They sat down just as the race started. For the first two and a half laps, Sammy was in last place, but then he surged a head and won. Rhiannon and Race were jumping up and down and yelling themselves hoarse from the excitement. They hugged and before either one knew what was happening, they kissed softly. Race put his arms around Rhiannon, leaned in and they kissed again, deeply. They walked to the Lodging House hand in hand and were greeted by Dutchy at the front door.

"Heya Dutch, I think I found my lucky charm. Rhi helped me win five bucks today!"

"That's great Race. Spot's upstairs, he wants to see you."

"Alright. Comin' Rhi?"

"No, I have to get home…"

Just then the Lodging House doors swung open to reveal Spot, Jack and David. Spot's eyes grew wide when he saw Rhiannon.

"Jewel? What are you doing here?" he noticed Race was holding her hand. "Good goin' Race, Jewel's the best goil in Queens." Rhiannon's face turned bright red.

"What are you talkin' about, Spot?" Race asked."Her name's Rhiannon, not Jewel."

"Oh, she's Jewel alright, one of the best whores in the city. I've missed ya, Jewel, where are ya woiking now?"

Race finally understood and dropped her hand. "What's he talkin' about?"

"Race I…"

"You're a…"

"I can explain."

Before she could finish, Race was off and running down the street, David going after him. In a fit of rage, Rhiannon lept at Spot and started hitting him, pounding her fists into him. Dutchy pulled her off Spot and held her in his arms as she cried.

"Leave me alone Dave."

"Race, we're all shocked, but don't you think you should give her a chance to explain?"

Race shook his head slowly. "I don't care what she has to say. She lied to us about everything."

"Do you even know that you're in love with her?"

Race gave him a dirty look and walked off.

Rhiannon was on her bed sobbing into her pillow. Dutchy was by her side, trying to comfort her.

"They all hate me now, don't they?"

"It would be impossible to hate you. Everyone understands why you didn't want to talk about your past, and it's ok."

"Everyone except Race."

"You really have it bad for him, huh?"

She nodded and Dutchy wiped the tears from her face. He remembered that when he met Race and Rhiannon at the door they were holding hands.

"Did something happen between you two today?"

"He kissed me. It was my first kiss, Dutch."

Dutchy nodded, getting the full meaning of what Rhiannon had just said.

"Lie down, try to get some sleep. You have the breakfast shift again tomorrow."

"Will you stay with me? Just until I fall asleep?"

"Yeah, close your eyes." Dutchy kissed her head as Rhiannon slipped under her covers.

As soon as Rhiannon was asleep, Dutchy went back to the Lodging House. Race was dealing cards ferociously, something he only did when he was upset.

"Race, can we talk?"

"Not if it's about Rhiannon."

"Race, just talk to her. She's the same person she always was. I understand how you feel, but…"

"No you don't. You don't know the first thing about…"

"I know you kissed her today. You wouldn't have done that if you didn't care. It was her first kiss, Race."

"What are you talkin' about?!"

"It was the first time a kiss hadn't been bought from her." Race's expression softened, but then his eyes grew cold. Without another word, he got up and left.

Race didn't know where he was going, he just needed to get away from everything and everyone. He just walked aimlessly until someone tapped him on the shoulder. Race turned and recognized Fire and Ice, two of Tiger Malone's boys.

"Heya guys…"

Fire punched him in the stomach and Ice kicked him to the ground. They beat him until he was nearly unconscious and then Fire said, "Dat was a warnin' from Tigah Malone. Ya got one week ta pay 'im, or else." When he was sure they'd gone, Race slowly stood up and limped back to the Lodging House. Everyone was asleep when he got there, so he didn't have any questions to answer until the next morning at Tibby's.

All the newsies purposefully sat at Rhiannon's tables to show they understood everything. She was so happy she seemed to glow, but she nearly dropped her tray full of dishes when Race walked in. Most the bruises Race could hide, but his right eye was swollen shut. Jack rushed him over to his table. "Race what happened?" Race tried to think of a quick story, something, anything to keep from the truth, but looking into the faces of his best friends, he couldn't lie to them anymore. He told them the whole story with Tiger Malone and his money problems. The others were so wrapped up in Race's story, no one noticed Rhiannon listening, soaking up every word.

After her shift, Rhiannon walked to Brooklyn hoping to find Spot. If she remembered correctly, his selling spot was usually by the docks. People coming right off the boats were always eager to buy a paper or two.

"Spot, I need to talk to you."

"Uh…sure, J…Rhiannon. I'm really sorry about yesterday. I was drunk, and…"

"Forget it Spot. Tiger Malone, where can I find him?"

"Why do you want to get mixed up with…"

"Where can I find him Spot?" Her voice was much harsher now.

"Harlem. Just ask for him anywhere downtown. One of his boys'll take you right to him."

"Thanks."

Tiger Malone was the scariest man she'd ever layed her eyes on. He was over six feet tall and very muscular. He was black with four parallel knife-like gashes on his left cheek. His eyes were very cold, and Rhiannon could practically feel them looking through her.

"So, what can I do for you, sunshine?"

"I wanted to talk to you about Racetrack Higgins. I know he owes you a lot of money and I want to pay you myself."

Tiger raised an eyebrow. "You? Howd' you git that kinda money little girl?"

"Well, I don't have any money, but I was hoping I could trade something for the amount he owes you."

"I'm listening."

Twenty minutes later, Rhiannon started to get up from Tiger's bed when his arm held her down. "Oh, no sweet thing. You're not done yet. Twenty bucks is a lot of money, it's going to take a lot more than that to make us even. You're gonna have to share with my boys first."

When Rhiannon finally left Tiger Malone's place, she felt weak and dirty. She didn't think she even had enough strength to walk back home. Somehow she managed to make it back to her apartment. The clock said 2:30; she had to be at work at 4, so Rhiannon decided to treat herself to a nice long soak in the bathtub. She scrubbed and scrubbed her skin until it was bright red. Going back to her old life was a lot harder than she'd thought, but it was worth it. Race's debt was repaid and Tiger wouldn't hurt him anymore.

At 4, Rhiannon walked into Tibby's, put on her apron and got to work. Slowly the newsies started to trickle in until they out numbered the other patrons. Rhiannon welcomed the hustle bustle of the restaurant because it took her mind off Tiger Malone. When Race came in, Rhiannon smiled at him, but he ignored her and sat by himself at one of Isabelle's stations. She walked over to her next table where Snoddy, Specs, Pie Eater and Dutchy were sitting.

"Hey guys, what'll you have?"

"Usual."

"Usual."

"Usual."

"Usual."

Rhiannon smiled at them. "Ok, that's a hot ham and cheese on rye, tomato soup and grilled cheese for Specs, meatloaf and mashed potatoes with an apple pie a la mode for desert, a roast beef sandwich on white with melted swiss cheese for Dutchy and saspirillas all around."

"Man, you're good!" Snoddy exclaimed, the other newsies nodding and smiling in agreement. Rhiannon smiled at them again and went into the kitchen.

Tiger Malone walked in just then with Fire and Ice in tow. The restaurant came to a stand still and the silence that followed was deafning. Tiger nodded to Race, who got up and followed them outside. The newsies 'casually' gathered at the windows to see. None of them dared go outside because they knew Race was too proud to accept any help, even if he needed it. Rhiannon walked out of the kitchen with the newsies' food and saw them all crowded around the window.

"What's going on?" Dutchy answered.

"Tiger Malone and his boys are talking to Race outside." He noticed her face lose all color.

"What's wrong?"

"Well, I…" Before she could answer, Tiger and his boys left and Race came in and walked up to Rhiannon.

"When do you get off?"

"8, why?"

"Meet me on the roof of the Lodging House at 8." Then he abruptly turned and walked away.

Part 3!Stories pageBack to the Square

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