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Post by Zippy on Dec 7, 2011 1:43:19 GMT -5
Zippy walked up the stairs of David's apartment complex, her body nearly shaking with nerves. She had wanted to ask Jack about the family before she left, but couldn't find him anywhere.
Overwhelmed with worry that David's family wouldn't like her, Zippy kept busy the rest of the day, showering and searching for the perfect outfit to wear. She ended up borrowing Trixie's nice light blue dress and matching blue ribbon in exchange for a few cigarettes. It was worth it at the time, but now Zippy wished she had one on her to calm her nerves.
Zippy made sure to leave plenty early so she could stop on the way and pick up some flowers for the family, although when she was passing the merchant they were too expensive, and now Zippy had nothing to bring. She felt completely awkward about it, and stood on the stairs, a floor below Dave's apartment, worrying that she should have brought something. She glanced at her watch- she still had 5 minutes, and she full intended to use those minutes to panic.
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Post by David on Dec 7, 2011 1:49:34 GMT -5
David was just as nervous as she was, but was as equally excited. He'd told his parents all about her -- how pretty she was, that she used to work for a rabbi (though he didn't give the gruesome details about that...), and now she was working at a bookstore. And he'd gone on for ages about her art and how talented she was.
His mom had made his favorite pot roast for the occasion. He'd also made a deal with Les that he'd take him out for ice cream if he promised to be on his best behavior. Sarah wasn't quiet as willing.
He looked at the clock, retucking in his shirt for the umpteenth time. She'd be there any minute.
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Post by Zippy on Dec 7, 2011 1:55:11 GMT -5
At 6:00 sharp, Zippy adjusted the ribbon in her hair, straightened out her dress, fixed her necklace, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.
Mr. Jacobs was relaxing in his chair, reading the paper. Sarah was knitting on the couch next to him, a scowl on her face.
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Post by David on Dec 7, 2011 1:57:21 GMT -5
David bolted to the door, opening it maybe a little too eagerly. He grinned as soon as he saw her. "Hi." He leaned in and kissed her, then let her inside the apartment.
Les was playing on the floor with a toy train, and looked up, grinning at her. Mrs. Jacobs was just finishing setting the table and she came over smiling. "You must be Erin. Hello. Welcome."
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Post by Zippy on Dec 7, 2011 2:04:54 GMT -5
Zippy's hands were shaking, so she put them behind her back. "Uh, hi Mrs. Jacobs. Thank you for inviting me. It's great to finally meet you." Zippy glanced at David for encouragement.
Mr. Jacobs (("Mayer")) put his paper under his arm and stood up to greet her, offering his hand. "I've seen you before. I think I actually bought this newspaper from you." He gave her a friendly smile, chuckling. Zippy smiled back awkwardly, freaking out inside that she may have used her flirtatious tactics to get him to buy it. And from the looks of his goofy grin, it was entirely possible.
As soon as Sarah's eyes landed on Zippy, she scowled even more, and didn't even get up.
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Post by David on Dec 7, 2011 2:08:55 GMT -5
David took Zippy's hand, squeezing it affectionately. "Zip--I mean, Erin's one of the best newsies out there." He led her to the table, pulling her chair out for her as everyone got up to go sit down as well. He sat beside her, giving her a smile.
Mrs. Jacob's smiled politely. "David tells us you also work at a bookshop." She passed around the bowl of salad after serving Les, who made a face.
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Post by Zippy on Dec 7, 2011 2:15:41 GMT -5
Sarah joined the rest of her family at the table, looking bored.
"Yes, I work at Shelley's Books. It's kind of small but I like it," Zippy answered as she took what she believed was the appropriate amount of salad, then passed the bowl to David. She then glanced at Sarah, who was sitting on her other side. No reason to make this any more awkward than it is. Just because Sarah hated newsies didn't mean she had to hate her, too. "I'm Erin, by the way. It's good to meet you."
Sarah adjusted her chair, scooting closer to the table. "Yes, the pleasure is mine," she replied insincerely.
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Post by David on Dec 7, 2011 2:18:54 GMT -5
David shot his sister a Look, then smiled, addressing his father. "Erin's trying to save up for her own apartment."
Mrs. Jacobs passed around the pot roast. "Your own apartment? That's very grown up of you."
Les pounced excitedly in his chair, sneaking an extra potato. "Can I come visit?"
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Post by Zippy on Dec 7, 2011 2:24:47 GMT -5
Zippy grinned at Les, nodding, taking the pot roast. "Well, yes, its going to take time. I have a lot more saving left to go." She wished David hadn't brought that up.
Mr. Jacobs poured himself and Les a glass of milk. "So that means you are like Jack, then? You live at the newsboys lodging house?"
Sarah glared at Zippy at the mention of Jack, while Zippy struggled to find the words to explain that she wasn't living in sin with a bunch of teenage boys. "Well, yes, but, um, we have a floor that is just for girls, so I guess, no, not really..." She looked down at her plate, picking at her salad with her fork.
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Post by David on Dec 7, 2011 2:29:00 GMT -5
David, reached under the table to squeeze her knee. "There are lots of girls at the lodging house now, Papa. They're good girls, trust trying to make a living. After the strike, all the lodging houses opened themselves up to girls. Manhattan's got the most, I think. There's hardly any in Brooklyn."
Mrs. Jacobs kept smiling politely, though the idea of teenage girls and boys living together with little to no supervision unnerved her.
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Post by Zippy on Dec 7, 2011 2:32:15 GMT -5
Zippy nodded in agreement, although she had been living in lodging houses for years. Sarah looked at Zippy.
"So, when David says he is staying at the lodging house for the night- he's actually paying a nickel to stay with you?"
Zippy choked on a mouthful of pot roast, shooting Sarah a horrified look.
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Post by David on Dec 7, 2011 2:35:38 GMT -5
David glowered, pursing his lips at Sarah, telling her to shut the hell up with his eyes. "I'm visiting all of my friends there."
Mrs. Jacobs lifted a brow, looking at her eldest son. "Where do you stay, David? Is there a spare bunk for you?"
Les munched on a dinner roll, watching this like it was a tennis match.
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Post by Zippy on Dec 7, 2011 2:40:38 GMT -5
Mr. Jacobs also shot Sarah a warning look, and Sarah looked down at her plate, shutting up. He looked at his wife. "Of course there is. David wouldn't stay there otherwise, right David?"
Zippy thought she might pass out, which sounded like a much better alternative than being conscious at this dinner table.
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Post by David on Dec 7, 2011 2:43:14 GMT -5
David tried very hard not to gulp, meeting his father's eyes and nodding, a little wide-eyed himself. "Uh huh."
Mrs. Jacobs brow remained raised, but she only smiled. "Well. Try to avoid it on school nights, dear."
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Post by Zippy on Dec 7, 2011 2:46:28 GMT -5
((HAHAHA))
Sarah huffed, barely being able to stand it. It was NOT fair that David got to spend nights with Zippy in the lodging house- she never got to when she dated Jack! "Mama, you know Erin's the reason why David said no to Dartmouth, right?"
Zippy glanced at Sarah again, this time giving her a hard look. Was she going to have to smack a bitch? Because Zippy was pretty sure she could take her. If it wasn't for David's hand on her leg, it would have been ON.
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