The bird of Manhatten

Chapter 2 - in which there is a sleepless night and a new identity

Early May 1894
The House of Refuge, Manhattan, New York City
Still Jacks P.O.V.

I wake up because someone kicked me.

It's completely dark around me, but my eyes quickly get used ta da darkness. I's layin' in da bed, where I fell asleep, only dat now at least ten more people layin' here.
Well ok, actually there is only two other guys in da bed.

Da one is Magpie an' da other's a strange boy. He's also da one dat kicked me.
I sigh an' try ta fall asleep again, but it's impossible.

It's unbelievably loud here.
Some of da kids is snorin', some is cryin', some is coughin', some is sleep talkin'.

I quietly get up an' walk up ta da window.
Da pale moonlight shines in.
I look up ta da stars an' think of Santa Fe.
How wonderful it would be ta be there now.
I would be someone else there. I could start new. Brand new.

"Ya always can start new."

I jump, at least six feet, an' turn.
Magpie's standin' there, smilin'.
In da gloomy light she almost looks like a ghost.

"What?", I whisper.
"I said 'Ya always can start new'."
"Wait. I said that out loud?"
"Yep.", she answers, poppin' da "p".
"Everythin'?"
"Don't know. Maybe?"
"Did I wake ya?"
"Kind of."
"Sorry."
"Don't be. It's ok."

Silence.

Then: "What's Santa Fe?"

"Santa Fe's da loveliest place on earth.", I say. "It's completely made outta clay. It's clean an' green an' pretty. There's cacti an' desert an' everyone's friendly..."

Dreamy I turn back ta da moon.
"Why do ya wanna start new?", she brings me back ta reality.
"What?"
"Why do ya wanna start new?"
"Ya wouldn't understand-"
"I can try.", Magpie interrupts me
"... because I don't understand it eighter.", I finish.
"Oh."
"I jus' wish, I could forget, ya know?"

She nods, then she shakes her head an' nods again.
Confused I look at her. She seems ta think about something important, so I don't say anything.

"We could start wit' a new name.", she says after a while.
"What?"
"What should I call ya?"
"Magpie, what-"
"How ya like ta be called?"
"Um..."
"Ok. Somethin' more special or more usual?"

"Um... somethin' normal?"
"Boring, but ok. Um... how's about John? No, no, dat... dat's too normal. Um... Ian? No... Wait! I know! Jack!"
"Jack?"
"Yes. How ya find dat?"
"Hm... well, actually... I like it. It suits me."
"Yes!", Magpie says with shiny eyes. "Ya want a last name too?"

I nod. "I already know one."
"So?"
"Kelly."
"Kelly?"
"Yes, it's my mothers' maiden name."
"Jack Kelly. Sounds good. Very good actually."
Da little goil in front of me smiles wide an' then she yawns even wider.
"Someone's tired?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go back ta bed. It's late."

She nods, and we lay back down on da bed, tryin' not ta wake da boy.

'Jack Kelly', I think. 'I like this name'.
Then I fall asleep.