“Granny, you look skinny. Nobody been feeding ya?”
“What did I teach you about making comments about a lady,” Granny retorted sharply. “I don’t need a lot, Michael. Now tell me how’s Tommy? You keepin’ him out of trouble like you promised?”
“Sure I am, Granny. We are regular altar boys now, the pair of us, aren’t we, Kathleen?”
Kathleen decided not to venture an opinion. She didn’t want Granny to throw them out.
“So, what’s the story with the young lads, Kenny and Jack? Kathleen was sent here to take them to the sanctuary.”
“You can’t. I keep telling ya they ain't here. The pair of them took off.”
“Why Granny? Something spook them?” Mini-Mike asked, looking the old woman straight in the eyes.
“Don’t you take that tone with me, young man. I ain’t too old I can’t tan your backside just like the old days. I didn’t do nuffink but feed that boy and his dog. But he wants his ma. Don’t know why? The silly witch never gave him an ounce of love, but he says he needs her. Told me he was off to find her.”
“Oh, the poor child. She could be anywhere,” Kathleen said.
"I knows that girl, but don’t you think I didn’t try to make him stay here. I couldn’t keep an eye on him day and night, though. He must have snuck out when I was asleep. I thought he’d be back, but it’s been two days and nights now and no sign of him. I got the young lads looking for him, but he just disappeared into thin air.”
“Did you tell Inspector Griffin?”
“And set the coppers after a child? Risk sending Kenny into a jail? Get out of my house. Mini-Mike, throw her out.”
“Now, Granny, calm down. Kathleen only wants to help Kenny. She is a lovely lady. You should see how she looks after all those poor, little tykes that end up at the sanctuary.”
“I heard all about her looking after them. Shipping’ those kids off to be slaves to Protestants and rich folk. Never thought I would see the day when an Irish woman would do that to her own people.”
“Now, Granny, don’t start getting all het up. That isn’t what Miss Kathleen and Miss Lily do. That is what the gossips say they do but I knows for a fact that ain't what it’s like. They does their best to find good homes for those kids. They don’t sacrifice them to nobody. You got stubborn in your old age. You never were this judgmental when you were younger. You told Tommy and me we had to see the good in people, not the bad. When did you stop taking your own advice?”
Chapter 24
To Kathleen’s horror, the old woman didn’t shout back at Mike but seemed to crumple in front of them. She started keening back and forth like someone at a wake. “I tried to help Mary, I did. I tried to tell her not to go but she wouldn’t listen. Nobody listens to me no more. I ain’t useful,” the old woman repeated over and over.
“Mike, stop it. You're upsetting her.” Kathleen put her cup down, tea untasted, as she rushed to the older woman’s side. “Please, Mrs. Belbin, don’t cry. Mike didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I tried to tell Mary to leave her ma be, but the girl just wouldn’t listen. I knew her ma was a bad’un. She didn’t have a nice bone in her body, that old witch, but even I never thought her capable of what she did.”
“We know that, Mrs. Belbin. Nobody blames you for what happened to Mary. Mike didn’t mean to upset you. He’s just worried about Kenny and the other boy.”
“What other boy?” The woman’s rotting teeth and resulting bad breath brought a tear to Kathleen’s eye.
“Jack, we were told he was with Kenny,” Kathleen explained.
Granny started laughing, leaving Kathleen and Mike exchanging worried glances. Had the old lady lost her mind?
“Jack ain't a kid. He’s a half-starved mongrel Kenny found on a street corner and insisted on bringing home. I’ve been feeding it and keeping it here, as Kenny’s ma would have killed him for it.”
As if realizing what she just said, Granny fell silent. Kathleen patted her hand not knowing what to say to comfort her.
“Granny, be nice to Kathleen. She helps the children just like you do, only she don’t hide her nice side. She’s my friend, and you always said my friends were welcome at your fireside.”
Granny gave Mike a glance and then turned her attention to Kathleen.
“Go on, Granny. Say yer sorry, and then we can all be friends. Else I’m off.” Mini-Mike stood up. Granny sighed, as if acknowledging she was beaten.
“I’m sorry for being off with ya. I just don’t take kindly to strangers.” At Mike's cough, Granny continued. “But any friend of Mike is welcome. Would you like a bit of milk for your tea? I got some somewhere.”
The thought of drinking the tea which was swimming in grease and goodness knew what else, given the dirt of the cups, turned Kathleen’s stomach.
“No, thank you, Mrs. Belbin. I just finished a cup, before we came out to visit.”
“Call me Granny, dear. Now tell me what I can do to help you find Kenny.”
Kathleen asked for a description of Kenny, in particular what he was wearing, and when Granny had last seen him. “Did he say anything giving you a hint where he might be going?”
“He said he knew someone who could find his ma. He wouldn't tell me who. I have no idea who he meant. I thought it might be the policeman, but now you are here, I can forget that idea. A priest maybe? But he didn’t like the local priest…”
“Father Nelson?” Kathleen mused. “He’s a lovely man, and the children usually love him. Wonder why Kenny didn’t like him?”
“No, not him. The other fella. Draper or whatever his name is. I don’t go to church, not anymore.”
“Granny don’t go, ever since the priest told her to leave,” Mini Mike explained. “He said havin’ a baby without a man was a sin. Granny should have belted him. I would have.”
“Michael Cullen, you would not,” Granny scolded. “Did I not teach you better? Nothing to be gained by using your fists.”
Fascinated by the interaction between the two people and also learning about Mini Mike’s upbringing kept Kathleen silent. She could imagine a priest doing exactly what Mike had described. Before Father Nelson had arrived, they had another priest who used to call out unmarried mothers. She didn’t see where it said in the Bible you had to love everyone but those who had children out of wedlock. Didn’t make sense to her. But she wasn’t about to get into a discussion about religion. She had a child to find in the middle of a very cold winter.
“Granny, we will be off now. I need to find Kenny. Please let us know by sending a lad over to the sanctuary, if he comes back here.”
Kathleen handed the old woman a penny.
“What’s this for? I don’t take charity.”
“It's not for you, Granny. It’s for the boy you send with a message,” Kathleen replied hastily, not wanting to injure the old woman’s pride, although it was obvious from the fact she was skin and bones, she could have done with the money. She resolved to get Cook to make up one of her special baskets and have Mike deliver it. Or Tommy, whom she guessed would be pleased to see his Granny, too.
Chapter 25
“Is Granny Belbin your real granny?” Kathleen asked, as they walked back to the sanctuary.
“No, Miss Kathleen. I never knew my parents, or my grandparents. I grew up a bit away from here, closer to the center of Five Points. Tommy and me was with some other kids. Granny lived there, too. She used to feed us and look after us. She used to make us have baths. You can’t imagine it now, but she used to chase us around the courtyard with her broom, until we washed our ears and necks. She was a wonderful woman, but, oh man, her temper was awful. We was more afraid of her than anyone else. Guess that’s why me and Tommy didn’t get in trouble with the law. Granny would have killed us,if we landed in jail. I never knew she had moved here. Feel bad I haven’t been checkin’ in on her.”
“You were lucky she cared so much about ye. What about her child?”
“She ain’t never had
children, least not that I know of,” Mike said.
“But I thought you said the priest threw her out of the church?” Kathleen asked.
“Aye, he did, but she never had the baby. It died. But that wasn’t why that priest hated her. See, she protected us from everyone, even those who were supposed to be looking after us, if you know what I mean.”
Kathleen wasn’t exactly sure she understood, but, sensing he was embarrassed, she changed the subject.
“Mike, how are we going to find Kenny? Granny said she had sent the boys from the tenements out looking. If they couldn’t find him, how will we?”
“I don’t rightly know, Miss Kathleen. That’s something we got to pray about. God will send his answer. We just need to make sure we hear it.”
Stunned by his devotion, Kathleen fell silent. Of course, she believed in God and would pray for his help, but she couldn’t sit waiting at the sanctuary, when a child was in need. She would speak to Lily and Charlie, in case they had more ideas. Richard would help her too. He dealt with many children at the hospital, so he might know of more places where Kenny might be hiding out. She would also speak to Inspector Griffin. If the police knew the places Kenny’s ma might have frequented, maybe they could find the boy there.
Chapter 26
Kenny dragged himself through the snow. He couldn’t feel his feet—they were frozen solid. Jack kept running back and forth, almost tripping him up at times, so he’d picked up the puppy and put him inside his jacket. The dog must have been cold, as he promptly fell asleep in the warmth, his breath keeping Kenny’s chest warm.
He wasn’t sure whether he was going in the right direction. He had to find Santa Claus, so he could give Kenny his family back for Christmas. Mary had said Santa Claus was magical, and he had to make a wish. This was such an important wish. He thought he better go and meet the man in person. Mary had taken him to see the window display at Macy’s last week. It had been magical with scenes from various books, including his favorite, Gulliver’s Travels. Not that he could read that book, but Mary had read it to him. Their Dad had left a copy of it behind when he left. Mary said that mean Dad had gone away to sea, just like Gulliver, and was traveling to meet different people and see other worlds. Kenny wished his dad had taken them all with him. Then maybe Ma wouldn’t be so sad and horrid all the time. And Mary. He swallowed hard, not wanting to think about his sister. They had been lying to him, when they told him she was dead. She couldn’t be. She’d promised to always look after him.
“Hey, you, what you doin’?”
“Nuffink,” Kenny whispered, his voice not working properly, as he stared at the boys blocking his way. They looked mean, and he didn’t think he would be able to fight them. They were bigger than he was.
“You can’t be doing nuffink. You is up to somefink. I can tell. What you got there?” The boy indicated the mound, where Jack was under his jacket.
“It’s nuffink, I told ya,” Kenny spoke louder this time.
“Get him, boys. I bet he’s got something to eat under there.”
All at once a group of boys jumped on him. He didn’t stand a chance. They ripped his coat away, and Jack tumbled to the ground. He made a grab for the puppy, but the group prevented him from reaching Jack.
Jack barked loudly, but, when a boy hit Kenny, the puppy growled and bared his teeth. The guilty boy took a step back, but the leader of the group aimed a kick at Jack. Kenny dived to protect his dog and got kicked painfully in the ribs.
“That’s enough. Stop it, all of you,” a youngster shouted. She sounded like a girl, but she was dressed in boys’ clothes. She came and stood over Kenny. “Any of ye lay another finger on him, you got me to deal with it. You hear?”
“What you goin’ to do to us?” one of the boys said, sneering at her.
“Me? Nothing. But my brothers will knock ten bells out of each of you. You know that.”
Chapter 27
Kenny had no idea who his savior was, but the boys who had picked on him melted away. She stood, hands on hips, until the very last one had left. Then she reached down and helped him to his feet. She put her hand on Jack, too. Kenny couldn’t believe it when the dog didn’t growl but licked her fingers.
“He’s cute,” she said. “What do you call him?”
“Jack.”
“Stupid name for a dog.”
“Is not. It suits him. Anyways he’s my dog, and I’ll call him what I like.” Kenny couldn’t stop the dart of jealousy filling him, as Jack licked the stranger like she was his best friend.
“Suit yourself,” the girl said, shrugging. “Where are you off to? Home?”
Kenny was going to lie but something stopped him. “I got to get to Macy's,” he blurted out.
“Macy’s Department Store? What does someone like you want down there?”
“I got to see a man. That’s all.” Kenny felt stupid now, as she stared at him.
“When did you last eat?” she asked.
“What?” Kenny asked, not following the change in subject.
“You simple or something? I asked you when you last had something to eat? Jack looks hungry.”
“He’s always starving,” Kenny agreed.
“Come on then. I got to get dinner on for my brothers. You can have some, too, if you help me carry this lot home.”
Kenny looked at her bags and nodded. He knew he shouldn't go with strangers, but he was starving, and she had saved him from those boys. Her hat fell off, as she bent to get the bags, allowing her long dark hair to fall freely on her shoulders. She impatiently gathered it in a messy bun before putting her hat back on.
“How old are you? You seem a bit young to be out here alone, even with the dog.”
“I’m old enough,” Kenny said. “I’ll be six soon.”
“Ah, that’s young.”
“You don’t look that old either.”
“Cheeky,” the girl replied. “I’m fifteen, sixteen on Christmas day.”
Kenny didn’t reply, his gaze fixed on the potatoes in the bag.
“Ain't you ever seen a potato?” the girl asked him.
“Yeah, of course. I just…where do you live then?”
“Over there behind those factories. Not too far. Where're your shoes? Did those boys nick them?”
“Not those boys,” Kenny said. “I got in trouble before.”
“What do they call you then, mouse?”
“Kenny.”
“I’ll call you Mouse. You look like one.”
Kenny didn't like that idea at all, but she had food and shelter, and he needed both. So, if he had to put up with a stupid name for a few hours, so be it.
“Why did those boys run when you mentioned your bothers?” he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
“Cause they know I am right. Anyone put a hand on me and the lads will skin them alive. Everyone knows my brothers. They run with the Eastmans. You heard of them?”
Kenny shook his head.
“Who hasn’t heard of the Eastmans? Don’t matter. You’ll get to meet them tonight. Right, let’s go. Come on, Jack. I got a bone for you.”
Jack, traitor that he was, set off walking after the girl with his tail wagging high behind him. The girl stopped to look behind at him. “Are you coming or not?”
Kenny shrugged his shoulders. He might as well. It wasn't as if he had a better offer.
“What’s your name?”
“Anichka but my friends call me Angel.”
“Can you slow down a little, Angel. I’m tired.”
She turned and waited until he caught up with her, and together they made their way to her home, a small apartment above a shop. It was much grander than where he lived. He cleaned his feet on the mat, belatedly remembering his manners. Mary would be proud of him. He shook his head, not wanting to think of his sister. He would cry, and then Angel would think he was a baby.
Angel was a good cook, better than Mary, if the food tasted as good as it smelled. She had given him so
me bread and butter to eat, while they waited for her brothers. He wondered if they would let him stay. The other boys had been frightened of them. What if they didn’t like him and kicked him out. Or worse?
As he ate the bread, he looked around the kitchen, which boasted a large table and chairs, some wooden presses, and a big stove. They didn’t cook on the open fire as Mary had. The rooms were situated over a store, not other rooms like the ones he lived in. He didn’t know how many rooms the family had, as Angel had gone upstairs to get something. It was quieter than he was used to and not just because her brothers weren’t home. There wasn’t the same noise from other families. Even the street outside seemed quieter. It was clean and tidy. He guessed Angel was like Mary, who liked things to be kept straight. There were no holy pictures around. He was used to seeing pictures of Jesus and Mary. He wondered if they kept them upstairs.
Chapter 28
A thud and a shout alerted Kenny someone was coming. He shrank back into the wall, his hand on Jack’s neck.
“That will be my brothers. You can stop looking so scared. They won’t eat you. They are nice to their friends.”
Kenny didn’t reply but kept his eyes on the door. It opened, and three giants walked in, each one taller than the one before. They had to stoop down to come through the door.
“What you got here, Angel?” one of them asked.
“Mouse and Jack,” she replied.
“I take it the boy is Mouse?” one of the men said, his eyes teasing.
“Me name is Kenny and this is me dog, Jack.”
“Nice to meet you, Kenny. I’m Lucky, this here is Axel, and that big lump over there is Haviv."
Kenny nodded, his sudden bravery having disappeared at the sight of the scar on Axel’s face.
Orphan Train Christmas Page 6