It was several days before Mush could finally land an interview with Mr. Tibby because of his overabundance of other applicants. On that particular day, he left Samantha with Luna and Indigo since no other girls were around at the time. The interview lasted fifteen minutes, and apparently, the odds of him landing the job were on his side.
He was thoroughly thrilled at the news and couldn�t wait to get home. Yet once he arrived, he went to the girls� bunkroom and neither Luna nor Indigo were there. Instantly, worry swarmed to his head.
�Where�d Luna �n� Indigo go?� he demanded.
�They wanted to take Sweetie out for a walk.� Rio informed. �Don�t worry, they should be back soon.�
Shrugging, Mush trudged downstairs to the boys� bunkroom. Race invited him to a poker game, and he declined because he needed to save every penny he had for Samantha. He plopped onto his bunk and sighed heavily.
��Ey Mush, where�s Sweetie?� Crutchy wondered, hobbling over.
�I gave �er t� Luna �n� Indigo t� watch while I got interviewed at Tibby�s. I jus� found out dey�re takin� �er out for a walk. They scared me �alf t� death!�
�Aw, don�t take it so hard. Fresh air�s good f� kids!�
�I know, I know. But I jus� don� like th� fact that they took off without warnin� me in advance!�
�Maybe they wasn�t plannin� on it.�
�Well, they shoulda stopped by Tibby�s t� tell me they was out!� he growled beneath his breath. �I�m th� one who�s supposed t� be takin� care of �er, an� I was gonna take �er out for a walk this afternoon m�self!�
�That�s jus� the way girls are, Mush. They get so attached t� kids that they�ll do stuff without tellin� th� parents. Don�t worry, I think th� goils�ll take care �f �er.�
Luna entered the bunkroom several seconds later. When Mush saw her, he saw that neither Indigo nor Samantha was with her. He panicked.
�Luna, where�s Sweetie?� he pleaded.
�She got hungry, so Indigo took her to get some milk. She�ll be back in a few minutes.�
�Where�d she go? I wanna track �er down.�
�I�m not too sure. She just went somewhere to find some milk for Sweetie. Sorry I can�t tell you more.�
Groaning, Mush returned to his bunk and seated himself with his head bowed. Crutchy could sense guilt.
�Whatsamattah?� he wondered.
�I�m gonna make a lousy parent.�
�What makes ya say that?�
�Cuz Luna passed Sweetie t� Indigo t� get �er some milk. I can�t even keep track of �er!�
�Yer takin� it too hard on yerself, Mush. An� yer not gonna make a lousy parent. I think yer gonna make a great parent.�
�Yer jus� tryin� t� make me feel better.�
The door opened again, and he jerked his head up to see if it was Indigo. It was Bumlets, and he was waving to someone, most likely Seven.
�Adios, novia!� he called.
Frowning confusedly, Mush watched as Bumlets was heading for his bunk with a wide smile on his face. Then he noticed the absence of Samantha and inquired of it.
�Aw, I gave �er t� Luna �n� Indigo t� take care of while I got interviewed �n� Luna passed Sweetie completely off t� Indigo so she could get some lunch.�
�I see.�
�Jus� t� wonder,� Crutchy spoke up, �what was that ya called Seven?�
�Novia?�
�Yeah, that.�
�That�s Spanish for sweetheart.�
�Oh! That�s cute. What�s my name in Spanish?�
�Well, there ain�t an exact meanin� for Crutchy, but there�s one for crutch. I jus� can�t remember it right now.�
�Too bad. What about Mush? Can ya translate for him?�
�Naw, I don�t want mine translated.� Mush began.
�Suit yerself. Why not Sweetie?�
�Yeah, why not?� Crutchy pushed.
�Alright, alright. What�d Sweetie be called?�
�Dulce.�
�That means Sweetie?�
�Naw, it means sweet. Closest I cin find. Except for sweetness, that�s dulzura.�
�Hmm. Well, thanks for tellin� me.�
�So how�d yer interview go?�
�Looks like th� odds �r on my side. I might get th� job!�
�Good f� you!�
It was then when the door opened again. This time, to Mush�s relief, it was Indigo. And she had brought Samantha with her. He leapt up and rushed to greet them. Yet he closed the door behind him so he could have a talk with Indigo.
�Why din�t ya guys tell me ya was gonna take �er out?� he demanded, shouldering Samantha. �I was scared �alf t� death!�
�I�m sorry Mush,� she defended, �but she was getting whiny and we thought a walk would do her good. Then she got hungry, and Luna was tired and wanted to head back. I didn�t mean to worry you, honest.�
�I don�t want ya t� do it again. Sweetie�s my kid. I got a right t� know where she is now. If this keeps up, I won�t have ya watch �er if I get my job!�
He hadn�t noticed right off, but right when he had stated that Samantha was his kid, tears had begun to well up in Indigo�s eyes. And once he stopped talking, she fled up the stairs to the girls� bunkroom. The door slammed behind her.
Thoroughly confused at her behavior, Mush rethought what he had said to her and regretted that he was so harsh. If he knew her correctly, she would probably avoid him for the rest of the day.
�She needs to know I didn�t mean everything I said. I�ll talk to her tomorrow so I can give her some time to cool off.�
* * *
Samantha had awakened several times that night, prompting Mush to take her from the bunkroom until she settled down. Because of this, he had not slept very well at all and was drowsy most of the day. Still, he remembered that he needed to apologize to Indigo and made the effort to wake up.
He trudged to the bathroom as he allowed Samantha to sleep in a while and changed and washed his face. Then, as he rubbed his face, he could feel his skin was rather coarse. He asked for a mirror and glanced in the mirror. He had hairs sprouting all over his face!
�All right!� he mumbled lowly. �Jack, hand me th� razor �n� th� cream!�
�What for?� Jack wondered.
�I actually got somethin� t� shave now!�
�Now? It sure took ya long enough!�
�Ah, I�m growing up faster than I should now. So hand me th� razor, I gotta shave.�
�Took me seventeen years!� he thought as he lathered his face. �Always wondered if I was gonna be covered with peach fuzz for the rest of my life.�
Since he did not have much to shave, it only took him thirty seconds to complete his shaving. Afterwards, he dried his face with a towel, then washed his hands. Blink walked behind him and he stopped him.
��Ey Blink, guess what?�
�What?� he muttered, irritated.
�I actually got t� shave t�day!�
�Oh really? It�s about time.�
�Yup. Well, I gotta go get Sweetie now. Ya sellin� wit me this mornin�?�
�Naw. Mimic�s comin� today. Gotta pass it up.�
�Alright. I guess I�ll just hafta take all th� extra coins m�self!�
He left the washroom and awakened Samantha. He changed her clothes quickly, then shouldered her and followed the rest of the newsies. He spotted Indigo, but she was avoiding him as much as possible. It would be difficult to finally corner her so they could talk.
After a quick breakfast, they finally arrived at the yard. Mush ordered a hundred papers, then handed Samantha off to Race as he advanced toward Indigo. She did not see him coming and once he reached her, it was too late. She lowered her head and refused to make eye contact with him.
�Morning.� She murmured.
�Mornin�. Look, about last night, I-�
�Don�t say a word. It�s okay, I deserved everything you said. I�m just very attached to Sweetie and I let it get the best of me. I�m sorry.�
�Yer not th� one who should be apologizin�. It�s me. I�m sorry I got mad at ya last night. It was real mean. But I guess I�m jus� lettin� this whole parenthood thing get th� best of me. I just feel real protective of �er.�
�I understand. I think this is just a sign that you�ll be a good father to her.�
He smiled, as did she. Although her smile was small, it was rather sad and wistful. Perhaps what he had said the night before had sunk in and caused a little bit of damage. He sighed.
�Well, I gotta go sellin� now. Race�s got Sweetie.�
�Alright. I guess I�ll see you later on today.�
�Guess so. Bye.�
He glanced over the newsies and found Race with Bunny, ready to leave while he still had Sweetie with him. Mush rushed up to catch up with them, knowing of Race�s plan. He wanted to use Sweetie for more profits to squander at the races!
He rushed up ahead, but was halted by Blink and Mimic. It was evident that Mimic had been laughing only a few seconds before.
�Blink just told me that you had your first shaving experience today.� She said.
�Yeah, I did. Look, I gotta-�
�Mind if I compare you to Blink?�
�Real quick, okay? Race�s got Sweetie!�
�Alright, I�ll do it quick.�
She stroked the sides of his face, then Blink�s. She pondered a minute, then turned to Mush.
�You�re softer. Congratulations.�
�Thanks. Now I gotta go!�
�Okay, go catch �er!� Blink called.
Mush ran from the yards and tracked Race and Bunny down the street. Customers were swarming around them, and this was a sign that they still had Samantha. Hiding a smile behind his back, Mush went to them and disturbed their buyers.
�Hi guys.� He said. �Race, can I have Sweetie back now?�
�Aww, Mush!� Race whined. �She�s gotten me twelve papes sold already!�
�Sorry, but she�s my kid. I gotta take care of �er?�
The buyers around them were beginning to pocket their donations as Race reluctantly handed Samantha back to him. He cradled her in one arm, then tipped his hat to both Race and Bunny, and their customers.
�Have a nice day!�
* * *
Indigo was late in coming in that afternoon, yet Mush was determined to stay until she came back. Most of the newsies had gone by this time, and Samantha had long since dozed off in Mush�s lap. As he waited, he ordered another coke and sipped it.
It was sometime around one when Indigo finally came in. He waved to her and beckoned for her to sit with him. Reluctantly, she joined him and sat in the chair across from his.
�Hi, Mush.� She muttered.
�Hey. Yer still not mad at me, are ya?�
�I�m not mad at you.�
�Then ya don�t forgive me.�
�No! It�s not that! It�s�it�s just that-�
�Jus� what?�
�It�s�I can�t tell you.�
�Why not?�
She shook her head. �I-I just can�t. It has to do with something that happened to me.�
�Why won�tcha tell anyone about it?� he leaned across the table a bit. �It�ll only make it worse if ya keep it all inside.�
�It�ll make things even worse than that if I let it all out.�
Shrugging, he retreated. There was no way he was going to find out what secret she was hiding. Samantha began to stir in his lap, but did not wake up. He continued with what he needed to say.
�Indigo, please listen to me. I know you�ve been kinda distant with all us newsies, but ever since Sweetie came in ya�ve been different. An� it�s a good thing.�
She blushed slightly.
�I know what I said las� night was real mean but�I wanna be yer friend.�
�You�you do?�
�Yeah. I got t� know ya when I brought Sweetie in. An� I think yer a great girl. Plus, it�d be good for ya t� make some friends now.�
She chuckled a bit to herself. �You�re right about that. Okay, let�s be friends.�
She spit into her hand and extended it. Mush, rather shocked that she had taken on a gesture that none of the girls had done before, grinned and did the same. Then he broke the news to her.
�There�s somethin� else ya should know. I got th� job here.�
�Really? That�s wonderful.�
�Yeah. An� t� show I�m real sorry �bout what happened las� night, I wantcha t� watch Sweetie while I work.�
�Oh. Well, when do you start working?�
�Next week, Monday. I cin pay ya for it.�
�No, money�s not necessary. You need every penny you earn for Sweetie. Trust me, you will need it all for her.�
�Ya know so much about babies. How come?�
�I�ve spent a lot of time around women and their children. They�ve told me plenty of things about raising children.�
For the first time since they had met, Mush could see why she was called Indigo. Her eye color was an inky sapphire blue with a hit of amethyst. She had the prettiest eyes he had ever seen before.
�Glad ya did.� He continued. �Cuz I�m gonna need all th� help I cin get with raisin� Sweetie.�
�Well, if you ever need any help, I�m here. I�ll always be around when it comes to Sweetie.�
* * *
Upon the arrival of Monday, Mush found that the appointment at Tibby�s was not what he had expected. He had expected to wait on tables as a waiter; instead, he found himself washing dishes back in the kitchen area. Although it was a complete shock to him to land such a job, he was earning ten cents an hour. Washing dishes would suffice for now.
By the end of the day, his hands were wrinkled and white from having washed so many dishes. Before he left, he was handed a work schedule. He would be working five hours a day on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It would be a tight schedule, and in between times, Mush could still sell newspapers.
He returned to the lodging house, tired and weary, and went to the girls� bunkroom to see Samantha. As expected, most of the girls were there, playing with the baby. By the time they realized Mush had returned, Indigo picked Samantha up and brought her to Mush.
�She was good while you were gone.� She reported.
�Thanks.� He said as he took Samantha. �I�m real pooped right now, so I�m goin� downstairs t� take a nap.�
�Just to wonder, how much longer do you have to work this week?�
�Wednesday mornin�, an� Thursday �n� Saturday afternoons.�
�How does it feel to be a working man now?� Rio inquired.
�Tired. Been washin� dishes all day.�
�Washing�dishes?� Mix repeated.
�Yup. Don�t go laughin�, now!�
�Aw, we won�t. It�s just that we thought you�d be waiting tables!�
�I thought I would be too, but I ain�t. I don�t mind though. At least I�m gettin� extra money for Sweetie.�
�Yeah, that�s a good thing.� Twilight agreed. �Speaking of which, Specs is applying for a job too.�
�So �e�s followin� suit, eh?�
�Um, no, actually. I was kinda waiting till Seven got here since she�s the only girl who�s not here.�
The instant she finished talking, the door opened and none other than Seven waltzed in. She saw the girls grouping around Mush and came to see what the topic was.
�First day of work?� she asked Mush.
�Yup. But Twilight was about t� tell us all somethin�.�
�Not just yet.� She stalled. �I need to go downstairs and tell Specs first. You all wait here.�
Quickly, before anyone else could say a word, she fled to the door and pounded down the stairs. Seconds later, she was clamoring back up the stairs and back in the group.
�Alright, I�m back.� she breathed. �Are you in suspense now?�
�Twilight, don�t mess with our minds right now!� Palomino pleaded.
�But it�s fun! Don�t worry, I�ll tell you now. I�m just so excited that I don�t know how to say it!�
�Just spill it, girl!� Harlaquinne urged.
�I will, I will.� She inhaled deeply. �Well�Specs and I, we�we�re getting married!�
Instantly, the attention went from Mush to Twilight. The girls were all hugging and congratulating Twilight, while Mush just grinned and could hear the boys downstairs give a shout as well. Twilight must have gone downstairs to tell him to break the news as well.
After the congratulations, the girls began mobbing Twilight with questions of wedding plans. Yet Mush lingered back on his question, and waited for the girls to settle down. The minute he saw the opportunity, he spoke up.
��Ey Twilight,� he said, �does this got anythin� t� do wit me bringin� Sweetie in?�
She laughed. �Not really. We were actually thinking about this since before then.�
�Alright, cuz I was gonna say that if it was, this�s way harder th�n anyone expects.�
�Boy, you said it.� Indigo concurred. �I know a couple who married just so they could have children and didn�t have all the money they needed once a child was born. It was terrible.�
�That�s why Specs is getting a job now. This way we�ll have savings and money for our wedding.�
�Man,� Rio said dreamily, �I can�t believe you�re getting married. This is so romantic!�
�I wonder who�ll be next in line to get married.� Firecracker murmured, almost to herself.
�I�ll lay two bits on Seven!� Lady Luck announced.
�Yeah?� Harlaquinne challenged. �I got two bits on Lightnin�!�
Both Seven and Lightning burst out into hysterics. Mush laughed as well, knowing that this upcoming wedding may lead to a chain reaction of other weddings.
�And maybe one of those will be my own, if I find a suitable mother for Samantha.�
* * *
For some odd reason, most of the girls were absent that night. As Mush later learned, many of them were out with their boys, enjoying a nice dinner or attending a free dance held a few blocks away. Since the bunkroom was so empty, Mush decided to play with Samantha on his bed. He lifted her from the crib and onto his mattress.
As he had observed, she had become rather noisy lately, making numerous babbling sounds and grabbing certain objects. She was continually chewing on her fingers, and crying a bit more often because she was cutting a tooth. Other than that, she was growing bigger every day. It fact, she had gained several inches since he first brought her in off the streets.
�I have had her for a month already.� He thought. �Kloppman did tell me that babies grow fast. I guess they just grow faster than I thought. If I had more money, I�d stay with her more. I don�t like being away from her.�
�She�s gettin� big, Mush.�
He jerked back to the present and found Blink plopping onto his bunk next to Samantha. She acknowledged him by garbling at him with her fingers in her mouth.
�I thought you was in Brooklyn wit Mimic.�
�She ain�t feelin� too well.� He glanced down at Samantha. �Think I cin hold �er awhile?�
�Be my guest.�
Blink reached beneath Samantha�s arms and lifted her onto his lap. She continued to squeal delightedly as he slowly cradled her. He was smiling brightly.
�She�s such a sweetie.� He muttered. �No wonder ya named �er that.�
�Guess I jus� knew ahead �f time.�
�So how�s work comin�?�
�It�s fine. Think m� hands�ve finally gotten used t� the water an� soap. Next week�s payday.�
�Whatcha gonna do with that money?�
�Set it aside f� �er education.�
�Good planning.�
�Also gotta pay Indigo for watchin� �er.�
�Mm hmm.� He nodded. �You�ve been kinda chummy lately. Anythin� goin� on between ya?�
�Not really. I jus� told �er I wanted t� be �er friend.�
�Mm hmm.�
�There ya go again. �Mm hmm�in� all th� time. What�s goin� on?�
�Nothin�. I jus� thought you was lookin� a liddle weak �round Indigo, that�s all.�
�Ah no! That ain�t what�s goin� on. I ain�t fallin� in love wit �er!�
�Whatever ya say.�
�What�s that supposed t� mean?�
�Nothin�.�
�Look, in case yer wonderin�, I�ve been thinkin� �bout askin� �er t� be Sweetie�s mother till I find th� right girl t� take th� job.�
��Er mother?�
�Yeah. I mean, I don�t know what all goes on inside goils� heads. How�m I supposed t� raise �er if I don�t know what she�s gonna go through? She ain�t gonna be shavin�!�
�Ya got a point there. So ya want �er t� be Sweetie�s stepmom?�
�Yeah, that�s it.�
�I see. I think it�ll work.�
�Glad you think so. But like I said, I�m only thinkin� about it. I haven�t made any decisions yet.�
* * *
