Shane Higgins

I sat on a wooden crate pretending to listen to all of Spot's fighting 'tips'. He was making stupid gestures on how to do this and how to do that and how to jab, blah, blah, blah.

"Got ta?" he asked. I looked at him and nodded. Then I looked out at the water. "Think you could do it?" He asked in a mocking tone when I looked away. I looked back at him with no expresion and nodded slowly. He smiled and gave Race his cane and slingshot. Race's eyes were large. I gave him a quick smile before Spot turned to look at me. He held up his palms. "Heah, throw a punch at me hands." I nodded and threw as hard as I could.

"Damn!" Blink and Race said at the same time.

Spot's hand had cracked loudly when I hit him. "I think I understood you perfectly, Spot," I said and sat back down.

Race and Blink laughed. Spot shot them a look, and they stopped. He looked at me, and I gave him the coldest glare I possessed. He tried to stare me down but then stopped.

"Can we go now?" I asked finally. We had been there for nearly two hours, and I had things to take care of. I didn't need to spend my time in Brooklyn. I didn't have a desire to be there either.

"Leave.," Spot said looking out at the East River. Blink, Race, and Mush looked over at him and then back to me. I looked at Spot's back for a minute and silently stood up.

I took a head start from the others and walked off the peir, ignoring the Brooklyn newsies' constant yelling and shouting at me. I was gonna have to get used to it anyway. I was going to help Trolley get medicine and needed as much money as possible. I knew exactly how I was gonna do it, too. And there was no way in hell I was gonna ask Race or any one else for money. I hated asking people to help me.

The boys ran up to me, and we walked silently back to Tibby's.

Race, Blink, and Mush walked over to Jack, and I walked over to Skittery and Dutchy who were sitting a couple booths away from them.

"Hey, Jack," Race said and sat down. I was watching them every now in then. I knew they were talking about me because I wasn't that far out of hearing range.

"Hey, Race, what's ta matta?" Jack asked.

"I don't tink tat Shane and Spot like each udda too much," Race said looking over his shoulder at me. I quickly looked away.

"Yeah, Jack, you shoulda seen 'em today," Blink said a bit softer.

"Spot was saying all dis 'tuff about how to throw... you know his basic teachin' right?" Jack nodded, and Blink continued. "Well, 'e ast her if she could do it, and she looked at him...like...well, not ta way 'e likes to be looked at. Atittude Look. You know?" Jack nodded once more.

I stopped listening to them and stood up. Skittery and Dutchy looked at me funny. "Where youse goin'? Skittery asked.

"Youse just got heah, and now youse leavin?" Dutchy asked.

I nodded. "I's gotta take care of sumptin' I'll be back later." Skittery and Dutchy nodded and went back to there conversation.

"Hiya, Crutchy," I said as I walked past him.

"Hiya, Shane, how ya doin'?" I smiled at him and kept walking. Jack, Blink, Race, and Mush looked at me curiously.

I walked up to the whorehouse and read the sign. "The Chocolate House." Great name, I thought to myself and walked in.

The room to my left was filled with smoke, which made me sneeze. The room to my right was a bar, and in front of me was a staircase, and all but three doors were shut.

A redheaded girl walked up to me, a funny look on her face. She seemed to be maybe a year or two older than I. "Can I help you?" she asked, trying not to laugh.

I laughed a little with her, and she looked at me funny once more. I held up a hand. "I ain't heah fer tat!" The girl looked releaved and laughed. "I needs a job," I said. The girl nodded. And held out her hand.

"I's Iris Teller. You?"

"Shane Higgins," I said and shook her hand.

"Heah follow me." I walked with her through the bar to the back room. It was a small office. "Chocolate. We's gots a goil looking fer a job. Anyt'ing open?" Iris asked folding her arms across her chest.

A woman with dark skin and black hair looked at me and nodded. "Yeah, I's always got room fer more. What's youse name and age kid?" she asked me.

"Shane Higgins, 14...be 15 in t'ree months."

The woman nodded again. "You met Iris. I'm Chocolate Walker," she said and walked over to a closet. "She owns ta place," Iris said.

Chocolate pulled out a green can-can outfit and held it up to me. "Tis looks like it would be your size. Youse gotta place to stay kid?" I nodded. "Do ya tink youse could get Iris heah a place, too?" Chocolate asked. I nodded.

"Where ya live?" Iris asked.

"Newsboys' Lodgin' House, me brudda is a newsie."

Chocolate smiled. "Which one?" she asked.

"Racetrack Higgins."

"Oh yeah, 'e's come in heah once or twice."

Great! I thought, now I was gonna have to have a cover because my brother and his friends came in here. "When doI start?" I asked Chocolate.

"Whenever you want."

"I come in every other night," Iris said.

"How about you come in when Iris comes in?" I nodded and walked to the door after shaking Chocolate's hand.

"Hey, wait up!" Iris called.

"Lemme get changed, and I'll come wit' you." I nodded, and she dissappeared. I waited for her by the door, and two guys walked in. I assumed they were brothers cause they looked alike, a little. They gave me a feirce up and down stare and then walked to the bar area. Iris emerged behind them, and we walked to Tibby's.

Everybody was curious about Iris. I had told her not to say anything about Chocolate's because Race would probably kill me.

Race walked over to me and pulled me into a corner. "She's a whore, whadda youse doin wit' trash like her?" I felt like slapping him, but I restrained myself.

"She's me friend, Race, and you go to places like that anyway, so it don't matta." Race didn't comment; he sighed and walked away.

Iris slowly came over. "Everyting okay?" she asked. I nodded. I turned when I heard the door bells ring, and scowled when I saw Spot and some of his newsies with him. Iris tapped my shoulder.

"Who is tat?" Iris asked.

I sighed and leaned against the wall behind me. "An asshole."

Iris laughed. "You tink all men are assholes."

"Yeah, but tat ones ta biggest." I walked over to Race and sat down in the booth with him. Iris walked over to Spot. I rolled my eyes, and Mush put his arm around me. "So hows Trolley?" I asked. The boys were all quiet.

"Ta Doc says tat he might not make it threw dis time, ain't got ta money fer ta med'cine," Jack said, putting his head on his hand. I sat silently. I didn't want the boy to die.

"Hey ya, fellas," Spot said when he finally walked over. Iris sat down next to me.

"Hi, Spot," the guys said in unison. An admiration tone in each one of their voices. It made me sick. I looked outside. The snow was falling; it was getting colder, and it was getting dark.

"Hey, you okay, Shea?" Mush asked.

I looked at him. "Yeah, a little cold."

"Hey, Tibby!" Mush yelled.

A stout man walked over. "Yeah Mush, what can I get ya?" he asked.

"Hot cocoa, fer ta lady," Mush said. Tibby nodded and left.

Spot snickered a little. I looked at him and gave him a cold glare that was colder than the snow. He was now sitting across from me, and I kicked his shin. He looked at me with a death glare, and I smiled, pretending I hadn't done anything.

He got up and sat down next to me. He leaned over and whispered in my ear. "Do tat again little girl, and youse will regret it."

I smirked and turned to him. Our faces were maybe five centimeters apart. "I'm so scared, little boy," I said and smiled at Tibby when he handed me the cocoa. He put his arm around me to make it look like we were getting along ,but Jack, Race, Mush, Blink ,and Iris all looked at us funny.

I finished my cocoa, and Iris and I quickly got up and left. "'What's ta matta?" Iris asked as we walked up the stairs to the bunk room at the lodging house.

I shrugged. "Jist don't feel like gettin pissed off tonight tat's all." I lay down on my bed, and Iris sat down on the one next to it. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The night was the coldest one I could ever remember, and there wasn't much heat in the room either. My hands were like ice, and I was practically shivering.

I opened my eyes and looked at the window. It was open. I sighed and wrapped the light blanket around my shoulders. I looked over at Iris; she was asleep. Shaking my head, I walked over to the window.

A voice startled me, and I nearly screamed. I bent down to see who was there and frowned when I saw Spot sitting on the rusty fire escape. "So whadda youse leave fer?" he asked. I looked at him as if he were dense. I started to walk away, but he reached in and grabbed my arm. I rolled my eyes and turned around. "Come 'er," he said dangerously.

I shook my head. "It's cold as shit. No way in hell am I going out 'tere." He gave me a wiry look. A sighed once more a stepped out onto the fire escape. I pulled my dark blue bandana tighter around my head. The wind wasn't being too nice to me either. It kicked up as soon as I stepped outside. I wished that I had my shawl with me, but it was still wrapped around Trolley. I crossed my arms ascross my chest and leaned against the building. Spot didn't say anything, just looked at me. I shrugged my shoulders. "What?"

He shook his head. "I ain't sure how to woid 'tis."

"Jist say it Conlon; I'm cold." He stood up quickley and was now eye level with me. "You tryin' ta scare me Conlon?" I asked. He narrowed his eyes at me and cracked his knuckles. I cracked mine, too, just to mock him. He got closer into me face, and I got closer to his. We were centimeters apart. "What did you want to tell me?" I asked backing away from his face

"Race asked me ta try ta get along with youse. So that's whadda I come 'er ta do."

I looked at him quizzically. "Youse come ta be friends?"

He shook his head. "I neva said be friends. I said get along."

I nodded. "Good, I thought I would kill meself, if I had to be frineds wit' you. Tanks, Conlon you saved me life." I yawned and shivered. I looked at Spot before I went inside. He was wearing less than I was. A pair of ripped and old worn pants and a really dirty shirt. I felt bad for him, and stood up straight.

He gave me a puzzeled look. "Whada youse doin'?" he asked.

"You walkin' back to Brooklyn?" He nodded. I shook my head. I heard some noise on the street. I looked over the rail and saw the newsies walking back. "Race!" I yelled, and my brother and Jack looked up.

"What?"

"We got an extra bunk?" He shrugged his shoulders and looked at Jack, asking him something. Probably the same thing.

"Ask Kloppman," Jack shouted, looking back at me.

"Why?" Race asked.

"Cause." I paused and looked at Spot. Hesitantly, I asnswered. "Cause Spot's stayin' ta night."

I saw Jack and Race's faces and climbed through the window. Spot behind me. "What!!" they yelled in unison when they walked in. I rolled my eyes and lay down on my bunk.

"Got a problem?" I asked rolling on my side to face Race.

He shook his head. "No, it's just youse two was hatin' each udda fifteen minutes ago." He looked over at Spot who was talking to Jack and Blink. The three of them looked over at us.

"I neva said I didn't like 'im!"

Race looked at me quizzically. "Then whadda youse mean!!" he shouted.

Iris stirred and then woke up. "What ta hell?" she asked quietly, obviously irritated and tired.

I shook my head. "You ast' us to get along, and tats what we's doin'. We ain't bein' friends or nuttin'. Just ain't fightin'." Race just nodded, and shook his head, getting up from the bed. "Ain't tat what you wanted?" I asked, half-smiling. He waved a hand at me as he walked away and mumbled something under his breath. I smiled and looked around the room. Every bunk was filled. "Damn it," I muttered to myself and walked over to Jack, Blink, and Spot.

"What?" Iris asked and followed.

I stood next to them for a minute. Apparently they were having more fun talking about some girl than about sleeping. I cleared my throat. Blink actually acknowledged me, and the three turned to see me and Iris standing there. "Yeah?" Jack asked.

"We gotta problem," I said, and the boys looked like they were ready for a fight. "Where's Fido heah gonna sleep, all ta bunks is takin'." Spot jaw tensed, as if he wanted to say something to me but held it back.

"Someone's gonna have to double up," Blink said. "Any suggestions as to whom?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Jack looked at Spot then to Blink then smiled wickedly and then looked back to me. He whispered something to Blink who smiled and then told Spot who just shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't care," Spot said, yawning.

"Spot's sleepin' wit' you," Jack said. I was about to argue but he held up his hand . "G'night, Shane," he said and sat in his bunk. Blink laughed, kissed my forehead and went to his bunk a couple over.Yelling a quick good night to me.

"Aren't you excited, Shea?" Spot asked mockinly. I looked at him through my eyelashes. Iris kissed my cheek and went back to bed. "You get ta sleep wit' Spot Conlon... on ta second day," he smirked as he lay down in the middle of the bed.

I looked at him for a minute and then quickly got under the covers. "Gee Spot, but haven't you slept wit' people on ta foist day, too?" He gave me an evil look, and I smiled menacingly.

"Yeah, but you should be excited, because youse in a room wit' a bunch of eye wittnesses." He smiled the same way back to me, and I looked around at the boys.

"Oh yeah, thrilled," I said sarcastically. His arm went over my shoulders in a playful way, and I just curled up in a ball at the edge of the bed. Trying to fall asleep as fast as I could.

"Hel-lo, lilltle lady, hows youse doin' ta-night?" some nasty cretin asked, slipping his hand around my waist. I forced a smile, and we walked up the stairs.

He was my third customer that night. From what Satin tells me, though, there are some men more dirty and disgusting than he, and I wasn't going to complain-I had gotten myself into this. It was my responsiblity.

Iris and I had left Tibby's in a hurry to get to "The Chocolate House" on time. Race wanted to know where we were going, but I never answered him.

I had gotten to know some of the girls, and they were nothing like I thought they would be. There was Iris, Choclate, Barbie, Cricket, and Satin. They weren't stupid or air-headed like I thought the girls who worked in places like this were. They each had dreams, hopes, fears, hardships, and rough pasts. Each one of them was worried about living through the day but were trying to live life at it's fullest at the same time. I felt more of a respect for these girls than I had before.

"Bye, Shane, see ya next week!" a guy named Potter shouted as he left the "House".

"Bye, Potta!" I smiled and waved at him. I stood against the wall for a few minutes, looking around the room. Through a haze of smoke I saw Cricket looking melancholy in the corner. I walked over to her and sat down. "Hey ya, Cricket, youse okay?" I asked sitting down next to her.

The redhead looked up and forced a smile. She slowly nodded. "Yeah, Shane, I'm okay, I guess."

I leaned back in my arm chair. "Not convinced."

She smiled weakly at me. "I was just tinking 'bout Marcus," she started, but I interrupted her with an exasperated oh. She looked up at me again and blushed. We had all heard about Marcus. She had a "small" crush on one of the regulars-Marcus. She fell in love with him the second she saw him. He was handsome. I'll give her that. He had a muscular build, tall, sandy blond hair and green eyes. We all except Cricket thought that he felt the same way. He always got red in the face when he saw her.

I've only seen them around each other twice, and it was my fifth day at the house. I was happy for them but I thought love was just something that would get in the way. I kept it separate from my agenda.

"Why dosen't 'e' eva come to me, when 'e' comes in?" she asked putting her head in her hands.

"Because 'e' likes ya, an' don't wanna take advantage of ya like ta rest of 'sm do," Isaid and took a sip of someone's beer that was on the table. "Do you know who's tis was?" I asked pointing to the glass. Cricket shook her head slowly. I shrugged and took another sip.

"D' ya tink 'e likes me?" she asked softly. I nodded, which made her blush, and I saw her secretly smile to herself.

The door opened and a few people walked in; one of them was Marcus. Cricket's eyes were large, and she blushed a crimson red.

I smiled slyly and walked over to Marcus. Cricket watched my every move. "Hey ya, Marcus," I smiled and kissed him on the cheek. He looked at me as if he knew me but couldn't remember.

"Hi ya...ah..." he started slowly.

"Shane," I interupted him.

He smiled and nodded. "Yeah, Shane, hi. How ya been?"

I nodded and crossed my arms around my chest. There was a chill in the air, and the tight and short can-can outfit I was wearing, which didn't cover too much, made it even less warm. "Fine 'lil cold." He looked me up and down and then laughed uncomfortably. "Do me a favor, Marcus?"

"Yeahsure," he said quickly so that it sounded as if it were one word.

"Be honest to youse'elf." He looked at me confusedly. I looked over at Cricket, Marcus did, too, and she quickly looked away. "Go to Cricket. All of us know youse two are sweet on each udda, so go to her ta-night." He blushed and looked like he had a smile on his face that he was trying to hide. He looked over at Cricket and then back at me. He kissed my cheek and walked over to her.

The Grandfather clock chimed midnight. Iris walked over to me, and we went to change. "How much did youse make?" Iris asked me as we walked out of the house.

"Uh...three dollars, I tink. Maybe more." Iris nodded. "Uh, hey." I said as I bumped into someone.

"Es'cuse me," a harsh voice said and moved aside.

I looked up into the face of Morris Delancey. I hoped I would never have to have him as a customer, or Oscar. The second I saw those two I realized what Satan had said about the men dirtier than that Jackson fellow. I yawned and walked back to the lodging house

The color was a color I don't think I've ever seen before in my life. It wasn't brown, but it wasn't black, and it had a red hue to it. There was even a hint of orange in it, making the color even harder to decipher.

"I need some medicine," I said softly. The hospitol was making me uncomfortable. Tex Miller, the leader of the Midtown newsies (and Race's long-time friend) had brought us. He walked in and stood beside me.

"Alright hold on please, I'll get Dotah. Mazza," The lady said a walked down the hall. I looked back at Cricket and Iris and shrugged. I had never been more nervous in my life than I was standing in that lobby. The hospital had a creepy feeling to it.

It had a damp, moldy smell, that was mixed with moth balls. The lights down each hall were dim and made it look more haunted. How could any one work in such a place? I was sure that there were all sorts of rodents around, lurking in the darker areas of the brick building.

The nurse came back with a tall, thin man in a black suit. He held in his left hand a black leather bag. "Hello, I'm Doctor Mazza," he said and put his hand out to Tex, who shook it. "Now before I can give you a perscription, I'm gonna have to see the condition. It isn't for one of you is it," he asked looking each one of us over. I shook my head.

"No, a boy, about five, has 'is second case of ta fevah." The doctor nodded.

"Well, I'm gonna have to see him. This is his second round of it, did you say?" I nodded. The doctor shook his head. "What was he doing out in weather like this; New York has cold winters." I shrugged my shoulders. He looked over at the woman who had wondered back to the desk.

"Elenor, get my carriage." The woman nodded and walked over to someone standing near the exit. The carrage came around and we all got in.

"Manhattan Newsboy's Lodging House." Tex said to the driver.

"He still has a mild fever, but lots of rest and medicine twice a day should help him. should be fine in a week or so," Doctor Mazza said, standing up. I breathed a sigh of relif.

"Thank youse so much, Doctah," I said and shook his hand. I reached into my pocket and pulled out three dollars. He took the money and handed me a bottle with redish-orange liquid content. Tex and Race walked the doctor out. I put the bottle in a small box under my bed.

The newsies, who had all been shooed out of the room, flocked to Cricket, Iris and me as we walked down the stairs. They all had worried looks on their faces. I would too if I came home to find a doctor in the room examining a friend.

Jack walked over to me. "What happened, is Trolley alright?"

I nodded. "'E's fine. The Doctor had to give me medicine for 'im, but 'e had to check how he was doing first." The boys all breathed with relief.

"Well how is 'e doin'?" Jack asked impatiently.

"'E's doin' fine." Jack laughed and picked me up; all the boys cheered. "The Doctah said 'e should be up and about in a week or so."

"Let's go ta Tibby's ta celebrate!" Crutchy said. The guys all shouted 'yes' and 'let's go.'

"I'm gonna go get Spot," Jack yelled, and he and Boots walked out, taking Dave to keep them company. Race put his arm around me, and we walked to Tibby's.

Two weeks later

"Merry Christams, fellas!" Denton said as he walked into Tibby's. Everybody stopped what they were doing and looked at the familiar face in the door.

"Hey, Denton!" they all yelled. David, Les, Sarah, and the Jacobs followed shortly after.

"Merry Christmas!" Dave yelled.

"Happy Hannukah!" Mr. Jacobs yelled kissing his wife's cheek. Jack kissed Sarah's forehead when she walked over to him.

"Merry Christmas, guys!" Spot yelled as he walked in with about ten of his Brooklyn newsies.

"Hey ya, Spot!" Jack and Race yelled. Race walked over to him and spit-shook. Then came back and sat down next to me. Spot on my other side, and Trolley in my lap.

The medicine had worked, and Trolley was in full health except for the occasional cough or sneeze. He had become like a little brother to me, and I became very protective. I work for the both of us because he isn't going to sell papes for the rest of the winter.

Tibby's became packed. I couldn't believe how crowded it had gotten in the past thirty minutes. Midtown was here, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the girls were all crammed somewhere. I could see Cricket's red hair and Chocolate's dark skin as they talked to Marcus and some one else-I couldn't see who. Satin leaned over the table to me.

"You know the capactiy, fer this place?" she asked. I laughed and shrugged. Barbie leaned over from the booth behind me.

"We's gonna be busy ta-night, Chocolate's will probably be just as full." I looked over at Spot real quick to see if he heard what she had said, he didn't appear to have.

"Rankin' in ta cash, Barbie," I said to her, and we laughed and continued our conversations from before.

"Race, your killin' me," I said and faked a cough, and putting a hand over Trolley's mouth.

Race wrinkled his face and put out the cigar. "Any body fer pokah?" He asked. Everyone at the table was in, except for Sarah and Trolley. I looked at my cards. "Duces wild." Race added before picking up his cards.

I threw a penny into the pot. I had a two, ten, two aces, and a six. I put the six and the ten down and threw in another penny. I picked up two more cards, a pair of twos. "Raise ya a penny Race," I said and threw it in. I had five aces. Three twos, what were those chances?

"I fold," Jack said and threw down his cards.

"Me, too," Blink said and threw his cards down and leaned back in the booth. Race, Spot, and I were still in the game.

"I raise ya onel," Race said and threw in another penny. "I see ya and raise ya two," Spot said and threw in two pennies.

"I'll see ya, Spot, and raise ya tree." Blink, Sarah, and Jack were all watching with interest.

"I fold," Race said and threw his cards down. He leaned over and looked at my cards. He put his arm around my shoulders.

"T'ree Kings," Spot said, smiling. I looked at him and kissed his cheek. Spot reached for the money.

"Five aces," I said and put down the three twos and the two aces. Cricket and Chocolate walked over to the table and said their goodbyes to every one. Barbie and Iris left a couple minutes later. I played five more hands of poker, winning three. Jack one, and Spot another.

"Well, fellas, I'm gonna go out with Satin, goils night out; we's meetin up wit' ta uddas later. See ya," I said and got up from the booth. I kissed Trolley on the forehead. "Racetrack, watch him," I said and left.

"AIN'T IT A HELL OF A WAY! TO MAKE A LIVIN'! A HELL OF A WAY,A HELL OF A WAY,A HELL OF A WAY TO MAKE A LIVIN'!" Chocolate yelled out in tune. We were all drunk. Satin, Cricket and I all got on the bar and started to dance.

"YOU'RE ALL ALONE," I sang.

"DRUNK AS A PIG," Satin chimmed in.

"YOU LOOK FOR FUN!" Cricket said sitting on Marcus's lap.

"CHOCOLATE'S WELCOMES YOU IN!" we sang all at the same time. "WE GOT A HELL OF A LIFE, HALF OF NEW YAWK IN OUR SKOITS! FEELIN' OF STRIF, BUT MONEY IN OUR PURSE. WE'S TAKIN A CHANCE, BUT LIVIN' THE LIGHT, ALL WE'S GOTTA SAY IS IT'S A HELL OF A LIFE!!" I tap danced my way down the bar and tripped falling into some one's arms. I looked up at Spot and almost thought I would throw up. He kept a expressionless face and held me there.

"Upstairs now," Spot said. I nodded, and we left every body singin' a 'Hell Of A Life.'

"Are you out of youse mind!" Spot yelled at me when I shut the door. I slowly turned to him. "What would Race say?? Shane, you should be ashamed of youse self, I can't believe you would do something like this. Your a fucking slut!"

"I didn't do it for me, Spot." He looked at me critically.

"Then who'd ya do it fer, Shane?" he asked, crossing his arms across his chest. "Where you lived before, did you not get any is that why you came to woik with these skanks like Iris and Cricket?"

I slapped him hard. "Do not bring them into this! You know jack-shit about them. And do not bring me past into this, Conlon, cause you know even less about me."

"Yeah , but half the state knows youse inside out." I slapped him again.

"Get out! GET OUT!" I shouted. Spot didn't move; he stood blocking the door so neither one of us could get out.

"No. NO! NOT UNTIL YOU EXPLAIN!" Spot's voice got louder and louder.

"I have nothing to explain to you, Conlon!" I said, fighting tears in my eyes.

"Explain to me why you are woiking heah!" Spot said, banging his fist against the wall.

"For TROLLEY'S SAKE!" I yelled, tears now flooding down my face. Spot stopped himself and looked at me, his mouth open. He put his hand on his forehead and paced back and forth.

"Shane... that's how you got the money?" I nodded and wiped my face. "You saved him, by doing..."

"Something I never pictured me doing. But my Mother died from the fever, and she didn't have any money for medicine. That's why I am doing this. It was my Mother's second case of the fever. She got worse and then told me about Race...sort of...she became so weak she couldn't talk to me." I looked up at Spot coldly. "Never mind, why am I tellin' you. Your a hypocrite to say, that I'm a whore." Spot looked at me. He narrowed his eyes at me. The sympathy he had about two seconds ago was completley erased.

"What is that s'posed to mean?" he asked, cracking his knuckles.

"Trying to scare me, Conlon?"

"WHAT WAS THAT S'POSED TO MEAN?" Spot asked, clenching his teeth.

"You like goils like me, Spot. I know you've gone to places like tes all ta time." He looked at me in shock and didn't say anything cause he knew I was right. The famous Spot Conlon has definatly worked his way around New York. "You take advantage of goils like me Spot. We ain't happy 'bout what we's doin', but we do it anyway." Spot was speachless. I walked over to him, taking his hands in mine, and putting it on my hip. I wrapped my leg around his and pushed up against him. "That's why youse heah anyway, Conlon, ain't it?" He didn't answer me, and just looked me over and then at the floor. I took his other hand a put it on my breast. "It's why youse heah, so jist get it over and done wit'. I won't even charge ya." He stood still and looked at me in shock.

"No," he said quietly and pushed me gently away from him.

I looked at him for a minute and opened the door. "Merry Christmas, Spot," I said sofly, and left the room.

I felt a hand on mine as I walked down the stairs. I looked into the face of Oscar Delancy. He pulled out a dollar and tucked it into my corset. He lead me into a closet. He leaned up against me and started kissing my neck, his rough hands wandering all over me. The tears silently fell down my cheeks, I kept my eyes closed tightly. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. Spot was staring at me. I looked at him and then at the door ashamed.

He walked over to us after a minute of debating with himself and punched Oscar in the jaw. Oscar did the same and punched Spot's left cheek. Spot grabbed his face and looked dangerously at Oscar, who panicked and ran out the door when he realized who it was.

Spot held a hand out to me and then he hugged me soothingly. I cried on his shoulder. I had no comfort in my life, except for Race, but I found a new comfort standing in his embrace, and I hated him for it. I hated him with a passion. I fell asleep on his shoulder. He put his sweater on me and carried me to Brooklyn.

I had a huge headache and confused mind when I woke up in Spot's bedroom. He was getting dressed. "Where the hell am I?" I asked sitting up quickly, and then doubled over in pain. "Bad idea, oh ow!" I said grabbing my head and laying back down Spot silently handed me some clothes and walked out of the room. I changed and followed him. All his newsies looked at me when I walked into the front room. "What?" I asked coldly. They all looked away. I saw Spot among his newsies, he was staring back at me. I shook my head and stormed out of the lodging house.

The air hit me like knives. It was cold, very cold. Brooklyn didn't look very dangerous in snow. I took main street all the way until I got to the bridge and then took the alley ways once I was back in Manhattan.

"Shane, I neva got me dollas worth," a harsh voice said from behind me. I stopped and stood still. Oscar walked over to me and slapped me. "Youse Racetrack's sista?" he asked. I didn't answer him. "Answer me!" he shouted. I nodded. "I have a message fer youse ta give youse brudda," he said and punched me in the stomach. I winced and drifted towards the ground. Oscar picked me up, and Morris appeared from the shadows. His brass knuckles were ready and willing.

I took a couple hard blows to the face. Right before I blacked out I heard some ruffeled foot steps, and heard a familiar voice screaming at the Delanceys.

"Touch 'er again, and I'll kill you," Spot yelled. He walked over to me and picked me up. I lost consiousness.

I woke up back home. Race, Spot, Jack, Mush, and Blink were all by my bedside. And Trolley was curled up next to me. Race walked over to me.

"Youse okay?" he asked. I nodded slowly. Despite the pain in my face and stomach, I was fine. I went to sit up, but Spot's hand pushed me back.

"Stay in bed," he said. I cut my eyes at him and sat up again. Trolley moved so that I could get out of bed. The two of us walked downstairs. I walked over and sat down next to Specs, who put his arm around me and delt me some cards for poker.

"Nice Shinna," Skittery said, laughing slightly.

"What a'ppened?" Specs asked.

"I got jumped in an alley, no big deal." Specs and Skittery grew serious, and their eyes wandered to Pie-Eater, Snoddy, and Swifty, who were also playing.

"By who?" Snoddy asked. I was quiet.

"Shane who did tat?" Swifty asked.

"Whoeva it was is gonna get hoit," Skittery said, throwing his cards down.

"They's gonna have alittle dis'cussion with me fists," he said cracking his knuckles.

"Ta Delancy's done ta to 'er," Spot said from nowhere. I put my head in my hands. The guys looked at Spot and then to Race, who was livid. "Tey tried to rape 'er," Spot added.

Everyone looked back at me and then back to Race who was now cracking his knuckles, and punching his hand.

David and Les walked into the lodging house.

"Hey fellas..." He trailed off, and the smile on his face faded when he saw the looks on his friends' faces, and the bruises on mine.

"Jack, what happened?" David asked in a whisper. Jack pulled him into a corner and told him the whole story.

"You could tell the police; they comminted a crime; that's a major felany." Spot slammed his cane down.

"So have half of us, Dave," he said.

"We go ta bulls, they'll take us in," Blink said, handing Bumlets a cigerette.

"No, we go to the police, we'll go ta court to plead our case," David stated, I stood up. Everyone looked at me.

"Nobody's goin' ta court. Or ta bulls. It ain't a big deal, nuttin a'ppened, I just got a few bruises."

"Shea yous blacked out," Snoddy said.

"Do what cha want. I'm goin' ta woik," I said and walked to the distribution office. Blink caught up, and walked me the rest of the way.

Oscar and Morris, also bruised watched me intently. Blink stared back at them with hate in his eyes.

"100 papes," I said. Oscar handed them to me and then blew me a kiss. Blink lunged at the bars.

"You stay way from 'er!" he said threw gritted teeth. I pried him off the bars.

"Leave it." The others were finally walking into the distribution center. I met up with Race and handed him fifty papes. The three of us went to sell at Sheepshead Races. I didn't work in Chocolate's until after New Year's.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!" Everybody was shouting. New York was living the night life tonight. Everybody was packed in Times Square.

I sat next to Race and Tex, in the restauraunt, "Broadway".

The rich snobs were mingeling with the poor, which for me was a first. People were playing cards and drinking, shooting pool and craps.

"You know," Tex said leaning over to me. "Youse s'posed to kiss ta person next to you at midnight." I rolled my eyes.

"Then let me up." I stood up laughing; Tex grinned.

"I'll send Sweetie over ta ya latta."

"Ten seconds left till New Year's!" a drunken man shouted. I looked at the clock on the way. There was ten minutes left until New Year's. I bumped my way over to the bar.

"Margaurita," I said to the bartender. He eyed me for a minute and then went to fix the drink.

"Aren't youse a little young to be drinkin'?" Spot asked sitting on the stool next to me. I licked some of the salt off of the edge of the glass.

"Nope," I said smiling and took a sip. I pointed to his glass.

"Whadda youse drinkin'?"

He looked at his glass and then took a sip. "Sasprilla...spiked wit udder stuff." I nodded and laughed at him Medda walked over to us.

"Hello, Kids. How are youse two tonight?" she asked smiling.

"Fine. Whadda youse doin' heah Medda, shouldn't youse be tamming ta men at Irving Hall?" I asked her teasing.

"They asked me to preform later," I nodded.

"Well I gotta go kids I'll see ya later."

"Only one minute left till New Years!" a sober, person yelled.

"Remember what youse was sayin' back at Chocolate's, about how guys like me take advantage of goils like you?" Spot asked. I nodded. What ever he was about to say was making him uncomfortable. "I would neva tke advantage of youse like tat."

"Ten seconds!!" someone yelled.

"Youse to special."

"5..4...3..2...1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!" Everybody shouted.

"Youse s'posed ta kiss the person next to you, you know." I leaned closer to him.

"Then kiss me," I whispered to him. He took the invitation and kissed me lightly on the lips. It was enough to give me chills, and I pulled away from him and looked at him. He must have felt the same because he had the same expression. I walked away from him and found the rest of the newsies who all one by one kissed my forehead or cheek.

I stummbled into bed around five. None of us were going to sell that morning. Jack, Blink, and I were the drunkest of everybody.

(Summer of 1901.)

I jumped off of the peir and felt refreshed at the feel of the cool water on my skin. Jack and Dave had some business in Brooklyn earlier, so I went with them. They were gone now, and it was near dark.

I went under and felt something pull on my foot. I quickly opened my eyes underwater but it was too dark to see anything. I felt a lightning bolt of fear and swam to the surface. I looked around to see absolutely nothing but the sun setting over some buildings.

I felt the pull again and grabbed for whatever had pulled my ankle. I connected with another foot and pulled. Spot came up for air with a none to pleased expression.

"I shoulda known it was you pulling me," I scowled and swam to the peir; he pulled me once again.

I was getting irritated and kicked him in the stomach. He let me go and started to swim after me. I pulled myself out of the water and sat on the dock. Spot got out soon after me and had a dark expression. He hurled himself at me once I stood up.

We rolled around the dock, muttering curses at each other and struggling. Then we were kissing. Kissing!! I didn't expect it. We stopped rolling; Spot on top of me.

I thought for a minute that I was at work, but then it dawned on me that I wasn't getting paid and it happened to be a certain leader of Brooklyn on top of me.

I opened my eyes and pushed him off. I grabbed my overshirt and ran into the streets. Spot was chasing me.

"Jesus this has got to be a dream!" I told myself and turned down an alley. I glanced back at and slowed down when I saw Spot wasn't there. My eyes grew wide when I saw him infront of me. He was walking towards me.

"How the hell you'd get in front of me?" I asked when he was in hearing range. He laughed slightly.

"We're in Brooklyn. I know every alley, road, building....shortcut." He smiled, and added. "My territory."

I tried to walk past him, but he grabbed my arm and started to kiss me again, but more passionatly. I felt heat and shivers going threw my body. Spot closed his eyes and then I. I wrapped my arms around his neck and then walked backwards toward the wall behind me. He pressed up against me and his cane pressed harshly against my hip.

It must have bothered him too, and he took one hand away from my face and relocated it to against the wall.

There were whistles and hollaring, and we looked to see about three Brooklyn newsies smiling widely. Spot, keeping one hand on my hip pretended he was about to tackle them. They backed off.

"You wanna go to the lodging house."

I was still alittle confused about what was going on and shook my head no.

"I should be getting back to Manhattan....I gotta work at Chocolate's tonight." He looked at me critically.

"I switched to bartending; I'm no longer working the rooms, Spot. They got a couple new girls, so I asked to be switched." He nodded his head and walked away, but turned back.

"I'll walk you back to Manhattan...your going to the lodging house first?" I shook my head.

"Actually I planned on going straight to work."

"Then I'll walk you there...I wouldn't want any body grabbin' at something as beautiful as you." I blushed but looked at him quizzically. He had a different change in attitude. He had lately been trying to get closer to me...like he had all of the sudden developed some sort of feelings for me. I was confused.

"Alright. But just to work, no further. you're starting to scare me ,Conlon; you've been having a quick switch in attitude lately." He shot me a smirk and held my hand all the way to Chocolate's.

End of Part one. There will be more stories about Shane later. I have to get my other stories going before I forget about them. ~South MacCain~.

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