So I feel like I haven't updated this in forever! Sorry about that! Right now I feel like I needed some fluff. So I wrote some fluff. But I love this so much. I've found that it's a lot easier to write this story than all of my other ones. Maybe because it's mostly fluff?
I don't own Newsies.
Chapter Twelve
"But I don't wanna go to Grandpapa Pulitzer's house!" Flora wined, making Jack drag her behind him.
Jack ran a hand through his hair. He had been reminded of this about hundred times now. Flora hated going to Pulitzer's house. She hated having to act like a little lady in front of her grandpapa. Jack had made her put on a long dress, which Flora's little feet tripped over. As much as she groaned and winded, Jack didn't stop. He kept bustling through the busy streets, occasionally saying hi to a newsie. He tipped his hat at the ladies, pretending he didn't hear a word his daughter said. When they arrived at the Pulitzer mansion, Jack knelt down in front of Flora who was pouting.
"Ace, you'se making a scene. Now if your real good at Grandpapa's house then I'll buy you ice cream on the way home. Deal?" Jack said to Flora.
"Okay! I'll be very sweet to Grandmama," Flora promised.
"What about Grandpapa?" Jack asked, in a stern voice.
Flora stuck her tongue out. "He's mean."
"Can you at least pretend to be nice to him?" He was getting anxious. "You love acting like Miss Medda. Can you be like Miss Medda and pretend?"
"Fine."
Jack cheeked Flora over before knocking on the door. He had to make sure she was presentable for his father-in-law. Mr. Pulitzer had arranged this visit to make sure Jack was taking good care of his granddaughter. It wasn't what he told Jack, but Jack wasn't stupid.
A butler greeted them. He took their coats and told the two to wait in the parlor. Flora sat on her father's lap. Soon, Mrs. Pulitzer was in the room, with her husband behind her. Mrs. Pulitzer picked her granddaughter up and spun her around. Flora giggled as she took flight. When Mrs. Pulitzer set Flora down she handed her a butterscotch candy. Flora eagerly took the treat.
"But don't tell your poppy," Mrs. Pulitzer warned, "Because I know he's a good father." She aimed her last sentence at her husband. Mrs. Pulitzer was on Jack's side of things.
"We'll see soon, dear," said Mr. Pulitzer though clenched teeth.
The visit was started with lunch. Flora decided that she hated roasted ham. A big mistake for Jack. Mr. Pulitzer did not look impressed. His wife comforted Jack by telling him that kids do that time of thing all the time. After eating, Mr. Pulitzer brought Jack back into the parlor, while the missus went to play with her granddaughter.
Jack was questioned about Flora. His father-in-law asked about everything. From her interests to the food on her plate. So, Jack gave him everything he needed. But he left the part out about Isaac. Couldn't have Mr. Pulitzer knowing about that.
"Nine, ten!" Mrs. Pulitzer counted, "Ready or not here I come!"
Flora wasn't ready. But she ducked into a closet that connected two rooms together. From the other side, she could hear voices. People who sounded like her father and grandfather. The young girl pressed an ear up to the keyhole. She started listening into their conversation when she heard her name.
"It's lucky that you're doing such a good job on raising my granddaughter, Kelly," Mr. Pulitzer commented, "I thought for sure that today would be the time that I decided that I needed to take matters into my own hands. Like raising Katherine's child."
"Our daughter," Jack corrected.
What she just heard stunned Flora. She felt heavy. Like nothing was going to be good ever again. Her grandpapa wanted to take her away from her poppy? No! Flora couldn't let that happen. She had to be a good girl now. But Flora wanted to punch the old man. He deserved it! She hated him. Hated him.
Towards the end of the visit, Mr. Pulitzer decided to spend some time with Flora. See if Jack really wasn't lying to him. His wife and Jack chatted about how expensive kids shoes were getting to be (when you become a parent, this is what you talked about, Jack had learned from experience) in the front hall.
"I hate you!" Flora told Mr. Pulitzer, "My friend Nellie hates you! My other friends hate you! Isaac hates you!"
"Who's Isaac?" He didn't recall Jack telling him about any Isaac.
"Uncle Crutchie hates you! Uncle Race hates you! Even Uncle Spot hates you!" Flora went on to name every single newsie and how they hated him. "Poppy hates you! Mama hates you! I hate you!" She opened the door. "You know what? I bet even, God hates you!"
Jack had heard that. He grabbed Flora and ran as fast as possible out of the mansion.
How he'd messed up.
So my inspiration behind this was from a story my mom told me.
Thanks for reading and Happy Easter!
If you review, I'll give you a little Spot Conlon or Jack Kelly. The choice is yours. :)
