AN: I promised an update soon and here it is. Hope you all enjoy. As always reviews are very much appreciated. Let me know what you think.
.:Abbey:.
Dear Beth,
Well it has been almost two months since we all came to the Manhattan Newsboys Lodging House. We have managed to make ourselves fit in somehow; even me being the only girl. It just feels right here -like I have a family again.
Kloppman has been teaching the boys how to read. They are getting pretty good at it. And we have all spent time with South, he's the leader of the Manhattan Newsies, learning how to sell papers. After our first night here I thought for sure we had blown it with him - but he has ended up being like an older brother to all of us. In fact all of the Newsies have. It feels good to have a home again.
I never thought I would say it but I think that God must have been looking out for me when I meet the boys back at the Orphanage. I guess I should blame them for getting me caught that night I tried to sneak out. They were doing the same thing except they did it badly and we all got caught. Jack and Tony would never tell me but I overheard them talking about it one night. They came back for me after they ran away again because Patrick had insisted. Funny- he is so quite and reserved and yet when you make him mad or he feels strongly about something he is the first one to do something about it. Well Beth I have to get up bright and early- so it is when living the life of a newsie. As always love forever and always. - Abbey.
I gently slid the journal back under the floorboard. I had been lucky to find the hiding place in the washroom. No boys ever came in when I was in there. I always had the privacy I needed, probably more then I needed but I enjoyed my alone time. It gave me a chance to write my thoughts down on paper. Something I had been encouraged to do since I had started writing at the age of four.
I smiled thinking about my latest entry. It really was funny how things had turned around. I had been introduced to three boys who I thought had ruined my chances of ever escaping the prison that was the orphanage but in the end they were the reason I had made it here. It had been Jack who had insisted we try to get lodging at the newsboy's house. We had all been tired of sleeping on park benches at that point.
It had been a wild journey to get from there to here, but I had to admit it had been fun. Selling papers was intriguing to me. I have never been a good liar but South quickly helped me with that. I had made many friends and it really did finally feel like I was home.
.:Spot Conlon:.
"Novalee don't walk away from me." I yelled at her as she slammed the washroom door in my face for what I was sure was the hundredth time that day.
I turned around sending a glare out across the room, the one that dared anyone to cross me at that moment. I quickly walked towards the fire escape slamming the window as hard as I could behind me.
I didn't get the girl anymore. It has been six years since we had come to be newsies. Leaders had changed, many of the newsies who were here when we had moved in had gone on to start families and worked in the factories now. But the one thing I thought to myself that hadn't changed was the people I had come here with. Spot reflected how it sounded. He knew that he would never let on how much Jack, Race and Novalee meant to him, but in truth he recognized them as the one thing that was constant and unchanging in his life. At least up until recently. Novalee had ruined the unchanging part. Jack, Race, and himself had always been her protectors - starting that night that they had accidentally got her caught after their own failed attempt at running away from the orphanage. She had always seemed appreciative of their protectiveness. And in all honesty Spot knew that he enjoyed having her look to him for protection. It was a nice feeling when someone looked to you for shelter. It made him feel redeemed. He had made a promise long ago to himself that night he saw Abbey get caught. He would protect her and keep her safe, and he wouldn't fail this time - not the way he had failed his little sister Gracie.
His thoughts turned to his little sister and the day of the fire. It was the same fire that had killed Jack's mom and Race's parents. It had started in the factory. Then it swept into the connected living quarters where his little sister Gracie had been sleeping. He was supposed to be watching her and he had been, but when Tony and Frances had come to show him Tony's newly purchased marble set he left her to sit in the stairwell outside. The next thing he knew explosions ripped through the factory and into the living quarters. It had only taken seconds. Seconds and his life was changed forever. He had never forgiven himself for leaving Gracie by herself. He considered that event was the reason that he hated change so much. His thoughts turned as he quickly pushed memories of childhood into the back of his mind.
His face had been cold and unchanging. No one would have known looking at him the pain and anger he had felt reflecting that bitter memory and that was the way he wanted it. He was stone cold and he didn't care what people thought of him. Showing emotion was a sign of weakness in his mind; and weakness was a person's demise in the tough streets of New York. Spot had certainly excelled in taking the stoic position. He considered his one weakness to be that he cared too much for his friends especially Novalee. His thoughts returned to their earlier fight. There had been a rash of brutal murders in Manhattan. The newsies hadn't needed to improve the headlines in almost a month. All the newsies worried for Novalee. After all everyone of the murder victims had been poor, young, girls from their side of town. They had all been brutally raped and murdered. Novalee seemed oblivious to the danger of the streets, even with a lunatic serial killer still out there. Spot was angered by her naivety when it came to the streets. He felt he always had to watch her.
He couldn't help but follow her around that morning. She had sold her papers as usual. He wasn't surprised when she didn't meet the other newsies for lunch and instead opted for a trip to the new public library. It was when she left the library that he had gotten angry. She had chosen to walk down an ally way. Something Spot knew she knew better then to do. It was in his moment of reflection that he caught sight of the man running after her into the alley. He had sprung into action and was quickly in the ally. He charged after the man and grabbed him as the man reached for Novalee's shoulder. He didn't wait for the man's reaction as he set to work pounding the man's face with his fist. It wasn't until he was sure the man couldn't move that he even heard or felt Novalee yelling and trying to pull him off.
"Spot stop it! He has my book. I just forgot my book."
The words hit Spot. He lifted his hands and looked at the man and then to the ground next to him where a book laid in a puddle.
"Oh my….are you okay." Novalee went straight to the man's side while she sent Spot the iciest look she could muster.
.:Novalee:.
"Good Lord Spot! You can't just go beating up every guy that walks by me." Novalee screamed as Spot followed her into the lodging house. "You are so lucky he didn't call the police." She continued screaming at him.
"Yeah I guess he was afraid I could do worse to him." Spot smirked at his own joke.
"I'm glad you find this funny. What the hell were you even doing there?" I was angry and I didn't care who knew it.
Spot had gone to far this time. All eyes were on us as we walked into the main room.
"Get away from me." I pulled my arm away from him as he tried to grab me.
"Novalee don't walk away from me." I heard him yell as I slammed the washroom door as hard as I could.
I hate the way he says my name, well my newsie name at least. When he used to say it, it was soft and gentle with a certain soothing and caring quality. But now whenever he says it, it is almost always to yell at me about how to stupid I have been to go here or do this alone. I hate the way he feels he has some say in the way things happen in my life. Who the hell is he? Novalee thought for a moment scolding her self thinking that way. Patrick O'Conlon was one of her oldest friends and probably the person she cared most about in the world but, she couldn't go on like this. He was overbearing and controlling. She thought about the old Spot the one who had befriended her all those years ago and the way he used to say Novalee - the way he said so she could feel her heart flutter.
FLASHBACK
Dear Beth,
Well we have been here for one year. I can't believe it - it seems like it has been much longer. I feel for the first time in a long time a sense of calm and I can say honestly that I feel happy. Like I said it is the first time in a long time.
I also have some other news to celebrate. I finally got my newsie nick name. The boys got theirs pretty quick. Tony got his first. Bluff gave it too him. This wasn't surprising considering the two both have an affinity for gambling. Bluff took him to the racetrack one time and Tony was hooked. Now everyone just calls him Race. Tex gave Jack his nick name- Cowboy, he even gave Jack his cowboy hat. Now Jack has decided he wants to run a ranch in Santa Fe. It's funny though - he never struck me as the cowboy type. Of course I can't forget Patrick. His name, in my humble opinion, is the dumbest of all. Spot. Yep, Beth that's right. Shooter, the leader of the Brooklyn newsies, gave it to him. Spot adores him. It is almost cute how he follows him around. Shooter gave Spot a slingshot and it was destiny. Apparently Spot "hits the spot" every time. Well he likes it but I still think it makes him sound like somebody's pet. Anyway I hadn't had anyone give me a nickname until today.
I had hid you away Beth only to come home and find you had been discovered.
"And for the first time I feel like I'm home. Ahhh how sweet." He read aloud to a captive audience of male newsies.
"Anthony Descanso give it to me right now before I break bones in your body you didn't even know you had!" I gave him the dirtiest look I had packed in my arsenal.
"Who is dis Beth and why don't you right Dear Diary like a noimal goil?" He asked.
I shot my hand out to grab it from him but he was too quick. He ran away from me
" By de way Abbey I tink maybe we should be teachin' you how to read an write. Dis' don't look like any words I ever seen before."
Finally I got up to him. "That's because it isn't all in English you moron. It is Latin and Greek." I said grabbing my journal from his hand. I ran to the washroom trying to hide the tears streaming down my face as the boys starred at me in shock.
A few minutes later I heard a knock on the door.
"Abbey it's Willy S. can I come in?" He asked.
"Sure," I replied. "It's your washroom too." He came and sat down beside me. "You didn't come from the poor side of town did you?"
"Gee what gave it away?" I said sarcastically.
"Well actually I kind of figured that since you came here. Not many girls your age know how to read and write, let alone do it in different languages." He said. "I'm in the same boat you know. The boys kind of resent that about me. That's where I got my nickname Willy S. you know?"
I shook my head not understanding.
"William Shakespeare. I was reading a book of his sonnets one night and that is how it came to be."
I smiled at him. "I love Shakespeare."
"Yeah me too," he said "nothing in the world like him. Hey do you like poetry?"
I nodded my head "Yeah. That's what I was writing in different languages. My sister Beth always used to tell me if I was going to write something worthwhile to do it another language. She just thought there was something more special about poetry in another language." I said quietly.
"Is that the Beth you write to in your journal?" I smiled weakly "Yeah." My voice cracked as tears began to role down my face again.
"Hey don't cry Abbey. We all have lost someone. We just deal with it different ways. Maybe writing to your sister is your way." He grabbed my shoulders in a tight embrace. "Now let's see some of that poetry you've got in there."
I handed my journal to him with a feeling of hesitation. He sat for a long while pouring over every page.
"Wow Abbey you might be the next Shakespeare." He smiled at me.
"Yeah right" I looked at him smugly.
"You know I speak a few languages myself. Did you know the lee is the Gallic word for poet? Of course you are a new kind of poet, you're a nova, meaning new."
I could see that Willy was indeed smart as the clocks turned in his head.
"You're a Novalee."
I smiled. "I like that - it's pretty."
"Then it shall be your new nickname." Willy said authoritatively. "Now how about you come join us and quit letting those boys get to you."
And so Beth, that is my newsie nickname. Oh I almost forgot. When I came out from the washroom Race had a pretty nice bruise going. I asked him who gave him the shiner and he said Spot. Apparently Spot didn't find Race's antics so amusing.
He likes my new nick name. Maybe I should give his a second chance. It's strange Beth, the way he makes me feel now. When I told him my nickname he repeated it and I could feel myself blushing. My heart even fluttered. What does that mean?
I guess I will have to find out. As always - love forever and always, Abbey "Novalee" O'Connor.
END FLASHBACK
I smiled at the memory but my thoughts quickly turned as I heard a pounding at the washroom door.
"Abbey look you don't know the streets. You don't watch your back." I could hear Spot yelling at me.
"Spot I am so sick of you telling me what I don't do right, and I shouldn't have to remind you that I have been on the streets just as long as you!" I hissed at him as I shoved my way past him. I pulled a bag out from under my bunk and began throwing my few belongings in them.
"What the hell are you doing?" he yelled at me and tried to take the items from my hand.
"I'm leaving Spot. I am done with this. I can't do this anymore. I am not a newsie. I always followed you guys around. I have valuable skills- I speak four different languages; I can read and write well. I am sure I could be a valuable commodity to someone." I said loudly to ensure that all the newsies heard.
"Don't be stupid Novalee this is your home." Spot grabbed my arm as I walked out of the lodging house.
"No Spot not anymore. You and Jack and Race, you excel at this stuff. I have always been just okay. I don't want to spend the rest of my life doing this. I am young now. I could find myself a good job and work myself to the top." I reasoned -unsure I could really do it.
"So what you leave and abandon us." Spot said angrily. "I am not abandoning you. I'll still visit. I'll write. Besides you guys all have each other." I said quietly.
"Yeah you'll write. Probably just like South did when he left - once and then no more." He hissed.
"Spot I am going now." I turned and made my way down the stairs. "Say goodbye to the boys for me and send Jack and Race my love." I yelled slamming the door before he had time to stop me. I took off running. I could hear him screaming my name and trying to catch up. For an instant it almost sounded like the way he used to say my name. I pushed the thought aside knowing that it was time for me to grow up and move on with my life.
AN: Just in case this is confusing at this point in the story Spot and Novalee are only around fourteen. As always reviews are very much appreciated. I have many plans for this story coming soon so be on the lookout for updates.
NEW AN: Alrighty so I should have the other chapters edited and back up within the week…and then dun dun duuuuh… I will finally put up the next chapter of the story! Yay! Anyway please review what I have up so far…especially if this is your first time reading it. I thrive when I have reviews (even if they aren't always in my favor.) Thanks for reading! - Emily
