The Only Girl Newsie

Chapter 17: Santa Fe

I woke up in my bed in the middle of the night. My dream helped me remember why I care so much for the boys. They saved me from my awful life, and now I help them out as much as I can every day. I look around to see the other boys all still asleep. I slowly sit up, only to feel a lot of pain. I hiss at the pain, gaining someone's attention.

"Madie, youse need ta lie down," someone says, gently pushing me down.

I look up to see Jack leaning over my bed. "Jack, why are you up?" I ask quietly so as not to wake the others.

"I gotta go help Medda with somethin. I'll be back before the sun's up. If I'm not, I'll be up on the rooftop," he tells me.

"Oh," I say, sad that he's leaving the lodging house so randomly. 

"Why are you up?" Jack asks me.

"I had a weird dream, it woke me up."

"You want me ta stay here till ya fall asleep?" He asks me, a small smile on his face.

"Yes, please," I say, smiling.

Jack smiles back and sits down next to me on the floor. I smile at him as I turn on my side to face him. He tucks a few strands of hair behind my ear.

"Why are you going ta Medda's?" I ask.

"I'm helping her with a few things around the place," he says.

"Why?"

"Because I told her I would," he says.

"Why?"

"Why do you ask a lot of questions?" He asks me.

"S....sorry," I say quietly, not wanting to bother him.

"Don't be sorry. It's okay," he tells me.

I just look at him for a moment before asking him one last question. "C...can you sing?"

"Only for you," he says quietly, smiling.

I smile a little as he starts to whisper sing to me, knowing it was something that could help me fall asleep.
"Let me go.
Far away.
Somewhere they won't ever find me, and tomorrow won't remind me of today.
And the city's finally sleepin'.
And the moon looks old and grey.
I get on a train that's bound for Santa Fe.
And I'm gone.
And I'm done.
No more running. No more lying.
No more fat old man denying me my pay.
Just a moon so big and yellow, it turns night right into day.
Dreams come true. Yeah, they do. In Santa Fe.

Santa Fe, my old friend.
I can't spend my whole life dreaming.
Though I know that's all I seem inclined to do.
I ain't getting any younger.
And I wanna start brand new.
I need space. And fresh air.
Let 'em laugh in my face. I don't care.
Save my place. I'll be there.

Just be real is all I'm asking.
Not some painting in my head.
Cause I'm dead if I can't count on you today.
I got nothing if I ain't got Santa Fe."

I slowly fall asleep as he sings. As I close my eyes, I hear Jack say one thing before I fall asleep. He kisses my forehead before saying, "Ise loves ya, Girly. As Madie, or Sarrisa."