11 - Revealing Everything

                                    

                                          
(19th September 1899) 
                          
"Mother?" Katherine called once at home, in her families mansion. Her mother soon appeared and hugged her daughter tightly. 
                          
"How are you darling?"
                          
"I'm great. Can I talk to you about my birthday in two weeks?" Katherine asked nervously.
                          
"Sure angel." They went and sat in the tea room on the velvet armchairs. 
                          
"Okay. So... the easy part. I'm spending most of the day with the newsies down at the lodge. They wanted to throw me a surprise party and after just one day of organising it someone mentioned it while I was there."
                          
"Okay honey. That's fine. Your father will be at work anyway so hopefully won't suspect anything." 
                          
"However... I... I really want Jack to come to dinner. I don't want to have dinner with my family without my boyfriend there."
                          
"I'd be happy for him to join us. But I doubt your father would approve." 
                          
"He doesn't even know about us yet. I don't want him hurting Jack though. He's my everything. I can't let him get hurt." Edith nodded. 
                          
"I understand Katherine. I know you want him there, and I see how happy that boy makes you. You're perfect together. I've seen you two together in the streets and the way he looks at you. It's like you're the most precious thing in the world to him. It's a look of true love." 
                          
"But what about father?"
                          
"I'll tell him you're inviting your boyfriend. He doesn't need to know who he is right now. If he asks then you might have to tell him." Katherine sighed and nodded. 
                          
"Okay. Thanks mother." Joseph then appeared in the doorway opposite them. "Father!" She said shocked. He should have still been in the office. 
                          
"Katherine dear. It's great to see you. How have you been." 
                          
"I'm doing great father. I've never been better. My life is exactly where I want it to be right now. I'm happy. Really happy. Mother and I were just discussing my 17th." She said softly. 
                          
"Oh brilliant. We're going to have a wonderful evening as a family. I've invited a gentleman along who I think you'll find wonderful. He's travelling over from Washington DC." Katherine had a look of horror on her face. "What's wrong dear. It's about time you started looking for a husband." 
                          
"I don't need to start looking." She said back. She knew she had to tell him now. "I already have a boyfriend. A guy I love with all my heart. He's my everything. And I wish for him to come. So you can tell this man from the capital to not come. I don't wish for there to be a stranger at my own birthday meal with my family." 
                          
"This is news of a boyfriend. I hope he's rich. With you choosing to become a journalist, you're going to need a wealthy man." 
                          
"He's rich in kindness, love, heart. He may not be a wealthy man but I love him more than I thought I ever could love someone. His eyes sparkle whenever I look into them and he's so protective over me and I feel safe in New York when I'm with him." She sighed softly thinking of him. "Oh Jack. I wish I could be in your arms right now." She dazed not realising she said that last sentence aloud.
                          
"KELLY! You are not to go anywhere near that boy. He's a scumbag and a thief." 
                          
"Stealing food to to feed those starving boys in the refuge." She retaliated getting angry already. "Which is thankfully now shut down thanks to his drawing of it. That's the whole reason you hired him. And your Saturday papers with his cartoons sell better than any other day of the week. Because people love his work and what to see it." 
                          
"He's a great artist and I won't deny him that. But he's still a poor news boy. He's just after you for your money."
                          
"I know he's a poor news boy father. But that doesn't matter to me. And he's not after me for my money. He's after me because he loves me. And because I love him. I pay my own rent, buy my own food, I buy my own clothes now. With what? The money I make as a reporter. I never once have asked you, or anyone for money. I have no more money than most other girls my age, not until you pass away. And that's something I don't want to happen for a very long time. Because you're my father and I love and care about you." 
                          
"FINE!" He screamed. "He can come. But if he doesn't make a good impression he's out. Forever. Or if he ever dare to hurts you he's gone. And I'll ban you ever seeing him again. And he will lose his position." 
                          
"I understand father. But I promise you. He's a good man. He'd never hurt me ever. Yes he's been in fights, they all have. But that's because he does it to protect the other boys, he also stands up for what he believes in. Which is something you always taught me to do. You can't tell me one thing and then criticise another for doing the same thing just because of his background." She said standing up. "I have to go. I have an article to write for 'The Sun.' Goodbye mother, Goodbye father. I'll see you both soon." She said leaving the room and then the house.