"We won!" Jack screamed into the crowd, and everyone went ballistic. I screamed with happiness, and without even thinking, jumped into Race's arms, throwing my legs around his waist. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me giddily. In front of everyone. We didn't even notice all of the people staring until we realize the noise had died down some. Race set me down quickly, and I stepped back, my face burning about a hundred different shades of crimson. I looked at Jack, unsure of what to say, when his face broke into a grin. "Ah, what the hell? Go ahead."
Race tapped me on the shoulder, and as I turned, he leaned down and pulled me into a kiss. The crowd erupted into cheers and whoops again, and some of the 'Hattan newsies threw their hats on stage at us. I finally pulled away from him with a smile, unable to look away. That's when Elmer's cap hit me in the leg, distracting me. I threw it back at him with a laugh, while Jack introduced someone very special.
"And now I'd like to introduce my own personal pal, Governor Theodore Roosevelt himself!!!" He called, and Governor Roosevelt stepped out of the doors, joining us on stage.
"Each generation must, at the height of its power, step aside and invite the young to share the day. You have laid claim to our world and I believe the future, in your hands, will be bright and prosperous." He turned to Jack, resting a hand on his shoulder. "And your drawings, son, have brought another matter to bear. Officers, if you please," he signaled, and a team off officers approached with...
"Crutchie!" I shrieked, running to my friend. The newsies all crowded around him, chattering excitedly as hugs went around.
"Heya fellas. Heya, Quick. Didja miss me?" He grinned and a chorus of yeses and of courses went around the group. "And lookit what I got yis: straight from The Refuge." Crutchie announced proudly, before he, too, signaled in officers.
"It's Snyder the Spider!" Race called, and sure enough, a buncha bulls hauled Snyder towards us.
"He ain't lookin' so tough now, is he?" Mush laughed, and we all teased Snyder before Crutchie did the honors of slapping the handcuffs on him.
"You're joking." Snyder groaned.
"Yeah, and you'll be laughin' all the way to the pen, 'little man'." Crutchie sneered, giving Snyder a swift kick in the behind. "So long, sucka'!"
"I can't help thinking... if one of your drawings convinced the governor to close The Refuge, what might a daily political cartoon do the expose the dealings in our own government back rooms?" Pulitzer asked after taking a look at Jack's drawings. "What do you say, Teddy? Care to have this young man's artistry shine a lantern behind your closed doors?"
"Don't sweat it, Gov. With the strike settled, we probably should be hitting the road." Jack told him, putting an arm around me. I cringed internally, not knowing what to say.
"Don't you ever get tired of singing that same old tune? What's Santa Fe got that New York ain't? Tarantulas?" Davey asked, stepping forward with Katherine.
"Better yet," Katherine reasoned, "what's New York got that Santa Fe ain't?"
"New York's got us." Crutchie pointed out. "And we're family."
"Jack..." I began, pulling away slowly. "I think... I wanna stay in New York." I told him, gesturing to all of the people watching. "Look at what we did. Look at these people that risked they's lives for us. I dunno nobody like that in Santa Fe." Jack looked at me thoughtfully as the circulation window opened back up.
"Well don't just stand there, you've got a union to run. Besides, didn't someone just offer you a pretty exciting job?" Katherine asked teasingly, and Jack looked around at everyone, still unable to decide. "And you've got one more ace up your sleeve..."
"Oh yeah? What's that?" Jack asked, and Katherine put her arms on his shoulders.
"Me. Wherever you go, I'm right there with you." I loved Katherine, but the idea of her taking my place with Jack scared me.
"For sure?"
"For sure." Katherine responded, and Jack pulled her in and kissed her, causing the crowd to go wild once again. I cheered for my brother, pushing any negative thoughts out of my mind. As long as he was happy, so was I.
"So Jack," Dave offered. "Are you in or are you out?" Jack strutted up to Weisel with a proud grin and slapped two quarters on the counter.
"My sista and I'll take the usual."
YOU ARE READING
The Boy Who Loved Cigars
Fanfiction"Oh whatever. You could do betta than me, anyway." Race told me. It looked like he was only half joking. "Higgins, don't you dare say that. I can only think of one guy better than you. It's my brudda, and I have to think he's the best guy alive. I o...
