" So ya see," Spot Conlon walked with Gineve, also known as Gem to her friends, " dis is an interestin' time for us right now."
" I can understand that," Gem smiled, keeping her eyes down. The two walked closely, their bodies almost touching but not quite that close. " These times are hard for you, so I understand completely."
" I jus' don' wanna see ya hurt," Spot stopped walking, turning to face her. The two stood face to face, their breath clouding in the frigid air. " So I'm askin' you to go wit' Jack for a while. Until things settle down."
" I know," Gem glanced away from him, her eyes traveling to the Brooklyn bridge. She shivered for a second, shutting her eyes to think. " I just don't want to leave you, Spot. I'm afraid I'll come back and you'll be gone."
" Gem," Spot sighed, shaking his head. " I won' leave ya. I ain't goin' no where. I'll be here when you get back."
" How can I be sure?" Gem asked. " There's nothing to say that you won't be taken. Something could go wrong. You could be killed, you could be injured. Things like that happen, Spot Conlon. You're not invincible."
" But I'm about as close to it as it comes," he whispered. Gem shook her head, putting a hand to her face.
" Forget it," she put up her hands in defeat. " Forget I mentioned it."
" Please, settle down," Spot whispered, extending his arms to her. Gem fell into his embrace, burying her head in his chest. She didn't cry or sob. She just let him hold her. Spot kissed her hair lightly, his hands grasping her tightly, not wanting to let go. " I don' wanna see you leave either, but it's the only way, Gem."
" Why can't I stay here? That way we won't have to go through this," she whispered, looking up at him. Spot shook his head.
" Don' make dis any harder for me or you," he told her. " Jus' go and I'll come and get you when everythin' is settled. A'ight?"
" Yes, sir," Gem nodded, turning once again to the water. Spot stood behind her, hands in his pockets, his eyes on the water also. " So I guess this is good bye for a while, Mr. Conlon?"
" Yes, it is, Miss Gem," Spot nodded. He tried to smile but couldn't. Gem looked over her shoulder, her eyes watching him carefully. " I'll see ya round," with that Spot turned, trudging back towards the buildings set back from the river. Gem watched him, trying to understand this all.
" I don't know if I'll come back, Spot," Gem whispered to herself, biting her lip. " So I guess this is good bye."
As if Spot had heard her voice, he turned, looking at her one last time. He stopped walking, standing, facing the river, his body relaxed. Gem smiled back at him, glancing one last time at the Brooklyn skyline, knowing that it would be probably the last time she saw the buildings. She shuddered one more time, before turning towards the river, trudging towards the Brooklyn Bridge. And that was the last time she saw Spot Conlon as the great Brooklyn leader.