#me after i write something that only makessense to me

[kellyscowboy]

Jack Kelly wasn't a family guy, but he always wished he was. Not that he didn't believe that the newsies were his family, because they were. Just not in the way that he would've liked. Jack found often found himself needing a hug, some encouraging words after a long day at work, or even just a pat on the back. But he never received them. Not from the newsies, no. He was always the one offering, but he never received.

Not until he met David Jacobs. His first interaction with Dave's family had been slightly awkward. He observed as the family worked around each other, how they seemed to understand each other perfectly. It was as if Jack hadn't even been there. Never one to overstay his welcome, and not one to stay in a situation he felt out of place in, Jack left the second the opportunity came about.

The second time he was around the family, he felt much more incorporated. Esther bossed him around as if he were her own, and Mayer gave him the long-awaited fatherly pat on the back as he told Jack he was 'welcome to stay anytime.'

They took quickly to Jack; they insisted he came over during every holiday and there was never a day he visited that he didn't also stay the night. Soon enough, they were sending him daily lunches and attempting to enroll him in classes at David's school. And although Jack kindly denied the classes, he appreciated the sentiment more than he could express. He was never one who enjoyed being fawned over, but the feeling of familial love had started to change his mind on that fact.

After David and Jack's first fight (the first one post-strike), the latter was ruined. He felt as if he had no-one to turn to. Esther and Mayer had been there for him at every instance since he had met David. It didn't feel right to now talk to them.

Jack didn't know who to talk to, or where to go. He found himself wandering the streets. Beating himself up and wallowing in some form of self-pity. He hadn't even realized they had been in a fight until David had stormed off and told Jack to never speak to him again. It made the boy sick to imagine a life without the Jacob's family.

Santa Fe came to mind. All Jack had to do was run away and pretend like these people had never existed. And he almost did it too. Tears stained his red cheeks and his head pounded from how many times he had hit himself with his palm. Stupid, stupid, stupid, chanted aloud with each smack.

But as Jack counted his money and planned his escape to Santa Fe, a gentle hand grabbed his own. Through teary eyes, he looked up to see Esther smiling softly down out him. She kneeled down next to him and wiped at the child's cheek. "Oh, poor boy. Are you alright?"

"Don't need to do me more charity, Mrs. Jacobs." Jack replied coldly. "Dave already told me where I stand with your family."

Esther shook her head. "David gets passionate about things sometimes. You should know that best. You did lead a strike with him after all."

"Well, I guess I don't know 'im as well as I thought."

"Listen, Jack." Esther started, gently. "You're family now. Family doesn't abandon family. Do you think Mayer and I were entirely thrilled when David came home on his second day of work and told us he was involved in a strike?"

"... I 'spose not."

"But we backed him up anyways. No matter how scared we were. Now, family's fight. I mean, Sarah and David fight all the time! I mean obviously you and David had a different..." Esther paused, contemplating her words. "Relationship than them. But that doesn't mean that you two can just have one fight and never speak to each other again." She pushed Jack's hair back lovingly and rubbed his cheek. "Now let's get you up to the house and get this all figured out."

And just like that, Santa Fe had disappeared deep into the back of his mind. All it took was Esther's soothing voice and the caring touch of her hand.