Chapter 11

      The next morning Spot walked me home.  For quite a while we walked in silence.

      "Dat real reason I'm not stayin' in Manhattan is cuz I worried dat Coil is gonna start movin' in on my territory.  Ya see, I can tell dat he tinks I'm soft now dat I gotta goil, but he doesn't seem ta see dat it's not true.  I'm stronger den eveh."  Spot said breaking the silence.

      "It's ok.  I understand.  As long as you come back here in two days like ya promised."  I told him. 

      "I promise.  Plus I gotta come back ta tell Jackie 'bout how many newsies ta expect."  He told me.  I looked at him.  His hair was falling in front of his eyes.  I loved when it did that.  The remembered the first time I had seen his hair do that.  It was when he had come to the rescue of Manhattan just two days before.  "Babydoll?"  Spot asked, waving his hand in front of my face.

      "Sorry… I wasn't paying attention… what did you say?"  I asked.

      "Nevah mind… it's not important."  He told me.

      Once we got back to the lodging house, Spot talked to Mush about the rally.  Mush told him that Jack and Davey had decided to have the rally at Irving Hall owned by Medda Larkson.  After that Spot left so he could go save his precious Brooklyn from falling into the hands of Coil.  I went up to my room and was very surprised to see that half of my clothes were in a suitcase.

      "Pop!"  I called down the hall.  "Pop!  Why's my stuff packed?"

      "Babydoll, I have some bad news."  Pop told me.  I looked at him, expressionless.  'What worse could happen then me being sent off to boarding school?' I thought to myself.  "I got a packet in the mail today that said that you are gonna hafta leave in exactly one week.  I've already got your ticket for the boat ride to London and everything."  I stared at Pop in disbelief.  I was about to argue, when I decided it would be pointless.  I walked back to my room.  I sat on my bed and started to cry.  Then I stopped myself and began to pack.  I felt numb, completely numb.

      Two days later Spot came back, just like he promised.  I told him I would be leaving the day after the rally.  He told me everything would be ok and that I would always be his girl.  After that Spot came back everyday until it was the day of the rally.