Chapter 39

After all the crazy events in the Lodging House had passed and everything was a little quieter, on some day like all the others, Bristles sat on her bunk with her paint set next to her, and looked out the window thoughtfully. She stared out at the bustling streets of New York and at the people. She wondered, did anybody ever notice what had happened here? It was so funny to think that in an ordinary building like the Lodging House so many things could happen. For the first time since she had been living as a newsie, Bristles thought back to the life of Katarina Strutley. The quiet girl that once lived with her grandmother in a big house, who had no friends. The girl who had no sense of emotion, since it had never come to her. Life was all too easy. But it did not matter. She was Bristles now. She was a newsie. A newsie's life is never the same. It is never ordinary. There are always changes. And with those changes come great things, things like…

At that moment, Spot walked in, cutting off Bristles thoughts. He came to visit frequently now, almost everyday. The newsie casually sat on the bunk, which he had become familiar with now, and put his arm around her shoulder.

"What ya thinkin about?" He asked in innocent curiosity.

"Oh, um, my old life,"

"Why? Ya miss it?"

"Nah,"

Spot grinned, "Bettah not, cause if you'd ever wanna go back, I wouldn't let ya!"

They laughed and hugged. Both of them just stayed there for a minute. The moment of silence was precious. No one was there except for them. Bristles sat with her back on his chest to listen to his breathing as he locked his hands around her waist, and pressed his cheek against hers. She knew that he would only be so gentle towards her, and loved it when he was.

"You'se got me now,"

He's right. Now I've got Spot, Bristles thought to herself. Yeah, changes are good. She didn't regret a moment of her life.