Seven was brokenhearted. She couldn’t believe that Tony would make up such a lie like that. The next morning she didn’t leave to sell newspapers. When everyone was gone, she grabbed a bag, shoved her things in it and ran down the fire escape. When she was away from the lodging house, she ran into Felix.
“Seven? What’re you doing?” he asked.
Seven sighed. “I’m going to Manhattan.”
“Why?”
“Because I saw Tony kissing a girl last night, and he lied about it. I want to stay in Manhattan until he tells me the truth.”
“Please don’t go, Seven. We need you here.”
“I’ll come back, Felix. Before I leave, I gotta ask you a favor.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t tell anyone where I am. Especially not Tony.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell a soul.”
Seven hugged Felix. “Thanks, Felix.”
Felix was surprised by her sudden move but enjoyed it. When she let go of him, she took her bag and headed for Manhattan.
* * *
“Ten year old boy catches fifty pound trout!” Tweetheart shouted.
In no time, she had sold the rest of her newspapers. When the last customer paid her, she turned to Jack.
“Well, I’m done. So, what do ya wanna do?”
“How ‘bout Tibby’s?”
“Sounds great.”
Jack put his arm around her and they walked to Tibby’s. Jack ordered them some cokes and they sat down a table.
“Ya know somethin’ Jack?” Tweetheart said. “That one boy, Swifty, he looks kinda familiar.”
Jack scratched the back of his head. “Well, when I foyst met ‘im, ‘e was a mess. ‘E was all beat up an’ was torn about somethin’. To this day, no one knows why ‘e was so upset when we foyst met ‘im.”
“Hmm. He kinda looks like my sister’s old boyfriend. She jus’ came running home one day sayin’ that he was gone an’ she’d never see him again.”
“You don’t think that’s ‘im, do ya?”
“No. Only my sister would know.”
“Where is yer sister?”
“She’s back in East Side. She’s Tony’s goyl.”
“Oh, so yer sister’s the famous Seven of Nine?”
“How do you know her, and when did she become famous?”
“Every goyl newsie knows ‘er. Dey knows ‘er cuz she Tony’s goyl. Ever since Tony came up, none of the goyls have noticed Spot Conlon. All those goyls are jealous of Seven.”
“Well, Tony’s a normal guy, and he loves Chase very much. He’d never do anything to hurt her.”
Jack reached across the table and took Tweetheart’s hand. “I’d never hoit you eidder.”
Tweetheart smiled. “That’s very sweet of you, Jack.”
Jack leaned across the table and kissed her gently. When they parted, Tweetheart smiled at him.
“I wasn’t expecting you to do that, but I liked it.”
“I liked it too. Come on, let’s go to the lodging house where people won’t watch us.”
* * *
Seven had been in Central Park all day, thinking about Tony. She cried every now and then, but it was getting late now and she needed to find the Manhattan lodging house. She took her bag and walked down the street, looking at every building.
She finally found the lodging house. She walked in and found Tweetheart sitting on a bench with Jack. They were talking, and when they noticed someone was there they turned. Tweetheart gasped when she saw who it was.
“Chase! What’re you doing here?” she exclaimed.
Seven sighed. “It’s a long story.”
Tweetheart sat her down on the bench. “It’s okay, Chase. I’m here, and you can tell me anything.”
Seven sniffled and poured out the story. Tweetheart was stunned at Tony’s behavior.
“I came here because I want him to apologize. It’s okay for me to stay, isn’t it?”
“Of course. Jack, can you put another bed in my room?”
Seven didn’t notice Jack until then. She blushed, but Jack didn’t notice.
“Sure. Seven, youse can stay fer as long as you like. I jus’ gotta tell Kloppman foyst. Tweetheart, you show Seven to yer room and introduce ‘er to da guys.”
Tweetheart took her sister’s hand and led her up the stairs. Seven felt a little nervous, but she ignored it. When Tweetheart opened the door, Seven saw a few newsies, and none of them looked familiar. Tweetheart led Seven into the room she stayed in and put her sister’s bag on her bed.
“Chase, are you gonna be okay?” Tweetheart asked.
Seven nodded. “I’ll be fine. I jus’ want some time to myself right now.”
“Okay. I’ll be in the next room if you need me.”
Tweetheart left the room. Seven plopped on her sister’s bed and sobbed. She loved Tony, and he let her down like Derek had. She was only giving him a second chance because she loved him too much. An hour went by and Tweetheart returned.
“Jack’s moving another bed in here.” She announced.
“Thanks.”
“You wanna meet the guys? They all wanna meet you because they’ve heard so much about you.”
Seven sat up. “How much did you tell them?”
“I didn’t! You’re known all over New York cuz you’re Tony’s girl. Jack says that every girl envies you and thinks you’re so lucky.”
Seven had no idea she was that popular. She shrugged and stood up.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Tweetheart led her out the door and introduced all the newsies to her.
“Swifty and Pie Eater are the only ones who ain’t here yet. They’ll be here soon.” Tweetheart pointed out.
When she finished speaking, two newsies came in the door. The first one looked tired, but the second one looked so familiar. She squinted her eyes and looked again. Then, she knew exactly who he was. When he looked at her, he also seemed surprised.
“Chase?” he asked.
Seven put on a smug smile when she saw Swifty coming towards her. He seemed extremely glad to see her again. When he was close enough, Seven’s smile faded and she slapped him across the face. Swifty held his cheek and stared at Seven in surprise.
“What’d ya do that for?” he exclaimed.
Everyone was looking at them, but Seven didn’t notice. She just looked at Swifty with a man-you’re-a-jerk look.
“How can you come to me like that after what you did to me two years ago?” she snapped.
Swifty looked guilty. “Well…I…uh…”
“Just as I thought. Don’t ever come to me like that again.”
Swifty still held his cheek as he turned around to meet Pie Eater.
“You know her?” Pie Eater asked.
“Yeah. She used ta be my goyl.” Swifty answered.
“Why’d ya dump ‘er?”
“I didn’t! I was running away from my home an’ she followed me. I didn’t know she’d take it dat hard.”
“Well guess what? She did.”
“I know, an’ I feel terrible about it, an’ I feel even worse now dat I know dat she’s Seven of Nine.”
* * *
Five days went by and there was still no sign of Seven. Tony was going out of his mind because he was so worried about Seven. He was in the saloon that day, getting himself drunk.
He had just finished his sixth glass of tequila and was beginning to feel sick. He rested his head on the counter when he heard someone calling him. He got up looked. It was Lightning, one of the tallest newsies in East Side.
“Tony! We found ‘er!” he exclaimed.
Tony’s head jerked up. “Where is she?”
He tried to stand up but only fell flat on his face. Lightning helped him up and dusted him off.
“She’s in Manhattan with Tweetheart. From what I’ve heard, she real upset about somethin’.”
Tony’s head bobbed. “How ‘bout another drink?”
“Nope. Yer drunk, now let’s get ya back to da lodging house.”
“No! I gotta get Chase! I gotta!”
He ran for the door but only tripped over his own feet. Lightning helped him up again.
“Not in yer state. I’ll go with ya ta make sure ya don’t kill yerself.”
* * *
Seven was tired. She couldn’t sleep that night, and she had a headache. She lay down on her bed and rested her head. It was getting late, but everyone outside was quiet. Just as her headache was calming down, she heard shouts in the other room.
She was betting there was a fight going on, but it was making her headache worse. She covered her head with her pillow and hid her face in the mattress. Then, the door opened and the noise got louder. She pulled the pillow off her head and saw Skittery standing there.
“Could you quiet down in there? I got a headache.” Seven told him.
“You gotta come out ‘ere.”
“Why?”
Skittery just jerked his head in the direction of the room. Seven sighed and got up. When she exited her room she saw Jack and a few more newsies standing by the window, shouting at someone.
“Come on, Kelley! I know she’s der!”
Seven froze. Tony had found her. If Felix told him, I’ll kill him, she thought. She walked toward the window to catch a glimpse of Tony. She saw him, but he looked terrible. His eyes were bloodshot, his shirt was unbuttoned and he was wobbling on his feet. Lightning was with him, trying to keep him on his feet. Seven could tell he was drunk.
“Listen Tony, even if we did ‘ave ‘er she’d hafta make ‘er own choice to go wit you or stay ‘ere.” Jack said calmly.
“Tell ‘er to get ‘er butt out here or I’ll tear the place apart lookin’ for ‘er!” Tony shouted.
Seven was angry. She pushed Mush away from the window and looked out.
“You don’t hafta do that, Tony. I’m right here.”
Tony seemed relieved to see her, but he almost fell over. It was a good thing Lightning was there with him.
“There you are, Chase. Come on down an’ we’ll go home.”
“What if I don’t wanna go?” Seven challenged.
“Don’t make me yell like dis all night!” Tony’s voice was filled with anger and annoyance. “Now get yer things an’ we’ll go back.”
“I ain’t goin’ with you, Tony! You’re drunk, an’ I still wouldn’t go if you was sober!”
Jack cut in. “Der Tony, she don’t wanna go wit you. Now if you’d leave quietly, have a nice night.”
“I ain’t gonna leave without ‘er!”
“Well, yer jus’ gonna hafta leave without me!” Seven shouted.
“Seven,” Lightning said gently, “Please come back. I know that Tony’s drunk, but he’s really worried about you.”
“He doesn’t hafta be. I’m safe here, so there’s no reason why he should be worried. Take him home, Lightning. He’ll just hurt himself if he stays here like this.”
Lightning sighed and looked at Seven. Seven gave him ‘the death look.’ It was her secret weapon. Lightning tried to turn his head, but he couldn’t. He grabbed Tony and headed back for East Side. As he dragged him, Tony shouted angry things at them.
“You ain’t seen da last a me, Kelley! I’ll send my guys in ta bring her back!”
Finally, Lightning managed to drag Tony a far distance away from the lodging house. When he was gone, Seven sighed with relief. Jack looked at Seven with surprise.
“Seven, how’d ya get Lightning ta drag him back?” he asked.
Seven smiled. “Like this.”
And with that, she pulled out the same look she gave Lightning. Jack looked at her, shocked.
“Oh mah Lord! I ain’t never seen anything as scary as dat in my life!” Jack exclaimed.
Seven laughed. “That’s right. It’s my secret weapon.”
Seven walked back to her room and plopped on her bed, smiling. She decided that she would wait a little while longer before she went back to Tony. As she thought about what had just happened, she heard a knock at the door.
“Come in.” she said.
The door opened and Swifty walked in. Seven shrugged. She didn’t want to see him at that minute.
“Can I sit down?” he asked.
“Sure.” Seven answered.
Swifty walked over to her bed and was about to sit down next to her, but Seven stopped him.
“ON Devin’s bed!”
Swifty jumped up and sat on Tweetheart’s bed. He folded his hands and looked at the floor.
“Well?” Seven demanded.
“Okay, I’ll get to the point.” Swifty looked up at her. “Why’d ya choose ta stay here?”
“Because of what he did. I just need some time to cool down, but I’ll go back when I’m ready.”
“I thought you didn’t want to go back.”
“What? Of course I’d go back! I love Tony, but I’m waiting till he apologizes before I go back.”
“I thought you said you’d go back when yer ready.”
“That’s when he apologizes. I left because I saw him with another girl, then he lied about it. Even now he won’t tell me the truth.”
“How much do you love him?”
“More than I’ve loved anything in this world. He means everything to me, and seeing him drunk like that hurt me.”
Swifty sighed and looked at the floor again. He couldn’t look at her because he was still in love with her. Just hearing her talking about Tony hurt him. When he saw her in the lodging house, he felt like he was reunited with someone who he thought was dead. It was the best he had felt since before he left her.
But, even though he had met up with her again, he was hurt because he could tell she was still mad at him for what he had done to her. He had damaged her far more than he had expected.
“Derek?”
Swifty jerked his head up. This was the first time Seven had called him by his real name since he met up with her.
“Why’d you call me that?” he asked.
“Cuz the name Swifty sounds stupid.”
Swifty shook his head. “That’s not really it, is it?”
“If there’s nothing else you want to tell me, then leave.”
Swifty wanted to tell her why he had run away, but the words were caught in his throat and he couldn’t say them.
“All right, since there’s nothing more to say, then you can leave.”
Swifty sighed again and left the room. When he left, Seven lay back down on her bed and fell asleep.
