DISCLAIMER: Spunks Gerberre, Robert, Loraine, Patricia, Matthew, and Ebony
and Alex still belong to me, but all the other characters belong to the
mighty Disney!
A.N. Thanks to all the reviewers! It makes me so happy to receive so many reviews. : ) You goils are the greatest! Keep those reviews rolling in, okey-day? Have fun reading this next chapter!
A Brand New Start
The missionaries from across the nation were staying at a grand hotel on a Pennsylvania coast, the building situated alongside a beach so that one could stroll across the endless sands at any time of day and gaze out at the deep ocean and its mysteriousness. Spot seated himself upon the edge of a small dock that stretched out fifty feet into the water and let his feet dangle as he thought to himself of all the things he had lost by walking away from Robert earlier without a fight. Respect. Dignity. And worse of all, he had lost Spunks, the girl he loved. Why had he not defended his worth? Why did he control his temper and not show Robert how 'street rats' come out on top over 'hoity toitys' when it came to fighting? He did not know.
Craning his neck back in order to stare at the sky above, he thought about how easily he had given up in his relationship with Spunks at the sight of a burdensome obstacle. He had gotten down on his knees for her in front of countless people, he had started a brawl when the girl had declared they were over. Why was this conflict at school any different? Perhaps he did not want to admit that while Robert would grow up to be a successful man in life with riches galore and a wealthy career, he himself would only be a newsie selling for William Hearst at a penny a paper. Then what after his newsie business? What would he become then? A factory worker? The custodian for some fancy restaurant? Would he work on a ship, throwing coal into a heated oven with a shovel?
Sure he loved Spunks; why, he loved her to death! But could he guarantee her a safe future? Because love would certainly not pay the bills, and love definitely would not raise a thriving family. So when the Brooklyn leader came to this disturbing realization, he knew almost instantly that he did not deserve Spunks. She was high class now, she needed someone who would flood her life with securities and monetary gifts. What would being with Spot possibly do for her? In this age, she would be known as the most famous and respected newsie's girl. Yet, what would she be known as in forty years? What would Spot be known as?
He sighed, knowing it was over, wishing it was not, and watched the clouds steadily glide across the sky. Moistening his lips with his tongue, he began to speak. "It's been a while since we'se last talked...hell, I don't even remember the last time I'se asked youse fer sumthin. Well, actually, there was that time I asked ya tah stay outta me life cause youse had done nuthin but ruined it. Yea, that was the time I had...that I had run away. I felt lost and on me own, and I hated youse. I hated youse so much and I wanted tah die...if ya remember, which I'se shoah ya do, I tried killin myself that same night, wid that broken beer bottle. The jagged pieces of glass looked so welcoming and I thought if I just slit my wrists once, it'd all be over, I wouldn't have tah suffer no more.
"But youse wouldn't let me die. As deep as I had pierced myself, ya kept me alive. And back then, I didn't know why. It was as if youse had angels watchin over me, makin shoah Jacky-boy and his newsies would find me in that alley. Ya kept me alive. And it took years fer me tah figure out why....so many years and the love of one goil. Then I realized I'se was destined tah meet her, tah be her soul mate. Funny how things turn out, huh?
"I don't get it. Why keep me life in yer hands after all this time, only tah see me end up broken hearted? Why didn't youse just let me die?" Tears rolled down his smooth face down his neck, dampening his shirt. He had never let the pain out like this, he had always kept it deep inside him. After all, he had a tough persona to uphold. He was Spot Conlon, fearless leader of the Brooklyn newsies. Spot Conlon did not have feelings. Spot Conlon did not cry! But it felt so good to talk about it to someone, even if that someone felt so far away at times.
"Well, I don't know what youse is planning up there, and I shoah as hell don't wanna know; it'll probably just fill me wid death wishes again. But, God? I'se was just wonderin, if me and Spunky is meant tah be together, could youse possibly give me a sign? It aint gotta be nuthin that defies the laws of science, ya know, just a small sign tah assure me." He studied the clouds closely, as if he expected a miracle to take place right then and there. However, nothing happened. The world carried on as it always had.
Spot nodded. "Alright, yea, well I'll give youse time tah think on that, okay?" He climbed to his feet, about to turn away, but then he added as an afterthought, "oh, and God? Thanks fer reuniting me wid me family. It really meant a lot tah me."
Feeling better about himself, he began to walk back to his hotel. When he fixated his eyes on his destination, he stopped dead in his tracks. There standing before him was his little brother, Matthew, his face wet with childish tears and his eyes reddened with pain. "You were going to kill yourself, Patrick?"
"Aww, french fry, that was a long time ago. Youse aint gotta worry about it now. I'se aint gunna leave ya again." He knelt down and wrapped his arms around the smaller boy.
"But I don't understand why you would want to kill yourself," the younger sobbed. "What a horrible thing to do! Were you mad at mother and me?"
"Of coise not!" Spot tried to think of a way to explain his situation in simple terms. "It was kinda like this. Ya remember when youse used tah think that monsters lived under ya bed, and youse were so scared that ya wanted tah sleep wid someone else so that ya wouldn't be scared as much?"
"Uh-huh"
"Well, that's how it was wid me. When I ran away, it wasn't because of youse or ma, it was because of other monsters that tormented me mind, and the only way tah make shoah I was safe from them was tah leave the house. I knew they wouldn't hoit ya though, cause once I left, they stopped haunting the house."
Matthew hugged his older brother and sniffled. "Do you ever get scared anymore, Patrick?"
"All the time, french fry. All the time."
* * * * *
Mr. Gerberre checked his briefcase to make sure all his files were in order for the big lawsuit he would defend a company against later today. He looked into the hallway mirror, fixed his tie, smoothed out his hair, and then took large breaths of air to settle his nervous conscious. As he did this, his daughter came rushing down the stairs in her pajamas and robe in great panic.
"Daddy, what time is it?" she asked of him frantically.
"Angel, it's nearly eight o' clock! I advise you rush back to your room and prepare yourself for school. You certainly do not want to be late."
"Actually, I'm not goin' today."
He turned to face her. "I beg your pardon?"
"Daddy, youse gotta hear me out," she began. "Spot loves me so incredibly much it scares me, but it also excites me at the same time! I'se never felt this way before, but I want to keep feeling it for the rest of my life! Now, he's leaving back for New York today on a train that departs from its station in two hours, and I'se not about to let him go without telling him how much I care about him!"
Mr. Gerberre actually smiled. "You remind me of myself when I was your age. So stubborn, I would not let anything stand in my way. And I'm certainly not going to change history this time around. You go chase after him, darling, and I hope all works well for you. But, are you absolutely positive that you love this boy?"
"I'se never been more shoah of something in my whole life!"
"I wish you the best of luck then," he said, kissing her on the forehead. "I must be on my way. And one last tip, if I may. When it comes to love, you should never let anything get in your way."
* * * * *
Spunks was jovial as she walked into the train station at nine that morning. She was an hour early, what a good way to start a new relationship. She reached for Spot's key around her neck; feeling the cold metal brought a surge of power to her veins. She remembered when he had first given it to her on Valentine's Day. It had been the means of their truce, the commencement of their friendship. It ended up going back and forth between the two as events bombarded them with betrayal and then forgiveness, the last exchange of the key being just yesterday before school when Spot had presented it to her for the third time.
She scanned the crowds awaiting the coming trains for any sign of Spot's crew. This very action reminded her so much of how she had first left New York with her father. At first, she had declined his invitation, choosing Spot over his luxurious offers. But when the Brooklyn leader's ex- fiancé had shown up at the Brooklyn Lodging House quite unannounced, Spunks had jumped to conclusions and had ended it with Spot instantly. Running in hysteria, she had come to the train stations, had found her father waiting in line amongst other passengers, and had begun her new life as Mackenzie Gerberre.
Spunks smiled at all the memories. Jealousy created such follies! She stood upon a bench to get a better view of all the citizens traveling by train that day. Funny, she did not see Spot at all. After half an hour, she grew weary and impatient, and she walked up to an information desk to see about the delay.
"Excuse me," said she, "but at what time is the train for New York heading out?"
The young woman in the booth looked at Spunks questioningly and searched the large book before her. "There was only one train planned to leave for New York today, and because of its early arrival, it departed at eight thirty this morning instead of its scheduled time of ten."
Spunks' jaw dropped open in disbelief. This could not be happening! Spot could not have left! Things could not end like this! She felt the world spin around her in dizzy revolutions. What was she to do now? She heard her father's words echo loudly in her mind.
"When it comes to love, you should never let anything get in your way."
* * * * *
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW!!!! Please semd me those nice reviews! Please, I live for REVIEWS! I simply must have them. : ) So be a doll and tell me how ya liked this chapter, okay? Love ya all!
A.N. Thanks to all the reviewers! It makes me so happy to receive so many reviews. : ) You goils are the greatest! Keep those reviews rolling in, okey-day? Have fun reading this next chapter!
A Brand New Start
The missionaries from across the nation were staying at a grand hotel on a Pennsylvania coast, the building situated alongside a beach so that one could stroll across the endless sands at any time of day and gaze out at the deep ocean and its mysteriousness. Spot seated himself upon the edge of a small dock that stretched out fifty feet into the water and let his feet dangle as he thought to himself of all the things he had lost by walking away from Robert earlier without a fight. Respect. Dignity. And worse of all, he had lost Spunks, the girl he loved. Why had he not defended his worth? Why did he control his temper and not show Robert how 'street rats' come out on top over 'hoity toitys' when it came to fighting? He did not know.
Craning his neck back in order to stare at the sky above, he thought about how easily he had given up in his relationship with Spunks at the sight of a burdensome obstacle. He had gotten down on his knees for her in front of countless people, he had started a brawl when the girl had declared they were over. Why was this conflict at school any different? Perhaps he did not want to admit that while Robert would grow up to be a successful man in life with riches galore and a wealthy career, he himself would only be a newsie selling for William Hearst at a penny a paper. Then what after his newsie business? What would he become then? A factory worker? The custodian for some fancy restaurant? Would he work on a ship, throwing coal into a heated oven with a shovel?
Sure he loved Spunks; why, he loved her to death! But could he guarantee her a safe future? Because love would certainly not pay the bills, and love definitely would not raise a thriving family. So when the Brooklyn leader came to this disturbing realization, he knew almost instantly that he did not deserve Spunks. She was high class now, she needed someone who would flood her life with securities and monetary gifts. What would being with Spot possibly do for her? In this age, she would be known as the most famous and respected newsie's girl. Yet, what would she be known as in forty years? What would Spot be known as?
He sighed, knowing it was over, wishing it was not, and watched the clouds steadily glide across the sky. Moistening his lips with his tongue, he began to speak. "It's been a while since we'se last talked...hell, I don't even remember the last time I'se asked youse fer sumthin. Well, actually, there was that time I asked ya tah stay outta me life cause youse had done nuthin but ruined it. Yea, that was the time I had...that I had run away. I felt lost and on me own, and I hated youse. I hated youse so much and I wanted tah die...if ya remember, which I'se shoah ya do, I tried killin myself that same night, wid that broken beer bottle. The jagged pieces of glass looked so welcoming and I thought if I just slit my wrists once, it'd all be over, I wouldn't have tah suffer no more.
"But youse wouldn't let me die. As deep as I had pierced myself, ya kept me alive. And back then, I didn't know why. It was as if youse had angels watchin over me, makin shoah Jacky-boy and his newsies would find me in that alley. Ya kept me alive. And it took years fer me tah figure out why....so many years and the love of one goil. Then I realized I'se was destined tah meet her, tah be her soul mate. Funny how things turn out, huh?
"I don't get it. Why keep me life in yer hands after all this time, only tah see me end up broken hearted? Why didn't youse just let me die?" Tears rolled down his smooth face down his neck, dampening his shirt. He had never let the pain out like this, he had always kept it deep inside him. After all, he had a tough persona to uphold. He was Spot Conlon, fearless leader of the Brooklyn newsies. Spot Conlon did not have feelings. Spot Conlon did not cry! But it felt so good to talk about it to someone, even if that someone felt so far away at times.
"Well, I don't know what youse is planning up there, and I shoah as hell don't wanna know; it'll probably just fill me wid death wishes again. But, God? I'se was just wonderin, if me and Spunky is meant tah be together, could youse possibly give me a sign? It aint gotta be nuthin that defies the laws of science, ya know, just a small sign tah assure me." He studied the clouds closely, as if he expected a miracle to take place right then and there. However, nothing happened. The world carried on as it always had.
Spot nodded. "Alright, yea, well I'll give youse time tah think on that, okay?" He climbed to his feet, about to turn away, but then he added as an afterthought, "oh, and God? Thanks fer reuniting me wid me family. It really meant a lot tah me."
Feeling better about himself, he began to walk back to his hotel. When he fixated his eyes on his destination, he stopped dead in his tracks. There standing before him was his little brother, Matthew, his face wet with childish tears and his eyes reddened with pain. "You were going to kill yourself, Patrick?"
"Aww, french fry, that was a long time ago. Youse aint gotta worry about it now. I'se aint gunna leave ya again." He knelt down and wrapped his arms around the smaller boy.
"But I don't understand why you would want to kill yourself," the younger sobbed. "What a horrible thing to do! Were you mad at mother and me?"
"Of coise not!" Spot tried to think of a way to explain his situation in simple terms. "It was kinda like this. Ya remember when youse used tah think that monsters lived under ya bed, and youse were so scared that ya wanted tah sleep wid someone else so that ya wouldn't be scared as much?"
"Uh-huh"
"Well, that's how it was wid me. When I ran away, it wasn't because of youse or ma, it was because of other monsters that tormented me mind, and the only way tah make shoah I was safe from them was tah leave the house. I knew they wouldn't hoit ya though, cause once I left, they stopped haunting the house."
Matthew hugged his older brother and sniffled. "Do you ever get scared anymore, Patrick?"
"All the time, french fry. All the time."
* * * * *
Mr. Gerberre checked his briefcase to make sure all his files were in order for the big lawsuit he would defend a company against later today. He looked into the hallway mirror, fixed his tie, smoothed out his hair, and then took large breaths of air to settle his nervous conscious. As he did this, his daughter came rushing down the stairs in her pajamas and robe in great panic.
"Daddy, what time is it?" she asked of him frantically.
"Angel, it's nearly eight o' clock! I advise you rush back to your room and prepare yourself for school. You certainly do not want to be late."
"Actually, I'm not goin' today."
He turned to face her. "I beg your pardon?"
"Daddy, youse gotta hear me out," she began. "Spot loves me so incredibly much it scares me, but it also excites me at the same time! I'se never felt this way before, but I want to keep feeling it for the rest of my life! Now, he's leaving back for New York today on a train that departs from its station in two hours, and I'se not about to let him go without telling him how much I care about him!"
Mr. Gerberre actually smiled. "You remind me of myself when I was your age. So stubborn, I would not let anything stand in my way. And I'm certainly not going to change history this time around. You go chase after him, darling, and I hope all works well for you. But, are you absolutely positive that you love this boy?"
"I'se never been more shoah of something in my whole life!"
"I wish you the best of luck then," he said, kissing her on the forehead. "I must be on my way. And one last tip, if I may. When it comes to love, you should never let anything get in your way."
* * * * *
Spunks was jovial as she walked into the train station at nine that morning. She was an hour early, what a good way to start a new relationship. She reached for Spot's key around her neck; feeling the cold metal brought a surge of power to her veins. She remembered when he had first given it to her on Valentine's Day. It had been the means of their truce, the commencement of their friendship. It ended up going back and forth between the two as events bombarded them with betrayal and then forgiveness, the last exchange of the key being just yesterday before school when Spot had presented it to her for the third time.
She scanned the crowds awaiting the coming trains for any sign of Spot's crew. This very action reminded her so much of how she had first left New York with her father. At first, she had declined his invitation, choosing Spot over his luxurious offers. But when the Brooklyn leader's ex- fiancé had shown up at the Brooklyn Lodging House quite unannounced, Spunks had jumped to conclusions and had ended it with Spot instantly. Running in hysteria, she had come to the train stations, had found her father waiting in line amongst other passengers, and had begun her new life as Mackenzie Gerberre.
Spunks smiled at all the memories. Jealousy created such follies! She stood upon a bench to get a better view of all the citizens traveling by train that day. Funny, she did not see Spot at all. After half an hour, she grew weary and impatient, and she walked up to an information desk to see about the delay.
"Excuse me," said she, "but at what time is the train for New York heading out?"
The young woman in the booth looked at Spunks questioningly and searched the large book before her. "There was only one train planned to leave for New York today, and because of its early arrival, it departed at eight thirty this morning instead of its scheduled time of ten."
Spunks' jaw dropped open in disbelief. This could not be happening! Spot could not have left! Things could not end like this! She felt the world spin around her in dizzy revolutions. What was she to do now? She heard her father's words echo loudly in her mind.
"When it comes to love, you should never let anything get in your way."
* * * * *
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW!!!! Please semd me those nice reviews! Please, I live for REVIEWS! I simply must have them. : ) So be a doll and tell me how ya liked this chapter, okay? Love ya all!