BACKBEAT LOVE

Chapter 14

(Skipping just a little bit. Hope you don't mind)

(It was noon time sunday morning and Morgan was helping Mrs. Jacobs with the housekeeping. David and Les were with the other newsies striking. The newsies would take turns striking and so it was David and Les's turntoday. Meanwhile Jack, Jeffrey, Boots and Race were talking at Medda's place, Race had a deck of cards with him. Mrs Jacobs wanted Morgan to help her with housekeeping while Sarah was at work for the day. Morgan had just finished putting away the dishes in the cupboard, while Mrs.Jacobs was on the roof hanging the clothes on the line. Morgan sat down to rest for a bit. Sarah had come rushing in smiling. A few minutes later Mrs. Jacobs came down with the dry clothes and set down the basket, she walked over to the a beautiful wooden chest and opened it up.)

Sarah: Sorry I'm late mama.

Mrs. Jacobs: It's ok Sarah.

Morgan: What else do you want me to do Mrs. Jacobs?

Mrs. Jacobs: Please Morgan call me Esther.

Morgan: Sorry, Esther.

Mrs. Jacobs: That's better.

(Esther pulled out something from the beautiful wooden chest and she carefully handed it to Sarah.)

Esther: You can give this to Morgan now.

Morgan: What is it?

Sarah: It's for you Morgan.

Morgan: What?

Esther: Sarah and I just finished it yesterday, it took awhile, but we both chipped in our time to make
sure it was finished before the Newsie Rally.

Sarah: Open it.

(Morgan sat down on the couch and started unwrapping the paper it was wrapped in and looked at it. Sarah
came over and carefully unfolded it, she held it up in front of Morgan.)

Sarah: This shade of blue is your color Morgan, we both agreed, it matches your unigue eye color.

Morgan: It's a dress.

Esther: Yes, but don't worry it will fit you, we took your measurement while you were sleeping and we
made sure to make it to fit your petite frame.

(Morgan took it and held it out)

Morgan: I can't take this, I'm sorry you went to all the trouble.

Esther: Please, it was no trouble, we enjoyed making it for you, it's not everyday we get to make a
dress for someone.

Morgan: I told you, I don't wear dresses!

(Morgan ran and climbed out the window, she forgot that she was afraid of heights and climbed up the fire escape and onto the roof, she went to the other side of the roof and found a spot by a shed, she sat down and drew up her legs so she could wrap her arms around them, she rested her chin on her knees.)

Esther: I will be right back Sarah, will you get the shoes and cameo for the dress?

Sarah: Sure.

(Sarah went into the wooden chest and pulled out a package and set it down next to the dress on the couch. Sarah watched as Esther went after Morgan. Esther found Morgan sitting on the ground with her arms wrapped around her legs. Esther sat down next to her)

Esther: We didn't mean to upset you Morgan.

Morgan: I know, I'm sorry, but it's just that I'm not use to people giving me presents, expecially such nice people I meet.

Esther: I understand.

Morgan: No you don't, I mean maybe you do, but I lost my parents when I was 8 years old.I was in an orphanage until I was 13 years old, then sent to a foster home, A fire broke out and Olivia saved my life and took me with her and we became a family. I miss her so much. she's my family, but she's not here and I'm worried about her.

Esther: What about Jeffrey?

Morgan: Just friends. (Morgan lied)

Esther: I don't understand, why aren't you with Olivia?

Morgan: Because Jeffrey and I got separated from Olivia and Bogg.

Esther: Bogg, who's Bogg?

Morgan: That's Jeffrey's family.

Esther: Well I don't know if I understand completely, but I'm sure you and Jeffrey will see
them soon.

Morgan: I hope so, I'm sorry Esther, it's just hard for me accept gifts.

Esther: Sarah and I made that dress for you, so you would have something to wear when you go to the newsie rally and we thought you'd want to look beautiful for Jeffrey, I can tell how much he cares about you Morgan.

Morgan: We're just friends Esther and I would never look beautiful, no matter what you tried to do, I
was born ugly and I will die ugly.

Esther: That's not true, you are very pretty, you just haven't had the chance to prove it to yourself.

Morgan: The last time I wore a dress, I was eight years old and it was black and I was putting white roses on my parents coffins.

Esther: I see, come on I want you to try on the dress, we also got you some shoes you can wear with it.

(Esther took Morgan's hand and they walked down the long way instead of the way they came up. Once back in the apartment Sarah and Esther helped Morgan. Jack and Jeffrey and the newsies were at Medda's, when Morgan and Sarah's names were brought up.)

Mush: So how long have you've known Morgan?

Jeffrey: Long enough.

Mush: She sure is different from the girls around here.

Boots: I like her, she doesn't take crap from anybody and she even went after Oscar and Morris that one day and they are twice her size.

Jeffrey: She is fiesty.

Jack: Yeah for being so small.

Jeffrey: You mean vertically challenged.

Jack: Vertically what?

Jeffrey: Nevermind, so Jack what do you think of Sarah?

Jack: She's nice.

Jeffrey: She likes you Jack, I could tell how she got all shy the first night we were at the Jacob's apartment.

Jack: I don't know Jeffrey.

Jeffrey: I think you should give her a chance.

Jack: I guess I could.

Jeffrey: Well I know Sarah and Morgan will be at the newsie rally, Morgan wouldn't miss it for anything in the world.

(Meanwhile at the Jacob's apartment, Morgan is wearing the dress, she had tucked in the necklace that Olivia had given to her. Morgan wouldn't look in the mirror. Sarah had finished buttoning up the back of it and smoothed it out)

Morgan: So how do I look?

Esther: Beautiful.

Sarah: Mama she even has a figure.

Morgan: I do?

(Morgan looked down at her waist, she actually had girl curves)

Esther: Such a tiny little thing you are.

Morgan: Yeah, I know.

(Sarah hands Morgan the shoes. Morgan puts them on with Sarah's help. Once on Morgan stands up straight and looks at them. Sarah comes over and pins the cameo on the front. She carefully double checks the dress)

Esther: Beautiful, I wish I had a picture of you in that dress Morgan.

Morgan: Why, I would probably break the camera.

Sarah: Why do you say that about yourself?

Morgan: Sorry, it's just a habit to keep people from getting to close to me I guess.

Esther: Sarah, what should we do with her hair?

Sarah: Just leave it like that, I think it's nice that way. maybe add a ribbon.

Esther: Ok.

Morgan: So, think Jeffrey will like me in this dress?

Sarah: Yes, I think he will and the look on his face will say it all.

Morgan: We're just friends. (Morgan lied)

(Meanwhile at Medda's. The newsies start to ask Jeffrey lots of questions, since they hadn't started
a card game.)
Race: So what's da story with you and Morgan?
Jeffrey: We're just friends. (Jeffrey lied)
Jack: Dat it?
Jeffrey: Yeah and that's it.
Jack: Don't you want to be more than just friends?
Jeffrey: You mean boyfriend and girlfriend?
Boots: Yup.
Jeffrey: I don't know, when we get to New Hampsire, we probably won't see each other again for a
long time.
Race: What for?
Jeffrey: Long story, you don't want to hear about it.
Mush: We have nothing better to talk about.
Jeffrey: Look, let's just say that once we get there, we both are gonna go our separate ways and
probably never see each other for a long time, we both are meeting up with other people.
Jack: So who's da other people?
Jeffrey: Olivia Dunn and Phineas Bogg.
Mush: Who?
Jeffrey: Well I'm with Phineas Bogg and Morgan is with Olivia Dunn, but we got separated with them
and now we have to get back to them, but not until after the newsie strike.
Race: What does the newsie strike have to do with when you two gotta leave?
Jeffrey: Nothing, let's not talk about it anymore ok?
Jack: Ok, sorry, we didn't mean to pry Jeffrey, it's just that you both don't seem like you're from
around here.
Jeffrey: That's because were not, we're from somewhere else, but we ended up here for now and we're
trying to make enough money so we can head to New Hampsire and meet up with them. (Jeffrey lied)
Mush: Oh.
Boots: Ok Race deal those cards, I'm ready to play poker and for some money.
Jeffrey: You're playing poker for money?
Jack: You ever play poker before?
Jeffrey: No, but I think I'll just watch.
Boots: Too bad.
Race: Yeah, but if you want to join, just wait for the next round ok?
Jeffrey: Ok.
(Jeffrey never played poker, but he knew that Bogg was very good at it, he decided he would watch a few rounds and then maybe join in, but after two rounds Jeffrey got bored and decided to head up to the roof, it wasn't hard to find it, he just had to look and before he knew it he was up on the roof.
Morgan got out of the dress and carefully watched as Sarah hung it up on the door with Sarah's dress for the newsie rally. Morgan sat on the bed and watched Sarah work on her stitchery.)
Morgan: I don't know how you do that, it's so tiny.
Sarah: You get use to it and mama taught me how to sew and do stitchery.
Morgan: You're lucky Sarah, my mother never got a chance to teach me girly things.
Sarah: I don't mean to pry Morgan, how old were you when your parents died, where did you go?
Morgan: I was eight years old and after they died, I was taken to an orphanage and left there. I stopped talking and was beaten up by other kids, because of how tiny I am, they didn't believe that I was eight years old. I spent alot of time taking care of the little kids. When I was 13, a foster family took me in, but it was just so I could work in their house with 2 other foster kids. A fire broke out when one of them set the house on fire, he liked to play with matches. I barely escaped when Olivia rescued me and she took me away from there. She saved my life. I got a second chance.

Sarah: Why aren't you with her now?

Morgan: We got separated, just like Jeffrey and Bogg did and so Jeffrey and I are headed to New Hampsire
to meet up with them. (Morgan lied)

Sarah: I saw the strange necklace with her name engraved on the front.

Morgan: My name is engraved on the back.

Sarah: I never saw such a strange necklace before.

Morgan: I got it for my birthday, we got it from a different country (Morgan lied), she has one too, but instead my name is on the front and her name is on the back.

Sarah: When was your birthday Morgan?

Morgan: Feb. 17th.

(Morgan almost said 1970, but stopped herself quickly)

Morgan: I just turned 18.

Sarah: I just had my birthday in May and I just turned 16.

Morgan: Well happy belated birthday.

Sarah: You too.

Morgan: Sarah, do you think Jack is gonna go to Sante Fe and not stay after the strike?

Sarah: I don't know, I wish he wouldn't go, but if he decides to go, I know Les will be heartbroken, he
looks up to Jack alot.

Morgan: I don't think Les is the only one who's gonna miss Jack, Sarah.

Sarah: Is it that obvious?

Morgan: You blushed the first time you met Jack.

Sarah: He is wonderful, but he can't just stay for us, he has to want to stay for himself.

Morgan: I know, but I have a feeling that he will know what is right when the time is right.

Sarah: If you want, you can go see Jeffrey, but you have to be back by suppertime.

Morgan: I think I will.

(Morgan got up and headed out the door, she knew that Jeffrey and Jack were staying at Medda's after that man Synder showed up at the lodging house. She needed to talk to Jeffrey and see him, she missed him alot. Morgan carefully made her way to Medda's, she had to make sure she didn't run into someone who was looking for Jack. She carefully made her way in the back where Jack had first taken them. She snuck in and was caught by Tony.)

Tony: Oh it's you, go right in.

Morgan: Thanks.

(Morgan heads in, she follows Tony to where Jack is.)

Morgan: Hi Jack, have you've seen Jeffrey?

Boots: He's somewhere around here.

Morgan: Thanks.

(Morgan found Tony)

Morgan: Have you've seen Jeffrey?

Tony: I saw him go up on the roof just a few minutes ago.

Morgan: Ok, thanks.

Tony: Come on, follow me.

(Morgan followed Tony to the steps that led to the roof.)

Tony: Just be careful when you're climbing the steps.

Morgan: Ok, thanks.

(Morgan carefully climbs the steps, once up she looks around for Jeffrey, she spots him laying on a blanket, looking up at the sky. Morgan walks over and sits next to him, she touches his arm.)

Morgan: Want some company?

Jeffrey: What are you doing here?

Morgan: Came to see how you're doing.

Jeffrey: I missed you.

Morgan: I missed you too.

Jeffrey: Tomorrow is the newsie rally.

Morgan: I know, I'll be there.

Jeffrey: Hopefully everything will go according to plan.

Morgan: I feel bad, having to lie to the Jacobs.

Jeffrey: I know, I had to do the same thing with Jack and the newsies, but we can't tell them the truth.

Morgan: I know, they would never believe us if we told them the truth.

Jeffrey: They would think we were crazy.

Morgan: The Jacobs, they are so nice to me and I can't help but wonder what life would be with them.

Jeffrey: You mean if you stayed here with them in this time?

Morgan: Yes.

Jeffrey: Morgan I had the same thing happen to me when I met my great grandparents, everything reminded me of my home and I felt so safe there and Bogg was gonna leave me there, because he thought that they could take care of me better than him, so I know how you feel, but you can't stay here forever.

Morgan: I know, it's just that I haven't felt like this in such a long time.

Jeffrey: Like when your parents were alive.

Morgan: Yeah.

(Jeffrey reaches over and slips his arm around Morgan's shoulder and pulls her close to him, Morgan puts her head on his shoulder.)

Jeffrey: I miss this.

Morgan: I miss it too Jeffrey.

(Jeffrey puts his hand under Morgan's chin and brings it up so that he can look into her eyes, he leans in and kisses her gently. Jeffrey pushes Morgan onto her back and presses his body against hers. Morgan wraps her arms around Jeffrey's neck and let's her fingers play in his curly black hair, she moans. Jeffrey breaks the kiss and looks down at Morgan.)

Jeffrey: Sorry.

Morgan: It's ok Jeffrey.

Jeffrey: I want you so much right now.

Morgan: Than take me. (Morgan whispers)

Jeffrey: Here?

Morgan: Yes.

Jeffrey: I can't, what if someone comes up here and catches us, I told the others that we are just friends, even if it's a lie.

Morgan: That's what I told the Jacobs, but it's a lie.

(Jeffrey lets go of Morgan. Morgan sits up and looks at Jeffrey.)

Jeffrey: Besides we have to concentrate on our assignment.

Morgan: I know..

(Morgan got up and headed to the stairs, when Jeffry grabbed her arm, he wrapped his arms around her, he carefully pushed her up against the wall and leaned in and kissed her, he pressed his lipsand body against Morgan a little bit harder. Morgan responded to the kiss. Jeffrey quickly broke the kiss and looked at her. He didn't know what to say, he could feel himself get hard, expecially with his body pressed against hers, he quickly let go of Morgan.)

Jeffrey: You better go.

Morgan: Yeah.

(Morgan headed to the stairs, as she climbed down, she noticed a crowd by the stairs.)

Morgan: Hi guys.

Race: Hi Morgan.

Morgan: See you guys at the newsie rally.

Jack: See you there.

(Once Morgan left, Jeffrey headed down the stairs, the newsie quickly went back to their seats.)

Jack: Just friends huh?

Jeffrey: Yeah.

(The newsies started to snicker alittle)

Mush: Seems to me like you want to be more than friends.

Jeffrey: It's too complicated to explain.

Race: Seems to me that she gets you all hot and bothered.

Jeffrey: We promised ourselves we would just be friends, because once we meet up with Olivia and Bogg, we're gonna go our separate way and I don't want to hurt Morgan, by leading her on, when we have to go our separate ways anyway.

Mush: Ok Race shuffle those cards, let's get the poker game going, Jeffrey want to play?

Jeffrey: Naw, I'm gonna see if Tony needs help around the place. (Jeffrey lied)

(The newsies watched as Jeffrey left the table. Morgan headed to the Jacob's apartment, except she didn't know that Jeffrey was following her to make sure she got there safely. Morgan wasn't that far from the Jacob's apartment, she heard a noise behind her, so she turned around, she looked and there wasn't anybody there, but she had the feeling that someone was following her, so when she got an alley, she hid in it and waited, she picked up a thick long peice of wood and waited. When she stepped out, she didn't even look to see who it was, she struck the person with it)

Jeffrey: Ow, will you give me that!

(Jeffrey grabbed the peice of wood out of her hands and threw it on the ground

Morgan: Jeffrey Jones, what are you doing?

Jeffrey: Making sure you got to the Jacob's apartment safely ok.

Morgan: I don't need you to do that.

Jeffrey: You do too.

(Morgan went up to him, she got to her tippy toes and stared Jeffrey down.)

Morgan: Do not!

Jeffrey: Look, I overhead that the Delancey brothers are looking to soak newsies and I thought I'd make sure you got to the Jacob's apartment safely.

Morgan: Oh, well in that case, come on, you can have dinner with us tonight.

Jeffrey: A home cook meal would be nice.

(Morgan and Jeffrey walked to the apartment. Jeffrey followed Morgan into the apartment.)

Morgan: Look who walked me home Esther.

Esther: Hello Jeffrey.

Jeffrey: Hello Mrs. Jacobs.

Mayer: It's nice to see you again Jeffrey.

David: How's Jack?

Jeffrey: Fine, he's playing cards with some of the newsies that came to visit him.

Esther: Would you like to stay for dinner Jeffrey?

Jeffrey: I would love to.

David: How's Medda?

Jeffrey: Fine, she's getting everything ready for the newsie rally tomorrow night.

(Morgan went into the bedroom, she took a blanket and stuck it over the dresses that were hanging on the hook, then she closed the bedroom door.)

Morgan: Esther, do you need help?

Esther: I'm sure Sarah won't mind helping me tonight, so you can visit with Jeffrey.

(Morgan and Jeffrey sat on the couch. It didn't take long for it to start raining out, it was pouring so hard that it sounded like hard rocks hitting the roof.)

David: You know if it doesn't stop raining, you can always crash on the couch.

Mayer: It's quite comfortable and we have an extra blanket and pillow.

Jeffrey: Thanks.

Morgan: What time do you want us to be at Irving Hall Jeffrey?

Jeffrey: About 7 pm, is when the rally starts, but you might want to get there around 6, to avoid the crowd and find a table.

Morgan: Ok.

Jefffrey: It was nice of Medda to let the newsie rally be held there.

Morgan: Yeah and she sure can sing.

Jeffrey: She's been working on a new song for the newsie rally, so it's gonna be nice to hear it.

Morgan: I like her.

(Morgan didn't know what else to say, they didn't have any privacy to talk about anything that had to do with their assignment. Meanwhile Snyder had his own plan of getting Jack Kelly. He lied about Jack and they were arranging for Snyder to get Jack at the newsie rally. Synder had talked to the judge and got a warrent for Jack's arrest. Snyder had the full cooperation with the police and he was going to use the police so he could make sure he would be able to get Jack back at the refuge with no problems. Snyder snickered to himself as he didn't care how much force was going to be used at the newsie rally, he had the judge in his pocket and he was going to make Jack pay for escaping the refuge those months ago. At dinner, Morgan was very quiet, while Jeffrey talked to the Jacobs about what was going on with the newsie rally, Morgan couldn't help, but let her mind wonder as a memory slipped in as if she was watching a home movie, it was Morgan with her mom, she was sitting on her mother's lap, she was about 5 years old and tiny for her age, her mother had her arms around Morgan in the rocking chair, she was holding the framed picture of her the aunt that she was named after, she was in the chair with her head on her mother's shouder, her fingers wrapped around a thick strand of her mother's black hair.)

Jeffrey: Morgan.

(Jeffrey waves his hand in front of Morgan a few times and then snaps his fingers)

Morgan: Huh, what?

Jeffrey: You looked like you were miles away.

Morgan: Sorry, I was just thinking. (Morgan lied)

Jeffrey: About what?

Morgan: Nothing important, may I be excused?

Esther: Sure.

(Morgan gets up and goes into the bedroom, she shuts the door.)

Jeffrey: Maybe I should go talk to her.

Sarah: I think she needs someone who understands her.

(Jeffrey gets up, he walks to the door and gently knocks on it)

Morgan: Who is it?

Jeffrey: It's me Jeffrey, can I come in?

Morgan: Sure.

(Jeffrey opens the door, he notices the ugly scar as Morgan slips on the nightgown. Morgan pulls on the robe and sits on the edge of the bed. Jeffrey comes over and sits down next to her.)

Jeffrey: Are yo ok?

Morgan: Yeah, I think it's catching up to me Jeffrey.

Jeffrey: What is?

Morgan: My past, the memories, the longer I stay in this apartment, I'm afraid the nightmares will come Jeffrey, if they come, I don't know what I'm gonna do.

(Jeffrey let his hand rest on her tiny one. He didn't know what to say)

Jeffrey: Morgan I know what you're going through, soon we will be leaving, think you can hold on a little bit longer?

Morgan: I'll try, but it's getting hard everyday.

Jeffrey: If everything goes according to plan, we should be leaving in a few days.

Morgan: I didn't think it was gonna anything to it, staying here, but seeing alot of their belongings and touching them, it's like remembering things that I had pushed so deep down that I was hoping they would never come out again for as long as I was alive.

Jeffrey: We're not gonna be here much longer, so if you would feel much better staying at Meddas...

Morgan: No, I'll stay here, I don't want to upset the Jacobs and I really can't explain to them what's going on, they wouldn't understand.

Jeffrey: Just so you know, I'll be here tonight, in case you have a nightmare ok?

Morgan: Yeah, I know.

(Jeffrey hugged Morgan gently, she let her head rest on his chest and sighed. Jeffrey quickly let go of Morgan, he was getting butterflies in his stomach again and the feeling was going south.)

Jeffrey: It's late and everyone needs to get sleep, so I'll be right in the livingroom if you need me ok?

Morgan: Ok.

(Jeffrey got up and left the bedroom. Morgan slipped under the covers and laid down. Sarah came in about 15 minutes later.)

Sarah: Are you ok?

Morgan: Yeah.

Sarah: If you ever need to talk, I'm here to listen.

Morgan: Thanks Sarah, but some of the stuff you wouldn't understand, it's something only an orphan would understand.

Sarah: Oh.

(Jeffrey stripped down to his boxer shorts and undershirt, he slipped under the blanket and looked out the window at the rain falling. The occational lightening lit up the living room, but it didn't bother him. He was remembering when he met his great grand parents and how Bogg had wanted to leave him there, because he thought that they would be better for him. He thought about what Morgan had said about deep down memories buried so deep down that you hoped they would never come up. Morgan listened to the pounding of the rain, it was like a steady rythmn, she stared at the ceiling as the lightening would light it up and then it would go dark again.She could hear Sarah's steady breathing and knew that Sarah was fast asleep. Morgan carefully got out ofthe bed and headed to the living room, she went over to the couch and sat downon the edge.)

Morgan: Jeffrey are you asleep?

Jeffrey: No, why?

Morgan: I'm afraid to sleep Jeffrey, can I stay in here with you?

Jeffrey: Come on, I think there's enough room.

(Jeffrey scooted all the way to the backside of the couch, Morgan slid under the blanket in front of
him, sharing the pillow and blanket, Jeffrey wrapped his arm around her and then noticed he was hard, Morgan was getting butterflies again, she carefully turned to her side, careful not to fall off the couch. She looked up at Jeffrey who was on his side, she wrapped her arm around Jeffrey's neck and pulled him to a kiss. Jeffrey responded to the kiss, he laid on top of Morgan, he was hard as a rock, the blanket still covering them. Jeffrey broke the kiss as Morgan carefully bent her legs and spread them so Jeffrey was inbetween them. Morgan took Jeffrey's hand and slid it down to the hem of her nightgown. Jeffrey pulled it up and out of the way and then pulled down his boxers. Jeffrey pulled Morgan's underwear to the side and then positioned himself so the tip of his cock touched her entrance.)

Morgan: Please Jeffrey, take me. (Morgan whispered softly)

(Jeffrey slid in all the way into Morgan to the hilt. Morgan bit her lip to keep from moaning loudly. Jeffrey positioned himself so he could thrust in Morgan, hard, deep and steady, but so that the couch wouldn't make much noise. Morgan shifted her body slightly on the couch so that the tip of Jeffrey's cock would hit her spot over and over. The rain was loud enough to drown out their moans as they both climaxed and came at the sametime. Morgan had bit her lip to keep from screaming Jeffrey's name at the moment of the orgasm that hither. Their breathing was heavy and rapid as Jeffrey pressed his lips against Morgan's. Morgan broke the kiss.)

Morgan: I feel much better.

Jeffrey: So do I, but maybe you should go back to the bedroom. (Jeffrey could feel himself getting soft)

Morgan: Yeah.

(Jeffrey slid out of Morgan and then got up so Morgan could fix her nightgown and watched her as she went to the bathroom quietly and then headed to the bedroom. Jeffrey fixed his boxers and then laid back down on the couch, he laid on his back as he listened to the sound of the rain hitting the roof in a rythmn. Morgan laid down on the other side, she could hear Sarah's steady breathing. Morgan finally fell asleep to the rhythmn of the rain hitting the roof.)