Part Eleven
Part Ten
Hearing happy squeals from the next room alerted Snitch to awaken. He didn’t recognize his surroundings at first, then remembered the events of last night and moaned. How long had he been asleep? And where was Camilla’s baby?
A blanket had been draped over him, and he threw that aside to find Pie Eater or Kay. He went to the kitchen to find Kay trying to feed Little David some porridge with a spoon. She heard him and acknowledged him.
“Good morning.” She said. “Or should I say, afternoon.”
“Afternoon?” Snitch rubbed his eye with the heel of his hand.
“Yes, it’s twelve thirty-eight already. You hit the couch last night and went out cold. David put a blanket on you so you’d stay warm. Are you hungry?”
“Where’s th’ baby?”
“She’s in Little David’s old cradle in my room, sleeping.”
“How is she?”
“She’ll be fine. It took me some time, but she’s gotten to trust me for now.” She paused. “What do you plan to do with her?”
“Keep ‘er till Camilla wakes up.”
“But…is there a possibility that she won’t?”
“Yeah.”
“What’ll happen if it comes to that?”
“Then I’ll keep ‘er.”
Kay frowned. “Are you sure? You don’t know the first thing about raising a baby.”
“But she’s Camilla’s baby, an’ Camilla woulda wanted me t’ take ‘er if she din’t make it. If ya’d seen th’ look on ‘er face, ya’d agree.”
“I don’t doubt that. But still, she’s still too small to be weaned. Did she have a doctor look at her after she was born?”
“No.”
“I think it would be best if someone looked at her. She looks rather tiny.”
“I don’t got money for a doctor.”
“There’s one who lives a few doors down. I think he can look at her and not charge anything.”
“Alright, where does ‘e live? I’ll-”
“Never mind that, I’ll get him. You stay here and have some breakfast. And if Little David gets whiny, just try to spoon him some porridge, okay?”
“Got it.”
“I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
A pot filled with porridge was still warm and waiting on the table. Snitch spooned some into a nearby bowl as Kay left the apartment shortly. Little David squealed as he swung his spoon over his head and giggled, obviously showing off for Snitch. He smiled at the baby, then began eating.
Apparently, Little David wanted attention. He began banging his spoon against his high chair and shrieking even louder than before. He didn’t quiet down until Snitch looked up at him again.
“Look kid, I’m hungry. Can’t ya jus’ let me eat in peace?”
Little David gurgled and banged his spoon even more.
“I’ll take that as a no.”
Kay finally returned with an elderly man with her. She introduced him as Dr. Stevens and brought him to the room where Camilla’s baby was sleeping. Snitch wanted to be there to see what the doctor would assess about the baby, but Little David wasn’t going to let him. He shrieked loudly and tipped his bowl over.
“Hey, now that’s enough, kid!” Snitch ordered.
Little David grunted and banged on the bottom of the bowl with the spoon and bounced in his chair. His demanding shrieks eventually brought his mother out from the bedroom. She picked him up out of his high chair and jiggled him softly.
“Don’t mind him.” She said to Snitch. “He’s getting older and just wants to be noticed.”
“Cute.” Snitch nodded.
“Yes, he is a cute baby.” She picked up a babying voice. “You’re cute and you know it, don’t you? Don’t you?”
Dr. Stevens finally came out from the bedroom. His facial expression had absolutely no prediction with what he assessment was, making Snitch somewhat nervous.
“Karen says the baby was born last night.” He reported.
“Late las’ night. ‘Round midnight.”
“She’s a little small, but above all, she needs her mother.”
He frowned. “What’s that s’pposed t’ mean?”
“I mean, she’s a little resistant. Karen says she’s been able to feed her, but it’s been extremely difficult. Though that’s a good sign, she should be in better shape if she’s with her mother. Where is she, anyway?”
“She…she was hemorrhagin’ las’ night. I don’t even know if ‘er surgery went well.”
“Then it’s best to find out, son. That baby needs her mother.”
Sighing heavily, Snitch bent his head downward and folded his hands behind his neck. Why did everything bad have to happen at once? Kay thanked the doctor and saw him to the door. And before she could close it, an older lady appeared in the doorway.
“Good morning, Karen!” she said cheerfully. “And how are you today?”
“I’m…just fine.” She forced a smile. “How are you?”
“Perfectly wonderful, dear. I thought I’d check in on you when I saw Dr. Stevens come to your apartment. Is the baby all right?”
“Yes, he’s fine. I’m fine, and so is David. Now if you’ll excuse me, the baby’s diaper needs-”
“Oh!” the lady shrieked. “I had no idea you had company.”
Snitch looked up with his dull eyes and couldn’t find a smile. It was just his luck to have a busybody drop in like this.
“Who’s this?” the lady asked.
“I’m one ‘f David’s brothers.” Snitch replied before Kay could say anything.
“Brothers?” she arched an eyebrow. “You didn’t tell me David had brothers.”
“He’s got lots ‘f brothers.” He said before Kay could again. “I’m jus’ droppin’ in for a visit.”
“Does David know he’s here?” she directed to Kay.
“Yes, David knows he’s here.” Kay repeated. “Now, Mrs. Hannigan, he isn’t feeling too well and the baby needs changing, so please excuse me.”
Camilla’s baby began wailing just then, and Snitch could feel the heat of red filling his face. If anything, this only made the situation worse. Kay was holding Little David and he was busy chewing on his fingers.
“Who’s that crying?” Mrs. Hannigan wondered.
“That’s…my daughter.” Snitch revealed.
“Your daughter? Why don’t you bring her and your wife out so I can meet them?”
Snitch knew this was the opportunity to be rid of this nosy old lady once and for all. “Her momma had a hemorrhage after havin’ ‘er baby. I couldn’t be around an’ I don’t even know if she’s alive.”
Apparently, that worked the way he hoped it would. The nosy grin melted off of her face to more of an embarrassment and she withdrew.
“Oh.” She murmured. “I’m sorry to hear that. It was nice to see you, Karen.”
“You too, Mrs. Hannigan.”
She shut the door behind her and leaned against it. Then she returned Little David to his high chair and sat down in the chair next to it.
“I’m so sorry about that.” She said. “Mrs. Hannigan’s a busybody, she always wants to know about the gossip going on in this building and spreads it to the other tenants.”
“Guess we both got a liddle lucky.” He pushed his chair back. “I’m gonna go see Camilla’s baby.”
“You really ought to give her a name. You can’t just go calling her ‘Camilla’s baby’ all the time.”
“But it’s Camilla’s job t’ name ‘er. If she lives, she’ll name ‘er. So she’ll be Camilla’s baby till I find out what happened.”
He went to the bedroom where Camilla’s baby was lying wide awake in the cradle lent to her. Snitch hadn’t been able to have a good look at her since it had been nighttime when she was born, and now he knew what she really looked like.
Camilla hadn’t had a daughter, she had borne an exact replica of herself. Snitch lifted the baby from the crib to study her more. She had the same red hair, although hers was curlier than her mother’s. She had the same eyes, mouth, nose, ears, and even her skin tone matched Camilla perfectly. Camilla was right; she was so beautiful.
Remembering how to hold a baby, he let her head rest against his upper arm as she studied him with her wide, curious purple eyes. She made tiny sounds as she stretched her hand and touched the front of his shirt. Snitch sighed and covered her hand with his free hand. She was so tiny.
The fact that she was almost exactly like her mother gave Snitch a sweep of relief. As far as he could see, there was no trace of her father in her appearance. Hopefully, she would not have gained too much of his personality. But the fact that she appeared so much like Camilla could soften Harry’s heart.
Watching her also shined another fact to Snitch’s eyes. Whether Camilla lived or not, he was now in charge of this baby girl. He was her father. He remembered when he first learned of Camilla’s pregnancy, he almost didn’t stay with her because he didn’t want to be a father. And now he was.
He wondered how he was going to raise a little girl. Especially one so young. He was man enough to stay with a pregnant girl, and now he needed to be enough to stay with her and her baby. This was going to be incredibly hard. It would be easier to just leave this baby with Kay because she could care for her.
He shrugged. Running away wasn’t going to help him, Camilla, or her baby. The moment he stepped in to be the man Camilla needed, the baby was his responsibility. He had fought to make Camilla accept her, and eventually helped her come to love her baby. After all he worked for, he was not going to leave.
If he was to be the man, he was to maintain his responsibility for this baby girl. No matter what.
* * *
Snitch jiggled the baby softly as he sipped his coffee. He couldn’t stay here much longer. Sooner or later, he would need to confront Harry and find out how Camilla was doing. He felt a deep sinking feeling inside of him, but about what, he didn’t know. He just knew he had to know about Camilla. Her baby needed her.
“Didja see th’ newsies yesterday?” Pie Eater asked him.
“For a liddle while. I din’t wanna stay too far ‘way from th’ baby.”
“So what’d ya learn?”
“Couple more new newsies arrived, an’ there’s weddin’ plans goin’ on too.”
Pie Eater grinned and nodded. “I’m lovin’ it. It’s great seein’ these guys gettin’ older an’ settlin’ down. But sometimes I find myself wishin’ for th’ old days.”
“Really?”
“Till I see my beautiful bride again. Then I change my mind. I’m perfectly content right ‘ere ‘n’ now.”
The baby began to fuss, and Snitch set her against his shoulder and rubbed her back. She seemed to like having her back rubbed, seeing how she calmed down whenever he did so.
“She really is a pretty baby.” Pie Eater voiced. “Looks jus’ like Camilla.”
“Yeah, she does.” He sighed. “If Camilla din’t make it, I’m gonna take care ‘f ‘er. Do ya think your pa would have any work ‘e could give me?”
“Maybe. We’ve been needin’ help behind th’ desk in gettin’ orders ‘n’ stuff like that. A clerk, if ya will. Can ya write?”
“Yup, but I’m messy.”
“I’ll let pa know once I go t’ work, an’ I’ll see what I cin do for ya.”
“Thanks. This’ll mean a lot.”
“Even if pa can’t give ya a job, he cin still probly help find ya one. Or Bumlets, since ‘e’s got that job at th’ lumber yard.”
“That’s true. But I don’t wanna work at a lumber yard.”
“I wouldn’t worry ‘bout it. Ya’ll find somethin’ soon.”
Snitch smiled and rose to his feet. “I’m gonna put ‘er down. She’s gone t’ sleep on me.”
“Karen should be back in a few minutes. I won’t leave till she gets back.”
“Thanks.”
Once he entered the bedroom, Snitch sat down on the bed and set the baby on his thighs. She was snoozing peacefully, but Snitch knew that she would be hungry soon. He hoped she could sway Harry’s current opinion of her. She was so beautiful and looked so much like her mother that hopefully she could steal her grandfather’s heart.
Perhaps tomorrow would be a good day to see Harry. If Snitch waited for the right time, Harry could be cooled down enough to listen to logical reason. Logical reasoning was the only way to sway Harry’s hardened heart. Then again, if anyone did to this little baby what was done to Camilla, Snitch wouldn’t be so inclined to keep her child in his family.
Then, as Snitch, gazed at her, he realized that, yes, this baby would be a constant reminder of what was done to Camilla. Camilla had forced herself to look past this. Harry, being her sole parent and protector, would not be so easily softened.
The front door opened, and Snitch put the baby down in the cradle. As he stepped outside to say hello to Kay, he froze in his spot. Kay was there, but she was accompanied by three police officers. Apparently, they had arrived with Kay.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Pie Eater demanded.
“We are looking for a young man named Dean Nichols.” The first officer replied.
“Why wouldja want him?”
“It’s been requested that we take him into custody on suspicions of kidnapping.”
Snitch froze, then spun around back into the bedroom. Pie Eater could hold them off, but all he could do was buy Snitch some time. He could escape from here, but not with a two-day-old baby. She wouldn’t survive a breakout, not in the condition she was in.
He had to think quickly. If he showed the officers the baby, he could possibly prove he hadn’t kidnapped her. Then he shook his head. They would only take the baby and he would probably be locked in prison for fifty years.
Hearing Pie Eater’s voice becoming more and more agitated, Snitch became frantic. Impulsively, he rushed to Kay’s dresser and pulled out a drawer. Shoving clothes to the sides, he made a space big enough for Camilla’s baby to fit snugly into. Once she was nestled in, he whispered to her to keep quiet.
“Whatever ya do, don’t cry anytime soon. As long as ya stay quiet, ya’ll be okay. An’ I’ll be back. I promise.”
The baby yawned as Snitch carefully closed the drawer and rose to his feet. He needed to reveal himself to protect not only Pie Eater and Kay, but their baby and Camilla’s baby as well. Steeling himself, Snitch stepped outside, feigning more harried than he actually was.
“Pie Eater!” he cried. “Pie Eater, I think th-” he froze in his spot when he saw the officers. “Uh oh.”
Two of the officers apprehended Snitch immediately. He was cuffed as Pie Eater and Kay gave everything they had to clear this mix up. But Snitch wasn’t going to let them take the blame.
“I jus’ came ‘ere t’ see if they could help me.” He confessed to the police. “They din’t even know I was here.”
“Where’s the infant?” the officer questioned.
“She’s my daughter. Ya can’t get away with a charge of kidnappin’ my own kid.”
Both officers holding Snitch raised suspicious eyebrows to the other. The one in command also seemed quite puzzled and unsure of what to do.
“The man who ordered your arrest said something about wanting to see you first before we cart you away.” The officer hesitated. “I don’t know if the law can uphold your side if you can’t clear everything up.”
“Jus’ take me t’ Harry. I will clear this up.”
He glanced back at Pie Eater, nodding assuredly to let them know everything would be fine. Pie Eater did nothing as Snitch was led away, hoping that what he had told him was true. And right when Snitch was taken away, Camilla’s baby began to cry.
‘He’d better be all right.’ He thought. ‘Cuz if he ain’t, it’s gonna be bad for that little baby.’
* * *
