The Lonely Sister

A thin girl of sixteen stood in the center of the small apartment where she and her two brothers lived with their uncle. The girl had dark sandy-blond hair that looked like it had once been brown but had been bleached by the sun, but it was natural that way. She also had brown eyes. She wore a simple light blue linen dress. Her hair was pulled back with a dark blue ribbon. Her two brothers looked very much the same, dark hair and similar looks. One of them had a bit of a mustache while the other had blue eyes. The brother with the mustache looked to be in a foul disposition. Their uncle had graying hair and dark eyes and was a bit of a corpulent old man.

“Come on, Uncle. Why won’t ya let me go ta the party? They invited me ‘n’ ever’thin’,” the girl whined.

“He won’t let ya go cuz ya ain’t perdy enough,” the boy with a mustache sneered.

“Aw, come on, Morris. Ya know that ain’t da reason,” the second boy defended.

“Thank you, Oscah,” the girl said thankfully. Oscar smiled proudly.

“Micheala, I ain’t gonna let ya go cuz yer folks wanted me ta watch ya, ‘n’ I aim ta do that,” the man explained.

“Uncle, they only wanted ya ta make sure I grew up good. They didn’t mean fer ya ta shelter me like a little porcelain doll,” the girl defended herself.

“Aw, Mikey–”

“Aw, come on, Uncle. Ya don’t treat Morris ‘n’ Oscah so bad. Oh, I don’t mean it that way. I mean that ya don’t keep ‘em all locked up in here all the time.”

The man hugged the girl “Now, Mikey, if I let ya outta this place, d’ya gotta go ta this pawdy?” he asked.

“Uncle,” the girl began, “thanks fer that. I guess it’s all I’m gonna git.” She let out a sigh.

“That’s my angel,” the man said and kissed the top of her head. “Come on, boys. We gots woik ta do.” He grabbed his hat and started out the door.

“Oh, Uncle, please, kin I come, too? I wanna see what ya do ‘n’ maybe help out a little.”

“Naw, ya cain’t come, ya little brat,” Morris yelled.

Oscar smacked him upside the head. “Be nice, Morris,” he sneered.

“Shoa, Mikey, ya’s welcome ta come. Hurry up now; Oscar’ll wait fer ya,” the man said and pulled Morris out of the room.

“Aw, Uncle Weaz,” Morris complained.

“Shuddup, Morris,” the man said and started yanking Morris by his hair.

The girl jumped for joy. She ran into her room and changed into something more presentable for the streets of New York City, a tan skirt and white shirt with a black shirtwaist. She ran back out to the living room and gave Oscar the biggest hug he’d ever had. “I finally git ta git outta dis place, Oscah,” she said happily.

“Yeah, Mikey, yer squishin’ me here,” Oscar coughed.

Mikey let go of him. “Sorry, Oscah. Come on,” she said and grabbed his hand.

Oscar led her out of their tiny apartment. He brought her down to the street and into a large square. Mikey had let go of her brother’s hand back at the apartment building. She was only following him now.

“Hey, Oscah, finally git cherself a goyl?” an Italian boy asked with a laugh. The other boys laughed along with him.

Mikey just looked at him. “What’s ‘e mean by that, Oscah?” she asked, very naļve in the street-slang and ways of the world because she’d been so sheltered from life.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it none, Mikey,” Oscar said and started for the circulation office.

Mikey started to follow him, but she stopped when she saw a blond boy with a patch over his eye. She walked over to him. “Hello,” she said, looking at him admiringly.

“Uh, hi,” the boy greeted, a little unsure. He glanced at Oscar.

Oscar saw her standing over next to the boy. He walked back over to her and grabbed her hand. Mikey couldn’t take her eyes away from the other boy. Oscar yanked her away from the boy. “Mikey, git back here,” he said sternly. “Stay ‘way from dem.”

“Aw, come on, Oscah. You ‘n’ Uncle ain’t nevah let me outta the ‘partment. All I said was ‘hello,’” she said. She paused. “Oscah, who was that boy anyway?”

“Ain’t nobody ya gotta worry ‘bout,” he said. Mikey looked back at the boy and smiled. Oscar pulled her harder into the office.

“Hey, Blink, she’s a real angel ain’t she?” a boy with a cowboy hat said to the boy with the patch.

“Yeah,” Blink answered, not taking his eyes off of Mikey.

“Blink, ya gotta ‘membah dat she’s Oscah’s. An’ ‘e’ll hoit ya if ya go near ‘er,” the cowboy reminded.

“Aw, Jack,” Blink whined, looking at the cowboy.

“Oscah, come on. All I did was say ‘hello.’ It didn’t hoit nuthin’,” Mikey complained.

Oscar stopped pulling her. He spoke quietly but sternly. “No sistah a mine’s gonna go socializin’ wit’ them newsies,” he said.

Before Mikey could respond, Oscar pulled her into the office and shut the door. He told her to stay away from the window and sit at the desk. She did as she was told right then.

“Heya, Weasel. Ya miss me?” the cowboy asked.

“The name is Wisel. Mr. Wisel ta you,” the man corrected. “How many?”

“Don’t rush me; I’m perusin’ da moichindise, Mistah Weasel,” he said. The boys laughed. He slapped a coin down on the counter. “Da usual.”

“Hundred papes ta da wise guy,” Weasel said. Morris slid the papers under the bars.

A few more boys bought papers from Weasel. Then Morris decided to leave the office. Oscar ran after him. Mikey crept up behind her uncle at the counter and stood next to the stacks of newspapers. When her uncle called out numbers, Mikey counted the same number of newspapers and handed the under the bars.

“I’ll take sixty,” Blink said, sliding thirty cents across to Weasel.

“Sixty,” Weasel called.

Mikey slid a stack of papers under the bars to Blink. She left her hand on them absently. She was looking right at Blink. Blink started to take them when he noticed a ring on the hand that held the papers.

“Morris don’t wear no ring,” he thought. Blink looked up at Mikey. They stood staring at each other for several seconds, Blink’s hand on hers.

“Micheala Delancey!” Weasel yelled.

Mikey jumped and yanked her hand away. She looked up at her uncle. When she saw how angry he was, she bowed her head. “Y- Yessir?” she asked timidly.

“Where’re yer bruddahs?” he asked.

Mikey fumbled with her hands and her speech. “Th- They left, sir,” she answered. Then she began to babble. “Th- They left, ‘n’ ya didn’t have nobody ta help ya give ‘em their papers, ‘n’ I figured ya could use some help, so I helped. I didn’t think ya’d be mad at me fer it, sir,” she said in one breath. Then she stepped back against the door.

Weasel softened. “Mikey, ya jist go on home. If ya see yer bruddahs, tell ‘em ta git dere butts on back here now,” he said.

“Yessir,” Mikey mumbled and turned around. She turned the door knob and went outside. She looked at all the newsies around her. Despite her being a little scared, she walked out of there proudly. Once she was clear of the gates, she went up against the brick walls and sat down.

The newsies all finished buying their papers and started to leave the circulation office. Jack, the cowboy, noticed Mikey sitting against the wall. “Hey, Blink,” Jack whispered, “dere’s yer goyl. Go ‘n’ help ‘er up.”

Blink shot Jack an annoyed look, but, once he looked back at Mikey, he couldn’t just leave her there. He walked over to her. “Hello,” he greeted politely.

Mikey looked up. When she saw Blink, she scrambled to her feet. “Hello,” she said quietly, smiling.

“Uh, da name’s Kid Blink,” he said.

“Micheala Delancey, Mikey,” she said, still very quiet.

There was an awkward silence.

“Um, Mikey, kin I ‘ave da pleshoa a escortin’ ya home?” He offered her his arm. Mikey smiled. She didn’t say anything; she only nodded. Blink took her arm and led her down the street. “So where’s ya live?” he asked.

“Over by Grand Central,” she answered.

Then Oscar and Morris walked by.

“Hey, Mikey, whatta ya doin’ wit’ ‘im?” Morris asked gruffly, scowling at Blink.

“He asked if ‘e could show me on home. I said ‘e could. Oh, I almost fergot. Uncle wants ya two back there right now,” she said.

“Fine. Oscah, ya go on ahead. I’se gonna take Mikey home,” Morris said. He yanked her away from Blink.

“Morris, ow!” she yelped. Morris started to drag her up the street. “Nice meetin’ ya!” she called to Blink, waving her free hand.

“Same here,” Blink yelled after her.

Oscar looked at Blink. “Ya know, Kid. I’se only gonna tell ya this once. Mikey’s me sistah; unfortunately, she’s Morris’s, too. Yer a real nice guy ‘n’ all, but Morris don’t think so. Fer yer own sake, Kid, I’d stay away from ‘er. Personally, I don’t think she could do better ‘an ya, but what I think don’t matter ta Morris any. He’ll come aftah ya,” Oscar warned.

Blink looked at him. “Thanks fer da warnin’, Oscah. I awways thought ya was da nice one in da fam’ly,” Blink answered with a grin.

Oscar grinned, too. “Yeah, well, don’t let it git ‘round none. It’ll ruin me reputation,” he said with a small laugh. Blink laughed, too. Then they went in their separate directions.

Over by Grand Central Station, Morris was bringing his sister up to their apartment. He threw her inside and slammed the door after him, glaring at her.

“Morris, ‘e was jist walkin’ me home. What’s the harm in that?” Mikey asked, almost pleading with him.

“Ya don’t go socializin’ wit’ that trash. They ain’t good fer ya,” Morris yelled.

He advanced on her. She backed away from him. He kept walking toward her. The wall stopped her movements. “Morris, please,” she pleaded, tears starting in her eyes. Morris raised his hand to slap her and didn’t hesitate for a second. Mikey fell to the ground with the force of the blow. She began crying and pleading for him to stop. Morris kicked her. She yelped in pain. “Morris! Stop! Please!” she screamed.

“I ain’t gonna stop till ya promise ya ain’t gonna see them newsies no more,” he yelled and continued beating her.

After a few minutes of beating, Mikey yelled out. “I promise, Morris. I promise,” she screamed. “I promise I’ll nevah see ‘em agin. Please, stop!” She cried some more.

Morris stopped beating her. She lay in a heap on the floor, crying. “Ya bettah not. If I hears a ya wit’ ‘em agin, I’se gonna kill ya, ya little brat,” he threatened. The only answers were her tears. Morris left quickly.

After a while, an hour or two, Mikey got the courage to pull herself up off of the floor. It hurt, so she did it slowly. She went to the bathroom and cleaned herself up carefully. Then she went to her room to change.

She took off her bloody clothes and dropped them on the floor. She pulled out a nice brown skirt and a white shirt and changed into them. She tied up her shoes and slid her ring back on her finger.

She looked at a pretty white dress, hanging in her closet, with red roses embroidered on it. It’d been her mother’s. It was the only thing she really prized, besides Oscar. She really did love him. He loved her more than anything, too.

She left her hair down and just brushed it nicely. She got a few of her favorite things and stuck them into a little carpet bag. She folded her dress carefully and placed it in there, too. She put another few changes of clothes into the bag. Then she went back out to the living room.

In the living room, she found some papers and a pencil. She started to write something.

Dear Uncle, Oscar and Morris
I left.  I wish I could of stayed but this aint the life for me.
I didnt deserve what I got today.  Oscar I love you and I 
hope to see you again.  Uncle I hope to see yo again too.
I love you.  Morris I hate you and I’ll never forgive you for
what you done.
Micheala Delancey
p.s. Goodbye

Mikey left the paper on the table and put something on it to weight it down. Then she left the apartment. She went downstairs and out into the street. She started to walk down the street, being ever so watchful of her brothers or uncle.

She turned down one street and found a building with a familiar sign. She remembered this street from earlier when Oscar had taken her down it. The sign above the door read “Newsboys Lodging House.” She decided to go inside.

Inside, she found an old man sitting behind a desk. “Um, ex- excuse me, sir, but does Kid Blink lodge here?” she asked politely.

The man looked up at her, stunned. “Gracious, Missy! What on eoith happened ta ye!?” he asked, very concerned.

Mikey looked down at the floor. “Nuthin’,” she answered.

“Well, why don’t we’se go see ta dem cuts ‘n’ bruises a yers,” the man said.

Mikey looked at him, almost surprised by his want to help her. “Yessir,” she said.

“Me name’s Peter Kloppman. Da boys jist calls me Kloppman. What’s yer name, missy?” the old man said.

“Micheala Delancey, Mikey, sir,” she answered.

Kloppman sat her down in a chair in a back room. “Now, let’s tend ta dose bruises. Ya gots any more anywheres dat could use tendin’ ta?” he asked.

“Yessir,” she began quietly, “I gots ‘em ever’where.”

Kloppman looked at her. “Who coulda done dis ta such a perty lady?” he asked.

Mikey looked at him; a tear rolled down her cheek. “Ma bruddah,” she answered in a whisper.

“Yer brudda gone ‘n’ done dis!” Kloppman said. He shook his head, disappointed in her brother. “Awright, let’s fix ya up good now.”

Kloppman put some alcohol on her cuts and bandages on a few of them too. When he was finished, Mikey fixed her skirt and shirt again till she was more presentable. Kloppman said she could stay in that room if she needed a place to sleep. She thanked him gratefully and told him she’d earn her keep. Kloppman went to get her some dinner, and she waited in the lobby. When he came back, she ate it and thanked him again.

Then the boys started meandering in. Blink was first. “Mikey!” he yelled and ran over to her. When he saw her bruises, he inquired about them. “What happened?!” he asked, holding her shoulders gently.

Mikey looked down at the floor. She shut her eyes to stop the tears, but she couldn’t. She looked back up at Blink. She couldn’t think of anything else to do. The tears came. “It- It was Morris. He- He didn’t like me tawkin’ wit’- wit’- wit’ you,” she answered, trembling.

Blink soothed her by taking her into his arms and stroking her hair. “It’s awright, Mikey. We’se’ll make shoa dat Morris don’t come ‘round here fer ya,” he whispered.

“Yeah, we’se kin do dat. Right, fellas?” the Italian called.

“Yeah!” “Right!” came the answers from all the boys now in the lobby.

Mikey then realized that there were other people in the lobby. She pulled away from Blink and wiped her eyes. “I- I’m sorry, Kid Blink,” she muttered, looking away from him.

“Dat’s okay, Mikey,” he reassured her.

Mikey stepped away from him. She saw all the other newsies. “Hello,” she greeted, trying to act happy and still wiping her tears away.

“Evenin’,” the boys called. None of them wore a hat; they were all either in hands or pockets.

“Mikey, lemme intraduce ya ta me friends,” Blink said. “Dere’s Race, Mush, Specs, Bumlets, Boots, Snpeshootah, Skittery, Pie Eatah, Swifty, Itey, Jake, Crutchy, Dutchy, ‘n’ Snoddy. Jack ain’t here yet, so you’se kin meet ‘im latah.”

“Hello agin,” Mikey said shakily. “I’se Micheala-” She paused to think about it. “Micheala Delancey, but people calls me Mikey,” she finished.

“Nice ta meet’cha,” most of them said.

They all socialized for a few minutes. Then most of the boys went upstairs to play cards or something. Mikey wanted to stay downstairs for a little while by herself. The rest of the boys went upstairs. Kloppman decided he’d turn in for the night. Mikey stayed in the lobby, just sitting.

A little while later, Jack came in with a friend. Both of them were laughing and having a good time. They stopped when they saw Mikey sitting on the stairs. Jack walked over to her. “Hey ya, kid. Ya awright?” he asked, genuinely concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she answered quietly and with a smile. “Ya must be Jack. Blink said ya’d come in latah. Who’s yer friend?” She glanced at the other boy.

The boy walked over to her and kissed her hand. “Da name’s Spot Conlon, miss,” he said, looking into her eyes.

Mikey looked at him with confusion. “Spot Conlon? Where’ve I hoid that name?” she asked out-loud.

“I’se da leadah a Brooklyn,” Spot answered proudly.

“Naw, that ain’t it,” she said, still thinking. Then she remembered Oscar and Morris talking about a Spot Conlon one night at supper. She remembered Morris saying how much that he hated Spot. “I remembah now,” she said in a whisper. She looked at the floor, a smile and a look of euphoria on her face when she remembered what Morris had said Spot had done to him.

Spot looked at her. “What’s yer name?” he asked.

“Micheala Delancey, Mikey.”

“Delancey!” Spot roared.

Mikey jumped to her feet instantly, terrified suddenly. Jack tried to calm him. Spot pushed past him and started toward Mikey, who started darting up the stairs away from him. She ran into Blink in the hallway, literally.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Mikey, what’s da hurry?” he asked.

“He- He’s gonna kill me,” she sputtered and hid behind him.

Blink saw Spot hurrying up the stairs, Jack close behind. He was still trying to calm Spot down. “Spot, come on. She ain’t done nuthin’,” Jack said.

“She’s a Delancey,” was Spot’s reply. Spot walked up to Blink. Blink didn’t move. Spot tried to go around him. Blink stood right in his way. “Move it, Kid,” Spot sneered.

“Not if you’se gonna hoit ‘er, I ain’t movin’,” he answered, staring at him hard with his good eye.

“Ya want a broken awm?” Spot replied angrily, looking around for Mikey.

Blink stood his ground. “If ya goes anywhere near ‘er, Spot Conlon, I’ll kill ye meself,” he warned, very serious.

Spot stared at him, stunned. Blink had never stood up to him before. The other newsies were just as stunned. Most of them now stood in the hallway. Race had taken Mikey back and held her carefully. She clung to him tightly. Blink folded his arms over his chest and stood his ground. Spot cracked his knuckles.

“Hello?” someone called as he walked into the building.

Everyone instantly looked down to the lobby where this sudden voice had come from. Mikey recognized the voice instantly. While everyone was distracted trying to figure out who had spoken, she rushed down the stairs. The owner of the voice then came into view. Mikey rushed into his arms. He held her closely.

“Mikey, I’m so glad I found ja,” he whispered. “We was so worried- The note…”

Mikey looked up. “I’m sorry, Oscah, but I can’t stay in the house no more, not wit’ Morris,” she explained, close to tears again.

Oscar suddenly got a good look at her face. “Who did this to ya?” he demanded. “Did these newsies do it?” He glared at them as they began filling the lobby. Spot looked particularly perturbed now.

Mikey turned to look at them. “No,” she whispered.

“Any ‘v’um dare touch ya, even say they was gonna?” he asked, still glaring at them.

Mikey looked right at Spot. “No,” she stated. Spot’s expression lightened considerably. He hadn’t expected such a response. She continued to look at him for a moment more and then turned to her brother.

“Ya shoah, Mikey?” Oscar confirmed, looking between Spot and Jack.

Mikey didn’t respond immediately. Everyone turned to her, including Oscar. “It was Morris,” she replied in a weak voice.

Oscar was speechless, as were Spot and Jack. The others just looked between the two siblings. “But… Why?” Oscar finally managed to say.

“He didn’t… I mean… He…” she tried, wringing her hands.

Oscar looked at her compassionately and brushed her hair out of her face. “He didn’t like ya bein’ wit’ da newsies,” he finished. She nodded, looking down at the floor. “Why I’ll…” He continued fuming for a minute. “C’mon, Mikey,” he said and began pulling her toward the door.

Mikey slid his hand off hers and stepped back toward the rest of the newsies. “I’m stayin’ here, Oscah,” she informed.

Oscar looked back at her, a little shocked. “Ya can’t, Mikey. Ya gotta come home,” he argued, walking back to her.

“No, Oscah,” she said, taking another step back. “I like it here. They’re nice ta me,” she breathed. Oscar couldn’t think of anything to say. He just stared at his sister, trying to figure out what was going on. Blink decided to speak to cover the silence.

“Don’t worry, Oscah. We’ll take good care a her,” he assured, placing a hand on Mikey’s shoulder. Mikey smiled and looked up at him.

Oscar looked at both of them, suddenly realizing that both of them were right. He finally nodded. “Ya take good care a her, Blink,” he ordered. Blink nodded. He stepped up to Mikey, hugged her and kissed her cheek. “I love ya, Mikey. I’ll make sure Morris nevah touches ya again. He’ll be sorry fer it,” he assured her. He smiled at her and then walked back out the door.

Just after he left, Spot approached Mikey. She moved closer to Blink; he protected her. “Uh, Mikey,” he began humbly, “I’se sawry ‘bout befoah. It’s jist dat yer bruddahs ‘n’ me don’t git along so good.”

Mikey stepped away from Blink and toward Spot. “It’s awright,” she said. Everyone was surprised at how easily she forgave him, even Spot. “Morris ain’t too fond a you eiddah,” she quipped, smirking. He looked up at her, wide-eyed and not believing his ears. She stretched her hand out to him. “Friends?”

He placed his hand in hers and shook it. “Friends,” he confirmed, smiling.

Just then, Kloppman entered the room in his nightshirt, placing his glasses on his face. “What’s all dis heya?” he asked, looking around the room.

“Nothin’, Kloppman. We was jist goin’ ta bed,” Jack spoke up. Mikey glanced over at him but said nothing.

Kloppman nodded, knowing that Jack was lying. “Yes,” he mumbled and went back into his room. The boys started upstairs to the bunk room, several of them grumbling. Blink stayed downstairs and went with Mikey into her room.

“Sleep good, Mikey. G’night,” he said as he began to leave the room.

Mikey grabbed his wrist quickly. He stopped and turned back. “Stay wit’ me,” she said, “at least till I fall asleep.”

Blink smiled. “Shoah,” he agreed, walking closer to her.

“Thanks,” she said. He turned around to let her change into her nightgown. She did so quickly and then climbed into her bed. Blink pulled a chair up next to her bed and sat down. “Tell me ‘bout cherself,” she said and lay down on her belly, resting her head on her hands.

“Why ya wanna know ‘bout me? I’se nobody important,” he replied, looking at her.

“Cuz I’m too old fer bedtime stories, but nobody’s too old ta learn ‘bout a friend,” she answered.

He smiled and nodded. “Well, me real name’s Steven Scott. Dey all calls me Kid Blink cuz I’se blind in dis eye,” he pointed to the one covered by the patch, “but I don’t mind none. Dey’s good guys,” he explained.

She smiled. “Steven… It suits ya,” she commented.

He smiled and continued telling her about his past. For some reason, he could tell her everything. He wasn’t worried that she’d hold it against him or judge him for it. She just lay on her bed, watching and listening. She eventually fell asleep after about half an hour. Blink smiled and watched her sleep for a while before going up to bed himself.

The next morning, Mikey woke up on he own as she did every day. For a moment, she didn’t recognize where she was, but she remembered when she felt the pain as she sat up. She moaned and stretched. She found the small bathroom and cleaned herself up, noticing that many of her injuries had partially healed during the night. She dressed in her dark blue skirt, gray shirt, and black shirtwaist quickly. She pulled all her hair back and held it in place loosely with a dark blue satin ribbon. After she put her shoes on, she went out to the lobby, finding Kloppman at the desk.

“G’mornin’, sir,” she greeted, smiling a little.

He looked up. “Ya look bettah dis mornin’,” he said, smiling back at her. She grinned. “I’ve gotta go wake da boys. I’m shoah dey wouldn’t want ya up dere. Ya kin jist stay down heya till dey come down,” he said as he walked out from behind his desk. She nodded as Kloppman headed up the stairs. She sat and waited.

About twenty minutes later, the boys began running down the stairs. When Blink came down he walked over to Mikey. “Mornin’,” he greeted, noticing that she looked better than she had the previous day.

“Mornin’,” she said back, smiling a bit.

“Say, d’ya wanna come sell wit’ me?” he asked, slightly nervous.

“I think it’d be bettah if I jist stayed here. Morris ‘n’ all,” she replied quietly.

“Oh, right,” he remembered with a sigh. “Well, I’ll see ya latah den.” He grinned and headed out the door, nearly tripping over his own feet. She laughed a little and waved him off.

Life went on this way for about two weeks. Mikey was too scared to go out into the streets, and Blink kept asking is she would. Oscar continually asked Blink how his sister was doing, and Blink always told him the truth. The two of them became good friends. Morris was still oblivious to the fact that Oscar knew where their sister was. Weasel blamed himself for her leaving, but he didn’t know what Morris had done. Morris, on the other hand, was thrilled that she was gone. Oscar had managed to convince him that Mikey had taken a train to a city out west. Morris believed it, for now.

All of Mikey’s injuries healed nicely, leaving little or no scarring. Blink kept noticing that, as her wounds healed, she was becoming more and more beautiful, even more than she was when he had first met her. After those two weeks, the newsies were all getting ready for a big party. Jack’s girlfriend Sarah had come by and brought Mikey back to her place so they could get dressed together. For some reason, Sarah treated Mikey like a sister.

“So, Mikey, d’you have something ta wear ta the party?” Sarah asked as she opened her wardrobe to find a dress for herself.

“Uh, yeah,” Mikey answered, setting her carpet bag on the bed.

“Really?” Sarah asked as if she didn’t believe it.

“Yeah, it was ma muddahs,” she answered, looking over at Sarah as she took a blue dress out of the wardrobe.

Sarah smiled as she set her dress down on her bed and walked over to her dresser. She opened the top drawer and pulled out a small box filled with her makeup. She set it next to her dress and then took Mikey into the bathroom to clean them both up. After they were clean, they went back into the bedroom to change. Sarah decided that she was going to do both their makeup, but when she saw Mikey in the dress, she decided that Mikey didn’t really need any. After helping Mikey finish dressing, she put on her own dress, having Mikey button the back for her. Sarah did manage to do both their hair, though.

The two girls arrived back at the lodging house about ten minutes later. Mikey slipped into her room and put her things away. Sarah accompanied her. Mikey put her long shawl away that she’d used to keep her dress clean and covered. She didn’t want anyone to see her before she was ready. When the two of them heard the boys socializing in the lobby, they left the room. Sarah went out first, fixing her hat on her head. When Jack saw her, he hugged her tightly, kissing her cheek.

“Ya looks goigious,” he whispered in her ear.

She giggled and pushed him away. “Jack,” she mused, pulling him out of the doorway to Mikey’s room and to the other side of the lobby. Mikey stood in the shadows on her room and the door frame. Blink just looked at her, not seeing her completely since she was covered in shadow. She stepped out of the shadow, and Blink’s jaw almost hit the floor.

Mikey wore her mother’s white dress. The sleeves were sheer with a neckline that swept elegantly below her collar bone. The front of the bodice was speckled with red rose buds that all had silver stems. The skirt was mostly made of the same sheer material as the sleeves; there was just more of it and a silk liner on the bottom. It flowed beautifully when she walked and hung just as nicely when she was standing still. She didn’t have any white shoes, so she just wore her black boots, not that anyone would have noticed. Her sandy hair was partially pulled up with a red ribbon. The artificial curls fell about her shoulders exquisitely. She wore almost no makeup, only a small bit of rosy pink color on her cheeks and eyelids, setting of her brown eyes. She held her hands together in front of her almost nervously.

“Evenin’, Blink,” she greeted, staring into his eye.

“Ya look beautiful,” he breathed, staring at her.

She blushed and looked at the floor. “Thanks,” she mumbled.

Blink was speechless. Race elbowed him. He coughed. “Uh, why don’t we’se be on our way,” he said, offering her his arm. She smiled and slipped her arm through his.

“Well, let’s go den,” Jack announced as he led Sarah and the others out of the building. They all followed Jack out into the street and over to Irving Hall.

The evening was uneventful. Blink was too nervous to ask Mikey if she wanted to dance, and Mikey was too traditional to ask him. Everything was going well; the boys were having fun, and everything was wonderful. Until Oscar walked in. Blink stood and greeted him.

“Heya, Oscah, how’s it rollin’?” he asked quietly, a little nervous that Oscar was here talking to him with all his friends around.

“Where’s Mikey? I don’t see ‘er,” Oscar replied, looking around the room.

Blink just looked at him. “She’s at da table,” he answered, gesturing to her. Oscar followed his gesture, stunned when he saw the girl Blink was pointing to. He was shocked. Blink pulled him over to the table. “Uh, Mikey?” Mikey looked up and smiled, glad to see her brother after so long.

She stood and hugged him tightly. “I missed ya, Oscah,” she said quietly as she let go of him.

“Ya look beautiful, little sis. I didn’t even recanize ya.” He paused and turned to Blink. “Ya mind if I take ‘er ta dance?” he asked, making sure it was all right.

“She’s yer sistah, Oscah,” he replied.

Oscar smiled and pulled his sister over to the dance floor. He twirled her around into his arms and began dancing. They danced together very well, as if they’d done it numerous times before. Jack and Sarah left the floor just after the two siblings had come on. Jack wanted to ask Blink something.

“Hey, Blink, what’s Oscah doin’ dancin’ wit’ yer girl?” Jack asked as he sat down.

Blink shrugged. “Well, we wasn’t dancin’, ‘n’ ‘e asked if dey could. He ain’t seen ‘er in a while, so I figure, what’s da hawn. He didn’t even recanize ‘er, ya know,” he replied, leaning on the table.

Before Jack could reply to the shocking statement, Morris walked up to their table. “Any a ya bums see ma bruddah?” he demanded. Blink was so worried about Mikey that he just stared at her, making sure she was all right. Morris looked around, finally seeing Oscar dancing with a girl. “Nevahmind,” he mumbled as he strode over to them. Blink stood and followed. “Hello, Oscah, mi-“ He paused, staring at her. “Mikey.” He grinned evilly. The two stopped dancing.

“You stay ‘way from ‘er, Morris,” Oscar ordered, putting an arm in front of his sister.

“Oscah tol’ me ya left, Mikey,” Morris sneered, stepping closer to her. Mikey said nothing and just stepped back. Morris continued to advance upon her. Blink stepped directly into his path.

“Leave ‘er alone, Morris,” he demanded.

“Stay outta dis, Kid,” Morris spit back.

“I won’t let ya hoit ‘er,” Blink stated.

“Move, Kid.”

“No, Morris.”

“It ain’t none a yer concoin.”

“It is. She’s me goyl, ‘n’ I love ‘er.” Mikey was stunned, as was Oscar. Morris didn’t seem to hear or care.

“Dis’s fam’ly business.”

“She ain’t yer fam’ly. Now, leave ‘er alone.”

“She’s ma fam’ly, ‘n’ I’ll do as I please, ya bum!”

“If ya dare touch ‘er agin, I’se gonna kill ya.”

Everyone silenced. Not even Morris spoke. They were all too stunned that Blink would make such a threat. They all knew that he cared for her, but they were still surprised that he would protect her so. Morris took a step back and just glared at Blink. Finally, he turned to Mikey.

“Watch yerself, Mikey,” Morris warned. “If I catch ya alone, yer mine.” He scowled at her and stormed off out of the Hall.

Mikey just stood on the middle of the floor, speechless. She just watched Morris walk away and then turned her eyes to Blink. The artificial ringlets had loosened but still hung gracefully on her shoulders. She was still shocked about what Blink had said earlier. Oscar was equally as speechless.

After a few minutes, Blink returned to his seat, as did all the others. Oscar led his sister back to the table and kissed her cheek. He patted her shoulder and walked away. She forced a smile and looked at the table. Blink touched her arm. She jumped and looked over at him, smiling when she saw his face.

“Blink,” she breathed.

“Ya wanna git on back ta da lodgin’ house?” he wondered.

“Yeah,” she answered, nodding.

Blink offered her a hand up. She took it and stood, straightening her skirt a little. He started out of the door, and Mikey followed along quietly. They walked along, saying nothing to each other. Blink was embarrassed, and Mikey was nervous. She finally got up the courage to speak when they were about a block away from the lodging house.

“Did ju really mean what chu said?” she asked, looking at the ground.

“Ya mean ‘bout killin’ Morris? Yeah,” he answered.

“No, when ya said ya loved me.”

Blink suddenly stopped walking, his face flushing a little. He looked over at Mikey, shrugging and trying to think of something to say. “I, um, well, yeah,” he stammered. He blushed and looked down at his feet.

Mikey smiled and just looked at him. She raised her hand, hesitated a little, and then brushed her fingers along his cheek. He looked up into her eyes. She had dropped her hand back to her side. He smiled and brushed the loose strands of hair out of her face, letting his hand rest on the back of her neck. He leaned down to her slowly and kissed her softly at first and then wrapped her into his arms and drew her closer.

After several minutes, they released each other and headed back to the lodging house hand in hand. They walked up into the bunk room and began reading the day’s paper to each other. While Blink was reading an article about Governor Roosevelt, Mikey fell asleep. She dreamt peacefully in Blink’s arm.

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