"Why am I doin' dis again?" asked the young newsie
Swifty tipped the boy's hat. "‘Cause ya like doin' things fer me."
Tumbler heaved a sigh as he took one of Swifty's papers and walked up the the young woman. He tugged on her skirt and she turned. She smiled when she saw the young boy.
"Hello there."
Tumbler gave her the pitiful look and said, "But me last pape lady?"
She searched through her purse and handed Tumbler the money.
You poor thing. Where is your family?"
The boy removed his cap, the signal for Swifty. He ran up and grabbed Tumbler.
"Sorry ma'am. Hope my brudder wasn't bodderin' ya."
The girl looked at Swifty like she didn't believe the newsie. "Do you use this boy to meet girls?"
"Wow Swifty she---mmmph!" Said Tumbler, as Swifty put a hand over his mouth.
"Of course not ma'am." said Swifty.
The girl crossed her arms and lifted an eyebrow. "Somehow I'm not so sure."
She turned on her heel and left the two newsies. Tumbler looked up and Swifty and said, "Dat's what th' last goil said."
Swifty looked down at his companion, when he saw the big grin on the boy's face he just shook his head and grabbed Tumblers arm. "C'mon ‘brudder', I'll buy ya lunch."
Tumbler and Swifty joined the other newsies at their usual table.
"What's the matter Swifty?" asked Irish.
"He tried ta snag a goil usin' me again." answered Tumbler.
"Tell me, was dis true love again?" asked Spot, making the other newsies laugh.
"If Irish weren't here I'd soak ya." said Swifty.
Tumbler nudged Swifty. "I wanna hotdog."
Swifty ordered for the boy and himself. When the waiter left, Spot stood up.
"I gotta be headin' back ta Brooklyn."
He gave Irish a quick kiss and then left the restaurant.
"Hey Irish, maybe you'se kin help me since you a goil."
Irish stared at Swifty with her green eyes and smiled. "Instead of using Tumbler, why don't you confront her yourself?"
"Ya hafta admit the brudder act is gettin' old." said Bumlets.
Swifty sat back in the booth. "I don't know how ta talk ta goils."
Racetrack started to laugh. "Swifty, you'se was th' foist ta get close ta Irish besides Jack."
Their food came and Tumbler quickly ate while Swifty picked at his food. Irish watched with worried eyes.
"Swifty, is something else bothering you?" she finally asked.
He looked up at her. "How come it was easy fer me ta talk ta you'se but I can't with udder goils?"
The newsies stopped their jokes and listened. Bumlets leaned forward and said, "Y'know, I felt th' same way b'fore Anastasia."
"An' we didn't think Spot would ever love a goil before Irish." added Jack.
Tumbler stood up. "I wanna go now. Thanks fer lunch."
"Hold it," said Jack, "th' Delancey's're around again. Have someone go with ya Tumbler."
Skittery stood and put his hand on the boy's head. "All dis goil talk makin' ya sick?"
Tumbler nodded. "Th' only goil dat matters is Irish."
The newsies laughed as the two left. Swifty paid the bill and quietly left the restaurant. He walked around Manhattan wondering why it was easy for him to talk to Irish but not any other girl, and the idea came to him that he was trying to help Irish and that is why it was easy for him to talk to her.
He then saw the girl from earlier that day and he froze. The thought of encountering her after what happened scared him. She started to walk toward him when the Delancey brothers stopped her. They started to push her which sparked something in Swifty. He ran toward them at full speen and head-butted Oscar in the back, knocking the wind out of him. Swifty then grabbed Morris and kneed him in the stomach, causing him to double over in pain.
Swifty stood by the young woman, when she saw who it was she rolled her eyes and said, "Not you again."
He grabbed her hand and started running. When she started to struggle he spun around and said, "Now's not a time ta pick yer hero!"
She stared at him as he led her around Manhattan. They ducked into an alley where Swifty released her.
"You'se alright?" asked Swifty between breaths.
The young woman nodded.
"Where do ya live?"
She pointed to the building behind the newsie.
"I suggest ya stay home an' recover."
She opened the alley door as Swifty started to leave. "Wait."
Swifty turned and looked at her.
"Why did you help me?"
He removed his cap and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Sorry ma'am, it won't happen again."
Swifty then turned and quickly walked back to the lodging house.
"Hey Swifty how's it goin'?" asked Itey, who was sitting on the front steps.
"Not so good Itey." answered Swifty as he sat next to his friend.
"What's up?"
Swifty explained what had happened and he ended by saying, "Guess she wasn't worth it."
Itey stared wide-eyed at Swifty. "Ya saved ‘er life didn't ya?"
Swifty nodded.
"An' she treated you'se like dat?"
Swifty stood and opened the door. "Yeah, guees I ain't th' hero type."
He entered the lodging house and went upstairs, all the way to the rooftop. He walked to the edge and leaned against it.
"Don't jump."
Swifty turned suddenly and saw Irish sitting next to him. She smiled and stood to join him.
"Hey Irish."
She nudged him and said, "I take it your day only got worse after you left Tibby's."
He turned. "I saved ‘er from th' Delancey's. She didn't like dat it was me."
Irish looked down in the streets and sighed. "She must not be worth it."
"What attracted you'se ta Spot besides his looks?" asked Swifty.
"I think that I felt protected when I was with him."
Swifty nodded, then asked, "What about Anna with Bumlets?"
Irish shrugged. "Could be he respects her and does what he can for her."
Swifty started pacing. Irish went up to him and grasped his hand. "Swifty, you are very special. You taught me how to dance."
He laughed at the memory. He pulled her closer and hugged her.
"When searchin' fer goils, don't take mine."
The two turned and saw Spot, with a big smile, causing both to laugh. He walked up to then and put an arm around Irish.
"He Swifty, Itey told me what happened. Don't let it git to ya."
Swifty shook his head. "Guess I shouldn't worry so much about it."
"Der is one problem if ya quit chasin' goils." said Spot.
"And what's that?" asked Irish.
"Tumbler's out of a job."
The three laughed and started for the door to go into the lodging house when it opened and out stepped a pretty young woman. Spot and Irish looked at Swifty and saw his smile fade.
"We'll see ya Swifty." said Spot as he and Irish left.
Swifty turned away from the girl and once again leaned against the edge of the rooftop.
"Your friends told me I would find you up here." she said.
"Why're ya here?" he asked.
"I asked you earlier why you helped me and you didn't give me an answer."
Swifty spun around angrily. "Ya may not thinka me as th' guy fer you'se, but I'd never thinka doin' what those guys were gonna do to ya!"
His outburst made her back away.
"Ya may not like me, but I still respect ya, and any udder goil I see."
She looked away from him ashamed. "Thank you."
Swifty looked at her quizzically. "What?"
She looked back at him, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Thank you, for what you did."
"Yeah, whatever."
She grabbed his hand. "No, you don't understand. I have been used so much that I am blind to someone like you."
Swifty withdrew his hand. "What do ya mean, ‘used'?"
Her eyes dropped as she answered, "I have a daughter."
Swifty's eyes went wide.
"She's nine months old, I don't know where her father is."
Swifty slowly put a hand on her shoulder. "Gee I'm....sorry."
She looked up at him. "My parents are dead, so they can't help me, and my friend who takes care of her is leaving soon. That means I have no one to watch her."
Swifty slowly drew her close and hugged her. "Who are you?"
"My name is Esmeralda." she answered.
He gently pushed her away and took her inside the lodging house. They walked outside into the streets and made their way to her place. Swifty followed her as she went to her apartment. Another young woman was rocking a baby to sleep when they entered the room.
"Sorry I was gone so long Laura," said Esmeralda as she took the child in her arms, "What time are you leaving in the morning?"
Laura grabbed her things and pushed Swifty aside. "Very early."
When she left Swifty turned to Esmeralda and said, "Nice lady."
Esmeralda walked up to him as she rocked the baby.
"Is dis yer daughter?" he asked.
She nodded. "This is Jasmine."
At the sound of her name the child shifted so she was looking at Swifty. The newsie smiled, and Jasmine gave him the biggest smile a baby could give.
"She seems to like you." said Esmeralda.
Swifty glanced at the mother than the child. "Are you alone here?"
Esmeralda hesitated. "Yes, why?"
"Oh no, nothin' like dat," said Swifty, knowing why she hesitated, "I just thought you'se could stay with th' newsies. Irish ‘n' Anna could help with Jasmine."
Esmeralda turned away. "I don't think so. We just met today."
"Yer daughter needs a fodder, let da newsies take th' job."
"I just don't--"
"Esmeralda, I never had a fodder. He did th' same thing as Jasmine's. Give da newsies a chance."
She looked down at Jasmine, who was still smiling at Swifty.
"What about when you're selling papers?"
"Anna don't sell. She kin help while we're gone."
"I don't have any money."
He put a hand on her shoulder. "I'll pay fer ya."
Esmeralda sighed as she bounced Jasmine in her arms. "I guess I better pack if I'm going to stay with you."
Swifty took Jasmine from her, taking her by surprise. Esmeralda went to her room and packed her things as well as Jasmine's. When she emerged from her room she saw Swifty playing peek- a-boo with Jasmine. She picked up a blanket and then her daughter. Swifty looked up and smiled.
"I better wrap her so she isn't cold."
Swifty stood and took Esmeralda's suitcase. She opened the apartment door, and they left the building. When they entered the lodging house the newsies stopped and stared.
"Hey Klopper," said Swifty, "got someplace she kin stay?"
"She can stay in my room," said Anastasia, "there's an extra bed."
Swifty touched Esmeralda on the arm and led her to the back room. He set the suitcase down and took Jasmine from her mother. "You'se should rest. I take care of ‘er."
Swifty left the room with the baby in his arms. The newsies watched with wide eyes.
"So, uh, Swifty," said Racetrack, "what's goin' on?"
The newsie sat down with Jasmine on his knee and bounced her, making her giggle. "Sorry Race, whatja say?"
Anastasia sat down next to Swifty. "Who is that girl?"
"Her name's Esmeralda, an' dis is ‘er daughter Jasmine."
"What're dey doin' ‘ere?" asked Mush
Irish sat behind Swifty and asked, "Is this the girl from earlier today?"
He nodded, while still playing with Jasmine.
"I thought she hated ya." said Tumbler.
"Swifty you not da fodder are ya?" asked Race.
Swifty looked up suddenly. "No, I just met ‘er today!"
Irish put a hand on his shoulder. "We just find it strange that you moved her in so quickly."
Jack came downstairs and saw Swifty holding Jasmine. "Who's dis?"
"It's Jasmine." answered Mush.
Jack sat next to Swifty and glanced over at the child, her eyes became wide as she stared right back at him before burying her face in Swifty's chest.
"Ya goin' fer th' younger goils now?" asked Jack.
Swifty glared at Jack as he stood up and carried Jasmine to the back room.
"Have any idea what he's up ta?" asked Racetrack.
The newsies shook their heads as they walked upstairs to get ready for bed.
~2 Months Later~
Swifty rushed to the lodging house once he finished selling newspapers. He opened the door and entered the building, hearing the footsteps of little Jasmine running to him. He knelt down as she ran into his arms and he swung her up over his head, making her squeal with glee.
"She was going crazy for your return." said Esmeralda as she walked up to Swifty.
"How's that?" he asked as he placed his cap on Jasmine's head.
"Swifty."
The newsie put the child down and she clung to his leg. "I see she knows my name."
"Jack."
Esmeralda laughed. "All the other newsies too."
"Spot."
Swifty hugged Esmeralda and asked, "So how's yer day?"
"Boots."
"Better now that your here. Jasmine kept crying for--"
"Swifty!"
He looked down at Jasmine who was smiling at him.
The lodging house door opened and in walked Spot Conlon. He crouched down next to Jasmine and said, "Hey ankle-biter, who am I?"
Jasmine grinned and said, "Skittery!"
Spot grabbed the child and tickled her, causing both to laugh hard. Irish walked in and saw the two on the floor. She looked at Esmeralda and Swifty and said, "This is Spot Conlon, the most intimidating newsie in New York?"
Spot stood with Jasmine in his arms. Swifty picked up his hat from the floor, which had fallen off of Jasmines head.
"I don't know how to thank you for letting me stay here." said Esmeralda.
Swifty put an arm around her and said, "Ya don't need ta be alone."
Irish took Jasmine from Spot and said, "Who am I Jasmine?"
"Irish."
Swifty laughed. "Guess she ain't afraida you'se Spot."
Kid Blink burst into the lodging house. "Swifty! Th' Delancey's got Tumbler!"
Swifty headed out the door while Kid explained that Skittery told him to get Swifty. Kid led Swifty to the alley where a fight was in progress. Skittery was losing his fight power as the two newsies rushed to help him.
"Where's Tumbler?" asked Swifty as he swung at Morris.
"Right here." answered the boy, blood trickling from a cut on his head.
"Get outta here kid!" exclaimed Swifty as he and Kid Blink fought the two brothers.
~Later That Night~
Swifty and Esmeralda sat on the fire escape, listening to the other newsies play with Jasmine.
"How is Tumbler?" asked Esmeralda.
"He seems fine."
She moved closer and put her head on his shoulder.
"I thought somethin' today while I was fightin'." said Swifty.
"What was that?"
Swifty looked in Esmeralda's eyes and said, "I want ta pertact you'se ‘n' Jasmine like I did Tumbler."
"You have."
He shook his head. "No, I mean I wanna be der fer ya always."
She stared at him. "What are you saying?"
Swifty took her hands in his and said, "Let me be Jasmines fodder."
Esmeralda gasped. Swifty then kissed her gently.
"Is this a proposal?" asked Esmeralda.
"As good as I kin make it." answered the newsie.
"Swifty."
The newsie turned and saw Jasmine peeking over the window sill. He reached over and picked up the child. "She's almost a year old. I want ta be der all th' udder years."
Esmeralda watched as Swifty bounced her child and talked to her. She thought of life before him and how scary it was, never knowing who would come for her. Here with the newsies she was safe and they were always willing to help with Jasmine.
"Do you love me Swifty?"
He looked in her eyes and said, "If I didn't I wouldn't ask somethin' like dis."
She walked up to him and he put his free arm around her waist. "I won't let anyone use ya again."
