I won my first poker game against Race today. He won't get over it for a while, I don't think. But I got three bucks extra in my pocket, so I'm not worried.

Mush wanted to know what was bothering me. He always seems to pick up on your feelings easily, but he makes a mistake by asking because usually when he asks he gets beat up. I didn't beat him up, though. I just shrugged and said, "Nothin'."

I know he didn't believe me, but 'least he kept quiet after that. I didn't much feel like making up another lie to keep myself from letting the truth slip. What would the fellas do to me if they ever found out that Snyder is my father? I don't even want to think about it.

Snyder's the reason I started to keep this journal. I know ain't many other newsies keep journals, especially not the fellas, but I realized that, when he gets out of jail, I'll be the first person he comes looking for, and that bothers me. It ain't like I can tell anyone, though - not even Sarah, and I trust her more than anyone in the world. But she just wouldn't understand. No one would. So I had to make do and put everything on paper. Maybe this journal thing isn't a great idea, though, because if someone finds it there's no way I can deny the truth. I guess that's a risk I'm going to take.

Blink wants to know what I'm doing. Too bad, pal.