"What do you think you're doing with her? What gives you, a worthless street rat, the right to court her?"

"I love her." Mush replied.

"What can you possibly offer her? You have no education, no real job and no prospects. I'm a lawyer, Neil. I've just been offered a job in Georgia that will pay more money than you'll ever see selling papers for a living. I can make her happy. I can give her the life she's always wanted. Where do you see yourself going as a newsie? Will you even be able to support yourself, much less Bernadette? She even had to lie to her mother to go out with you."

Mush could feel himself getting angrier with every word Walter spoke, but he kept his cool.

"Walter, I know you love her too, but she's made her choice. I'm not going to be a newsie forever. I'm going to make something of myself so I can take care of her."

"The newsie is going to make something himself. Let me tell you something, I've already made something of myself. What kind of job do you think you're going to be able to get? Butcher? Hot-dog vendor? Give me a break."

With that, Walter turned and disappeared in the shadows.

Mush started back to the Lodging House, thinking about Walter's words. Deep down, he knew he was right. He wanted to marry Quinn, but there was no way he'd be able to support her as well as Walter could. He had to think about Quinn's happiness instead of his own. If he really loved her, shouldn't he be prepared to give her up for her own good? By the time Mush reached the Lodging House, he'd made a decision.

Race and Blink were waiting for Mush by his bunk.

"You've been gone a long time, buddy boy." Race said. "So, is Quinn your girl?"

"No," Mush answered. "She's not my girl. I'm not going to see her anymore, and I really wish you'd stop asking me about her all the time! Now could you two leave me alone so I can get some sleep!?" Blink gestured for Race to go, but stayed to comfort his friend.

"Heya Mush, what's going on?" Blink asked. "Quinn's a real nice girl, what happened between you two? And don't tell me 'nothing', cause I'm your best friend and I know somethin's goin on." Mush had to smile. Blink was his best friend and he'd kept him in the dark about the whole situation with Quinn. He got up and motioned for Blink to follow him to the fire escape.

"Kid, I'm in love. I mean it, I want to marry her, but I have to let her go."

"Why?" Blink asked. Mush told him the whole story about Walter and the events that had taken place after Medda's party. Blink gave a low whistle.

"That's rough, Mush, but are you sure you have to do this? It sounds like Quinn loves you; she doesn't even care about that other guy."

"Maybe not now, but eventually she'll realize that he's better for her than I am. She'd never have to lie to her mother so she could see him."

Blink could see the pain in his friend's face as his eyes welled up with tears. He leaned over and gave Mush a hug. "Thanks Blink. Will you tell Race I'm sorry for getting angry back there?"

"Sure, Mush-boy. G'night."

The next day, Quinn ran off like a mad woman to Central Park with her penny. She couldn't wait to see Mush and experience another kiss like last night. When he came into view, she paused for a minute just so she could look at him. She felt that same tingle down her spine and knew that she was deeply in love.

With renewed happiness, she ran up and hugged him. Quinn pulled away when Mush didn't embrace her.

"What's wrong Mush?"

"Quinn, I can't see you anymore." His words knocked the wind out of her.

"Why? What did I do? Last night I thought…I mean I thought we…"

"I love you Quinn."

"But I l…"

"Please don't say it. Don't make this any harder. Marrying Walter is the best thing for you. He's going to be rich and successful. I'm never going to be able to take good care of myself much less a family. You'd never be happy with me, but he'll be able to give you everything you need."

Mush looked up at Quinn and saw the tears in her eyes. Everything inside him wanted to hold her and wipe her tears away, but he held back.

"How can you possibly think I'd be happy with Walter? You know I don't love him. What if what I want, what I need, is you?"

"I'm sorry Quinn, but someday you'll know I'm right. Goodbye."

Quinn turned and ran for home, hot tears streaming down her face. Mush threw his papers away, went back to the Lodging House, collapsed on his bed and cried.

After three days of seclusion and tears, Quinn emerged from her bedroom and went downstairs for breakfast.

"Good morning Mother!" she said cheerfully.

"Bernadette! Oh I'm so happy to see you out and about! You had me so worried! Why did you do that dear?"

"I had a lot of soul searching to do Mother, but I'm going to marry Walter! I realized that I do love him and I have to marry him."

"Oh sweetheart, I'm so happy!" Mrs. Saunders hugged her daughter tightly, happy that Bernadette had finally come to her senses.

"Now" Said Mrs. Saunders, "Walter's coming to visit in an hour, so let's get you prettied up so you can tell him the good news." They went up to Bernadette's room to get ready.

Back at the Lodging House, everyone was worried about Mush. He was having a horrible dry spell. He was selling poorly, he hadn't smiled in days, and the sparkle in his eyes had gone out. Getting him to eat properly was a daily battle. Nothing could cheer him up; even Kid Blink had no idea how to help his friend. It was as if Mush stopped living--he was just going through the motions, not caring about anything.

Walter and Bernadette were walking towards Central Park hand in hand. Walter was on top of the world. Bernadette had finally accepted his marriage proposal and they were leaving for Georgia early at her insistence. In two days they would be married and starting out on their new life. Outwardly, Quinn was just as happy as Walter. She was torn apart on the inside. Part of her knew that Walter would make a fine husband and he'd always take care of her. In her heart she knew she was only doing this to get back at Mush. Why else would she insist on a stroll through Central Park--where she knew they'd run into him? Quinn could see Mush and asked Walter to buy her a paper.

"Well, hello Neil, how are you on this beautiful day?"

"Great, how about you two?"

"Well, what does this tell you?" Quinn asked, flashing her new engagement ring.

"Hey, congratulations! Good luck to both of you. I know you'll be very happy. The sight of them together was killing him, but he was a great actor. I'm supposed to meet a friend for lunch in a few minutes, so I'd better get going. Congratulations again."

"Thanks, Neil, take care." Said Walter. Mush just gave them a wave and walked towards Tibby's.

Bernadette and Walter were cutting through an alley on the way home, when two figures jumped down in front of them.

"Well, Morris, looks like we've hit the jack pot." said Oscar Delancy.

"Yeah, Oscar. A rich boy and a pretty little woman." Said Morris. They closed in, Morris grabbed Bernadette and started to lift up her skirt while Oscar started beating Walter. Morris pushed Bernadette against a wall and his hands started to crawl up her legs. The only thing she could think of to do was scream, so she did…rather loudly. Mush was just in the next alley over, hiding out so he wouldn't have to run into the happy couple again. When he heard Quinn scream, he ran into the alley and saw Walter getting beaten and Morris had Quinn's skirt all the way up and he started to unbutton his pants. Mush could feel the hate and anger swell up in him as he attacked Morris. Mush threw punch after punch until Morris was off of Quinn.

"Quinn!" he yelled between punches. "Run to Tibby's and get the others!"

Quinn ran faster than she ever thought possible into Tibby's. All the newsies were there having lunch.

"Everyone, come quick! Mush needs your help!" she cried. Jack and the others got up and followed Quinn back to the alley. She almost fell apart at what she saw. The Delancys were gone, but Mush was lying unconscious in a pool of blood. Walter was tending to him.

"He was fighting one of them when the other one came from behind and hit him with a club. I yelled to warn him, but he didn't react in time." Walter said, his voice shaking. Quinn ran to Mush, begging him to open his eyes.

"Bernadette, don't get so close", Walter said, "we need to give him plenty of room to breathe." He noticed she was sobbing hysterically, but obeyed his words. Jack stepped forward.

"We have to get him to da hospital. It's just a block away. Race, Skittery, Blink, get his head. Boots, David and Snoddy get his body and Bumlets and I will get his legs. Ok, 1, 2, 3, LIFT."

Together, the newsies carefully picked up Mush's lifeless body and carried him to the hospital.

When they got inside, the nurse started to shoo them off, because it was obvious they couldn't pay and they only had beds for paying customers. Walter said he'd pay the bill, so the nurse led the newsies into a check-up room and brought a doctor. They put Mush down on the bed and went to the waiting room.

Twenty minutes later, the doctor came to see them.

"He's got a really bad concussion, a cracked rib and a lot of bumps and bruises. The next 24 hours will be crucial; I can't guarantee he'll make it. Quinn felt her knees turn to jelly and Walter caught her right before she fell.

"When can we see him?" she asked.

"I don't want him disturbed until tomorrow at least. Come back in the morning."

He turned and started to walk away when Quinn ran up to him.

"May I please see him? I won't disturb him, I just want to see his face. Please, I'll just sit there and hold his hand. I won't bother him at all."

The doctor looked at Quinn's tear-streaked face and couldn't say no.

"Just sit there, don't try to talk to him, ok?"

"Oh, thank you!!" she almost hugged the doctor, but managed to control herself. She went into Mush's room and sat down beside his bed. He was lying peacefully with bandages on his head and chest. She gently took at his hand and kissed it.

"I love you." She whispered.

The next morning Quinn was awakened by someone squeezing her hand. When she opened her eyes, she saw Mush smiling down at her.

"Hello, gorgeous." He said weakly.

"Mush, you're awake, thank God! I was so scared when I saw you lying there." She stared into his brown eyes and said "I don't know what I would've done if you… " her voice trailed off, unable to finish.

"Hey, I'm pretty tough. The Delancys have to do a lot worse to get rid of me. I coulda killed them for trying to…oh God, are you and Walter alright?"

"Yeah, we're fine. Walter just has few bruises. You got there just in time. Mush, I'm so sorry about showing up with Walter like that. I was really angry and I wanted to get back at you. I can't marry him; I'm in love with you."

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have tried to run your life. I only want you to be happy. Quinn, could you please get the doctor? My head is killing me."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'll be right back." Quinn turned and was about to open the door.

"Quinn… I love you too." She turned around and smiled at him.

When Quinn emerged from Mush's room, she found every newsie from Manhattan and Brooklyn waiting for news.

"He's awake, but he's asking for a doctor before anyone goes in, ok?"

The newsies all nodded in agreement and Quinn got the doctor. When the doctor went in Mush's room, Quinn noticed Walter had just gotten up from the chair he was sleeping in.

"Hi Walter."

"Hi. He's awake?"

"Yeah."

"Then he'll be ok." Quinn nodded and sat down.

"Excuse me, young man? The doctor was saying to Walter. "Neil is asking for the two of you."

Walter and Quinn walked into the hospital room, slightly puzzled.

"How are you feeling, Neil?" Walter asked.

"Fine. The doctor says I'll be home in a week. He also told me that you're the one picking up my tab. Why?"

"First, you needed help badly and they wouldn't admit you without payment. Second, you saved our lives in that alley, and third, Bernadette needs you alive. You can't make much of a husband if you're dead."

Quinn looked at Walter "What do you mean?"

"I'm not sure if I just didn't want to admit it to myself or if I somehow couldn't see it, but you love him; I'm not going to hold you to our engagement."

"What changed your mind?" asked Mush.

"It was the look on her face when she found you in the alley. She had the same look when she begged the doctor to stay in here with you all night. Even her eyes as she looks on you now. You mean everything to her; she needs you. I know you could never look at me that way, Bernadette, so it's only fair that I leave you free to be with the man you love; and I know he really loves you. He would've given his life to save you."

"Wait a minute." Mush said. "What about me not having money and all that?"

Walter just shrugged and said "You have her. That makes you far richer than I could ever be. Besides, like you said, she's made her choice. I'd better get going, I have a train to catch tonight. Take care."

"Wait, Walter" Quinn said. He stopped and she ran up to him and kissed him softly. "Thank you."

"Yeah, thanks a lot Walter." Mush said.

"Just take care of her, Mush. Goodbye."

Quinn ran over to Mush and kissed him gently just as the newsies came barging in. Blink and Race walked up to Mush's bed first.

"So Mush," Blink asked, "is she your girl?"

Mush replied "Well, if you'd give me a minute, I'll ask her. Quinn, will you…"

Quinn leaned over and kissed him before he could get the rest out, with the newsies cheering in the background.

FIVE YEARS LATER Mush and Quinn were having dinner on Medda's rooftop, where they shared their first kiss.

"Mush, this dinner is lovely, but I can't wait any longer. What's the surprise?"

Mush gave Quinn a big grin, and said "Actually, I have two surprises. First, I was promoted today to assistant editor at the Sun. In two weeks I'm moving into a new apartment."

"That's wonderful! I'm so proud of you! Well, what's the second surprise then?"

"For this one we have to go back to Virginia in 1884. There was a very rich family named Davidson who lived in a huge house. This being the South, of course this family had a family of freed slaves that stayed on after the war. They had a daughter, Rebecca. Now Rebecca and the Davidson's eldest child, Neil, were deeply in love. When she told Neil she was pregnant with his child, he gave her a special engagement ring. It was a gold band with a ruby in the center. When the Davidsons found out about Neil's plans to get married, they put Rebecca on a train bound for New York City. She never saw him again. Desperate, Rebecca knocked on the door or St Patrick's and befriended one of the nuns. She took Rebecca to the convent, where she had a baby boy. She named him Neil because he had his father's eyes. Rebecca was very weak due to complications in her delivery, but requested a pen and paper. She wrote a letter to her son explaining everything and sealed the letter with the ring inside an envelope. Two hours, later, my mother was dead. I lived at the orphanage until I was 12, and then one night I took my mother's letter, ran away and ended up at the Lodging House."

Mush reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box.

"I want you to have this."

Quinn opened the box to find a small golden band with a ruby in the middle. Her eyes filled with tears. Mush was kneeling next to her now.

"From the second we kissed here, I knew I'd love you forever. Will you marry me?"

Quinn was speechless; all she could do was nod. She looked deeply into his beautiful brown eyes, held his face in her hands and kissed him.--THE END

© 1997 quinn_35@hotmail.com

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