The song used in this chapter is 'Can't help falling in love' by Elvis Presley. (Sang in a higher key)
I met up with Jack and Davey with one last paper to sell. "Paper. Paper. Evenin' pape here. Care for a paper ladies?" Davey said softly. The ladies declined and kept walking. "Sing 'em to sleep why dontcha?" Jack takes Davey's paper. "Extra! Extra! Terrified flight from burnin' inferno! You heard the story right here!" Jack announced. Some person comes by and buys the paper
"You made that up" Davey scowled. "Did not. I said he heard it right here, and he did." Jack said truthfully. "My father taught us not to lie" Davey said
"Ours taught us not to starve." Jack said. A wave of sadness hit me, my parents is a tough subject for me. "Well let's see the girl sell!" Davey challenges. I nod and see a man walking down toward us.
"Hello!" I smile as I twirl my hair. "I really need some food. Take a paper.' I say softly as I look into is eyes and down to his lips. "You wouldn't let me starve right?" I lick my lips and strut closer to him. "A pretty girl like you can't starve, right?" The man asks as he gives me his money for the paper. I give him the paper and he tries to kiss me. "Nope!" I walked away from him and he grunts and walks away.
"That's sexual assault." Davey says bluntly. "What? Me? Or him?" I ask. "You!" Davey says. I scoff. "All I said was 'you wouldn't let me starve' that ain't assault" I quoted myself. "And I didn't touch him. He was the one that wanted to kiss me"
Then Les comes running up to us. "Hey! I just sold my last paper." He says. "I got one more." Davey hands him the paper. Les runs up to a lady. "Buy a paper from a poor orphan boy?" He says in a sad tone, then coughs. "Oh, you dear thing. Of course I'll take a newspaper. Here's a dime" The lady gives him the money and walks away.
Les runs back over to us. "You're good, kid!" I ruffle his hair. I start talking to Jack while Davey talks to Les. Jack turns his attention to the boys. "So's how about we divvy up the money, grab some chow, then find you's somewhere safe to spend the night?" He suggests.
"We gotta get home. Our folks will be waitin' dinner" Davey informs. "You got folks, huh?" I say. "Doesn't everybody?" Les asks innocently. Davey elbowed his brother and turned to us, giving us the money. "Our dad tangled with a delivery truck on the job. Messed his leg up bad, so they laid him off. That's how come we had to find work" Davey explains
"Yeah, sure, that makes sense." Jack says. "Too bad about your dad!" I say.
"Why don't you come home with us for dinner? Our folks would be happy to have you." Davey suggests." Jack looks at me and I widen my eyes at him. "Thanks for the invite, but I just remembered I got plans with a fella. He's probably waiting on me right now." Jack says
Les points to a guy. "Is that the guy you're meeting?" He asks. I look back. "Kelly!" He growls. Me and Jack's eyes meet. "Run!" We both say. We run and run and run and run with Snyder chasing after us. We make it to Medda's theater.
"Slow down. We lost 'em" Jack says, panting. "Someone want to tell me why I'm running? I got no one chasing me. Who was that guy?" Davey asks, out of breath. "That was Snyder the Spider. A real sweetie. He runs a jail for underage kids called The Refuge.
The more kids he locks up, the more money city pays him.Problem is, all the money goes straight to his own pocket. Do yourself a favor and stay clear of him and The Refuge." I explain, taking fast breaths.
Then Medda spots us. "Hey, you up there, shoo! No kids allowed in the theater" She scolds. "Not even us, Miss Medda!" Jack leans against the railing and we smiled at her. "Jack and Kat Kelly, kids of mystery. Get yourself down here and give me a hug. Where have you been keepin' yourselfs?" She hugs us.
"Never far from you, Miss Medda. Boys, may I present Miss Medda Larkin: the greatest star on the Bowery today. She also owns the joint." I introduce her
"The only thing I own is a mortgage. Pleasure, gents" She smiles. Davey bows to Medda but Les stares at the girls behind Davey. Davey smacks him. "What's wrong with you!" He whispers
"Are you blind? She got no clothes on!" He exclaims. "That's her costume." Davey informs. "But I can see her legs!" His jaw drops. "Step out of his way so's he can get a better look. Theater's not only entertaining, it's educational. Got the picture, kid?" Miss Medda asks.
"Miss Medda, we got a little situation out on the street. Mind if we hide out here a while?" Jack asks. "Where better to escape trouble than a theater? Anyways, Kat, we're short a performer. Mind doing a song?" She asks me.
"Anything for you, Miss Medda" I smile at her. "Let's go get you a costume!" Miss Medda leads me to a dressing room and hands me a dress. (at the top)
"Ladies and gentlemen! Miss Kat Kelly!" Miss Medda announces.
Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
I move across the stage, my skirt following me
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?
I slowly raise my arms over my head and bend them around my head
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
I lift my arms toward the audience
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you
I lift my skirt and let it fall as I sit down on the stage.
When I leave the stage Miss Medda hugs me. "Amazing as always! Was it about Race?" She asked. "Shhh!' I motion my head to Jack who is strolling over to me "Oh! But is it?" She asks again. I shyly nod my head and she smirks. "Make your move." She whispered as she left me with Jack.