I looked up at the sky just as the rain started to pour. I pulled my ever-present newsie cap lower on my head but didn't hurry. I enjoyed the rain even though my friends in Boston hated that it soaked their dresses, but mine didn't have any laces or frills, and they'll all dry.

"Now what is a fine lady like your self doin' out in weather like dis?" A boy with black hair introduced himself, "Racetrack Higgins at your service."

"Racetrack?"

"My real names Anthony, but don't tell nobody, bye me last pape miss?" As I reached in my pocket for a penny, he held it above our heads to keep the rain off. "Don't worry 'bout it, I'll walk ya ta wherevah your goin'."

As we walked I introduced myself, Audrey Matthews from Boston, here to work for The New York Dance Company. He looked confused so I explained, that the company hires the best dancers they can find and the company gets hired to have their dancers perform. Before he left me on the steps of my apartment building he said, "If ya evah need me, I'm at the newsboys lodging house." I smiled and thanked him.

The next day I spun and danced with my new partner Joshua Randall, we soon felt comfortable with each others' style and rhythm, we tried harder and harder stuff. My boss Rodger told us that the next time he was hired for anything we were first on the list to go and until then we would just meet once a week to dance.

Afterwards as I was walking home, two men decided that they wanted to meet me. Oscar and Morris Delancy pulled me into a dark ally. When they let go, I knew what to do. I stepped back like I was going against the wall and as quick as I could I kicked the closer one in the stomach, he stumbled backward and hit his head on the wall and blacked out. As the other one came towards me I kicked right below his knee cap and he stumbled. I ran.
"What the." I turned as a boy grabbed my arm. He had olive completion and curly brown hair.

"My names Mush, now follow me." Glad to get away from the Delancy's I didn't hesitate following him. We stopped in front of the Newsboys lodging house. "Good job back there with those Delancy's, I saw ya kick um." I smiled at the compliment, and he took me upstairs. The bunkroom was full of boys. I sat and talked with the newsies and had a good time.

The weeks soon began to fall into a simple pattern. I would go help a newsie sell his papers, join them for lunch and go play some poker with them, go home and read, or occasionally one of the newsies would invite me to a show. My Fridays were the best, I would go to the studio and dance with Joshua and we would go out to eat afterwards.
I took one last look in the mirror a straightened the red ribbon that held up my black curls. Expecting Joshua, I grabbed my black coat and bonnet, but it wasn't him at the door. Racetrack looked at me with a disappointed look. "Okay, who are you going with? Who asked you first?"

It took me a moment to understand, "I'm not going with any of the newsies. Joshua and I are going to celebrate; yesterday we got hired to dance in a show. Our first dancing job!"

"Well have a good evenin'"

I stopped him, "Why did you come tonight?"

"They others are takin' dare goils out and I wanted ta see if ya'd come wid me." I smiled at that. "Well, I'd betta go now, good night, Kicks." I didn't know what to say, especially after he used me nickname. I leaned out into the hall and watched him saunter down the stairs.

"Are you having a good time?"

"Oh, yes, I haven't been to a party since I left Boston. Thank you Joshua." It was true in Boston my family had been pretty high up in society, but the only thing that I really enjoyed was the parties. Joshua took my hand and pulled me towards the dancing.

I knew I'd disappointed Racetrack, I decided to make it up to him. Monday afternoon Racetrack entered the bunkroom with the other boys as usual, but stopped when he saw me. I sat on his bunk in my best red dress, all dolled up. I grabbed his arm and he followed, stunned. I took him to eat and out dancing. It was great until we walked home and he ruined it all, by asking me to be his girl.

"Race, don't get mad but, I don't want you to be my boyfriend, just my friend."

What he did next totally surprised me, he leaned over and kissed my cheek and whispered, "Just for you Kicks." He turned and ran down the street. I didn't even watch him go.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Time past and the newsies never forgave me for hurting Race, but he was only my friend and that's all I could give him, friendship. I missed the best friends that I've ever had. I didn't recognize the man in front of me until he spoke.

"Mrs. Randall, what is a fine lady like your self doing out in weather like 'dis?" As I hugged him he pulled away, " Ya might not want ta do dat seein' how were both married." Then he became serious, "I'd like ta ask ya and Joshua ta dinner with my wife an I tomorrow?"

Racetrack and his wife became great friends to us and they spoiled Anthony and my other children terribly.