The Love Letter

‘A whole month,’ Bumlets thought. ‘Our anniversary is tomorrow, and I don’t know what to do!’ Bumlets was frantic. Seven, though she wasn’t really known for her solid memory, had reminded him this morning that tomorrow was their one-month anniversary. He was sure that Seven had something special planned, but what about him? He had completely forgotten! ‘What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?’ He wondered. ‘I gotta do somethin’!’ He then began pacing around, trying to dig up something he could do. What could he do? Take her on a special date? Give her something special? Write her something? Suddenly, a light bulb clicked on in his head. He could write her something! After all, he had written her a love letter before, and she liked it a lot. But what could he write? Though Seven really wasn’t into romance, she liked things he wrote. But today, he was clueless as to what he could write her. What could he write her?
“Bumlets!” Bumlets immediately turned his head to see Seven striding toward him with a smile on her face. She seemed glad to have found him. “Where have you been?” She asked. “Ya jus’ wandered off without tellin’ me.”
“Ah, sorry. I was jus’...thinkin’.” Bumlets replied. “’Bout what?”
“Yer awful curious taday. Do I gotta write everythin’ out so you cin read what’s goin’ on in my head?”
Seven shook her head and laughed softly. “No. I’se jus’ wonderin’ what made ya get thinkin’ that made you walk away from me.”
“It’s okay. So, we headin’ home now?”
“Not right now. I was gonna head ta Irving Hall ta catch up wit a few ‘a de guys. Ya wanna come?” “’Fraid not. Got some stuff ta do.”
“Alrighty. I guess I’ll see ya tanight at Tibby’s?”
“Yeah, see ya there.”
Seven then gave him a smile and walked away. When she was gone, Bumlets rushed to the lodging house, thinking of anything romantic he could write her. When he reached the lodging house, he rushed up the stairs to the bunkroom to his bunk. He grabbed one of his books and skimmed through the pages to find something that Seven would like.
At last, he found something she would like. Pulling out a clean sheet of paper and a dull pencil, he put the paper on the book and began writing.
“To the most special person in my life.” He wrote. “I love your eyes, your hair, the sound of your voice, and the way you make me feel. If a red rose is the symbol of love, then let our rose last till the stars turn cold. Love, me.” It wasn’t the most romantic of poems, but he knew that Seven would like it if it were from him. All he had to do now was find a red rose he could give to her. He folded the piece of paper up and put the book and pencil away when Itey entered the room.
“Hey Bumlets!” he said. “Whatcha doin’ ‘ere, I thought you’d be wit Seven at Irving Hall.”
“Tryin’ ta fix somethin’ up fer us fer our anniversary tomorrah.” Bumlets replied.
“Oh really?”
“Yep. Jus’ don’ tell ‘er.”
“Ah, I won’. I’se jus’ bringin’ Midgy’s hat back. She told me ta bring it up ‘ere.”
“’Kay. Well, I gotta head out now. ‘Member, don’ say a word ‘a dis ta Seven!” Itey nodded and Bumlets put the letter on his bunk, then left. When he shut the door, Itey went to the window and opened it up. It was a bit stuffy in there, and it sure could use some fresh air. Itey then went to Midgy’s bunk and dropped her hat on it. ‘I hope she doesn’t consider me ta be her slave now,’ he thought. Itey then headed for the door when a strong breeze entered the bunkroom. The wind then caught the piece of paper of Bumlets’ bunk and blew it onto another bunk. It then stopped when it hit a hat. As Itey walked down the stairs, he passed Midgy on the way.
“’Ey Midgy, if you was headin’ up dis way, why’d ya ask me ta bring yer hat up?”
“Cuz I fergot ta tell ya dat I needed ta grab somethin’ else.”
“Okay. Oh yeah, an’ I left yer hat on yer bed. Jus’ thought ya’d wanna know dat.” Midgy only continued on her way to the bunkroom as Itey headed for Irving Hall. When Midgy finally reached her bunk, she found a folded up note on her bed. Confused, she picked it up began to read it.
“To the most special person in my life. I love your eyes, your hair, the sound of your voice, and the way you make me feel. If a red rose is the symbol of love, then let our rose last till the stars turn cold. Love, me.” Midgy read aloud. It had been next to her hat, on her bunk, which could only mean that Itey left the note. She stared at it in utter confusion. 'But why would Itey be writing me a love lettas? He couldn't...? Nahhh.'
Midgy shoved the note into her pocket, but paused to think. She quickly realized she would have to let him down, she had Race after all. 'Race! Crap! What's gonna happen if he finds out?!' Midgy thought frantically. Him and Itey were pretty good friends, she didn't want to ruin that. She ran outside the Lodging House in search of Itey.
"Itey!" she called, spotting him. He walked over. "Look, about the note..." Midgy began.
"What note?" he asked, confused.
"Y'know..." she hinted.
Itey searched his memory and decided to just play along and figure out what she meant later. "Oh, yeah." "So you know?"
"Yeah, yeah, of course."
"Oh, okay. Well then...I guess I'll see ya." Midgy said walking away. He shrugged to himself and bent down to tie his shoes. A piece of paper lay on the ground next to his feet he picked it up and read it. “To the most special person in my life. I love your eyes, your hair, the sound of your voice, and the way you make me feel. If a red rose is the symbol of love, then let our rose last till the stars turn cold. Love, me.”
He stared at it. The paper had only appeared there after Midgy left, so it must be from her. But that didn't make sense, what about Race? Hurriedly, he pushed the note into his pocket and went into the bunkroom to check if Midgy had come in. She wasn't there. He put the note on what he thought was her bunk, he'd talk to her about it later.
"Hey Itey!" Robin said cheerfully as he walked out the door.
"Hey." Itey said quickly, continuing on his way. Robin headed into the bunkroom and walked over to her bunk. Lying by the pillow was a note...
"What’s this?" she thought She took the letter and read it. But who could have left it here? Itey? But...why would he? I mean I hardly know him. She quickly went to the boys’ bunkroom to see if Itey was there. She walked in and saw the usual group of guys. "Hey, Robin, you looks confused what’s up?"
It was Mush. She really wasn't paying attention because she searched the room for Itey. "Robin? Hey, ya ok?" He tried gettin' her attention.
"Ummm yea." She said sitting on the closest bed. "Hey, Mush, can I ask ya somethin'?"
"Yeah, what is it?"
She didn't know what to say but she spoke anyway out of confusion. "Mush, if ya found a note on somethin that belongs to ya. Would ya think the note was meant for ya or no?"
Mush didn't know what she was getting at. "Well obviously it would hafta be for ya if its on ya things. Why?"
"No reason. Just wanna know. Thanks. C-ya later."
She hurried out of the room but she forgot the note on the bed. Race walked over to his bed to get his deck of cards for the game that night. He found the letter on the bed. He read it. He saw Mush on the other side of the room.
"Heya, Mushy, did Midgy come in here?"
"Nah, Race, haven't seen her."
"Oh. Well was any of da other goils in here."
"Yeah, Robin, just left. She was sittin' on ya bed askin' weird questions about notes and likin' someone or somethin of that sort. It was real confusin'."
"Thanks, pal."
Robin knew he was involved with Midgy. And they've been friends for awhile but why would she want to come between those two. Race thought to himself. I gotta find her and straighten this out. I can't tell Midgy, she'll be too upset. He left to go find Robin not realizing he dropped the note by Bumlets’ bed. Bumlets came in and saw the note on the floor. It looked a little wore. Like it was passed around a lot. He thought he left it in the girls’ room. What was it doing back there?
"Well it'll be better if I give it to her in person, anyway." He said, putting the note in his pocket and made sure it stayed there. Bumlets decided to head to Tibby’s where just about everyone was going that night. As he walked down the street he searched for Seven, but she was nowhere to be found. ‘Maybe she’s already at Tibby’s.’ he thought. When he arrived, he scanned over all the newsies and noticed that Seven wasn’t there either. Confused, he walked over to Specs and Lake to ask if they had seen Seven.
“Hey guys, have ya seen Seven anywhere?” he asked.
“I met up wit ‘er.” Specs answered. “She said dat she’d be a liddle late.” Bumlets nodded.
“Oh, okay.” He reached into his pocket and drew out the love letter. “Specs, couldja hold dis fer me?”
“What is it?”
“It’s a love letter fer Seven. Tomorrah’s our one-month anniversary an’ I don’ wanna lose it.”
“Okay, I’ll keep it safe fer ya.”
“Thanks. Lake, not a woid about dis ta Seven, alright?”
“Alright.” Lake agreed.
Bumlets then went to an empty table and decided to wait for Seven to arrive. After a few minutes, she strolled through the door and Bumlets waved her over. Seven smiled when she saw him and went to sit with him. After a few minutes, Specs and Lake finished their dinner and ordered dessert. When they finished, Specs dropped some money on the tabletop along with Bumlets’ love letter without noticing.
“Wanna head home?” Specs asked.
“Sure, let’s go.” Lake replied.
The two left the restaurant and a few more newsies arrived. Jack, noticing that either Specs or Lake had left something on their table, went over to investigate. When he got to their table, he found a wrinkled up note. Looking like it was from Lake, he opened it and read it. As he read over it, his eyes widened.
“Holey rusted metal!” he whispered. “Lake’s gotta crush on me?”
Jack crumpled the letter in his hand and went to sit back down with David and Les. Knowing that he had to get rid of this letter before anyone found it, he frantically searched for someplace to put it. Finally, he found an old book and he quickly snatched it before anyone could see him. He stuck the letter in the back of the book and then put it back where he had found it. Shortly afterward, Snoddy picked up the book, without Jack noticing, and walked over to Dot’s table. She was talking with Fists and Bagel and didn’t notice Snoddy coming her way.
“Hey Dot,” he interrupted, “I brung yer book back. It was pretty good. Thanks fer lettin’ me borrow it.”
Dot looked at him and took the book. “You’re welcome, Snoddy. If’n ya wanna borrow it again, gimme a shout.”
Snoddy nodded and returned to his table. Dot then opened the book and a folded up piece of paper fell out. Curious, she picked up the letter and began to read."What in da world? Snoddy???" Dot said.
"Yeah?" "Where'd you get this letta?"
"What letta?"
"Ya know, da one in da book?"
"I dunno what you’re talkin’ about. I didn't put nothin’ in da book. It was sittin’ next ta Jack. He musta put it there." Snoddy said reassuring her.
"Jack? But..."
"I'd ask him 'bout dat."
"Thanks, Snoddy." She thought, why would Jack do this? He was always very open about things. He wouldn't do this, or would he?
"Hey, guys, whadda I miss?" Robin said scouring the room for Itey.
"Wouldn't you like ta know." Jack said to himself.
"Nothin' much. We's just discussin’ da usual." Spot said.
"You’re borin’, Spot." She said, punching him playfully.
Dot comes over with the letter and said. "Robin, we gotta talk later. Since you know Jack pretty well, I gotta ask ya somethin."
"Ok." Robin said.
Dot got up and left but dropped the letter by Spot’s foot. Robin continued insulting Spot for a while. After a few minutes, Robin decided to head home and said goodbye to Spot. Just as she left, Spot bent down to tie his shoe when he found the note. Curious, he picked it up and read it over. His eyes grew wide, but thankfully, no one noticed. ‘Robin’s got a crush on me?!’ he thought. ‘How the heck did that happen?’ Whatever the reason was, this letter was sure believable. But Spot still couldn’t understand what was going on with this letter.
“Spot, you okay?” Jack asked. Spot shook his head and looked at Jack.
“Huh?”
“You okay?” Jack repeated.
“Oh...oh yeah, I’m fine. Nothin’s wrong. Nothin’ at all.”
Jack gave Spot a suspicious look, but them took a drink from his coke. Spot only crumpled up the letter and hid it in his hand. He couldn’t let anyone see it. If anyone found out that Robin gave him a love letter, he would be the laughing stock of Brooklyn.
“Heya Spot,” Kid Blink popped in. “You look a liddle tense, you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Spot blurted out quickly.
Blink nodded and looked away. David then entered and he and Jack began talking. A minute later, they asked Spot to join in. Spot, still a little nervous about the letter, walked over and sat down with them. When a coke arrived, Spot dropped the letter, and since it was crumbled into a ball, it rolled down the aisle next to Adele, who was sitting with Kid Blink. But soon, Adele had to talk to one of the waiters and got up. When she found the waiter she was looking for, Blink noticed the crumpled piece of paper near where Adele had been sitting. It hadn’t been from him, so he picked it up and read it over. His eyes grew wide as he looked it over. "Who would send my goil a love letter?" he whispered to himself. Blink then frowned and looked toward the three newsboys at the table not too far from their table. It had to be one of those three. ‘But which one?’ he wondered. Blink then had an idea. As Adele returned, he knew that they had to head home. But his scheme would uncover the boy who was after her.
“Are we heading home now?” Adele asked.
Blink nodded but smiled. “Yeah, but I can’t head home right now.”
Blink then stood up and waltzed over to Jack, David and Spot’s table. As he looked over them, he couldn’t tell which one had the hots for his girl.
“Hey guys.” He said. “I gotta run an errand, so who wants to escort Adele home?”
“I’ll do it.” David said, rising from his seat.
‘Ah ha!’ Blink thought, ‘I found the traitor!’
“No, wait.” David said. “I need to pick up some sugar on the way home for mama. I can’t.”
“Well, I’s headin’ home.” Spot said. “I’ll take her.”
‘So it’s Spot!’ Blink thought.
“I’ll come wit ya.” Jack spoke up. “We all should be headin’ home anyway.”
‘Drat,’ Blink thought, ‘this is gonna be harder than I thought.’
“Then I guess I’ll see ya’ll later.” Blink said. “See ya at de house.”
Blink then shoved the letter into his pocket and exited the building, but kept close to watch every move Jack and Spot made as they walked with Adele to the lodging house. So far, none of them had done anything that looked suspicious, but Blink knew that both were able to hide their feelings pretty well. When they finally reached the lodging house, Blink waited two minutes before entering himself. Once he entered, the first thing he saw was Jack and Adele talking with Kloppman. Jack then noticed that there was a bug on Adele’s shoulder, and he brushed it away before she could notice it.
“What’d you do that for?” Adele asked.
“Cuz ‘e’s gotta crush on ya!” Blink yelled from behind them.
Both Jack and Adele turned to see Blink there. He was obviously extremely angry at them, and Adele had no clue as to why he had said that.
“What makes ya think dat?” Jack asked.
“What?” Blink repeated as he drew the letter from his pocket. “This is what!”
“Where’d ya get dat?” Jack asked, becoming a little nervous.
“Ya gave it ta Adele!” Blink accused.
“No I din’t! Lake gave it ta me!”
“Liar!”
“I ain’t lyin’!”
All this shouting caused all the newsies to rush to the lobby to wonder what was wrong. When they saw the two boys fighting, everyone began asking questions on why they were fighting. It was so loud that Kloppman finally ended the noise by shouting over all of them. “That’s enough!” he shouted.
Almost as if on cue, the entire lobby was silenced. Kloppman only coughed a little before he finally spoke again.
“Now, Blink, what’s this all about?” Kloppman asked calmly.
“This.” He answered, handing the letter to Kloppman. “Jack gave it ta Adele.”
“I DID NOT!” Jack screeched. “How many times do I hafta tell ya, Lake gave it ta me!”
“I gave you what?” Lake demanded.
“That love lettah!”
“Wait a sec,” Robin popped in, “Kloppman, lemme see that letter.” Kloppman handed it to Robin and she scanned over it. She then looked up at Jack and shook her head. “Jack, Itey gave dis lettah ta me.”
“What?” Itey exclaimed. “I din’t give ya anythin’! Midgy gave me dat love lettah!” At that very moment, even more arguments arose. Though not everyone was involved, most tried to defend one that was being accused. Kloppman tried his best to get everyone to calm down, but was having no success. Finally, when everything seemed hopeless, Bumlets strode in. Seeing all the mayhem that was going on, he dropped the rose he had just picked up on the nearby bench and rushed to Kloppman.
“Kloppman, what’s going on?” he asked.
“I have no idea.” He answered.
Bumlets sighed but knew he had to put an end to all this arguing. So he inhaled deeply and shouted at the top of his lungs, “THAT’S ENOUGH!”
Once again, everyone was silenced that very second. But as Bumlets looked at all the newsies’ faces, he could tell that something was really wrong.
“Now, what’s goin’ on?” he demanded.
“It’s dis love lettah!” Spot said, ripping the letter from Blink’s hand.
“Here, you look at it, but don’ think I mean what’s written ‘ere.”
Bumlets took the note and looked it over. His eyes grew wide and he looked at the newsies. They were all curious as to wait he would say next. Bumlets only began laughing out loud, to the confusion of everyone in the room.
“What’s so funny?” Race asked.
Bumlets only kept laughing as he explained. “This letter. I wrote dis letter for Seven! How’d it get passed around?”
“Well,” Itey stuttered, “after ya left da bunkroom, Midgy came in an’ den she started askin’ me about a lettah.”
“Well, I wrote dis fer Seven for our anniversary tomorrah!”
Now that the mystery was solved, Seven made her way to Bumlets as the newsies began apologizing to each other. When Seven reached him, he finally presented the letter to the rightful person.
“Here.” He said. “Ya’d bedder take it a day early before someone else finds it.” He then went back to get the rose and handed it to Seven. “I had ta get dis ta go with the letter.”
Seven smiled when she read over the letter and took the rose from Bumlets.
“Thank you, Bumlets. This is really sweet.”
“Look, about de poem, I know it ain’t the most romantic-”
Seven cut him off by throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him on the mouth. When Bumlets finally embraced her and kissed her back, the newsies began whistling and hollering at them. At first, the two didn’t notice, but when they finally did, they turned and frowned at the newsies.
“Why’re ya watchin’ us?” Bumlets asked.
“Get outa here, or at least, turn the other way!” Seven shouted.
“Nevermind, Seven. Let’s just get outa here.”
And with that, Bumlets took Seven’s hand and the two left the lodging house, laughing about all the mayhem the love letter had caused.

© 2000; Robin, Seven of Nine, and Midgy