"Hey! Watch where you're goin' ya jerk!"
Dutchy stood up and extended his hand to the blond haired blue eyed talking heap on the ground.
"I'm sorry Miss, it was my fault."
The girl stood up and her expression softened at his apology.
"It's ok."
Dutchy smiled and extended his hand. "I'm Dutchy, nice to meet you."
"What the hell kind of name is that? I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
"It's alright. Dutchy's my newsie name since my family was from Holland. My real name is Kurt."
"I'm Rhiannon."
"Can I walk you somewhere, Rhiannon?"
"Sure. Some place that's warm, has food and a job for me."
"Well, I don't know about a job, but Tibby's has great food. Come with me, I'll treat you to lunch."
"Look, I'm not a woikin' goil anymore, so you can just…"
"No, I don't want that. Just a free meal, no strings attatched."
"Why do you want to help me?"
"Why not?"
"Ok, you've got yourself a lunch date."
It's a long walk from Queens to Tibby's, so Dutchy and Rhiannon talked the whole way there. Rhiannon was genuinely surprised by Dutchy, he was the first truly decent man she'd ever known. For some reason, she knew instinctively that she was safe with him. She knew he would always take care of her. Dutchy was puzzled by his feelings for Rhiannon. From the moment he saw her, he felt instantly connected to her, but in a brotherly way. He didn't know why, but he felt it was his responsibility to protect her.
When they walked into Tibby's, Dutchy showed Rhiannon to a table with Jack, Skittery and Racetrack.
"Hey Dutch, who's your friend?" Jack asked.
"Guys, this is Rhiannon. She just moved here from Queens and wants to make fresh start. Rhi, this is Jack, Skittery and Racetrack."
Isabelle walked over to take their orders, but not before getting a kiss from Skittery.
"You ok Isa?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm just really tired. Charlotte just quit and I have to work double shifts until Tibbs gets someone else."
Dutchy and Rhiannon looked at each other, thinking the same thing.
"Isabelle, it just so happens that my friend Rhiannon needs a job. Can she see Mr Tibbs?"
Isabelle's face lit up. "Sure! Come with me into the kitchen Rhiannon."
Ten minutes later, Rhiannon walked out of the kitchen wearing a huge grin. She ran over to Dutchy and they hugged.
"My first shift starts tomorrow and I got an advance on my first week's pay!"
"That's great Rhi!" Then he whispered, "Do you have a place to sleep tonight?"
"No." she whispered back.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it." Rhiannon smiled at him, knowing he would.
After a satisfying lunch, Rhiannon went with Dutchy to sell the afternoon edition. He sold his papers in a hurry and they walked around the city talking.
"Rhi, what happened to you? You don't seem the type to uh…be in that line of work."
"My father died before I was born and Mother started drinking. She sold everything in the house just to get more booze. When that ran out, she sold me to the whore house for 100 bucks. I had to work for three years to pay it off. For the past 6 months I've been saving my money and today, I'm free. I bumped into you about five minutes after I turned in my house key. What about you?"
"Well, like I said my family was from Holland. We left home when I was 10, but my parents died on the way here. I was taken to the city orphanage when the boat docked and I lived there until I was 14. One night I ran away and bumped into Racetrack down at Sheepshead. He brought me to the Lodging House and I've been there ever since. Which reminds me, I told Kloppman your situation and he said you can stay at the Lodging House until you find a place. We have a separate room and bathroom for you."
"Dutchy I don't understand. Why are you being so nice to me?"
"I don't know why, but I have to take care of you. Can't you feel it? We have some sort of connection."
"Actually I do…I thought it was just me, but yes."
That night, Dutchy helped Rhiannon get settled in her new room. It was on the first floor, between the lobby and Kloppman's office. Before he turned to go upstairs, Rhiannon hugged him tightly.
"Thank you for everything Dutchy."
"You're welcome. And don't worry, I won't say a word to the others about what you used to do."
"How did you…?"
Dutchy shrugged. "I could just tell you were worried about it." He turned to leave.
"Goodnight, Dutchy."
" G'night, Rhi."
The next day, Dutchy helped Rhiannon find an apartment just two blocks away from the Lodging House and Tibby's. To celebrate, they went to Sheepshead, where they ran into Race and Jack.
"What brings you guys here?" asked Jack.
"Are you kiddin'? I love this place. If I was ever in Manhattan, I'd always place a bet or two." Answered Rhiannon.
Race smiled. "A goil after my own heart. Jack, Spot and I come here every week, but Spot got held up. He's the leader of the Brooklyn newsies."
Only Dutchy noticed Rhiannon turn a shade of green at the mention of Spot's name.
"Let's place our bets and get some good seats." He said. Rhiannon gave him a thankful look.
"You're bettin' on Third Time Lucky!?" Race asked.
"Yeah, I've got a good feeling about him."
"Look at the odds…Lightning's been winning all day!"
"I know." Rhiannon flashed him a sly smile and for the first time, her smile made Race melt.
The horses started at the gate and everyone started cheering. Lightning started off in the lead, but slowly but surely, Third Time Lucky made his way to the front of the line. As Third Time Lucky crossed the finish line, Rhiannon threw her arms around Dutchy.
"Beginna's luck." Race muttered to himself.
When Jack and Race were safely inside Tibby's, Dutchy started to walk Rhiannon home. "Thanks Dutchy, for not saying anything today."
"You're welcome, but what was that all about? How do you know Spot?"
When he saw the look in her eyes, Dutchy knew the answer to his question.
"Oh, he was um…a customer?"
"Yep. At least twice a month for the past 7 months or so."
Dutchy put his arm around her. " He hasn't been the same since Mary. She was his girl for three years, but she died of pneumonia right after New Year's. He's still really messed up about it."
"Wow. I thought love like that was only in books. No one's ever loved me…until I met you, anyway."
He kissed her head. "Sleep tight, I'll see you tomorrow."
"G'night, Dutchy." They hugged and Rhiannon watched Dutchy walked away.
The next few weeks were the happiest Rhiannon had ever experienced. She and Dutchy got closer and closer everyday; he was like the older brother she'd always wanted. Working at Tibby's was also going well; she was always cheerful and polite to all the customers, even the Delancys. Every Friday, she and Racetrack would go to Sheepshead and place their bets. Sometimes they won, sometimes they lost, but they always had a great time together.
Race would never admit it to anyone, but he was in serious financial trouble. He was losing a lot of his bets and had to borrow money from Tiger Malone, the head of the biggest newsie gambling ring in the city. To make it seem like things were ok, Race had to keep borrowing money from Tiger and got deeper and deeper in debt.
Two months later, she and Race were at the track as usual. Race asked Rhiannon to pick a horse so he could win back some money. They ended up putting everything he had on "Sweet Sammy', a horse that had 10-1 odds.
"Are you sure about this, Rhi? Look at the odds."
"I'm sure Race, just trust me."
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