"Hey, Kel." Mush called as he ran down the stairs.
"Heya Mush!" I called right behind him.
I guess there are a few things you should know. I am Kelli, my mother and father died a couple a years ago and left me an orphan. I saw all a these boys selling papes, so I figured, hey, why not? I talked with a real nice Newsie named Mush who says I could stay in the lodging house if I didn't mind livin with a bunch of boys. Mind? I thought, now I've seen these boys. How on earth could I mind? So I just calmly said, "Nah, I don't mind."
"Hi ya, Mr. Wisel. I'll take 50 papes this mornin'" I said.
As we all got our papes we went to our selling spots. And then I heard all the snuffs and snickering from the girls who were going to school. "Look, there goes that Newsie girl.", "Doesn't she know only boys sell papes?", "What's her problem?". By now I was used to those girls, but it still hurt, a little. Then Blink, who heard them, came up.
"Heya Kelli. How are ya dis mornin'?" He asked. With that smile, and that sweet face, how could I say anything but, "Great. And you?"
"Ah, I'm fine. Well I betta be goin. Bye!" As he walked away my heart melted. "Bye." I whispered, wishing he could stay a little longer. Then Jack came and broke me outta my daze.
"Ya know, Kel, he don't got a goylfriend. Just in case yer wonderin." Jack said as he gave me a playful nudge.
"I know, Jack. And anyways, why do I care?" I answered, trying to hide my crush for Blink.
"Well, dat's too bad, dat you don't care I mean. Because, just between you and me, I hoid he might like ya, a little."
"Nuh-uh! Yer lyin'! Are ya?" I said. That was real good, Kelli. Don't give it away or anything!
"Yah, he does. But I didn't say nuttin. Did you hear me say anythin?" He asked, smiling.
"Nah, I aint hoid nuttin." I said. Walking away with a huge grin. Maybe I'll sell my papes a little quicker today, ta go catch up with somebody, I thought.
**********
As I walked into the Lodging House I saw Mush and Blink stop abruptly, and as they said hi Blink looked like he was blushing. "Go fer it." I heard Mush whisper ta Blink. Then Blink elbowed him, and stood up. Immediately Mush left.
"So, how was yer day?" Blink asked.
"Fine, actually really good. I sold all me papes taday, and got em done a little early ta boot. Whadda bout you?" I said.
"Ah, pretty good. Hey, Kel, um... I was sorta wonderin... if maybe tamarow... you'd like ta go ta Tibby's or Medda's wid me. Um... ya know... sorta like a date?" He asked, he looked so nervous, and was as red as an apple.
Of course, I was ecstatic. But I couldn't let him know that. "Yah. Dat'd be fun. Either place." as I answered a sigh of relief swept across his face.
"Great," he said quickly, "how bout Medda's?" Personally, I didn't care much for Medda, but any chance to be with him was fabulous.
"Sure!" I replied, enthusiastically.
**********
That night at supper we sat together. Everyone whispered and smiled. I was in complete heaven. I couldn't believe he had asked me. After supper Jack pulled me outside.
"So, was I right, or what!" he said.
"I guess you were right. And I sure am glad you were!" I said with a smile. "I know normally you'd run to yer friends and you'd gab about what you'd wear, and how you do yer hair and stuff," As he said that my mind trailed back to my safe, warm home, and I longed for my mother, and my best friend Tara. "Well, I know you can't do dat, so ya wanna talk ta me?"
How sweet. "Sure. Whadda you think I should wear?" I said.
"Well, um, do ya got a dress?" He asked.
"No," I said. As I sighed I think he could tell how much I wanted a dress.
"I know Sara has a couple of dresses. Maybe she'd let you borrow one?"
"Oh Jack! Would she! I would take such good care of it." I said, excitedly.
"Sure. Just talk wid her tamarrow." He said. I gave him a hug, an ran to the Jacob's. (Like I could wait till tomorrow!)
**********
"Hello Kelli." David said, smiling as he answered the door.
"Heya Davey! Is Sara home?" I asked, anxiously.
"Sure, Come on in." He led me into their cozy little apartment. Sara was knitting something.
"Kelli, hi. What are you here for?" Sara asked.
I told her the whole story, and my desperate need for a dress. And she showed me every dress she had. I went through them all. They were so beautiful. Finally I chose a pretty, pale blue dress. She let me go in the bathroom and try it on. It fit perfectly.
"I know you don't get much privacy at the lodging house, so tomorrow would ya like to come over here and take a bath and I can help ya with yer hair?" She asked.
"Oh, could I? I would love to!" I couldn't believe the incredible night I was having.
"Sure, just come over here when yer done sellin papes."
"OK! Bye. Thank you so much!" I called. I ran all the way to the lodging house.
"Where were you?" Blink said, he seemed to be waiting for me.
"Oh, nowhere." I answered, mysteriously. "Good night, Blink." I said, giving him a little kiss on the cheek. And I went to my room and fell asleep in a matter of seconds.
**********
Most of the next day was a blur. Any time I saw Blink we smiled, but didn't really say much. I sold my papes faster than I ever had, and as soon as the last one was gone I raced for Sara's.
"Kelli, wow, you got done early!" She said.
"I know." I replied, still out of breath from the run.
She gave me the dress and a pair of matching shoes, a clean towel and wash cloth, and showed me to the bathroom. Just being in a clean bathroom was a sight that brought back many memories of the old bubble baths I took, while my mother told me stories. After that bath I felt the cleanest I had in a long time. I got dressed and Sara curled my hair, and it looked beautiful.
Meanwhile... Kid Blink rushed into the lodging house. "Hey, is Kelli here?" He called to anyone who'd answer. "Nah, I saw her runnin to da Jacob's. She'll be dere fer a while." Crutchy answered.
"Good." He said and hurried into the washroom. He washed his hair and face, shaved, and then combed his hair and for the first time since anyone can remember, he took off his patch.
Finally, at 5:30 I left Sara's and went to the lodging house. As I walked in I was accompanied by several ooh's and ahh's and an occasional whistle. I had never liked being the center of attention, but this time it wasn't so bad.
**********
"Wow, you look fabulous!" Jack said. As I walked nervously down to the hall to find Blink.
"Thanks." I whispered. Then I heard a gasp, and I turned around sharply.
"Oh, WOW! You look absolutely gorgeous." It was Blink. And let me tell you, he looked so good.
"You're eye! WOW! So do you! Not gorgeous, but you know." I said, a little embarrassed.
We walked arm in arm to Medda's and he was a perfect gentleman. He pulled out my chair, opened doors, etc. That night was completely exquisite. I didn't even mind Medda. In fact, she let Blink get up and sing a song he'd written for me. At that moment I knew he was the one.
Unfortunately all good things have to come to an end, and it was time to head back to the lodging house. As we were walking, alone, in the dark, he turned to me and said, "Kelli, I don't know how you felt about this night, but I thought it was perfect. I love you." And I was kind of in shock. "It was perfect, I love you too." I said, he beamed from ear to ear. Then we were in front of the lodging house, and he kissed me. Long, and sweet. The perfect end, to a perfect evening. We walked in side, and everybody was still awake.
"So ya had a good time?" Jack asked.
"Yes!" We both replied at the same time.
He walked me to our bunk (his was right above mine) and tucked me in and tonight he gave me a kiss on the cheek. "Good night, Kelli." He said. "Good night." I whispered, half asleep already.
**********
That morning everything was beautiful. I got dressed slowly (taking a little more time to do my hair). And as I walked down the stairs Blink was waiting for me.
"Good mornin," he said with a grin that could melt an icicle "how'd ya sleep?"
"Great!" I replied. And we walked hand in hand to get our papes. This time when I walked by those girls none of them said a word. They just stood wide eyed and open mouthed.
