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Birdie left the clinic several minutes later and headed for 46th Avenue where Mac’s selling spot was. He had been selling most of the day and was nearly finished with his stack of papers. He smiled when Birdie walked up to him.
“Heya, Mac,” she smiled.
“Heya, Boidie,” he greeted and tucked the last of his papers under his arm.
“I got good news,” she said when she stepped right up to him.
Mac looked very interested. “Good news ‘bout what?” he wondered.
“Yer a faddah, Mac,” she informed with a quiet smile.
There was a short pause while Mac let the information sink in. Then he grabbed Birdie, picked her up into his arms, and hugged her tightly. “How long’ve ya known?” he whispered as he put her at arms’ length and looked into her eyes.
“Definitally, ‘bout an hour er so. Maybe, couple a weeks er so,” she replied softly.
Mac just grinned and took a firm hold of her hand. “C’mon,” he said and led her through the streets as quickly as he could.
“Where we goin’?” Birdie asked as they wove between people and streets.
“Dis way,” he said as they continued through the streets.
The finally stopped in front of a large, stone church. Birdie glanced over at Mac, unsure as to what he was doing. He just pushed the heavy wooden door open and pulled her through the opening. Since the church was empty, they disturbed no one as they walked up the center aisle. Mac stopped at the communion rail just before the Alter. He took hold of Birdie’s other hand and turned her to face him.
“Boidie, I’se loved ya awmost since da day I met cha, ‘n’ I know ya been me best friend dese ten years. I’ve nevah stopped lovin’ ya, even dough ya left fer a year ‘n’ said dat we couldn’t be tageddah cuz it weren’t safe. I’se loved ya dese six years we been so close but not close enough. Da last time we was tageddah, I knew dat we’d awways be tageddah. I love ya so much, Boidie, ‘n’ I’ll love our kid even more,” he said with a loving smile on his face.
Birdie smiled and chose hers. “Mac Scurelli, I love ya more now ‘an I ever did before. Dose six years we spent apart… I wouldn’t wish ‘em on anybody. I’m so lucky ta have ya as da man in my life ‘n’ da faddah a my child. I wouldn’t want it any odder way,” she said, still smiling.
“I’se sorry I don’t got a ring fer ya, but ya awways had me heawt. We ain’t even legal married er nothin’, but who’d marry da two a us, huh?” he smiled. Birdie smiled back, and they kissed.
“You may not be married legally, but you’re close enough as far as God is concerned,” the priest spoke up as he walked up the center aisle toward them.
Birdie and Mac jumped when he’d spoken and turned to look at them. “What?” they both said in unison.
“As far as God is concerned, you two are now married,” the priest repeated when he’d reached them. The two newsies exchanged glances. The priest explained. “You two have both exchanged your love for each other and your vows to each other. You don’t exactly need a priest to be properly married. All you really need is love for each other, the right words, and the presence of God. You have all three. Congratulations.” He smiled and reached his hand out to shake Mac’s hand.
“Uh, thanks,” Mac said, still a little confused but shaking the priest’s hand anyway.
The priest smiled and turned to Birdie. They shook hands, but the priest patted the top of her hand with his free hand. “Congratulations, my daughter,” he smiled and turned to go into the cloisters.
Birdie and Mac exchanged glances again. “Well, looks like we’re really married then. How’s it feel?” Birdie asked.
“Well, dunno. I nevah kissed no married woman ‘fore. Ya think I could try it out?” Mac smirked.
“Ya could, but my husband could git a bit jealous,” she smiled, biting her lip and stepping closer to him.
Mac placed both his hands on her hips and pulled her closer gently. “I know dis husband a yers. I don’t think ‘e’d mind too much, it bein’ me ‘n’ all,” he played, leaning closer to her.
“Oh, well, in dat case,” she whispered back, reaching her hands up and letting them link together behind his neck. Mac grinned and locked his lips with hers for a very passionate kiss.
About half an hour later, Birdie meandered over to Rye’s by herself. Mac had to finish his selling before he went, so they parted. She smiled while she walked and had her hands clasped behind her back. As she walked past an alley, someone yanked her down it. She yelped as she was pulled into the back of the alley.
“Mac! What’re ya-“ She stopped instantly when she saw that it wasn’t Mac. “Who’re you?!” she exclaimed when she saw the blond man holding her.
“Shut up!” he said sharply. She jumped at the tone of his voice. “I don’t take kindly ta people who rough up my girl.” He was clearly very angry.
“What? Who?” Birdie asked, clearly confused.
“The name’s Wesley. I’m Colleen’s boyfriend,” he sneered.
Birdie was struck with the realization of whom he really was. “Colleen,” she breathed, surprised.
“Do me a favah, ‘n’ I won’t hurt ya,” he offered.
She nodded slowly. “Sure,” she answered, still stunned and not thinking too clearly. “Tell Mac dat ‘e betta watch ‘is back,” Wesley demanded and threw her into the far wall, cutting her cheek on a loose brick. She dropped to the ground, still very out of it.
“Yeah,” she mumbled and raised her fingers to the blood that now trickled down her face.
Wesley disappeared out of the alley, and Birdie just sat there, utterly shocked and bewildered. After several minutes, she rose and headed out of the alley and toward Rye’s again. She plopped down in the chair, and Rye brought her the usual, setting it down in front of her. She took a slow sip.
“I need somethin’ strongah, Joe,” she said without much feeling. Rye nodded and went back to the bar. He fixed up his special drink for her and set it down in front of her.
“Birdie, what’s the matter?” he asked as he sat down next to her.
“Mac’s in trouble,” she answered as she sipped her drink. “Dis’s good. What is it?”
“Italian Shamrock,“ Rye answered. “Now, what’s this ‘bout Mac bein’ in trouble?” He took hold of her face to look at her injury.
It was then that Mac strode in. He sat down next to Birdie and instantly noticed the cut on her face. “Ya awright? How’s da baby?” he asked quickly and taking hold of her hand. Rye looked between them, clearly stunned.
“Who’s Wesley, Mac?” she demanded with emotionless eyes as she stared at her creamy, amber-colored drink.
“Wesley?” Mac mumbled, looking at her oddly.
“Tall, blond, brown eyes,” she answered, taking a firm hold on her glass. Mac knew exactly whom she was talking about now. “He said ta tell ya ta watch yer back,” she continued.
Mac brushed his fingers down her cheek. “Don’t worry none, darlin’. Nothin’s gonna happen ta our family. I promise ya dat. I ain’t nevah gonna leave ya,” he vowed softly.
Birdie turned and looked at him, taking his hand in hers. “I know,” she replied quietly, squeezing his hand a little.
The next few days went by uneventfully. Mac and the others kept a lookout for either Wesley or Colleen. No one spotted either of them, but Mac didn’t let Birdie sell by herself. He sent Ace to sell with her since his selling spot was nearer the girls’ lodging house than hers. Birdie also wasn’t allowed to sell far from the house, clearly Mac’s concerns at work.
One day, early in the afternoon, Birdie and Ace were doing a fair job of selling. Birdie still wasn’t selling her usual amount of papers, but she was doing her best. She hadn’t been feeling particularly well that morning and had decided not to overdo it. She only had about five of her original forty when a sudden wave of intense pain came over her. She held her belly in an attempt to alleviate it as she leaned on a lamppost. Ace was off selling a paper to a gentleman and his wife, so he didn't notice immediately. But, when he did, he dropped the rest of his papers and ran over to her, grabbing hold of her as she fell to the ground.
“Boidie?” he asked worriedly. She tried to speak, but the pain was far too much. Ace decided just to pick her up. “I’m gonna take ya back ta Lilah’s,” he informed her, making sure she understood what he was doing. She nodded weakly as he carried her back to the lodging house.
Once at the lodging house, Ace brought her up the stairs and into the bunkroom as quickly as he could without jarring her too much. Faith was up making beds in the bunkroom when they came in. She looked up as Ace set Birdie down on the bunk under her own still unmade bed.
“What happened?” Faith asked suddenly when she saw Ace setting Birdie down.
“She collapsed,” Ace answered as Birdie rested her head on the pillow.
Faith stepped over to them and noticed the large amount of blood seeping through Birdie’s clothes and onto the white sheets. Luckily, Ace hadn’t noticed yet. “Ace, go git Doc,” she ordered.
“She gonna be alright?” Ace asked.
“Now,” Faith demanded firmly. Ace didn’t question his cousin’s order. He just went to find the clinic where Doctor Polesak worked. When Ace was gone, Faith knelt down beside Birdie’s bunk and wiped Birdie’s damp hair away from her face. “How ya doin’?” she asked soothingly.
“I…” Birdie tried, but the pain enveloped her again, and she writhed in pain for a moment. “Make it stop,” she managed through the pain.
“Shhh,” Faith soothed as she smoothed Birdie’s hair slowly. “Don’t try ta talk. Yer gonna be alright.”
Ace returned with Doctor Polesak about ten minutes later. When Doctor Polesak saw Birdie, he told Ace to fetch the others and then to all wait outside. He allowed only Faith to stay inside because Birdie wouldn’t release her hand. He proceeded to examine her thoroughly. He finally determined the reason she was bleeding so badly and then stopped it as quickly as he could.
Tracker was out looking for Mac while Doc was examining Birdie. Mac came back before Tracker did and was carrying a small box in his hand. He noticed the large amount of people in the lobby and instinctively became worried. “What’s goin’ on?” he asked with a furrowed brow, unsure what to expect. He knew it had to be bad since almost everyone was there, but Birdie was missing. “Where’s Boidie?” he demanded.
Everyone was silent, all looking down at the floor. Only Kit moved. She stepped up to Mac and put a hand on his arm. “She’s upstairs,” she said quietly, glancing toward the bunkroom.
Mac noticed the hint of a worried look in the girl’s eyes. He looked up the stairs slowly, seeing Faith walk back into the room. During the short time that the door was open, Mac could see the doctor leaning over Birdie. All he could see was her face, a look of pain, fear, and worry in her eyes. He gulped and headed up the stairs.
In the hallway, Mac was pacing nervously. Several of the newsies had had to hold him down earlier to keep him from running in and disrupting the examination. He very much wanted to find out what was going on with his wife. He and everyone else hadn’t been told anything, only that Doctor Polesak wasn’t allowing anyone to get into the room. They were all worried about their friend and leader.
Doctor Polesak emerged from the room about three hours after he’d gone in. He kept the door open just wide enough so he could walk through, no further. He shut it instantly after he’d gone through, leaving it open just enough so that Birdie’s back was visible through the thin slit. Mac stepped up to him quickly.
“How’s she, Doc?” he asked hurriedly.
Doctor Polesak put a hand on Mac’s shoulder. “She lost the baby,” he said somberly and quietly.
Mac’s heart dropped past his feet as the news sank in. He looked through the slit in the door at Birdie, laying on the bunk under the clean sheets and facing away from the door. He pushed passed the doctor and into the bunkroom. Doctor Polesak closed the door after him, leaving the three older newsies alone. Mac sat down next to Birdie on her bunk and stroked her hair gently. He could think of nothing to say.
Faith had just noticed Mac’s presence when she’d emerged from the washroom after setting the soiled sheets to soak. She decided that it was time for her to leave, so she slipped out of the room as quietly as possible. Neither leader noticed. Unlike Doctor Polesak, Faith didn’t have doctor-patient priviledge, so the newsies approached her with their questions about Birdie. She answered them as best she could while Birdie and Mac talked in the bunkroom.
“I’se so sawry,” Mac whispered, still stroking Birdie’s hair.
“It ain’t yer fault, Mac,” Birdie mumbled, clearly holding back the rest of her tears.
“What happened?” he wanted to know.
The sheets rustled as Birdie turned toward him. “Doc says it’s common, especially fer the first one,” she answered sadly, looking up at his dispirited eyes.
Mac forced a small smile. “Don’t worry none, darlin’. We’ll find a way ta make us a real family,” he assured her, taking her hand.
That made her smile a little. “Doc says I can still have kids a my own… someday,” she answered, sadly at the end.
Mac leaned down and kissed her forehead softly. “We’ll git our family,” he promised, smiling down at her lovingly.
The newsies were instructed by both Lilah and Doctor Polesak to let Birdie rest and sleep as much as possible and not to allow her to move around too much over the next few days. The newsies adhered to it exactly. Birdie didn’t even object. She had been in so much pain the other day that she didn’t dare push herself.
Birdie did eventually get better, and, when she did, Colleen and Wesley resurfaced. Birdie was on her way to Rye’s when she noticed the blond and brunette lurking in an alleyway across from the Billiards Hall. She said nothing and just went inside.
“Whiskey Daisy,” she called to Rye as she walked up to the newsies.
“You got it!” Rye answered and pulled out the few bottles he needed for the cocktail. He mixed the drink and handed it to her after a few minutes.
Birdie took it and went back outside. She took a few sips while she scanned the street, acting as if she didn’t see Colleen and Wesley. As she stood there, Mystic approached her.
“Afternoon, Birdie,” the black-haired girl greeted.
“Heya, Mystic,” Birdie replied, keeping an eye on the alleyway where Colleen and Wesley waited.
“What’re ya doin’?” Mystic wondered.
“Do me a favor, Mystic.” The girl nodded. “Take dis back inta Rye,” Birdie ordered, handing Mystic the mostly empty glass of liquor.
“Sure, where ya goin’?” Mystic replied, taking the glass.
“I’m goin’ fer a walk. I need some time alone,” Birdie answered, knowing that Mystic, of all people, would know how she felt.
Mystic smiled and nodded. “Have a good walk,” she commented, turning and walking into the Billiards Hall.
Birdie turned and headed into the less occupied section of Queens, knowing full well that either or both of the two in the alleyway would follow her. She walked slowly, hands clasped behind her back, a thoughtful look on her face. Only Wesley followed her.
When they got to the section of Queens that was sparsely populated, Birdie stopped on a street corner to let Wesley catch up. He grabbed hold of her first and yanked her into an alleyway that was quickly becoming dark as the sun dipped below the horizon. She may have been expecting it, but she yelped with surprise anyway.
Wesley clapped a hand over her mouth and pressed her against the wall. “Didn’t I tell ya ta watch yer back?” he sneered.
Birdie shoved him away from her and into the opposite wall. “No, ya told me ta tell Mac ta watch his back,” she reminded harshly. Wesley contemplated what she’d said for a moment, finally deciding that she was right.
“Shuddap!” he finally said, grabbing hold of her arm again. Before she could respond, he twisted her arm behind her back and pinned it there forcefully. She winced in pain. “Tell ya what, since Mac’s a bettah fightah ‘an me, I’m gonna take it out on you,” he laughed and pushed her wrist further up her back. Birdie began laughing. “What is it, ya brat?!” he demanded.
“I’m a bettah fightah ‘an Mac is,” she replied with a smirk, twisting her arm around and then elbowing him in the eye. He yelped in pain and stumbled backward. Birdie hadn’t fought in a long time and was a bit rusty, but she still managed to send him to the ground in pain. When he was on the ground, she scrambled out of the alleyway as fast as she could, just to run into a pair of goons not a block away.
“Lookie heh’, Dennis,” the black-haired goon cooed. “Miss Boidie Kelley, it’s a honah.” He smirked mischievously.
“Yeah, it shoah is, Boidie,” Dennis added with the same impish look in his eyes.
“Dennis, Ray, so nice ta see ya ‘gain,” Birdie replied through clentched teeth.
“Runnin’ away from Wes aw ya?” Ray asked, placing his hands on her.
“Yeah, what of it?” she spit back, shoving his hands off of her body.
“Dat ain’t gonna happen, Boidie,” Dennis told her harshly. The color drained from her face quickly as Ray took hold of her.
Dennis smirked and punched Birdie in the stomach. Since it was still soon after her miscarriage, she was still very tender there. Wesley hadn’t had a chance to hit her there. She dropped to the ground instantly, very close to tears. Ray kicked her in the back, to the right of her spine, while she was on the ground. She yelped and then rolled on the ground in pain for a second longer. Somehow she managed to climb to her feet and knock Dennis to the ground. Ray was surprised, so he didn’t exactly notice Birdie’s fist heading for his face. He fell onto his backside instantly. Birdie took off down the street, stumbling a little due to the pain in her stomach.
After about ten minutes of running and stumbling, Birdie finally ducked into an alleyway to rest. None of the boys had followed her, so she was safe. She only rested for a few minutes before the pain subsided, and she needed to run again. The pain was all but gone, so she didn’t stumble near as much as she ran down the street toward Rye’s.
Just outside Rye’s, Colleen was talking to Pepper, almost as if she were trying to seduce him. Needless to say, it wasn’t working. Kit and Patches were watching from across the street, outside the door to Rye’s, and were disgusted by what they saw. Most everyone else was inside, except Deacon. He’d come out a moment before Birdie came into sight and kissed Kit on the cheek in greeting.
“What’s wit’ Peppah ‘n’ dat goyl?” he asked the two girls.
“’Membah that girl Birdie soaked a couple a months ago?” Deacon nodded. “Dat’s ‘er,” Patches answered.
“What’s she tryin’ ta do?!” Deacon exclaimed, quite surprised.
“It’s disgustin’ is what I say,” Kit scoffed. The others laughed and then noticed Birdie hurrying up to Pepper and Colleen.
“Uh… Kit… Git- Git Mac,” Deacon stuttered, seeing how roughed up Birdie was. Kit just nodded solemnly and ran into Rye’s.
Birdie stepped up to Colleen and tapped her on the shoulder. Colleen turned, and Birdie promptly punched her in the nose, knocking her down to the ground. Pepper, not knowing the history between the girls, protested.
“Hey, Birdie, c’mon. She wasn’t doin’ anythin’,” Pepper tried, reaching for Birdie’s arm.
“Dis ain’t ‘bout you, Peppah,” Birdie said gruffly and grabbed hold of Colleen’s collar, yanking her to her feet.
“What den?!” Pepper asked, a bit confused.
“Birdie, c’mon, please,” Colleen pleaded.
Birdie shook Colleen briskly. “Ya did it, didn’t ya?” she accused. “Didn’t ya!”
“Yes, yes, I did,” Colleen replied, close to tears and scared for her life.
“Good then.” Birdie threw Colleen across the street. “Why don’t cha go look fer yer boyfriend in Rosedale. He’s lyin’ in a puddle a blood in an alley up there,” she sneered angrily. “An’ if I evah catch eiddah a ya in my territry again, I’ll kill ya both.”
“Uh huh,” Colleen stammered, climbing to her feet and nearly tripping over her skirt as she ran off toward Rosedale.
Mac finally rushed to Birdie’s side as she dropped to the ground in pain. “Boidie, darlin’, ya awright?” he asked, very concerned about her.
“I’m jist fine, Mac,” she answered, a hand on her belly and wincing a little.
“C’mon. Let’s git cha back home,” he offered, taking her free hand and wrapping it around his waist.
“I can do it on m’own, Mac,” she protested, heading off on her own, slowly, but on her own. Mac followed right behind her.
Once they were back at the lodging house, Birdie was tired and in dire need of some rest. Mac helped her change and then put her in her bed, snuggled down deep under her quilt. He sat down on the bunk next to hers and watched her sleep, waiting until she’d fallen into a deep slumber. When she had, he rose silently and slipped a gold ring onto her left ring finger as carefully and as slowly as possible so not to wake her. She stirred a little but never really woke.
“G’night, wife,” he whispered after kissing her forehead. He smiled, smoothed her long, stragly hair and exited the room, walking past Lilah on the way out. They smiled at each other and walked downstairs together.
“I always knew you two’d get together,” Lilah mentioned as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
“So’d I, Lilah; so’d I,” Mac chuckled, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he meandered out into the busy streets. He was married to the most beautiful woman in the world, in his eyes if no one else’s. He loved her more than anything, and the two of them were perfect for each other, both leaders of the best territory in Greater New York City. His life really wasn’t that bad. He rather enjoyed it.
The End
© 1999 Birdie Kelley. This story is my property. Please do not copy any part of it unless I've given you permission to do so. Several of the characters do not belong to me and have been borrowed from other people who have given permission for the use of their characters. They are under the same conditions as stated above.
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