Hello. This is my first fan fiction story on the site though it has been a long time coming. I'm rather new at this so bear with me.

Ye Olde Disclaimer: Right. So characters that you recognize throughout this story belong to Disney and characters that you don't belong to me. Short and Sweet.

And so it begins...

The cab stopped in front of a squat building two stories tall. I looked down at the worried letter that I'd been folding and unfolding all the way from Brooklyn. I compared the address in the letter and the one on grocery sign on the store front. 745 S. Fifth St.

"Right ma'am, this be the place," said the cabbie. I jumped off the back. With a grunt, he handed me the threadbare trunk case my mother had given me. I put it on the ground as I counted out what I owed him.

"Thanks to ya, miss." He tipped his hat and slapped the reins on the horse. I looked back to the grocery store which would become my home for some time. I looked down at the letter in my hand but there was really no need. I had memorized what was in it.

Dear Bela Morgan

I was most grieved to learn about the going-ons with Jim. As you know, Jim and I have been close friends since our youth. If I knew of his whereabouts, be assured that I would be the first to tell you. I hope that this letter will lighten the load on your shoulders during this difficult time. I have opened a grocery store in Manhattan that has been doing well. Well enough, that I can offer one of your daughters a position. She would be looking after our young daughter, Nelly and helping the wife and I around the store. I can offer room and board as well as two dollars each week that I can send directly to you. Please let me know if you can accept this offer by sending a letter to 745 S. Fifth St. Manhattan, New York. I hope you and your family remain in good health.

Tom Leary

When we received the letter, Mama was adamant about refusing the offer. She refused, she said, "to further split up the family." Financial difficulties had hit our family hard. Father lost his job at the factory and found it difficult to get another. Things slowly worsened. One day he stepped out, presumably to get some stale bread for dinner but never came back. He left our remaining money in an envelope but no explanation.

Eliza and I had had to drop out of school and were working by this time. Mama and I as maids in a grand house and my younger sister in a dreadful factory job. I convinced Mama to let me go as I pointed out that Eliza could take over my job at the Crane house. She eventually agreed and sent a letter to the Learys Their reply bade me to come in the following month. As scared as I was, I knew at least Mama and Eliza would have one less mouth to feed.

I picked up my heavy trunk case and walked to the front door. It wasn't yet open as it was still rather early in the morning. I knocked on the door. A few minutes later, it swung open and a tired-looking woman looked out at me. She pushed wisps of fair hair out of her eyes, glanced at my trunk case and said,

"Kate? Katie Morgan?"

"Yes. Yes, that's me."

"Oh, come in love, you look worn out."

"Only just a bit. Thank you." I walked in and noticed that the grocery was fairly large and the Learys had a large stock of goods.

"I'll show you to your room. Leave the trunk here if you like. Tom can get it later."

"It's alright, I can manage. It's lighter than it looks." I picked up the trunk and followed her around the store counter on the right hand side and through a door . We stepped into what looked like a family area. There was a sofa and a table in the middle of the room. There were two doors in the room.

Mrs. Leary turned to me and said, "This one here, on the right is your room, and that one leads to the upstairs landing. Come with me so I can show you the water closet." I left my trunk in the family room and followed her up the wooden steps.

In the narrow hallway there were three doors. The one on the right was the water closet. And the two on the left were the bedrooms of the Learys and Nelly. Mrs. Leary explained that her husband had only just arisen and that Nelly was still asleep.

She led me down the stairs and opened my bedroom door. She opened the window on the right side of the room. "Mr. Leary's brother used to sleep here but he's been gone for months. Went off to California. Can you believe it?" She took out a rag and dusted the window. I put my trunk on the floor next to my bed and she said,

"Well, you get settled in and I'll come get you so you can meet Mr. Leary and our Nelly."

"Thank you, Mrs. Leary." She gave me a smile and went out the room leaving me to contemplate my new living quarters. There was a small drawer with a mirror next to my small bed. Everything about the bedroom was rather small. But it was mine and I loved it.

Back at home I shared a bed with my sister in a bedroom about the same size. We lived in the same tenant building since I was born and I found the change of setting refreshing. I busied myself with putting what clothes could fit in the drawer. It was clean inside and I only had to brush away a few pieces of lint. My remaining possessions stayed in my trunk. My journal made of bound scraps of paper, small stubs of pencils that I would keep from school, my cherished ink pen with it's inkwell, a few earmarked books,and a letter from Mama and Eliza.

I straightened up but caught myself in the mirror. Had I worn the same worn-out, worried expression since Father ran off? Since before that time? My dark hair was in a state of disarray. I combed through it with my fingers and smoothed in down. A lot good it did me.

I walked over to the window. Being on the first floor, the ground wasn't too far away. Actually, not that far away at all. I can easily climb out, I thought. Hah, look at me making plans. I closed the window slightly and drew the curtains.

I walked into the grocery store that still remained closed. I walked around looking into the barrels of flour and smelling the scented soaps. I heard the door open from behind the counter. I put the soap back quickly and turned to see a bear of a man step out.

"Katie, a pleasure to meet you." He strode over and smiled as he held out his hand to shake mine.

"Nice to meet you too sir. Thank you for offering me a place in your home."

"No trouble. No trouble at all. Anything for Jim's family." I gave an awkward smile at the mention of my father. Ms. Leary stepped out holding the hand of a little girl who was still sleepily rubbing her eyes.

"This is Nelly. Dear, this is Katie." Nelly looked at me shyly from behind her mother's dress. I bent over and waved at her.

"Hello Nelly. Good morning." Nelly smiled and walked over and took my hand.

"Nelly, dear, show Katie how old you are," said her mother. Nelly showed me five fingers on her hand.

"Oh, you're really smart aren't you?" I said.

"That's our girl," said Mr. Leary proudly. Mrs. Leary looked up at me, smiling and said,

"Katie, we'll be opening the shop in a few minutes. There's a park down the street. Please take Nelly with you and buy four apples from a vendor that sells there"

"Yes, of course."

"Hold on, I have an old coin purse you can take with you," said Mrs. Leary. She went behind the counter and dropped some coins within the small purse and handed it to me. "Come back in an hours time or so."

"Yes, of course. Come along Nelly." I took her by the hand and walked out the door. Mrs. Leary followed."Now, continue going north until you reach a park. It's not too far, in fact, you can see it a bit from here. There's a statue right in the middle of it." I thanked her again and set out with Nelly.

A/N

This is merely a sort of introduction by the way. The story starts taking a turn in the next chapter. Thanks for reading!