“Hi Snitch.” She smiled. “Whatcha still doing here? Goosey and Itey left fifteen minutes ago.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m jus’ waitin’ for someone.”
“Is it that girl Itey and Jake brought in the other night?”
“Yup.” He slid into the seat across from her. “We was old friends when we was kids. She said she would be ‘ere at noon.”
“Noon, huh? She’s awful late.”
“Yeah, I know. I jus’ wish I knew why.”
“Well, you can stay here with me until Bumlets comes.”
“Weddin’ plans?”
She grinned and nodded. “Yeah. It’s officially nine days, twenty-three hours and thirteen minutes till the wedding.”
He shook his head. “Sheesh. Ya really are lookin’ forward t’ this wedding, aren’t ya?”
“Of course I am! Why wouldn’t I be?”
“No reason. I jus’ wanted t’ ask ya a question about you ‘n’ Bumlets.”
“Ask away.”
“What was it ya felt when ya first met ‘im?”
“Felt?”
“Like what emotions you was havin’ when ya met. Actually, I don’t even know how ya met. Bumlets jus’ brought ya in that one night ‘n’ seemed t’ let everyone know by ‘is looks that ‘e’d already claimed ya.”
She giggled softly. “To tell the truth, I wasn’t exactly love-struck on the spot. I was more concerned.”
“Why?”
“I’d been in Manhattan for days, looking for my aunt’s home. It was getting dark out, and I was running down the street to find a place to sleep for the night. And I ran into Bumlets.”
“Literally?”
“Yeah. We collided and he fell flat on his back while I landed on my behind. So I got up faster. Then I saw this big rock behind his head and I was scared that he hit his head on it.”
“Did ‘e?”
“Nope. I asked him if he was okay, and he just kinda moaned at me until I asked again. He said that he thought so, so I gave him a hand to help him up. But right when he took my hand, he kinda jerked me down so I landed on top of him.”
“Was that when th’ sparks started flyin’?”
“I think so. I just looked into his eyes and something about hit was making my heart do flip-flops. Then he apologized and we both got up.”
“Ya mean ‘e didn’t kiss ya or anythin’?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Phooey. I think that woulda been real cute.”
“Well, that was on my mind after he helped me up. Until he offered to take me to where he lived. Then I started getting suspicious.”
“Oh.”
“I was gonna turn him down until he mentioned that the girls slept upstairs. Since it was late, I said yes.”
“But you guys din’t become an item till a couple days later.”
“Actually, it was a month. I was heading home by myself when Bumlets came up to me and told me that I shouldn’t be walking out by myself that late at night. And then it started to rain. He gave me his coat, and then we kissed.”
“So that’s why Bumlets ‘ad a cold th’ next day.”
“Yeah. So what about your girl? What’s her name again?”
“Camilla.”
“Camilla, that’s right. So what about her? Why don’t you tell me about her?”
“We grew up t’gether. ‘Course as kids, we didn’t like each other. We thought each other had cooties.”
“Of course.”
“Then when we was nine, we started bein’ friends. We used t’ play t’gether in ‘er backyard all th’ time. Then when I was twelve ‘n’ she was eleven, I ast ‘er t’ be my girl. An’ she said yes.”
“That was sweet.”
“Yeah, but it din’t last that long. Only six months. I hadta come ‘ere t’ stay with my gramma. So me ‘n’ Camilla hadta call it off. But she still came t’ see me when I left ‘n’ she told me that I’d always be ‘er boy.”
“Aww.”
“Then when we met up th’ other day, I thought we’d pick up where we left off. But somethin’s different about ‘er.”
“What is?”
“Everythin’. It’s like day goin’ int’ night. She used t’ be this bright, friendly little thing that everyone liked. But now, she’s all scared ‘n’ withdrawn ‘n’ shy. She never used t’ be shy. She was always th’ one to meet th’ new people in town ‘n’ be their friend.”
“How long has it been since then?”
“Five ‘n’ a half years.”
She arched an eyebrow. “That’s strange. Girls do change a lot over the years, but I don’t think I can explain that one.”
“Think somethin’s wrong with ‘er?”
“I really don’t know. I think it’s gonna have to be up to you to find out what’s changed her.”
“I guess it will be.”
The door opened, and Seven’s face lit up. Snitch didn’t have to turn around to know that it was Bumlets. He rose from his seat and greeted Bumlets.
“Hey, great t’ see ya.” He said. “Me ‘n’ Seven was jus’ talkin’.”
“Nice t’ see ya too. Thanks for keepin’ ‘er company.”
“No problem.”
He moved out of the way and watched as Bumlets kissed Seven before sitting down to talk over more wedding plans. He then retreated back to his table and decided to wait a little longer.
After several minutes the door opened again. He glanced up to not see Camilla, but to see her butler, Emerson, come through the door. He spotted Snitch and came over to address him.
“Where’s Camilla?” he wondered.
“Miss Henderson was feeling ill today and was unable to come.”
“Sick? Is she okay?”
“She should be by tomorrow.”
“Will she come by t’morrah?”
“She said to expect her here at noon tomorrow.”
“Okay, good.” He fumbled in his pockets and pulled out some change. “Here, take this ‘n’ buy Camilla a real pretty flower with it ‘n’ tell ‘er it’s from me. An’ keep th’ change.”
“I will, sir.”
Then Emerson left, and Snitch gathered his remaining newspapers to sell them before dinnertime.
* * *
Chapter 6 Index Stories HOME
“I can’t do this.” Camilla pressed a hand up again the mirror and shook her head. “I can’t. I just can’t.”
“You shouldn’t worry at all, miss.” Jenny urged. “I’ll be with you, and you know that you don’t need to be afraid with me going with you.”
“It’s not that.” She looked at her reflection and felt her stomach spiraling in several speedy directions. “I can’t face Dean. He knows me too well.”
“Why is it so bad that he knows you too well?”
“He’ll know something’s wrong. And he can’t know about this. Of all the people, he can’t know.”
“It would probably be best if he knew.”
“No, it wouldn’t. If he did…he would never look at me the same again. He…he wouldn’t accept me. Not like this.”
“If he’s half the man you’ve told me, he would accept you.”
“But I don’t want him to accept me like this! I want him to accept me when this is all over! Then I’ll never have to tell him. He’ll never know.”
“So maybe if you see him he won’t catch on to you.”
“He will. He can see people.”
“But maybe he won’t ask of you.”
“I know he will. He always wanted to know about what was going on in my life if I seemed troubled. Like that one time when I was upset about the fact that I didn’t have a mother. He could tell I was upset and wanted to help. He’s too eager to be there in times of need.”
“Listen, Camilla.” Jenny said softly. “After all you’ve been through, being reunited with someone from your past, especially Dean, is exactly what you’ve needed. You must have been brought back together for a purpose.”
“A purpose that’ll only push him away from me.”
“Give it a chance. Just do it this once. And not just for yourself. Do it for your father.”
Her maid’s final statement made its mark. Papa had been suffering almost as much as she had. He knew he could trust Dean, even after his absence from their lives for five and a half years. Dean wasn’t one to change for the worse; only for the better.
Everything Papa had tried to do everything to make their situation right. He had accepted the proposal here in Manhattan and received an income to keep them in high class. There had been better offers proposed, but all were too close to damage the Henderson family. Manhattan was furthest away and the safest place to hide.
If only she hadn’t been involved. If this hadn’t happened, both she and her father would be better off. They would still be living in the house they loved with the people they had known most of their lives. Camilla would be happy. She would be content. She would be…
Her head throbbed. Pressing her fingertips to her temple, she plopped onto the mattress of her bed and sighed.
“Oh, Jenny.” She murmured. “Why did Dean have to show up at all? If he hadn’t, I could’ve gotten through this without be as worried as I am now! With him around, he’ll only be suspicious and try to find out what’s going on!”
“Camilla, listen.” Jenny coaxed. “Maybe part of the reason all this happened was for you two to find each other again. I didn’t know you when you two were first together, but I know Dean is a nice young man. If I were you, I wouldn’t let anything get in the way of you two getting back together.”
“Including the-”
“Anything. Everything. Just push it aside.”
It would be hard to do so. Especially when the problem went wherever Camilla would go. But now was a time where she could look past it and think nothing of it. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be long before she would be able to look past it. She may as well enjoy this time while it was still here.
Agreeing with Jenny, she gathered her hat and pinned it to her hair. Then Jenny escorted her out of the house and down the street toward the direction of Tibby’s with the instructions that Emerson had left them. It took nearly seven minutes for them to arrive, and by that time, Camilla was shivering in fear of what Snitch’s friends would think of her if they suspected anything.
Jenny opened the door for Camilla and she stepped inside. The restaurant was filled with newsies, all in ragged clothing, hats, and mingling with each other while appearing to have a great time. Instantly, Camilla felt like a stranger. What would these seemingly content newsies want to do with an outsider like herself?
When the eyes of these newsies turned to her, she began to feel uncomfortable underneath their scrutiny. Not only that, but the fear that had been following her for months was attacking her with its full brunt. Had she been physically able, she would have turned around and fled from the scene. That is, until she spotted Snitch.
Relief couldn’t have felt more wonderful that at this time. Snitch leapt to his feet and met her with a quick hug. She was stunned by his gesture, and the uneasiness took place again. It was too soon for such expressions.
“Ya feelin’ better?” Snitch wondered when he drew away from her. “Your butler guy said ya was feelin’ sick yesterday.”
“I was.” She rubbed her stomach. “It wasn’t life threatening. Just an upset stomach.”
“Well, c’mere!” he grabbed her hand and dragged her to his table. “Camilla’s ‘ere!” he announced to Goosey, Itey, and three newsies she was unfamiliar with.
“Hello.” She said. “This is my maid, Jenny.” She introduced the older woman beside her.
“Why’d ya bring ‘er with ya?” Itey wondered.
“Safety precaution. Nothing more.” Jenny replied.
“Aw, ya don’t need no safety precaution.” The newsie with the red vest said. “Not with us around.”
“I’d rather be safe than sorry.” Camilla murmured. “I don’t want to risk getting lost again.”
“Well, siddown!” Snitch commanded gently. “These are s’more newsies. This’s Jake, Cyanne ‘n’ Dutchy. Jake’s th’ other guy who brung ya in th’ other day.”
“It’s…nice to meet you.”
“You too.” Cyanne said with a soft smile. “Did you just move here?”
“Yes.”
“How long ya stayin’?” Dutchy asked.
“For a while. My papa’s a banker, and he’s currently expanding his banks around the city.”
“So that makes ya high-class, eh?”
“Yes, it does.”
“Are you okay?” Jake observed. “Ya don’t look too good.”
“In what way?” Camilla questioned, paling briefly.
“Ya jus’ look a little pale, that’s all.”
“I’m…a little shy, that’s all.”
“You don’t need to be shy.” Goosey said. “You know Snitch and Itey and me. As long as we’re here with you, you don’t need to be shy.”
“I know. But it’s still…”
“Still what?” Snitch inquired.
“Still…a lot of people.” She quickly scanned the room. “Some of these newsies are staring at me. And it’s making me uncomfortable.”
“Ah, don’t worry. They’re harmless.” Itey said. “Jus’ ain’t used t’ seein’ girls like you in a joint like this.”
“I don’t want them looking at me.”
“It’s all right, Camilla.” Jenny reassured, placing her hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry about a thing.”
Tack rose from her seat from across the room and came over. “Hi Camilla. How are you doing?”
“I’m…doing better, thank you.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Did you want to meet some of the guys?”
“Oh no, please. I don’t want to impose.”
“You wouldn’t be. They’re all curious about you.”
She paled briefly. “Why?”
“Well, they all know that you’re the girl that was brought in the other day and would like to meet you, that’s all.”
“C’mon, Camilla.” Snitch urged. “They won’t bite.”
She shook her head. “No, please. I’m sorry, I just don’t feel this is the time right now.”
“Camilla,” Jenny said, “this was one of the reasons your father wanted you to be here in the first place.”
“I’ve met other people already, haven’t I?”
“Only three.”
“I have an idea.” Cyanne spoke up. “Maybe we could just bring some newsies over one at a time for you to meet. Mainly girls, of course, unless some boys are dying to meet you. Would that work for you?”
Camilla pressed her lips together as she pondered Cyanne’s suggestion. It was perfectly logical, and meeting girls was something she would rather do than meet a dozen rambunctious boys she knew nothing about. With careful consideration, she finally nodded.
“Is that a yes?” Tack wondered.
“Fine.” Camilla replied softly.
Tack needed to hear nothing more and quickly maneuvered her way back to the table she had been seated at. She returned with a girl slightly taller than she.
“This is Pip.” Tack introduced. “Her brothers are Falcon and Cray.”
“Hi.” Pip offered.
“Hello.” Camilla murmured. “I’m Camilla.”
“Yes, I know. Everyone here knows about you.”
She paled again. “They do? How?”
“From when you were brought in, and from Snitch talking about you all the time.”
Red poured into Snitch’s face as Itey began to snicker.
“Oh.” Camilla muttered, not looking in Snitch’s direction.
Pip stayed a short time, then Tack brought Seven over. She introduced herself and Tack brought up the fact that Seven would be marrying her sweetheart the next week.
“That’s…wonderful to hear.” She forced. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Seven said. “You’re welcome to come if you’d like.”
“I-”
“She’d love to.” Goosey answered for her.
Camilla sighed and forced a smile before solemnly nodding her head. When she saw the satisfied grin on Seven’s face, she relaxed a little. Then Seven left and Tack was about to bring over Nian-Nyan when the door opened and everyone’s head turned.
