Note: Sorry for taking so long! Here is Chapter Four, finally! Let me know what you think! And there's another bit of Conlon for you Spot lovers! ;) (Aren't we all?)

A Change of Time Chapter 4 - Melody's Room

"Follow me," Melody instructed, leading the way up a flight of steps in the Brooklyn Newsboys Lodging House.

"This is the boys room," she said, pointing to the right once they reached a landing with three doors. "Up there's the attic," she continued, pointing to the door straight ahead. "And this is my room." With that, the girl turned the knob of the left hand door, and pushed it open. Sharron and Maddy shuffled it, looking around the room. There was a bed with a thin mattress, with a chair and washstand nearby. On the wall hung a newspaper clipping with the headline, "Children's Crusade: Newsies Stop The World."

"It ain't the mayors house, but it'll do," Melody said. There were a few other odds and ends around the room, including a ball of string, and a candle, but nothing much.

"I think there's an extra bed in the attic, and we can put it there," Spot's sister continued, pointing to an empty corner. "Don't know where we'll put the little one yet, though," she said, looking over at Maddy. Sharron, when she was not on stage or reading a book, was a very practical girl. So now, she was thinking of how she would feed Maddy and herself while in this place.

"Do you know any jobs that I could do to earn money?" she asked.

Melody thought for a moment, "I work at one of the factories, but it's not such a great job," she said, then a light came into her eyes. "I've got it! Can you cook?" Fond memories of being in the kitchen with her mother filled Sharron's head. She nodded. The girl hadn't done any cooking since her mother's death. It was tender to her heart, but now she knew if she had to cook for a job she would do it.

"Well," Melody said, "The bakery down the street is looking for someone who can do some baking, and stand behind the counter. Interested?" Sharron almost blurted out, But I'm only fourteen. But she held her peace. "And Maddy," Melody said, fingering one of the girl's pigtails. "Maddy can sell with one of the boys." but at Sharron's alarmed look, she hurried to assure her. "One of the trusted ones, maybe Scrap. You've met him, so it should be easier. Would you like to sell newspapers?" Melody asked the small girl. Maddy thought about it, then slowly nodded. "Great!" Melody exclaimed, "Just make yourselves at home. I'm gonna go take care of somethin'." When the girl was gone Sharron and Maddy shared a long hug.

"It's going to be fine, just you wait," Sharron said, smiling fondly at her little sister. "And just look at this adventure we're having! Dad's going to be fine. Just you wait and see." Maddy smiled.

"Does Spot Conlon scare you?" Maddy asked.

Sharron thought for a moment. "I guess so, but he's a strange case, isn't he?"

Maddy giggled. "Yes, very strange!" The little girl said, making a face. There's was suddenly the sound of a clearing throat behind them, and Sharron's face grew ashen as she turned. Her eyes were once again by stormy blue ones.

"Sp- Spot," she said, stumbling over her words. The boy did not look at all pleased. His cane was in his belt loop, and his slingshot in the back pocket of his pants, but he still looked... annoyed. Wait, annoyed?

"Bettah be careful what ya say," he said icily. Maddy paled, and he looked down on her. Sharron was surprised to see his gaze soften ever so slightly. "Okay?" he asked the small girl, bending over a little bit. Sharron stifled a giggle, but a few sounds still slipped out. Spot rapidly turned, whipping out his cane in the process.

"What?" he asked coldly.

Sharron put her arms behind her back. "Nothing."

Spot tapped his cane on the floor. "That's right, nothin'. That's what you saw. Don't speak a woid of dis to anyone," he said, motioning towards Maddy as he said 'this'. Sharron found herself feeling quite confused about Spot Conlon, but she said nothing else. Spot slipped his cane back through his belt loop. "Remembah," he said sternly, locking eyes with Sharron. With that he turned on his heel and left. Sharron sunk onto Melody's bed, feeling drained.

"Why is it so different here?" Maddy asked, leaning her head on her hand.

"I don't know, but it is years before our time, so of course things are different." Maddy nodded, satisfied for now. Sharron's first night in Brooklyn was a strange one. Maddy was able to share a bed with Sharron for the time being, but that wasn't the strange part. Several times she woke to hear boys arguing, and joking among themselves.

Don't they ever go to sleep? she thought. Then, she happened to look out the window and she saw a shadowy figure walking into the street. Sharron caught the glimpse of gold from a street lamp, and she was sure it was Spot Conlon.

Wonder what he's up to, she thought absently, but soon fell asleep again. Melody had promised to take her to the bakery in the morning.