A Mush Story By Quinn

It started as an average day in New York City for the Manhattan newsies; they all paired off as usual to carry the banner. All except Mush that is. He ditched Racetrack and Kid Blink at breakfast to find his girl. Well, she wasn't really his girl, he didn't even know her name, but she bought a paper from him everyday in Central Park. She was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, with long dark brown hair and piercing dark brown eyes. Mush was thinking about her all last night and decided that today he was going to make his move.

As he approached the park, he could see her in the distance. She was wearing a really nice blue dress that accented her figure perfectly. Heart pounding, Mush snuck up behind her and tapped her on her shoulder.

"Buy me last pape, Miss?" She turned around, startled and recognizing Mush, smiled and said "Oh, of course. I thought maybe you weren't coming today."

"You were waiting for me?", Mush asked.

"Well," the girl said, blushing, "I suppose you could say that. I've sort of gotten used to buying my papers from you, I guess." She handed him a penny and extended her hand. "My name is Bernadette, but my friends call me Quinn."

"Nice to meet you, Quinn, I'm Mush", Mush said, and kissed her hand.

"How'd you get a name like that?"

"Wanna find out over lunch at Tibby's?", he asked. Quinn looked hesitant for a moment, then said "Sure, I'd love to."

As they waited for their food, Mush and Quinn talked a lot, mostly of their backgrounds, likes and dislikes, etc. When the food came they started to tear into it. Quinn was about to take another bite of her sandwich when she realized Mush was staring at her. They locked eyes and gazed at each other. Just then Race and Blink came over to the table.

"Hey, Mush-boy, what do we have here?"

"Don't make me soak ya for callin' me that again", Mush said with a smirk. Race and Blink walked over to Quinn, tipped their hats and kissed her hand. The four of them ate for an hour or so, but then Blink and Race left to sell the afternoon edition. That and Mush kept giving them dirty looks.

When they were alone again, Mush and Quinn paid for their food and went for a walk. They ended up on the Brooklyn docks, sitting on a pier. They talked for hours and watched the sunset. Quinn reluctantly said that she'd better get home, so Mush extended his arm to escort her home. When they arrived at her door, Mush knew he was falling hard for this girl and he had to see her again.

"Hey Quinn, there's a big party tomorrow night at Medda's just for us newsies. Would you like to go with me?"

"Sure, I'd love to."

"Ok then, I'll pick you up here at 7?"

"Ok. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Quinn started up the stairs to go inside, when she stopped, turned around, and kissed Mush on the cheek. Their eyes met and locked again, and Mush was about to get up his courage to try to kiss her, but then a voice from inside yelled "Bernadette Marie Saunders, get in here right now!" The mood ruined, Quinn gave Mush her best smile and ran into the house.

Bernadette walked into the large room that was the living room to face her mother and knew it would not be pretty. "Bernadette, where have you been!? Walter was here for hours waiting for you!"

"I'm sorry Mother, I was out with a friend and lost track of the time." Mrs. Saunders eyed her daughter suspiciously.

"I just don't know what's wrong with you, Bernadette. You have the wealthiest, best educated man in New York City courting you and you ignore him to go gallivanting with God knows who! I just know that tonight Walter was going to propose.. you'd just better hope he doesn't go off and find another girl to marry."

"Oh, Mother, Walter's wonderful, but nothing happens when I see him."

"What on earth are you talking about child?"

"You know, that tingling that goes all the way down your spine and into your toes." Quinn knew that feeling all to well because that's exactly how she felt when she locked eyes with Mush. Her mother just looked at her with exasperated eyes.

"Bernadette, you can't marry someone because he makes you tingle.. you're my only child and I want to know you'll be taken care of when I'm gone. Walter has the means to see that happen. Look, let's talk about this tomorrow; I'm too exhausted to discuss this with you right now."

"Ok, goodnight Mother."

Back at the Lodging House, Mush was getting it good from Blink and Race. "Quinn's gorgeous! Is she your girl?"

"Yeah she's gorgeous and no, she's not my girl."

"Do you want her to be?" Blink asked.

"Of course I do, but I'm not sure how she feels about me. She's my date for Medda's party tomorrow, so maybe… I don't know.."

"Girls always like you, don't worry about it." said Race. "So, how much do you feel like losin' tonight, Mush?"

"I'm not playin' Race. I have to think of something special to do for her tomorrow night. There's just something about her.. I don't know, she's just.. special…" Race just shrugged and got a small group together to start a poker game and Blink glanced at Mush. 'He must really have it bad for this girl' he thought. 'I've never seen him like this before.'

"You blew me off to play around with a newise!?" asked Walter Roberts.

"Walter, could you be more of a snob?" asked Quinn.

"I'm sorry Bernadette, but I was worried when you didn't show up yesterday. You know how I feel about you. And I don't care how long it takes, I'll wait for you to love me back." Bernadette smiled, touched by his gesture. Walter really was a sweet guy and she should be over the moon for him, but all she could think about was Mush.

Just then, she realized that they'd been walking towards Central Park, where she could now hear Mush's voice shouting the headlines. Bernadette ran towards him, with Walter in close pursuit.

"Mush!" she exclaimed

"How are you?"

"Hello, gorgeous, I'm doing a whole lot better now that you're here." He smiled at Bernadette and once again she got that same tingle down her spine. They locked eyes and were held there for a few seconds when the sound of rattling phlegm broke the silence.

It was Walter, and realizing that she'd been ignoring him, Bernadette made the introductions.

"Nice to meet ya Walter."

"Nice to meet you too, Mush. What kind of name is that, anyway?"

"Walter! How could you be so rude?!"

"No, Quinn, it's ok," said Mush. "I know it's not much of a name, but all the newsies have nicknames. You can call me by my real name, Neil."

"Yeah, well Neil, I have to get going. Coming, Bernadette?"

"Uh, yeah, in a minute. Go on, I'll catch up."

"Don't worry Walter," Mush chimed in, "I'll see she gets home alright."

"Fine. I'll be expecting you soon, Bernadette." With that, Walter turned and left for the Saunders' home.

"Oh Mush, I'm so sorry about Walter. He's a little…"

"Protective of you." Mush said. "It's understandable, I mean here's his girl talking to a street rat."

"I'm not his girl and you're not a street rat." Mush's eyes brightened.

"Really? You're not 'together'? he asked.

"He says he loves me and my mother want us to get married, but I can't marry someone I don't love."

As if on cue, a gentle wind started to blow through the park, causing some of Quinn's hair to fly in her face. Mush gently pushed it back behind her ear and rested his hand on her cheek. Their eyes locked and he leaned in to kiss her, but some kids ran by between them and the spell was broken once again.

"I'd better start getting you home." Mush said.

"Yeah, Walter will worry if I'm not back soon." Said Quinn.

They walked for a while in silence. They were both thinking the same thing, but neither one wanted to speak up. Finally Mush broke his silence. "Uh Quinn?"

"Yes Mush?"

"Can you still come with me to the dance tonight?"

"Of course! I wouldn't miss it!"

"What about Walter? I know he's not going to be happy at the thought of you being with me all night."

"Actually Mush, I haven't told him anything. As far as he and Mother are concerned, I'm going out with a girlfriend tonight. I hate lying to them, but it's the only way I can see you."

Mush nodded to acknowledge what Quinn just said, and they soon arrived at her house. He was really bothered that Quinn had lied to her mother, but he decided to brush it off.

"I'll see at seven, beautiful." He gave her a wink and started walking towards the Lodging House.

When Bernadette walked in, she found her mother and Walter talking, but they got silent when they saw her. "What's going on?" she asked. Walter answered.

"I just got a telegram from a law firm in Georgia. They've offered me a job and I'm going to accept it. I leave in two weeks."

"Wow, congratulations, Walter! I know you've been working very hard for this." she said.

"Thank you Bernadette. I'm afraid I really have to leave, but I'll see you ladies tomorrow as usual?"

"Of course, Walter, see you then." Said Mrs. Saunders.

When Walter was gone, Mrs. Saunders turned to her daughter. Anticipating her mother's next move, Bernadette said "Oh, look at the time, Sally will be expecting me soon.. I'd better get ready." And with that, she ran upstairs to her bedroom, leaving her mother speechless.

Bernadette went through all of her dresses and finally decided on a white dress with a red band around the waist. She brushed her hair until it glowed, and ran downstairs, yelled a quick goodbye to her mother, and went to the fire escape, where Mush was waiting. He turned around and stared at her for a good five seconds before he could find his speech.

"You look beautiful!"

"Thanks, you look very handsome, Mush." He really did look very nice. He was wearing a white shirt, khaki slacks with a matching jacket and shoes.

"Thanks. So," he said extending his arm, "let's party".

By the time they got to Medda's the party was in full swing. All the newsies were there with their dates, and everyone was having a great time. Mush introduced Quinn to all the newsies and knew she'd have no problem fitting in with any one them or their girls. They'd just found a table when Medda came out on stage and started to sing. The show lasted about an hour, and everyone loved every second of it. When Medda gave her last bow, the stage was instantly covered in flowers. Quinn hadn't noticed, but during the show Mush left, and came back with a picnic basket.

As soon as the show ended, Mush got up and took Quinn's hand in his, holding the basket in the other hand.

"Where are we going, Mush?"

"It's a surprise.", he replied with a grin. They went through the fire doors and climbed until they reached the roof. The night air was really cool and the view was breathtaking. When her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Quinn could see a table set with dishes and candles. Mush pulled out her chair and helped Quinn sit down. Then he put the food out on the table.

"Mush, this is so beautiful, thank you." Mush blushed a little and said

"You're welcome. I'm glad you like it." They ate in silence just enjoying each other's company.

After dinner, Mush took Quinn's hand and they went a little closer to the edge of the roof to look at the city. The view was incredible and Quinn was about to say something about it when she noticed Mush staring at her. She met his gaze and their eyes locked. He pulled her to him and put his arm around her waist. Then he leaned in and started to kiss her. As Quinn responded, he put his other arm around her waist, drawing her even closer as she put her arms around his neck. They stayed like that for quite a while, savoring the kiss they'd wanted for so long.

Finally, Mush walked Quinn home and gave her another kiss goodnight. "Goodnight beautiful, sleep well."

"I will if I dream of you." She replied. She kissed him again and they shared a quick embrace before she disappeared into the house.

"Hey there Neil." Walter said. A very startled Mush turned around and said "Hi Walter." He knew then that Walter had seen him with Quinn and prepared himself for a fight.

Read Part 2, go back to the Stories or back to the Square

© 1997 quinn_35@hotmail.com

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