doors where opened she held her head high and walked out. ********************************************************* After that day she never used the stairs again. Her job wasn't as boring as she thought it would turn out to be. But through thick and thin she was willing to stick it out and do what ever she could to pay her aunt and uncle for their generosity. Her life seemed to develop a pattern that she repeated everyday, except Sundays of course. She got up when everyone else did and went with Les and either sold papes with him or just watched and held them for him. She met a lot of newsies that way, and made a lot of them good friends. (Some of her favorites were Racetrack, Mush, Kid Blink, Boots and Crutchy.) Then she would head to work and be at Denton's office at nine on the dot, using the elevator to get there of course. This went on about two months, everything went smoothly for the newsies as well. There were no more problems from Pulitzer, Hearst or the distribution offices. The headlines as always left something to be desired but they made do. The Brooklyn bunch weren't seen around Manhattan for the past two months either, it seemed that the last meeting finalized everything. Sarina still thought about that Spot character though. She wondered what he was doing over in Brooklyn, she also just wondered about Brooklyn in general. Was it rougher then where she came from? She pushed those thoughts from her mind however and tried to focus on her job and just getting through her loneliness. Sharing a bed with Sarina was getting to be more of a nuisance then Sarah had first predicted. Before her cousin had arrived Jack would visit some mornings when her parents were still asleep and theyd spend some time together, it's not all you're thinking though. They just in general enjoyed each other's company. With Sarina there now, it was harder for them to see each other. Her mother wanted her to spend time with Sarina 'because she doesn't know New York and needs someone to talk to'. Sarah's attitude towards her became more and more like David's everyday, though why David acted the way he did was still a mystery to her. So to ease the pain of having to look Sarah in the eye each morning Sarina would stay up late and spend time on the roof so Jack and Sarah could talk, and make it look like she didn't know what was going on. It became increasingly harder to do so however as the nights got colder. It was now the beginning of November and the snow would visit lightly every now and then, but winter was not yet in full bloom. Sarina still spent the evenings on the roof; Les would come up sometimes and play cards with her. He'd ask her why she spent so much time up there, she just said that it reminded her of home. She'd cry herself to sleep sometimes, Sarah never noticed because she was asleep long before Sarina went to bed. She didn't sell papers with Les anymore; she slept in as long as she could since she stayed up so late every night. Believe it or not she began to get used to the lonesomeness. *********************************************************** This afternoon was like every other; she finished work around five and headed home. It got dark earlier now so she couldn't take her usual stroll through Central Park. She came home to an empty apartment and started putting together some supper for the family. They aren't usually home until after dark now. The sky had been threatening rain all day and she prayed that it wouldn't keep on its threat. Sarah hadn't seen Jack in a few days and she heard Les saying that he'd be over tonight, perhaps even for dinner. Remembering this she added a little more water to the soup. Mr. Jacobs had also found a job in these two months but had not yet made David, Les and Sarah go back to school, mainly because he couldn't support the family with his new income. Any ways Mr. and Mrs. Jacob's usually got home around the same time every night, and like I said this was not any different. David and Les got back a little after with Sarah and Jack coming in behind them. Sarina had the table all set and soup ready to be served. She made dinner most nights, the family had gotten so used to it that they didn't even thank her or tell her how wonderful it all looked anymore. She didn't usually eat with them either, she ate before they got home and then spent the rest of her time before bed up on the roof. While serving them she listened to their conversations, they were more interesting when Jack visited. And Jack most always thanked her and told her how wonderful supper was. Sarah would get jealous at this, it seemed if Jack's attention wasn't on her all the time then she wasn't happy. Tonight's conversation seemed the best yet. It seemed that Mr. "Weasel" had gotten his job back at the Manhattan distribution office. Tomorrow was his first day back on the job and some Brooklyn newsies had already come over. They were going to see if Weasel "learned anything" during the strike. "Of course there won't be an violence?" Mr. Jacobs inquired as he looked at Jack. "Nah, nah. Of course not. But you know dose Brooklyn newsies, if dey's itchen for a fight den dey's gonna git one. Not dat Weasel would evah put up a fight." David interrupts Jack. "They just want to make sure he's been put in his place, and of course there's the Delancey brothers." "I don't like the way this conversation is headed." Mrs. Jacobs stated. "Let's talk about something else shall we?" "Sure." says Jack. Sarina wasn't sure what they talked about after, she was heading up to the roof by now. It was a surprisingly warm night for November. Her heavy cloths were warm enough to keep the little cold winds out. She sat at the table and looked up at the stars. The clouds had disappeared and it looked like the rain wouldn't be coming. It had turned out to be a picturesque night. As she sat at the table chin in her hands with her eyes gazing towards the heavens someone walked across the roof from the fire escape. "Beautiful night, ain't it?" Sarina jumped a bit, startled, not realizing anyone else was up there. She looked over and saw only his outline in the dark. He was fairly tall, rather thin and was smoking. He strolled over and sat on the bench with his back leaning up against the table. It was Spot. "Yes I suppose it is. Much better then I was expecting." Sarina had found herself uncomfortable, as he looked her in the eyes as he sat down so she quickly looked back up at the stars. He followed suit and leaned further back as he gazed up at the stars. "You can see duh stahs bettah heah." he said as he blew out some smoke making Sarina give a little cough. She tried not to but she couldn't help it. He surprisingly put it out and put the rest in his pocket for later. "Better then where?" Sarina tried to continue the conversation, or the awkward silences were going to strangle her. "Den in Brooklyn. Or at least our place." Another awkward silence. "So you'se been doin' good ovah heah? You was new heah when I first met ya, right?" "Uh, yeah. I've been doing alright, got a nice job with Mr. Denton, his assistant." "You got job wid Denton and you'se just been doin' alright?" Spot seemed to think that there was more to it then that. "Dese newsies haven't been messin' wid ya have dey?" Spot sort of nudged closer to where she was sitting and spoke a bit quieter. "Listen, you'se just let me know an I'll soak howevah you want." Sarina couldn't help but laugh a little. "Thanks but it's not like that," Spot didn't move back over. "It's just that, well Sarah isn't exactly as happy I'm here as when I first arrived. When she doesn't get to spend as much time with Jack as she'd like she takes it out on me." "Davey doesn't seen ta be to sweet to ya eithah." "No, he's been like that since I got here. I don't know what his problem is." Spot chuckled a bit. "Nothin' a good soakin' won't fix." "You just want an excuse to soak someone." At her last comment she looked away thinking he might not like her response. "I wouldn't be Spot Conlon if I didn't." His reaction wasn't what she expected. He had a smug grin. He then put his elbow back onto the table and leaned his head back to look up at the heavens. "Davey's just Davey. I guess he's been actin' that way is 'cuz a' some goil. I hoid she dropped him harder den a Brooklyn soakin'." Spot seemed to enjoy his comment and laughed a bit but became more serious rather quickly and looked over at Sarina who had been watching him through the latter part of the conversation with a smile on her face. She froze, chin in hand, elbow on table facing Spot. He was still quite close. Then he spoke gently. "I spose he really had a ting for dat goil." He began to lean in as though he was going to plant a kiss but pulled back rather abruptly when someone beckoned from the direction of the stairs. "Heya Spot, what you doin' heah?" Jack had come up the stairs just as the silence was about to consume them both. Sarina tore away from Spot's gaze, Spot leaned up again but still looked at her as he responded to Jack. "Heya Cowboy I was just about tah go lookin' for ya." "Ya I cen see dat." Jack smiled rather smugly as Spot took his eyes off Sarina and looked over at him. Spot smiled that oh so famous smile and stood up spit in his hand and shook with Jack, not before he did the same of course. "I went tah the lodgin' house and dey said I'd find ya heah. We'se bettah git some shut eye, tomorrow promises to be a busy day." Jack's smile left and he and Spot walked to the other side of the roof to talk. Sarina just sat there not knowing if she should leave or not. On the other side of the roof Spot and Jack continued their conversation quietly: "Listen Spot, I'm sure Mr. Weasel and the Delancy broduhs know what's what, ya know? So uh, I tink it would be bettah if we jist stuck to threats maybe some rotten fruit...whatdaya say?" Spot's straight face changed to an awfully sour one. "Listen Jacky boy, I didn't come ovah heah to git in come little goily tif. Tomorrow we'se gonna show dem who's who and what's what! Whether your newsies are in or not is up tah you, but I wouldn't git in the way if I was you neither." With that Spot went down the fire escape and Jack leaned up against the edge around the outside of the roof. He sort of put his head in his hands then with them pushed his hair back finally resting his hands on the back of his neck and looking over at Sarina. "I suggest you go straight to woik tamorrow. Tings could get messy." Jack obviously seemed a bit distressed. "What about Les and David?" Sarina asked quietly. "Well..." Jack fished for an answer. "You should take Les to woik wid ya, he could jist sell papes outside uh da buildin'." "David?" Sarina looked over at Jack. "Dave's a big boy he cen take care uh him self." Sarina rolled her eyes and looked in the opposite direction. Jack did the same. "I guess I'll keep an eye out for him." They both sat in silence for a few minutes. "Spot really seems to have gotten fond uh ya. Maybe if you was der den...den maybe it wouldnt get so bad." "I guess I could take the long way to work tomorrow. But I'm promising anything." Sarina looked back at Jack who seemed to be feeling a little better. "I'm surprised Sarah isn't up here looking for you." Jack chuckled. "I told hah dat I was leavin', she's probably asleep by now, I tink it's safe for you to git some shut eye. Ya know you don't have to spend all your time up heah. Tell ya da truth the conversation could probably use ya." "You're kidding right? Sarah would suffocate me with her pillow tonight if she knew I was up here talking to you." Sarina laughed and got up to head over to the stairs. "She's definitely likes all the attention. Sometimes it does get to be a little overwhelming." Sarina started to get interested in the way this conversation was headed so stopped and leaned up against the table. "It's not like we'se gonna git married. There's no way I'd be able tah support hah with ten cents a day." "What about Santa Fe?" Jack looked surprised. "What do you know about Santa Fe? It's a stupid dream dat ain't nevah gonna come true." Jack turned and looked down at the street. "I heard you could have gone, that you had the money and" Sarina smiled "even a ride to the train yards. Why didn't you go?" "'Cuz uh dem down dere, Sarah, Les, Dave duh newsies. I guess I finally felt like I wuz part of somthin'..." Jack suddenly felt very uncomfortable spilling his heart to someone he didn't know very well. "Well I'se bettah git back before Spot tears up da joint." Jack then left as abruptly as he arrived only this time down the fire escape. Sarina then felt how tiered she was and headed down the stairs and went to bed. ********************************************************* The next morning was mostly like any other. The family all got up, leaving Sarina to sleep. Only this time she got up with them like she used to and got ready for the day. Les was still half asleep when Sarina pulled him out in the hallway to talk to him. "Say Les, what do you say we sell together today. We can sell over near where I work and you can sell there while I'm working too." "Les sleepily agreed with a nod as he walked back into the apartment to get something to eat." After they were both done they headed down the stairs and out onto the street. "Let's get there early so we can get our papes and get to our spot." Les looked at her strangly wondering if there was something up. "We don't want anyone to take it do we?" Sarina couldn't think of any other better excuse. That one however managed to appease him. When they got to the distribution alley Mr. Weisel was just about to unlock the gate. There weren't any Brooklyn newsies around yet, only nervous local ones. Jack and Dave weren't there yet, nor any of her newsie friends. Sarina gave Les twenty cents and he ran in to get the papes. Sarina mean while waited nervously outside the gate watching for any approaching Brooklyn newsies. She was hoping that Jack was holding Spot and them up so she and Les could get there papes and get out before the action began. It felt like eternity but Les finally came out with the fourty papers awkwardly slung over his shoulder. Les stopped however just inside the gate and looked at Sarina. Her heart seemed to skip quite a few beats and she felt someone leaning up against the wall behind her. "What you doin' out so eoily?" Spot stated more then inquired. He was so close that she could feel his breathe on her neck. He also sounded a little annoyed. "Just thought I'd get an early start." She said not moving. Les stood where he was frozen half knowing what was going to happen as the Brooklyn newsies began to pile into the distribution alley. "Come on Les we'd best get selling, I have to get to work too." She reached out for Les' hand and he walked towards her. Spot pushed himself off the wall and walked around Sarina to lean up against the wall in front of her, also lightly pushing Les away. Sarina tried to act as though she wasn't nervous and leaned up against the wall as well. She looked away however when he looked her in the eye. He reached up and gently moved her head back to look at him. His eyes were no more then a few inches away. She started to tremble inside wondering what he was going to do. While she was looking away though she saw that the other newsies weren't watching and didn't even realize they were there. She thought perhaps because Spot told them to stay away... "What are you doin' heah, Jack told me dat you didn't sell papes wid Les anymore." Spot spoke quietly yet firmly. "I guess I didn't feel like having to go home to mend Les' wounds after work. And besides-" she stood up straight again keeping her eyes on his while putting her hand out as a sign to Les that they were getting out of there "I was just leaving." She quickly walked away nearly dragging Les. Thinking it best to get way the quickest way she knew how she and Les look the next alley and headed for the Sun Headquarters. Les had quite a confused look on his face, trying to figure out how he was going to sell The World out side of the Sun headquarters. His confused face instantly turned into a horrified one. Ahead of them stood some rather grizzly looking men with chains and clubs. Les recognized them as the Delancey brothers and their goons. It seemed that the Brooklyn boys arrival was not without planning on the part of Oscar and Morris. "Heya doll face, you lost?" Oscar walked up next to her as she froze in place. "'Cuz I'd be more den willin' tah help you, find what you're lookin' for." He smiled as he played with her hair. There was bout fifteen or twenty of them that she could see as she planned her escape. Les was still by her side, she gripped his hand tighter in fear. "Well, well, well what do we have heah?" "Looks like she caught a little mouse." Morris joined in and walked over to Sarina's other side where Les was standing. Oscar laughed and looked back at the group, then before they had time to think Sarina punched Morris in the face and pushed Les back towards where they had come into the alley. Her main concern was getting him out first, then she would run behind him. "Go Les!" Go he did, as fast as his legs could carry him, he threw the papers down so he could run faster. Oscar ran after him and tripped over the papers. Sarina took this time to make a break for it, while Morris was cradling his bloody face and Oscar was down. The rest of them were about fifteen feet away and dumbfounded by what had just happened. "Jack!" Les yelled out as he neared the end of the alley. Sarina didn't get there however as the rest of the guys managed to catch up with her. The first to grab her was a rather big man; he got a firm grip on her arm and pulled her to an abrupt and painfully quick stop. She was about to scream but he put his hand over her mouth, almost covering her entire face. The rest of the group continued to run down the alleyway toward Les and the inevitably large newsie entourage. There was more the just fifteen or twenty unfortunately. The man pushed her up against the wall still with his hand on her face watching the others run by. When they were all past he took it off and dragged her by her arm in the opposite direction. "Sarina!" She heard David call her from where the gang had headed. "David!" Sarina's scream was more of a cry as the man gripped her arm even tighter. He was walking too fast for her and her legs dragged on the cobblestone as he quickened his steps. "Let me go!" She cried, but he didn't even acknowledge that she spoke. "Please!" Her cry became more desperate. He stopped suddenly and she fell to the ground. "Shut up!" He yelled in her face as she sat there looking around to something to hit him with. He grabbed her arm again only this time held her mouth as well. Managing to get in a kick or two she made the man stumble and loosen his grip enough for her to break loose and run. The man had to think quickly for a way to stop her, so he pulled his brass knuckles out of his pocket and threw them at her. They hit her in the right shoulder and she went down hard. It hit her just right and hard enough that her entire right arm was tingling and almost numb. She grabbed her arm and tried to get back up. The racket coming from the other end of the alley was growing louder. The shouting and chains against the cobblestone where frightening. The bear like man was almost upon her when the heavens seemed to open up and drop marbles and stones like hail. Down the man went and newsies swarmed him like flies around a fresh kill. She gave up trying to stand up and laid her head on her left arm holding the other under her body trying to protect it from rushing newsies. "Shit." She heard someone say standing over her. It sounded like Spot, she didn't want him to see her like that so forced herself to stand up. He put his hands around her waist helping her. They walked out of the alley like this without saying another word. He sat her down on the curb just outside the distribution ally and kneeled in the street in front of her. He looked her over sort of surveying the damage as she tried not to look at him, pretending to be preoccupied with her dress. With one hand on her cheek he reached into his back pocket with the other pulling out a hanky. Trying to clean off the blood from her fall the best he could he managed to say something under his breathe. "So much fer uh clean fight. You'll be fine it's just a scratch." She murmured a silent 'mmhmm' and rubbed her hand as it slowly began to get the feeling back. The fight seemed to be mainly in the opposite alley now and the newsies were putting up quite a fight considering all they had were fists and slingshots. Spot moved over and sat beside her on the curb looking over at the fight. "Shouldn't you be over there?" Sarina flatly remarked, her lip was beginning to swell. Spot breathed a heavy angry sigh and stood up. His fists were tight and his face was red. Without a word he walked over and joined the bunch as Sarina watched him go she let her head drop into her one good hand and began to cry silently. "Sarina, my god are you alright?" It was Mr. Denton. He came up from behind her and knelt down in front of her. She shook her head yes and wiped her face free of tears. "Come on let's get out of here before the police get here." He said lifting her to her feet. ********************************************************* The newsies began to flow into Tibby's. They had dispersed when they heard the first police whistle some three hours ago. They got quite a beating but the Delancy's and their goons were delt the bigger blow. The newsies sat down and tended to their wounds, as did Sarina. She held her drink up to her swollen lip and held her still aching arm in her lap. It didn't tingle and more and she could feel it, I mean really feel it. From her shoulder blade to her finger tips it felt like someone had just reattached it after ripping it off. Denton sat across the table from her. "How's your arm?" He asked breaking the silence. "You've been rubbing it an awful lot. Maybe you need to see a doctor." "No I'm fine, it just aches a little is all, it'll feel fine tomorrow." "If you say so." Les suddenly came running out of now where. "Sarina! Are you okay?" He seemed out of breath as he leaned up against the table. "Ya kid I'll be fine. How about you? Did you get away alright?" "Ya," He panted "I hid in a store across from the alley, David told me to stay in there and that he was going to go get you. Did he find you okay?" Sarina became very flushed. "Actually I haven't seen him since he yelled for me in the alley." She looked over at Denton who looked back in disdain. But just then the door opned, she held her breath and waited to see who it was. In walks Jack followed by Spot and David. They notice Les, Sarina and Denton sitting in the corner booth and head over. Les was sitting across from Sarina, next to Denton. David sat next to Les and Sarina moved over leaving room for Spot and Jack. Spot sat next to Sarina, as Jack pushed his way in Spot pushed against Sarina's shoulder and she winces. "I still think you should see a doctor about that." Denton says authoritatively. Spot moves back over. "And I still think it'll be fine tomorrow." Sarina says rather rudely. They all sat there silent until Les couldn't stand it anymore. "Dave what was that about anyway?" Les couldn't help but ask. "Ask Spot." David sputtered as he let his heavy head fall into his hands. Les looked at Spot who had his forehead in his left hand. Spot then looked over at Les and answered with only one word. "Pride." |