Chapter Nine
The following week passed somewhat uneventfully for Raindrop. Mush and Blink and she were together frequently, and she became the best seller in Manhattan next to Jack, and for the most part was happy. She missed Spot and the rest, but shoved away her feelings about them and refused to think about Brooklyn. The one thing that really bothered her, and really the whole Lodging House was Racetrack. He had apoligised and they weren't angry with each other or anything, but Race seemed bothered by something. He started spending even more time at the races and returned home late at night. And his eyes constantly flared, like they were lit by a wild flame of anger. His unusual behavior kept all the newsies on edge when he was around.
On Friday Raindrop sold alone in Central Park. After she finished she wandered around Mahanttan looking for someone to hang out with. At last she returned to Central Park, where, not surprisingly, Snipeshooter, Boots, and Swifty were climbing trees. When she arrived they climbed down and the four tore around the park playing tag. Awhile later they went to Tibby's for dinner and joined everyone else. That night Raindrop joined in on the poker game and won a couple of times, which was unusual. She wasn't exactly the best poker player. Just as she was going to bed, and Race was walking in, Mush asked her what she was doing the next day.
"Oh, sellin', and den goin' ta Little Italy fer dinnah," she answered casually. Race threw down his cigar and flopped on his bed with more gusto than usual.
"Off wit Conlon, I s'pect," he muttered. Raindrop turned and calmly faced him.
"Yeah, I'se havin' dinnah wit 'im. I'se gotta friend in Little Italy wit ah resteraunt an' I nevah got ta say g'bye ta 'im, so dat's what we're doin'." Racetrack rolled over and got under his covers, scowling the whole time. Jack grinned.
"Tell 'im I said 'ello. Pierre, right?" Raindrop looked at him in surprise.
"Yeah, Pierre. Ya know 'im," she asked. Jack nodded.
"I'se known Spot ah long time. Used ta run around in Little Italy a lot wit 'im. I didn' know Spot still went around dere." Raindrop nodded and then climbed into bed and fell asleep.
The next morning she woke up late and was alone in the Lodging House. She flew down the stairs and outside to the Distribution Office. Once arived she only bought half her usual papes and concentrated on selling them in record time. Not long before Spot was going to come get her she went back to the Lodging House and changed into her dress. She brushed out her hair and waited for him.
It's gonna be real great ta see Spot again. Seems like ferevah since I left. Anyhow, goin' ta Pierre's'll be real nice, we always have ah real good time der. Raindrop began laughing at herself. She was getting all worked up for nothing. Spot was just a friend. Even if they weren't he'd have no interest in her. But what if he does anyway? That thought kept resurfacing in her mind over and over. Finally she refused to think about it at all anymore, and sat down to wait for him.
Spot jumped off his crate and walked over to Tricks.
"I'se goin' fer awhile...keep an eye out fer dat wacked-out boy," he casually ordered. He walked down the pier and to the Bridge. He whistled an Irish tune softly as he walked, a pleasanter expression on his face than usual. Half way to the Lodging House he noticed someone following him. He detoured down a couple streets, finally getting a good look at the footpad. A second glimpse told him that it was Raindrop's brother, Jonathon. He picked up his pace a little bit, but otherwise didn't react. He took the long way to the Lodging House, hoping to lose Jonathon. It didn't work. At last he arrived. He had no choice but to go in, knowing very well that Jonathon would be waiting when he returned. He walked inside, and once out of sight of the street he ran upstairs. He burst into the bunk room and Raindrop stood up, grinning.
"Jonathon's outside," he said quickly, "we has ta go out da fiah escape." Horror and fear splashed across Raindrop's face. They turned and were about to leave when they heard footsteps on the stairs. They froze. Spot whirled around and looked at Raindrop. Her hands trembled and fear crept into her eyes. Jonathon continued to walk up the stairs quickening his pace as he got closer and closer.
"Spot?! What're we gonna do?!" Raindrop whispered frantically. Spot paused, and then pushed her against one of the posts of a bunk. He ran his fingers through his hair and grinned crookedly. Raindrop turned to run, but Spot held her back.
"Trust me, awright?" Raindrop looked at him and finally nodded. Seconds before the door opened Spot began kissing her. Raindrop jerked away.
"What d'ya t'ink yer doin'?!" she hissed. Spot held her back by her shoulders.
"Trust me!" he whispered, and began kissing her again, and put his arms around her. Raindrop's heart beat faster. Her emotions flashed through her faster than she could express them. Shock, disbelief, and thrills shot through her.
The door swung open and Jonathon walked in. He stopped short when he saw them.
So that's what he was coming here for! That girl looks likes a little bit like Lissa, but that's not her. She was too prim for her own good...she's never do that. He's all over her. He shook his head, turned, and walked out. Just after he left, Race walked in. His eyes widened and he grabbed Spot and forced him away. Race's eye's flashed.
"I told ya ta stay away from 'er!" He held the front of Spot's shirt in one fist and swung the other back, ready to hit him. Just before he did someone grabbed his fist. Race let go of Spot and whirled around. Jack stood there, several other newsies with him.
"I dunno what's been goin' on," he said, "but der ain't gonna be no soakin' heah. Ya care ta explain yerself, Racetrack?" Race looked at Spot and gave an evil look.
"Yer goin' down, Conlon," he mouthed, and then turned back to everyone else. "I jist came in an' found dis Brooklyn scum harassin' Raindrop. 'e'd awready been told not ta try anyt'in', but I guess 'e t'inks 'e's too good ta respect anyone." The newsies looked fairly surprised. Raindrop was outraged.
"Ya liar! Ya scabbah! Ya don' even know what was goin' on!" She moved forward and made a fist, but Spot caught her arm.
"I'se cain see I ain't wanted around heah. Ya comin' wit me 'r ya stayin' heah Raindrop? Oh, an' Race? Dat meant nuthin'. If ya knew da whole story ya'd know dat too. " She looked down and closed her eyes. At last she looked up, a sad and hurt, yet angry expression covering her face.
"I'se goin'. But not wit you'se." She pulled away from him and walked out of the Lodging House. No one followed her.