“Muse?” my eyes snapped over to Jack.
“Yeah?”
“Dere’s somebody downstaihs for ya.” He looked worried. I got up off my bunk, put my book down and walked down the creaky stairs.
“Merlyn?” I gasped.
“Bradley!” the dark, handsome man walked over to me. “What are you doing here?” he reached to where I stood, shocked.
“Came to see you.” He smiled, then frowned as he took my glasses off my face.
“Why?” I grabbed my glasses from him, my eyes narrowing.
“Why not? Thought you might miss me.” He smirked, and my eyes flashed.
“You almost killed my brother.” My voice raised and grew cold. The newsies started to come down to see what was going on.
“They never proved that, Merlyn.” He pushed my hair back. I swatted his hand.
“Don’t touch me.” I practically growled. “I know you did it. Because if he had died, you could marry me and get the inheritance.” My eyes were defiant.
“Such an imagination. I wanted to marry you because I love you.” His voice was coated with oil and sweetness and it made me sick. He was patronizing me.
“You don’t know what love is.” I retorted, “Love doesn’t set up a freak fire in my brother’s office.”
“Muse, ya alright?” I heard Seven behind me. I nodded, not turning around. Bradley smirked.
“Muse? What kind of name is that?” he said it with disdain, just like Kelly had.
“A newsie name. Gotta problem wit dat?” I let the accent loose. Bradley looked appalled.
“Your vocabulary!” I chuckled.
“Welcome ta Manhattan, Brad. Wese don talk good ere.” I layed it on thick, my eyes still flashing. He shook his head in pity.
“I came to see if you still wanted to get married and I find a street rat in boy’s clothing,” he looked hard and mean, “and uglier than ever, if that’s possible.” He leaned closer. “You had such potential.” That hurt deeply, and my eyes dulled.
“I think ya betta leave, mista.” Dutchy came up beside me, his voice hard.
“Don’t tell me what to do, you four-eyed street rat.” Oh, that did it. I stepped up and swung as hard as I could and punched Bradley Henry right in the jaw.
“He ain’t a street rat!” my voice exclaimed, revealing more than I realized, as Bradley staggered. “He more of a gentleman dan you’ll eva be and…” I grinned cruelly, “betta lookin.” Knowing Bradley prided himself on his good looks. His eyes showed shock, then anger as he raised his arm.
“I wouldn’t do it, Brad.” I smirked, “Dere’s bout twenty guys ere dat would soak ya if ya even came close.” I heard a few snickers behind me, confirming my statement. I pointed at the doorway.
“Now, sir.” I returned to an affluent tone, “There’s the door,” I smiled sweetly, “Do make good use of it.” Bradley saw that he was outnumbered and turned and left, sending me a threatening look before he disappeared. The newsies cheered as I started shaking from the adrenaline rush. Seven ran down and hugged me.
“You alright?” I nodded and looked at Dutchy. He was giving me an odd look.
“Dutch?” I began. He shook himself.
“Sorry, Muse. Ya okay?”
“Yes, thanks again for sticking up for me.” I alluded to the incident at Medda’s two months prior. He shrugged and grinned, but it looked strained.
“No problem, Ya did the same for me.” He sounded amazed and he walked back up the stairs. The other newsies patted me on the back, congratulating me, but I barely heard them. Something was bothering my friend.
It didn’t get any better the next day. I went out to the roof the next night with my journal. Dutchy had been distant all day and I was worried. The best time I thought was when I wrote, so that’s what I did.
“Dear Journal, I don’t know what to think. Dutchy barely talked to me all day. We almost always eat lunch together and he sat by himself, not even smiling. Ever since Medda’s, we became real close. I even stared to ease up around him, even though my heart still beats wildly around him. But after Bradley and everything, Dutchy’s been like this. I‘m not sure if I should say something or not.”
I never came to a decision that night. I went to sleep still pondering and debating.
I sold well the next day, but my heart wasn’t in it. Dutchy was avoiding me and I had no idea why. It was beginning to get rather frustrating. I was walking back to the Lodging house after buying some candles when I heard his voice. I turned the corner and saw him and Kelly talking.
“I’ve missed you.” She pleaded, whining. Dutchy scratched his head, looking a bit bewildered.
“Really, Kelly?” he answered honestly, “I haven’t thought that much about you.” Her face showed shock and hurt. I nearly laughed, but stopped myself, knowing that would be uncalled for. That and the fact that a hand clasped over my mouth and pulled me into the alley next to them. I whirled around to see Bradley.
“Bradley.” I was worried. “What..?” He grabbed me and kissed me roughly and held on tight, painfully.
“Now, you get one more chance, Merlyn.” He whispered menacingly. “You either marry me or…” I felt the knife on my throat. “you die.” I started shaking.
“Bradley, ummm, my brother is still…” I tried to reason with him.
“We’ll deal with that later, my dear.” I tried to pull away, but he held me tighter, so hard I couldn’t breathe, much less scream. So, I did all I could. I bit his shoulder as hard as I could, making him flinch and loosen his grip, but the knife cut and I saw the blood and screamed.
“Dutchy!” and blacked out.
“Muse?” I heard a gentle voice whisper, but oh, my head hurt and I couldn’t answer it and faded back into blackness.
I came to later. I opened my eyes slowly and found myself in a hospital room. Seven was pacing back and forth with Bumlets trying to calm her. I felt a set of hands holding my right hand. I looked to my right to see Dutchy, head bowed and whispering.
“Dutchy?” I whispered and his head snapped up. His blue eyes looked tired, but happy.
“Muse!” his voice was loud and boisterous.
“Muse!” Seven ran over and Bumlets smiled and left, I guess to get the doctor. I received a gentle hug from Seven as Dutchy let go of my hand. She pulled back.
“What happened?” I asked the two. They looked at each other, worried.
“Don’t ya remember?” Dutchy asked.
“I remember getting cut and yelling.” I told them, “but what happened after that?” Seven grinned at Dutchy.
“Should I tell her?” He flushed a little at her question and nodded. She turned to me.
“When you passed out, you hit your head on the ground, knocking you out cold. Dutchy arrived then, soaked the tar out or Bradley and carried you here, passing Sketch, who ran and got me and Bumlets.” Seven finished up. I looked over to Dutchy, he was red.
“Thank you.” I said quietly. He nodded. The doctor came in then with Bumlets behind him. The doctor shooed out my friends as he checked my neck, which was stitched up. Seven called as she left.
“We’ll be back later.” I nodded and watched Dutchy follow them out. He turned at the doorway and looked at me. I cocked my head to the side, in question and he just smiled, a caring smile and a wink, telling me everything would be all right.
The doctor let me out the next day and Seven came to escort me home.
“Where’s Bumlets and Dutchy?” I asked her as we walked back to the lodging house. Seven grinned at me.
“Do you really want to know where Bumlets is or just Dutchy?” I blushed deeply.
“Seven, please.” I sighed, “You obviously know how I feel about him, so let’s get it out in open. I like Dutchy a lot.” I scratched my head. “I don’t know if I love him, but he’s more than a brother or a crush. Okay?” Seven nodded.
“Okay. He’s out somewhere. I haven’t seen him since this morning.” She told me. “And Muse, I don’t know if he likes you like that, but I know he cares for you.” I smiled at her.
“Thanks, Seven. I guess I needed that.” She smiled back and we soon reached the Lodging house. I took my stuff upstairs with Seven behind me. No one was home, it being around noontime. I tossed my things on my bunk and looked at Seven who was waiting.
“Wanna go eat at Tibby’s?” She asked, a knowing grin on her face. I rolled my eyes.
“Where else would I eat?” and I followed her down the stairs and towards the beloved restaurant we all ate at. She pushed open the door and waved at all the familiar faces of our friends, the newsboys and newsgirls on Manhattan. They all waved back and shouted hellos to her and I as I entered behind her. Jack came up to me and hugged me gently.
“Glad ta see yer alright.” He spoke as he pulled back from the hug. I blushed slightly, not liking all this attention.
“Thanks, Cowboy.” He grinned and went back to sit with his girl, Hercules. I looked around as Seven went to sit with Bumlets, alone. I knew they didn’t have a whole lot of private time together so I looked around for another place to sit. My eyes rested on my rescuer and he was sitting with…Kelly and they were talking in quiet tones, serious. Ouch, that didn’t help my well being at all, but hey, I could sit by myself and think of the end of my story. Yeah, that’s what I’d do. I sat at a two-seater table and ordered a glass of water and turkey sandwich. I didn’t look around, but concentrated on my food. I heard the door open and close, but I don’t know who entered or left. I was trying to control my emotions. I looked up for some reason and saw Dutchy standing next to my table.
“Kin I sit down?” I nodded. He sat across from me.
“How are ya doin?” he looked concerned.
“Been betta.” I forced a smile. He grinned back. I asked him a question this time.
“So, are you and Kelly back together?” He nodded, a slight grin on his face.
“Yeah.” He scrutinized my face, watching for my reaction, I guess. I forced another smile.
“Good, I’m glad.” He cocked his head to the side.
“Really?” I nodded quickly.
“Of course, glad you two worked things out.” I tried to be sincere, after all, Dutchy was my friend and I wanted him to be happy, didn’t I?
“Thanks, Muse. I’m glad yer alright.” He leaned over and messed up my hair, playfully. I sent him a mock-glare and took another bite of my sandwich. He chuckled.
“I gotta go, kid. I’ll see ya later.” He stood up and left the restaurant. I looked back at my food in contemplation. Dutchy and Kelly were back together and Kelly doesn’t like me. So, that means…that I will just back off. I had made the decision to stay out of it. I didn’t want to be the cause of another break up.
I guess it was like I did what Dutchy had done only a few days before. I stayed away, never sought him out or even made eye contact, especially when Kelly was around. But I watched him; I’ll admit it. I had been a newsie for six months and still hadn’t tired of his looks and mostly his smile. He had an expressive face; anyone could tell what he was thinking. His face betrayed his silly behavior first. And I loved him for it. I loved him and it hurt. But, it did help with my stories.
“Muse?” I looked up at Seven, her face was concerned. I smiled at her and waved as I left the restaurant. I really didn’t want to explain anything to anybody. I headed to Central Park to write, maybe just daydream. I sat on a bench and watched the people. I loved doing that. People-watching, maybe it would become a sport. I chuckled at my own thought.
“Hey.” I looked up to see Dutchy standing next to my bench. “Kin I sit down?” I nodded.
“Course, Dutch.” I moved to the opposite end of the bench to give him room to sit and room for me to breathe. He sat down and looked ahead. He was quiet, and unusual circumstance for my friend. I looked back at my journal, writing my observations of a young girl who had passed me earlier.
“Do ya like Kelly?” Dutchy broke the silence. My head snapped over to him.
“What?”
“Do ya like er? Honest?” His blue eyes were searching mine. I turned away. What would I say? I didn’t like her, but to tell him would reveal everything. But he could usually tell when I was lying.
“Why?” That was a good comeback. He ran his hand through his hair, looking ahead again.
“Because ya neva go anywhere wit da group anymore, like ta Medda’s or even sit wit da odders at Tibby’s and da only thing dat’s changed is dat Kelly is around. So, do ya like er or not?” He turned back to me, his eyes piercing mine. I took a deep breath.
“Why does it matter?” He stood up in frustration and stood in front of me.
“Because yer me friend, Muse, dat’s why.” I looked up at him.
“I really don’t like going ta Medda’s with everybody, because I’m alone, Dutchy. Okay?” There I had avoided the main question. He knelt down, still in front of me.
“Yer not alone, ya got Seven and Bumlets and…” I shook my head.
“You know what I mean, Dutchy. Good grief, do you think this is easy to admit to you?” I was exasperated. “I sound desperate, and I don’t like sounding that way.”
“Ya got me, Muse.” He continued. I rolled my eyes and stood up and walked to one of the trees.
“No, Dutchy, Kelly’s got you, you’ve got her and everybody’s happy.” I spoke firmly, no bitterness, but only earnestness. He followed my path and stood next to me, leaning on the tree.
“Do ya like er?” I sighed at the persistent question.
“No, not really, Dutchy, but if she makes you happy, that’s fine with me. Okay?” My voice was serious. He sighed deeply and pushed my hair out of my face.
“Kay, kid.” He reached to give me a hug but I backed off. He looked confused.
“Dutchy, remember why she broke up with you the first time? I don’t want to be the cause of that again.” He nodded.
“I understand, Muse.” He patted me on the head and headed back towards the lodging house. I watched him leave, a burden on my heart, but relieved. My secret was still safe.