Crimson Tears
Jack watched Spot Conlon walk slowly back from Medda's to Brooklyn. He knew something was wrong with his friend and had been fore the past few weeks because Spot had been coming to Manhattan far more than usual and just 3 days ago Jack found him by the Brooklyn bridge passed out drunk.
Jack was following Spot to see if he could figure out what was wrong. He followed spot to the Brooklyn Bridge when Spot stopped. Jack darted back into an alleyway thinking Spot had seen him. When he realized Spot had not seen his, he peeked out of the alley and saw Spot lean against the bridge rail and then climb over. Jack realized "Spot's goin' ta jump!"
"Spot, no!" Jack ran out of his hiding place and caught Spot's wrist. " What da hell are ya doin'?" Spot's eyes were glazed over. He was drunk.
"Endin' it all Jackie-Boy."
"Why?"
"Cuz life sucks"
By then Spot had climbed back over to the other side of the railing, to stand next to Jack.
" At least give me a good reason why ya wanna kill yer self Spot."
"Nutin' you'd understand Jackie-Boy"
"Yer not throwin me off dat easily. Why don't ya come back ta da lodgin' house wid me. I promise da boys won't bodder' ya."
"Ok. I guess I will."
*~*~*~*
As Spot and Jack walked into the bunkroom, all the boy's bombarded them with questions.
"Whatcha' doin' here Spot?"
"Every ting alwright Jack?"
Jack pushed his way through the room
"Spot jus decided ta spent da night dat all." That answer silenced all the questions.
*~*
Later, after every one settled down with Spot in a spare bunk, Jack went to talk to Kid Blink.
"Blink," Jack said, " Blink, you awake?"
"Uh-uh. Wasamatter?"
"Blink do me a favor will ya?"
"Yeah shure Jack, What is it?"
"Watch Spot for da next few days will ya? Just obsoive him an tell me if he dose anythin' strange but don't let him know yer watchin him."
"Ok Jack. Any reason?" Blink asked
"Just indulge me, ok?" Jack answered
"Yeah ok."
"Thanks"
*~*
The next morning Jack talked to Spot before he went out to sell papes.
"Hey you doin ok?" Jack asked
"Umm.. yeah I guess so, yes." Spot answered "Umm I don't think I'm gonna sell today, ok?"
"Yeah," Jack said, "If dat's what you want. You'll be all right by yer self here?"
"Uh-uh, I got a killa hangovah so I jus need some rest." Was Spots reply.
"Ok well I gotta go sell now. Bye."
Jack sold all of his usual hundred by lunchtime so he went back to the lodging house to see Spot. As Jack walked into the bunkroom Spot was not to be seen.
"Spot?" Jack called, "Spot where are ya?"
Jack heard a small sound coming from the bathroom so he went to investigate. "Spot is dat you?"
Jack walked into the bathroom……..and stopped dead at the sight of the blood covered bathroom that greeted him.
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