I'm so sorry that I've been behind on updating! But guess what? I have the next two chapters written! Which means that if y'all review, I'll update tomorrow afternoon AND evening. :D Sound good? Please read and review! Enjoy!
The next morning, the harsh glare of the sun did not wake Queenie. A little pair of arms shaking her awake did.
"G'mornin', Queenie!" The little boy shouted.
Grudgingly, the girl pulled her eyes open.
"Ah, Good morning, Roller," she said, sitting up.
He smiled at her.
"What are you doing up, sweetie?" Queenie asked, stretching up.
Roller smiled and put his finger over his mouth.
"It's a secret," he whispered, nearly giggling from jubilance.
Queenie scowled, not one for surprises.
"Now, Roller, let's not be silly-"
She moved to get out of the bed so she could go get the Lodging House ready for her departure the next evening, but Roller pushed her back.
"Youse can't get up, Queenie! Dat's not part of the plan," he said, as though it was obvious.
Sighing, Queenie weighed her options. She might ignore whatever surprise the little boy planned. However, dashing a small boy's dreams was not part of her job description. Or, she could go along with it and just stay up until the early morning trying to get her last chores done. Queenie knew what she had to do. She stayed in bed. Happy to know he had kept her in her place, he held out his hands as though he was stopping a dog.
"Stay, Queenie. Ise gonna be right back."
The girl nodded and settled in, bracing herself for whatever he planned. A moment later, she knew. Jazz, Dealer, and Hayseed entered, each carrying something. Jazz held a tray of breakfast food, Dealer carried the morning edition, and Hayseed held a steaming decanter of coffee and a mug. Spot walked in behind them, carrying his cane.
"G'mornin', Queenie," he said, nodding to her.
Shocked, she nodded back.
"What is all of this?" she asked, pointing at the trays.
Spot, annoyed, waved for the boys to present Queenie with her breakfast.
"Breakfast in bed for da Queen," he said, smiling.
Queenie laughed and dug in to the drays of food. Putting the stale bread to her lips, she attempted to make it look as though she enjoyed it. She sipped her coffee lightly, as it was the most bitter thing she'd ever put to her lips. But it didn't matter. If the boys made it for her, it might as well be breakfast for the president himself. Pushing the empty plates away, she patted her stomach.
"Well, boys, that was good. Thank you."
All of the boys, save Spot, of course, shuffled their feet and responded in their general 'Aw, shucks' manner.
"Well, what can Ise say? Me and my boys know how to treat da ladies," Spot said, not bearing to be decent for even five minutes.
Queenie rolled her eyes.
"Boys, I do need to get ready for my departure tomorrow."
The newsies shared a secret look.
"What?" she asked, looking at the three of them.
They all stifled laughter.
"Just get dressed 'n' meet us down da stairs, eh, Queenie?" Spot offered, leading the boys out of the room.
Not like she was given much of a choice. Groaning to herself, the girl shrugged on her patchwork blue dress and tied her hair up. Nearly running down the stairs, Queenie nearly fell over at the sight that greeted her in the common room. Every Brooklyn newsie sat, waiting for her to arrive.
"Wese gonna take youse for a day on da town, Queenie. A real Brooklyn afternoon."
Again, no one gave her a choice. Hustling her out of the Lodging House, the crowd of boys attempted to sell as they walked, hawking the headline all around her.
"Cow moddas three baby chicks!" Jazz shouted.
He broke off to sell as several people asked to buy from him.
"Five story glass house to be built in Jersey!"
A few more boys broke off with each new boy until only Queenie, Spot, Ghost, and Roller remained. The four walked along, the three older listening to Roller prattle on about everything they passed.
"And look, Spot! Dere's dose street dancers wese saw dat time when wese were goin' to da club durin' da strike. Oh, dat was such a good time. Youse remember dat, Spot? Da whole gang was dere-"
Spot looked to Ghost.
"Youse still gonna come wit' us?" He asked.
Ghost shook his head and put his hand on Roller's shoulders.
"Roller 'n' Ise are gonna go and sell today,"
Roller looked up at the older three kids.
"What? But I-"
Ignoring his protests, Ghost took the little boy by the arm.
"C'mon, kid."
With that, the two left, Ghost dragging Roller behind him.
"What was that about?" Queenie asked, watching the little boy walk away.
Spot shrugged.
"No idea."
Knowing better than to argue, Queenie sighed and looked at the boy beside her.
"Well, you promised me a real Brooklyn afternoon."
Spot nodded and pointed ahead.
"And a real Brooklyn afta'noon, youse gonna get. Ise always keep me promises."
He extended his arm for Queenie to take, his lips curling in a charming smirk.
"M'lady?" he asked as the girl looked from his face to his arm.
Queenie smiled.
"Why not?"
Looping her arm through his, she let Spot lead her through Brooklyn. The streets, now booming in the late morning sun, teemed with life. Street performers tap danced on wooden crates; politicians and preachers alike vied for the attention of the masses. Ladies walked with their men, and the sun beat down on every unsuspecting Brooklynite. The freezing air blew despite the sun's rays flowing down. After a short stop for lunch, Spot guided her once more through the streets.
"Now, Spot Conlon, I expect for you to tell me this instant what is going on here. Where are we going?" Queenie asked, looking at the boy for answers.
Taking her arm without permission, Spot smirked.
"Youse just gonna have to wait."
The two walked silently, enjoying the bright day. Suddenly, Spot sharply turned into an alley.
"Dis way," he said after he had already forced her to turn.
He stopped in front of a door and rapped sharply three times with his cane.
"I hate that thing," Queenie said, pointing to the weapon that took her away from Queens.
Spot shook his head and smirked.
"Youse just jealous."
The door swung wide open, revealing a large lady wearing too much rouge and a dress two sizes too small for her frame. Her harsh look softened the moment she saw Spot.
"Aw, Conlon," she said in a maternal tone, reaching out to lightly touch his cheek.
Spot blushed, ashamed that Queenie was seeing Madame's display. Madame's gaze switched to Queenie.
"And dis must be-"
The King of Brooklyn nodded quickly, hoping to cut Madame off before she ran Spot's surprise aground.
"Yes m'am. Dis is her."
Madame nodded, seeming to approve Queenie after giving her a once-over.
"Youse are very beautiful, my dear. Spot here's a lucky boy."
A beat passed and Madame smiled a curvy smile that said she knew something that no one else did.
"But Ise thinks he already knows dat."
Questions flew through Queenie's mind, but Madame kept her from speaking them with a quick Irish curse.
"Ise sorry. Youse two gonna be late! Spot, everything's ready for youse upstairs. Youse two best have a good time."
Madame opened the door further to let the two in. Queenie tried to keep her eyes down, trying to ignore the rooms full of groaning men and half-dressed women rushing through the halls.
"Just up dis way," Spot said, lightly taking her hand and guiding her up a set of narrow steps.
When they reached the top, he pushed open the door and climbed out onto the roof. A large smile spread across his face. A large blanket was spread out on the level surface with a pitcher of Seltzer and a fresh box of Cracker Jacks sitting on top of it.
"Here we are," Spot said, showing Queenie the set up.
The girl's eyebrows furrowed as she saw the picnic.
"What is all of this for?"
Spot merely used his cane to point off of the roof.
"Look."
Queenie turned her head to look at whatever was so important.
"Dat's Washington Park. Youse ever seen a baseball game?" Spot asked, motioning that she should sit.
Shaking her head, she did as he wished and sat on the blanket.
"I've heard of it, but never-"
The boy's eyes lit up like a small child's in a candy store, but he kept his voice pompous and controlled.
"Well, den, Ise gonna have to teach you, won't I? Ise couldn't get real tickets, but Ise figured dis would be even better."
Queenie smiled and nodded, looking at Washington Park II.
"This is a wonderful view."
Several players walked across the field, stretching and tossing small balls around.
"Dese are da Brooklyn Superbas." he said, pointing to the boys in blue and white uniforms, "And dose-" he pointed to the ones in orange and brown, "Are da Orioles."
As the game unfolded, Spot sat beside his girl, explaining how the game worked. By the ninth inning and Brickyard Kennedy's game winning homerun, Queenie knew more about baseball than any woman would ever want to know. But, when Brickyard's bat hit the ball out of the park, Queenie shot to her feet and cheered at the top of her voice for him.
"Did you see that?" she asked Spot, still excited about seeing her first homerun.
He nodded, enjoying the ability to freely peruse her flushed face and the glimmer in her bright eyes.
"I sure did, Queenie."
The teams lined up and began to shake hands.
"Wait-" she asked, looking around like a lost child, "What's happening?"
Spot chuckled at her.
"Da game's over, Queenie."
Her eyes widened.
"But- It can't be!"
Taking her hand and helping her to her feet, Spot shrugged.
"Dat's da way dese things work, Queenie. Wese can always come back," he said, moving toward the door.
Queenie's next words stopped him.
"But I can't, Spot. I'm leaving tomorrow."
Spot, glad she couldn't see his face, winced at her words.
"If your keeper'll let youse out, youse can come back any time youse want."
But inside, they both knew that if Queenie went back to Queens, she would never return to Brooklyn.
How was it? Please read and review!