One rainy autumn day, Quinn went to Tibby's to have lunch with Mush. When she walked in, one particular table crowded with newsies. They were all standing around a very pretty girl about her age, with shoulder-length brown hair and beautiful blue-grey eyes. It was obvious they all knew each other, but she seemed particularly attached to Mush. Quinn started to say something when Mush finally noticed she was there and greeted her with a quick kiss.

"Mush, what's going on?"

"Oh, this is Silver, she used to live with us but she left a few months before we met. Silver, this is my girl Quinn."

Quinn smiled and shook Silver's hand. Mush quickly took Quinn's hand and they went to their regular table and had lunch. Mush seemed very distracted, so Quinn asked him what was wrong, but he just shook his head.

Later that day, Quinn went to see Jack at his selling spot near Grand Central Station. She ran up and hugged him.

"Jack, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Anything for you, angel."

"Tell me about Silver. She and Mush are connected in some way, but he won't talk to me about it."

Jack looked around for a minute, hesitating.

"Well, alright. Silver and Mush grew up together at the same orphanage. They were best friends, and they fell in love. Silver's always had a thing for the ocean and there was a ship that needed a crew going to Africa. She knew that we wouldn't let her go, so she ran away. They were together for two years before she left, so he was real messed up for a while."

Quinn sat down to take it all in. "Do you think she'll go after him?"

"I don't think so; she's not that kinda girl. Besides, Mush loves you."

Quinn smiled and gave him a hug. "Thanks Jack."

Mush was selling in Central Park with Silver. He thought things would be really awkward with everything they'd been through, but it was just like old times.

"So, tell me about Quinn. How did you meet?"

"She used to come down here a lot and she'd always buy a paper from me. I asked her to have lunch with me, and we ended up spending the rest of the day together. We just kinda clicked, you know? She's great."

"She did seem really nice. I guess I just always liked to think of you as mine. I thought about you everyday, especially about the night we…"

"Forget about it. I have."

Silver suddenly felt tears spring to her eyes, but blinked them back.

A few weeks passed and things got a little more normal in the Lodging House. Blink, Race, Mush and Silver picked up right where they left off, and started palling around just like before. They went to the track all the time to try their luck. Mush found this really refreshing since Quinn always hated going to Sheepshead. Today, Mush and Silver pooled their money together for a horse and Race and Blink put their money together for another. It was a very exciting race; there was even a photo finish. Everyone was hoarse from yelling so hard and when Mush and Silver's horse was announced the winner, they started jumping up and down and embraced. The past and present seemed to gel, and Mush bent down to kiss her. Silver didn't know what was going on and she didn't care. She was in Mush's arms again and his lips were inches from hers. At the last minute, Mush caught himself and pulled away. They both were blushing furiously.

"Uh, look, Silver, I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking."

" It's all right. Old memories creep up like that sometimes."

Thankful that neither Blink nor Race had seen them, they acted like nothing had happened and walked home.

Quinn and Mush had another date that night at Tibby's.

"So, what'd you do today?"

"I went to the tracks with Blink, Race and Silver."

" You're spending a lot of time with her lately."

" What's wrong with that?" Mush asked defensively.

"Nothing. It's great that you're still friends. I got a telegram from Walter today. He's coming to visit tomorrow and wants me to go out to dinner with him."

"You're gonna say no, right?"

"What on earth for?"

"Because he loves you and you're my girl."

"So? Silver still loves you, but you obviously don't have any problem spending time with her."

"She does not and that's different."

"How is it any different?!"

They continued arguing, Quinn got fed up and walked home.

When Mush got back to the Lodging House, he went up on the roof. It was his favorite place to just sit and stew. Silver was sitting in his spot, crying.

"What's wrong Sil?"

"I love you. I thought I could just get over you, but that's never going to happen. I will always love you Mush."

She tried to leave, but Mush gently grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him.

"Do you know how I felt when you left? We fell asleep right here, and I woke up with a note next to me instead of you."

"I know. I've been up here for a long time, thinking about that night and the choice I made. If I had it to do over again, I would've stayed in your arms…"

Mush suddenly found himself kissing her. Silver's mind was reeling. She knew she shouldn't be kissing him back, but couldn't bear to push him away.

Part two

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