Camilla picked at her fried chicken with her fork and refused to look up at her father.
“Camilla, I know I’d like to blame this on your condition, but this is too unlike yourself. Please, stop feeling sorry for yourself.”
“I don’t want to be lectured, papa.” She responded softly. “You don’t know how I feel.”
“I know that I don’t. But I know how I feel. You know I did everything I could-”
“Nothing would have worked.”
“Camilla, you’re only making this harder on me. I’m angry too. I’m furious. I want to see justice in action. But there’s nothing I can do. And your attitude is not helping me at all. I’m doing all that I can for you. And I’ve done all that I can think of. Baby, please, I don’t know what else I can do.”
“That’s my problem.” She dropped her fork. “I don’t know what you can do. I don’t know what the authorities can do. I don’t know what anyone can do. All I know is what’s been done and how my life is changing in a way that I’ll never be the same again.”
Since the crisis began, Harry had been having trouble in keeping his emotions together. What he truly felt would bubble inside of him until he forced it down again and again until he was calmer. But each time his emotions rose, they tore through more of his defenses. And Camilla seeing her father break down was not what she needed.
He reached across the table and took her hand. “I did one more thing that may help.”
“What did you do?”
“I had Emerson find Dean.”
Her head raised. “Why?”
“Dean doesn’t know what happened. No one here knows what happened. For now, you need to get out of your shell and start being yourself again. You need friends. Especially now.”
“But what about when-”
“There’s no need to worry. I’ll take care of that.”
“Fine.” She sighed.
“Good. Now finish your supper before Emerson returns.”
She obeyed, though her stomach rebelled. She felt nauseous, but nausea was common with her ever since the crisis. Once she finished her meal, she began to wonder what would happen if Dean found out about the crisis.
Her heart fluttered like it hadn’t had in years at the thought of seeing Dean. Her feelings for him had never died. And though they were still alive now, they were being smothered by circumstances and side effects. Would fate always be cruel to her?
Mrs. Connick entered the dining room and removed Camilla’s plate. When she returned, she had a plate of fresh pumpkin pudding with a blurb of whipped cream placed on top. Camilla’s mouth watered as her craving attacked with full force.
“You are such a lifesaver, Mrs. Connick.” She said. “Thank you.”
“That’s what I’m here for, dear.” She kissed Camilla’s cheek. “Enjoy your dessert.”
Smiling, Camilla picked up her clean fork and took a tiny bite of her pudding. One taste was all she needed to partially relieve her tension and satisfy the craving she had been suffering all day. The pudding tasted so good.
In no time at all, all that was left of the dessert was a few stray chunks that her had missed her fork’s scrapes. And she felt wonderful. Then the door opened, and she dropped her napkin on her plate and pushed her chair back. Emerson was back, and several different voices were with him.
At first, she was nervous at the thought of Dean bringing other friends with him. When they were children, he was always the shy one. He was always the anti-social one because he was afraid of meeting new people. Now, she was the one afraid to meet people and he was the social one.
She heard Harry’s voice speaking with Emerson and the people who had come with Dean and relaxed. She could hear Dean introducing his friends, and three of the voices belonged to girls. Camilla relaxed further, until she heard another familiar voice. The voice belonged to one of those boys who had approached her the other day.
Shivering slightly, she seated herself at another place at the table and rubbed her arm. Why did Dean have to bring friends now? Why couldn’t he have waited another few days? She couldn’t meet his friends this soon. What would they think of her? Or worse, what if they realized she was withdrawn because she had a problem? Dean could never know of this. If he did…there was no chance for their romance to ever happen again.
Harry’s footsteps grew louder as he came near to the dining area. He peered inside and smiled at his daughter.
“Dean’s here.” He informed. “He brought some friends with him.”
“Why?” she wondered, fear edging in her tone.
“Because they wanted to meet you. There’s three girls and one boy with him. The boy said he brought you in the other day.”
“Are they all newsies?”
“Yes, but I don’t think you need to worry about a thing. I spoke with them, and Dean says that he trusts them with his life. If he trusts them, I believe we can too.”
“He could be wrong.”
“But he seems very convinced. Please Camilla, some friends are what you need at this time more than anything. Just give Dean a chance.”
Camilla didn’t want to defy her father, nor did she want to comply. But her father had gone through so much these past few months. The least she could do was just give it a chance.
“Fine.” She rose slowly. “I’ll do it.”
Harry led her out of the dining room to the parlor where Snitch and his friends were lounging and admiring their surroundings. Camilla was sure that none of them had ever been in such elaborate housing before and that this was probably a treat for them.
Her gaze fell to Snitch, and he saw her and grinned. She forced a smiled, and it barely shone on her face. Harry stepped forward.
“Camilla,” he said, “these are Dean’s friends. This is Itey, Goosey, Snicker and Fantasia.”
“Nice to meet you.” Fantasia said.
“Nice to meet you too.” Camilla murmured.
Since the five newsies were occupying the two couches, she seated herself in a nearby chair. She couldn’t help but notice the free spot next to Snitch and the disappointed look on his face.
“So how ya doin’?” Itey wondered. “Gave me ‘n’ Jake quite a scare when ya passed out on us.”
“Oh, it was you who helped me that night?” she wondered.
“Yep.”
“I’m so sorry for the way I acted. I was just so-”
“Scared. I know. I’d be too if I was in your shoes.”
Her eyebrows arched. “My shoes?”
“Yeah! Lost all alone in a new ‘n’ strange place. It’s okay. I don’t blame ya for actin’ th’ way ya did.”
Sighing, she nodded. “Thank you.”
“So Camilla,” Snicker spoke up, “what do you think of Manhattan?”
“It’s…fine, I suppose. I haven’t been able to get out that much.”
“We cin take ya out some time.” Snitch spoke up eagerly. “Jus’ come on over anytime an’ we’ll take ya plenty ‘f places.”
“Hey!” Fantasia voiced. “Maybe she can come to the wedding!”
Camilla’s heart sank. “Whose wedding?”
“There’s been an onslaught of weddings recently, and two of our friends, Bumlets and Seven of Nine, are getting married in eleven days. There ain’t gonna be a lot of people there, but I’m sure they’d love for you to come.”
She shook her head. “Oh no, I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“Ya wouldn’t be imposin’!” Snitch said. “They’re really great people. They make a cute couple too. They’d love it if ya’d come along.”
“I really don’t know. It’s rather soon, isn’t it?”
“B’lieve me, we’ve ‘ad sooner guests b’fore. Don’t worry. They won’t mind.”
“You know,” Goosey spoke up, “there’s bet going on. Do you gamble?”
“Gamble…? No, I don’t.”
“You can always get involved. We got one going on right now.”
“What about?”
“We’re bettin’ on when they’re gonna start havin’ kids.” Itey answered with a large grin. “Like I betted on three months ‘n’ Snitch ‘ere betted on five.”
Heat poured into Camilla’s face. “N-no, it wouldn’t be appropriate. No thank you.”
“Alright.”
“So how often can you have guests?” Fantasia wondered. “There’s plenty of other newsgirls who can visit you whenever.”
She shrugged. “I really don’t know. I’ve been feeling rather ill lately, and my father is having me stay under close watch.”
“Ya gonna be okay?” Snitch asked, concern filling his tone.
“I should be. Don’t be worried.”
The newsies continued to chatter both with and to her, but Camilla didn’t pay too much attention to any of the words said. Nor could she remember much of the conversations. All she could think of was the current situation and how it would affect both her and Snitch.
Seeing how he was so friendly and social with these newsies, she had to smile. She could remember when they were both so innocent and he was so shy. And now she was the shy one. It was amazing to see how much one person could change for the better.
Snitch often kept his gaze toward Camilla, examining her attitudes, facial expressions, movements, and the tone of her voice. She was so closed to everyone. Though she engaged herself in chat, it was obvious that her mind was somewhere else. He was sure that if he asked if she recalled anything she spoke of, she couldn’t.
‘What’s going on?’ he wondered. ‘Why is she so different? Why isn’t she the same girl she was when we were kids?’ He knew that he never should have expected her to change. Everyone changes over the years. He knew of his own changes and how he had benefited from it.
The one thing that was still the same about her was how beautiful she was to Snitch. She had always been so pretty. Her face was whiter and had less freckles, her nose was still short and her hair was still deep red and wavy. But her eyes were different, as he had noted days before. The innocent, girlish glow in her eyes was gone.
It was when Harry entered the room that he noticed how late it was. Darkness filled with windows, and the hands on the nearby grandfather clock were set at seven forty-two.
“I don’t wish to sound rude,” Harry spoke up, “but I believe it’s late and you should return to your home.”
“It is pretty late.” Snicker said softly. “Maybe we should head home.”
“Yep.” Itey agreed. “Heard there’s gonna be a juicy continuation in that story ‘bout th’ rooftop bandits.”
“So Camilla, know where Tibby’s is?” Snitch asked.
“What’s that?”
“Restaurant where us newsies hang out. You cin come by anytime.”
“Oh no, I don’t think-”
“’Course ya can! Plus, you cin meet Seven ‘n’ maybe Bumlets if ‘e comes by.”
“Who’s this that you’re talking about?” Harry wondered.
“Jus’ two newsies who’re gettin’ married in a couple days.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Camilla’s invited if she wants t’ come. You cin come too.”
Harry smiled. “I’m afraid I’ll probably be working. But Camilla’s welcome to go if she wants.”
“I’m not sure just yet.” She responded.
“Then come on over t’ Tibby’s tomorrah ‘round noon.” Snitch informed. “We oughta be there for lunch, ‘n’ you cin meet all th’ newsies.”
“Emerson can go with you. He knows where Tibby’s is.” Harry told Camilla.
She glanced at her father, worry and uneasiness clear all over her face. But she knew that her father was only bringing this up for her own good. This was a new place for her, and making friends would be difficult if she never went out. She may as well start with newsies. At least they weren’t stuffy and uptight like the rich girls who had visited from time to time.
“Alright.” She sighed. “Tomorrow, noon.”
“Great!” Snitch exclaimed. “Ya’ll love th’ newsies, ‘n’ they’ll love ya too.”
* * *
Chapter 5 Index Stories HOME
“Race, what time is it?” Snitch called.
“Twelve eighteen.”
“She’s late.” He muttered, sinking further into his seat.
“Calm down, Snitch.” Itey voiced. “She’ll be ‘ere. Maybe she’s jus’ runnin’ late.”
“Or maybe she isn’t feeling good.” Goosey suggested. “You gotta admit, she didn’t look very well. She looked a little sick.”
“She did.” Snitch sighed. “Think I should go check on ‘er? Jus’ t’ see if she’s okay?”
“Wait a while longer.”
The door opened carefully, then burst open again and most of the newsies jumped at the ruckus. Fantasia had entered the restaurant first, and Blink had barged in after her. He seemed furious, and Fantasia appeared rather upset.
“Whaddaya mean that ya used t’ see Oscar Delancey?” he demanded, loud enough for the newsies to hear.
“This isn’t the time or the place!” she retaliated.
“I think this’s th’ perfect place! Why din’tcha tell me?”
“I think your reaction is proof enough!”
Their arguing continued and became louder until Jack and David finally interfered and had them taken outside where they could be talked to in private. Once they were gone, the newsies occupying Tibby’s began to buzz about the situation.
“Geesh.” Snitch shook his head. “Is it jus’ me, or is everyone suddenly goin’ apey?”
“I think that everyone’s gone a little crazy since we found out Pie Eater and Kay got married and were having a baby.” Goosey offered.
“Think so too.” Itey agreed. “I jus’ feel sorry for all th’ new recruits.”
“Yup.”
“Speakin’ of new recruits,” Itey fumbled in his pockets, “hey Race! Stress got twelve cents on seven months.”
“Thanks!” Race accepted, scooping the money into his palm.
Falcon overheard and came over to participate in the current betting pool. Itey grinned when he put two bits down for four months.
“Hey, he thinks like me.” He chuckled.
“An’ that’s a good thing?” Snitch retorted sarcastically.
Itey shot him a look. “Cut it out.”
Goosey changed the subject and she and Itey chatted about it while Snitch watched the front door hopefully for Camilla to come through. He watched and waited, and before long, most of the newsies were gone. Even Goosey and Itey had left.
The only newsies still here were Nian-Nyan, Boots, Seven, Falcon and Pip. Snitch knew that if Seven was here that Bumlets must be coming to visit her. He tapped his foot on the ground, then rose to talk to Seven. She was sitting by herself. He may as well talk with her until Bumlets came by.
