I smiled at him for a minute and scooted over on the bench. He sat down and looked at me. I looked to the floor and sighed. "Well, it um, it started about two years ago. My dad was in a business. I'm not sure what kind, but I do know that he woke up early and came home late. My mom was a stay at home mom, like most mom's are. Even though my dad was gone all the time, I loved my family. Everything seemed perfect to me… Well, except for the one day. It started out like a normal one. I was in the kitchen washing dishes and someone knocked on the door. I followed my dad to the door, and… and…" I started to break down crying.
I calmed down and looked at him "The person at the door shot my dad, Spot. He shot him and walked off." He looked at me with melancholy in his eyes. I wiped away the tears and looked toward the floor. I smiled and looked up at him once more. "You're the first person I've ever really talked about this to, thanks for listening," I managed to mumble. He nodded his head.
He sighed. "Yer mom's an alcoholic isn't she?" I looked at him in shock.
"How did you know?" I asked him. He shrugged his shoulders.
"I've seen 'er leave yer house and enter bars…" He said quietly.
I nodded my head. "Yea, she is… That's why I do ballet, to earn money." I murmured. He nodded his head and looked around.
"I should get going," I told him. He nodded his head as I got up from the bench. "Thanks for listening to me." I smiled and walked off. I walked over to my house. I walked in slowly and sighed. There were two things on my mind. One, boy oh boy, were Spot's eyes amazing, and two, why did he seem to show up everywhere I was!? I sighed again and walked into my room. I laid down on my bed, and drifted off to sleep.
I woke up suddenly and looked around. What time was it? I walked out of my room and saw Lynn making dinner in the kitchen. "How long was I asleep?" I asked her. She turned around and looked at me. She shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know, I came home about two hours ago and you were asleep," She told me. I nodded my head and walked over to her. I took the spoon from her hand and finished up dinner. I served us both plates and began to eat quietly. At Lynn's bedtime, I told her to go to bed and I finished up the dishes. I stayed up later waiting for my Mom, but after an hour or so, I gave up. I put out a glass of water and headed off toward my room.
I sat down on my bed and sighed as I thought to myself. My mind drifted back and forth between so many things. Why had I so easily talked to Spot? I never opened up to anyone about my dad's death and it so easily came out. I shook him from my thoughts and dreamt of myself on stage performing a solo in ballet. I closed my eyes and laid back. I kept dreaming.
I woke up slowly and rubbed my eyes. I stretched out slowly and got out of my bed. I put on my leotard and got ready for ballet. I pulled on my shoes, woke up Lynn, and walked off to the studio. On the way I thought about my solo, and wondered whether or not I would get the part.
I entered my studio and smiled as I passed my friends. I sat down at one of the chairs and silently put on my shoes. My instructor came out and gathered everyone around her. We gathered around and listened quietly. "Ladies, we have everyone's roles and I will be reading them aloud. Allison, you are the leading girl…" Right as my instructor said that my eyes popped and I could barely hear who else got what roles. I smiled to big that my cheeks were hurting.
"Allison?" I heard my instructor ask. I looked up at her. "You will need new Pointe shoes for the performance; here is your money… Also, we will be practicing for your role separately, so you won't be doing normal practice with the other girls right now." I nodded my head and accepted the money. I put it away in my bag and walked into the classroom to practice.
When practice was over, I walked home and smiled the entire way. I entered my house and twirled a bit. I saw Lynn sitting at the kitchen table and I ran up to her and kissed her. "I got the solo Lynn!" I shouted. She smiled at me and gave me a hug.
"That's so cool!" She shouted back. I nodded my head and sighed out. Right when I was about to ask where Mom was, I saw her come out of her room. I looked at her. She looked back at me and smiled. I smiled back and for once, even though it was crazy, I thought everything was going to be alright.
"What did you get doll?" She asked me as she sat down in one of the chairs. I smiled at her.
"I got the leading role in the upcoming ballet!" I clamored.
"That's good, sweetie." She said in a tired tone. I nodded my head and went into my room. I put down my bag with the money on my bed and walked out again. I grabbed a few things for breakfast and began making it. I gave everyone their food and ate quietly. Mom finished up and left the room. I sighed and put away her dishes. When I finished up, I told Lynn that I'd take her to ballet.
"Let me just go get my shoes," I muttered. I entered my room. "Mom! What are you doing!?" I shouted. She was standing over my dance bag with the money for my Pointe shoes in her hand. She turned and looked at me.
"I need the money." She said in a toneless voice.
"Mom, that's my money, I earned it!" I shouted back. Her eyes looked glazed over. I couldn't tell whether or not she was drunk.
"Any money you earn is my money, you're my daughter," She muttered.
"Mom, you can't just take my money!" I shouted.
"Why don't you go hang out with that dog of yours?" She muttered.
I looked at her. "Dog?"
"Yea, that Spot Conlon dog."
"What!?" I shouted at her.
"The one you talk about in your sleep every night," She whispered. She put the money in her small purse and looked at me.
That caught me off guard and I just stared at her. "You're a horrible excuse of a mother," I mumbled and stormed out of the room.
Lynn looked at me in shock and I grabbed her hand and yanked her out of the house. By the time we were have way, Lynn was in tears.
"Lynn, don't cry," I spoke softly. She looked at me and wiped her eyes. "Lynn, I'm sorry I yanked you out. I got into a fight with Mom."
"I know," She mumbled. I nodded my head and kissed her softly. We finished the walk to the studio and I kissed her one last time. "I love you," She whispered.
"I love you too," I said before walking off. I managed to walk a short way before I broke down. I fell to the floor in tears and just sat against the wall. How was I going to come up with the money!?
Disclaimer--I don't own Newsies. Never will :(
Author's note--Wow. It's been a while. I've been caught up in school and Family and friends. Sorry it took so long everyone! I plan on having chapter four up soon. Reveiws are always nice :)