Chapter 2:
It was nearing bedtime one night nearly two weeks after that picnic by the lake and Spot was reading a story to the family while Molly and Julie were mending clothes and Rae was letting Ann "help" her sew a new dress for Ann. Spot had just come to the part in the book where Belle and the beast met for the first time, when there came a knock on the door. Spot and Rae glanced at one another and exchanged puzzled glances. Placing a finger in the book, Spot stood and went to answer the door.
A very frantic Tom stood on the other side of the door. "Ya gotta hide, Spot...they are coming after you!"
"What?" Spot gave Tom a very puzzled look and wondered briefly if the young man had been drinking or something. "Coming after me? Who? Why?"
"The men from town are on their way out here right now to hang you...and if you don't find a place to hide, they will in just a few minutes."
Rae had just approached. "Hang Spot? Why? He didn't do anything!"
"I know that and you know that, but they don't know that! They think he murdered someone from town. I only had a five minute head start, maybe."
Rae held a hand up to her mouth and gasped, turning to Spot. "You have to get out of here, Spot."
"But I can't run! I didn't do anything!"
"If you don't they'll hang you!" she shrilled. "They think you're rotten to begin with, they won't listen!"
"But I'm not going to leave you here alone to deal with them!"
"I'll be fine. Chris and Julie are perfectly capable of helping. Just go!"
"But Rae..." He stopped when she covered his mouth with her hand. "At least go hide in the tunnel until they leave," she pleaded.
"But-"
"Stop arguing and go! I want you alive to see our baby, you know?!" He sighed and quickly kissed her before darting up the stairs. "Go with him Tom," she said, "You can't be seen here." Tom nodded quickly and followed Spot.
A moment later, Anne darted over and clung to Rae's leg. "What's going on, Momma?"
Rae rested a shaking hand on the little girl's head. "Nothing, sweetheart, Momma needs to go sit back down." Suddenly, there were several angry knocks on the door and muffled voices of townspeople just outside. Rae took a deep breath and opened the door. "Can I help you?" she asked shakily.
"Where is he?" screamed a burly man with black hair. "Where's the beast?!"
"I don't know who you are talking about. There is no beast here."
"You're hiding him in here, we know it! Come out beast! Come out!"
"Please, sir, you are scaring my children."
"Bring us the beast!" A man from the back of the crowd shouted.
"Go in and get him!" And that's promptly what the man in front went to do. Pushing past Rae, he and the other townsfolk followed. The man who pushed Rae shoved her with enough force to knock her to the floor. Chris leapt to her defense, only to have a gun shoved in his face.
"Leave my brother alone!" Julie yelled.
"Shut up broad! Bring us the beast!"
"He's not a beast!"
"Either you bring him to us know or we search the house." the man in charge demanded.
"I demand you leave at once, sir," Rae ordered shakily, climbing to her feet, "and come back in the morning, as is proper!"
"It will be too late by morning. He will have gotten away, but then he probably already has, right missy?"
Chris stepped in front of her. "We don't know what you're talking about. So get out and leave us alone!"
The man looked at Rae who gave him her coldest glare. "Alright boys, let's go home. Someone warned them and he got away. Hopefully he's gone for good."
Rae followed them to the door and slammed it shut, pulling the lock. A moment later, she turned, leaned against it, and promptly sank to the ground, shaking. Chris took one look at her and darted up the stairs to find Spot, calling over his shoulder for Julie and Molly to take care of her. Ann and Andy were already on the floor next to Rae, asking her what those "mean men" wanted. Spot raced in moments later. "Are you all right?" he asked worriedly. "Did they hurt you? If they did, so help me, I'll-... Chris said they pulled a gun?"
"We're fine," she said. "I'm just a little shaken, that's all."
He embraced her tightly. "Everyone else okay?" he asked the children, glancing around at them. They all nodded, Ann clinging tightly to Chris' hand.
Rae glanced at him worriedly. "Maybe you should leave for a little while... 'til it all blows over?"
"But, you heard them, they already thought I left... and it's not like they're going to come back repeatedly, right? I doubt they know about the passage."
"Next time we may not have any warning. Please, Spot, get away from here until this all blows over."
"I don't want to leave you here alone, Rae."
"But I'm not alone, and I don't want to lose you because of this. Please..." she pleaded.
Spot sighed heavily. "Where? I guess Brooklyn, hmm?"
"Anywhere but here."
Spot pushed her hair out of her eyes and kissed her forehead. "I guess I'll leave early in the morning."
"It would probably be better to leave now. They may return early in the morning."
"But..."
She closed her eyes and sighed. "I don't want you to leave...."
"But I know you're right...." he said with a sigh.
She kissed him. "I'll go pack your clothes while you tell the children goodbye."
He stopped her and placed a hand on the side of her face. "I love you," he whispered, kissing her gently.
"I love you too," she whispered, her eyes full of tears. He kissed her once more and went to round up the children to explain, if he could, why he was going away. He found all of them, from Chris to Baby Kendra, in the living room. He entered the room with a sigh and sat on the couch, motioning for Ann to come sit in his lap. "I have to tell you all something... I'm ... going to go to Brooklyn for awhile..." he began.
"Can we go too, Daddy?" Andy asked, crawling up next to his knee.
"I'm afraid not."
"Why not?"
"Because I have to go by myself this time, Andy. I may have to be gone for a long time."
"Are those mean men making you leave?" Ann asked softly, staring at him with wide, trembling eyes.
He sighed, "Yes, sweetheart. But don't worry, I'll be back."
Ann clung to him. "I don't want you to go..."
He kissed her head, "I know, princess, but if I don't go those men might come back and hurt one of you or maybe even Momma."
"I don't want them to come back..." she murmured, sniffling. "They were scary... can't you beat them up?"
"I wish I could, baby, but there are too many of them."
"Chris could help..." He smiled gently.
"I won't be gone forever."
"When will you be back?" Andy asked. "Christmas?"
Spot nodded. "I don't know, but I'll try very hard..."
"Promise?" Ann asked.
"I promise I'll try."
Rae came back into the room, a small carpetbag in her hand. She gave it to Spot, eyes glittering with tears. "Be careful."
"YOU be careful too." He kissed her gently.
"I love you Spot."
"I love you too," he whispered. "I'll see all of you soon, hopefully."
Giving him a kiss, she finally said, "Please go now. They may come back." He gave them a small gesture of farewell and slipped out the door. She hastily crossed to the window and shoved the curtain aside, staring out into the darkness and hoping to catch one last glimpse of him. Ann followed, clinging to Rae's nightdress, and began to whimper. Hearing the little girl's whimpers, Rae led her to the couch and pulled Ann into her lap. "It's gonna be all right, sweetheart," Rae said, stroking the girl's hair.
"I want Daddy back!" she wailed. Her cries probed those of Andy's and he began to bawl as well.
"Come here, Andy," Rae said, patting the couch beside her and he climbed up next to her. "Everything will be just fine," she assured them, though she had a little trouble believing it herself.
"But I want Daddy," Ann wailed again.
"I know you do, sweetheart... But Momma's here." She kissed the tops of Ann and Andy's heads. Rae glanced up at the clock and then at the confused and tired faces of Chris, Molly and Julie. She sighed. "I think it's bedtime."
"Nooo," Andy and Ann wailed, clinging to her.
"It's way past time for all of us to be in bed."
"I'm not tired...." Ann whimpered around a yawn. "I wanna wait 'til Daddy comes home..."
"It's going to be a long time until Daddy comes home, Annie."
"I can wait," she protested stubbornly, pouting.
"Annie, please don't argue with me tonight." She pouted more and a few tears leaked over her cheeks. Turning to Rae, she clung to her. Rae stroked her hair, "I'm sorry for snapping sweetheart."
"I don't want you to go like Daddy did..."
"I'm not going to leave Annie." Gently prying Ann's arms from around her waist, Rae stood and picked her up. "Now come on... Bedtime."
"Can I sleep with you, Momma?"
"Just for tonight," she replied, kissing the side of Ann's head. "But not another peep, okay?"
"Can I sleep with you too," Andy asked.
Rae lifted a brow and smiled gently. "I suppose so."
"Thank you Momma,"
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
"I'll lock up," Chris offered
"Make sure it's tight," she advised. "And thank you..."
"Your welcome."
"I hope Spot and Tom are okay," she mused, heading up stairs with the twins. "Sleep tight, the rest of you," she called.
* * *
The next morning, Rae awoke to someone kicking her in the knee. Ready to chew Spot to bits, she opened her eyes to see that it was not Spot, but Ann. She frowned deeply when she recalled the previous night. "Oh, Spot," she sighed deeply, "what's going to happen to us?"
"Momma?" Ann murmured, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "Is Daddy back?"
"No, sweetheart," Rae said, pulling the girl into her arms, "Daddy won't be back for a long time."
"Will he EVER come back?"
"He promised he would, Annie, and Daddy always keeps his promises."
"Will we go visit him?"
"Probably not, sweetheart. Cause then those mean men might follow us and try to hurt Daddy again."
"Well... I think those mean men need to go in time out!" Anne exclaimed loudly. Andy whimpered and snuggled deeper under the blankets.
Rae smiled slightly and kissed Ann's forehead. "Daddy will be home before you know it...and know what?"
"What?"
"I bet he's thinking about us right now."
"I hope so." She rubbed her nose.
"I'm hungry..." Rae slipped from the bed and helped Ann down and the two of them walked downstairs to prepare breakfast.
* * *
Spot left the train with a single bag in his hand and, with a sigh, headed towards the Brooklyn Lodging House. Who knew how long he'd have to be there- away from the kids... away from Rae. To say he was worried about her was an understatement. He was downright frantic, wondering if she'd be overworked and such with all those children and no one to help her... being pregnant, and all... He sighed again. He hoped that everyone would be gone from the house by the time that he got there so that he could get some sleep, as he had been up all night worrying. But then again, he probably wouldn't be able to sleep, for his mind would only return to Rae and the children again.
He reached the lodging house just as Shadow and Hades were leaving. "Spot Conlon, what in the world are you doing here? And where is Rae?" Hades demanded.
"It's a very long, very stupid story. If you would let me, I'd like to stay for awhile," he replied wearily.
"You didn't hurt her did you?"
"No, no! Jeez Hades!"
"Well... How long are you planning to stay?"
"A simple yes or no would have sufficed."
"How long?"
"I don't know."
"Can you pay for it?"
"Hades." He gave her a very exasperated look.
She just shrugged. "You know, we can't let you stay for free. None of US do. You of all people know that." Whacking his shoulder, she smiled.
He held out the change. "Happy?"
"Yes," Hades said, taking the money. "You didn't answer my question. What are you doing here and where is Rae?"
Spot sighed wearily. "Look, all I want right now is some sleep, so if you will excuse me..."
She thumped her hands on her hips. "Fine. But I demand you tell me later." His only answer was to walk past her through the door and up the stairs. "Something's not right, Shadow," Hades said to her companion.
"What was your first clue?" She whacked Shadow upside the head.
Upstairs Spot stopped in the doorway of the room that he and Rae had shared only a few short weeks ago. He didn't want to be in the bunkroom with everyone else, but he wasn't sure that he wanted to stay in this room either. With a heavy sigh, he glanced around. Dropping his bag on the floor, he left the room and went into the parlor. It was empty, as he expected. And, knowing his old newsies, no one would be back until well after lunch... possibly after supper. He stretched out across the couch. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but it was too quiet and he was too worried to do so. A thousand what-ifs ran through his head. What if those men returned and hurt the others? What if something happened to Rae and the baby? What if he couldn't make it back? What if, what if, what if....
* * *
Molly pulled Chris and Julie aside after breakfast. "I'm worried about Rae. She looks dead on her feet."
"YOU try making her take a nap," Chris replied. "She keeps saying we need looking after- but we did a fine job of looking after things when she and Spot were sick on that island..."
Molly sighed thoughtfully. "It's just a matter of being more stubborn than her."
"Well.... she's as stubborn as an ox."
Molly sent him a smug look and marched back into the kitchen where Rae was stubbornly washing the dishes. Promptly, she took the dishes from her and pushed her out of the kitchen. "Go. To. Bed."
"But, Molly...I'm not tired and there is work to be done....this house doesn't just run itself..." Rae stumbled wearily and would have fallen, had Chris not been there to catch her.
"We're perfectly capable of keeping the machine running, Rae," Chris said. "You have three sets of hands who are mature enough to handle the work- and two little ones that love to help when they can. Five people, Rae. Five. More than enough to take care of things. Now go to bed. Spot would kill us if he knew you were running yourself ragged."
She sighed. "I'm supposed to be the one taking care of all of you, not the other way around."
"You're going to have a baby. Don't you think you should take care of yourself first? That baby needs a different kind of taking care of right now," Molly pointed out.
She nodded wearily.
"Up to bed with you." Chris said.
"Alright, but if you need ANYTHING, come and get me."
"We won't," he said with a smile. "Go. Sleep."
"I'm going! I'm going!" she said, stumbling from the room.
"See, it wasn't so hard," Molly pointed out, looking a bit smug.
"Well, when we're all backing it, of course it isn't."
She stuck her tongue out at him. "Come on, Julie, let's get this kitchen clean while Chris does the laundry."
Julie grinned. "Just be warned- he's awful with laundry," she said as they walked away.
"Hey! That's not fair!" He yelled after them. The girls giggled and began to finish up the kitchen. "Come on, girls! Give a guy a break!"
"But it's so much fun," Julie called back as Molly burst into giggles. "Anyway, you can get Ann to help you. She's very helpful in that sort of thing."
"I'll get you back for this Julie."
"I know... but it's fun while it lasts."
He ruffled her hair and reached to do the same with Molly, but she pointed the knife in her hands at him. "Don't you dare!"
Holding up his hands, he said, "All right, I surrender... Jeez, you're dangerous, girl." Chris shook his head and left the kitchen, "Annie, want to help me wash clothes?"
Ann bounced to her feet, cheered that Chris was asking her to help and nodded vigorously. "Okay!"
Upstairs Rae crawled into her bed and buried her head in Spot's pillow, to muffle her sobs. Why did things have to turn out so horrible all of a sudden? Spot shouldn't have had to leave- he should have been there, with her. Those townspeople just had to accuse him, didn't they... And he had done nothing wrong! Spot Conlon... or at least, the one she had married, would NEVER hurt anyone like that. He should be here with her. She needed him. Although she wouldn't admit it to the children, she was exhausted. Grudgingly, she admitted to herself that she was grateful that they had insisted she lie down, but now her worries plagued her tired mind. She had been very sick so far, what if it only got worse? She didn't think she could bear it if something happened to the baby... She placed her hand on her stomach, which was just beginning to show signs of her pregnancy. 'Nothing better happen to you,' she thought.
* * *
iRae stood on the docks of Brooklyn breathing in the night air. Manhattan was in Brooklyn for a poker game, leaving the lodging house full of smoke and noise. Stupid arrogant Spot Conlon had made a big show of making a clean sweep of the game and he was driving her insane, as usual. She sighed and took another deep breath. She loved to be out here where it was quiet. Or rather, she loved to be anywhere Spot Conlon and his stupid ego were not!
She suddenly became aware of a set of footsteps behind her. Before she could turn around, a pair of firm hands pushed her from behind and, wheeling her arms around wildly, she toppled into the river with a shriek. "I'm going to KILL whoever did that!" she threatened, pushing wet hair from her face after she had surfaced.
And the famous Spot Colon smirking face peered over the edge of the dock. "Oh, are you now?"
"You better believe it, mister!"
Spot sat on the edge of the dock. "And how are YOU, Rae Kelly, going to kill ME?" She threw something in his direction and at first he couldn't see anything. Then the moonlight reflected off of something and a moment later he heard a dull thud. Rae's knife was stuck in the edge of the dock near his hand. "Watch where you throw that thing Kelly!"
"Watch who you shove, Conlon!"
"You are really getting on my nerves Kelly! No one talks to Spot Conlon that way!"
"So you'd like to think!" she retorted.
"Watch your step, girl!"
"Ooh, big bad dangerous Conlon..." She clambered out of the water.
He plucked her knife from the wood. "Want this back?"
She held out her hand expectantly. "Yeah... Now."
"I don't think so. It's a rather nice knife. Think I'll hang on to it for a while."
"Give it here. Now," Rae demanded.
"Make me, Kelly!"
With a yell, she dove for his ankles, knocking him over. "Give it back, or I'll make you sorry!"
With practiced ease he dropped the knife and flipped her onto her back, pinning her hands to the dock. "Oh really? Want to rethink that?"
"No... because now you've made yourself the perfect target. We girls know exactly where to hit." She smirked deviously.
He scrambled to his feet. "I bet if I kissed you I'd have you falling at my feet with all the other girls."
She laughed haughtily, climbing to her feet. "You won't ever get the chance to kiss me, Conlon!"/i
* * *
Spot felt as though he had just nodded off when loud voices startled him awake again. For a moment he thought he was back home and he was just about to get a bit snappy at whoever woke him up, but when he sat up, he met a face that wasn't anyone back at the house. "Oh... hello, Hades."
"Look, you know you are always welcome to stay here, but I want some answers."
Spot groaned and sat up as she rounded the couch to sit down. "What do you want to know?"
"Where is Rae? And all those kids?"
"Back home..."
"Why are you here without them? Did you and Rae get into a fight or something?"
"No, we didn't get into a fight.... It's a very... strange story..."
"I'm not going to leave you alone until you tell me!"
"I know you won't...." Spot sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "See... it's like this... The townspeople think... I'm some sort of monster- "
"Why?"
He pointed to his face. "And so... I reckon someone was murdered... and they pinned the blame on me... on the Beast.... A mob of men came to our house with the intent of lynching me..."
Hades eyes went wide. "Lynch Spot Conlon! How DARE they!... How did you escape?"
"An old friend of Blank's warned me just in time."
"Wow.... Boy... you guys sure live a very... adventurous life..." Hades remarked, taking this all in. "Why didn't you stay to protect your family? Or at least bring them with you?"
"They wouldn't let me!"
"She always was more stubborn than you."
"I know... Which can drive a man crazy, sometimes." He sighed, leaning his head back. "I'm ... so worried."
"Why? If Rae can handle being married to you, she can handle all those kids."
Spot lifted a brow. "That was helpful."
"Alright, so you're worried about your wife. It's natural! But instead of sitting around here worrying yourself to death, get out and do something to take your mind off of it."
He gave her a look. "Such as?"
"Get a job!"
"What can I do? I'm not exactly highly educated, if you remember." He touched his face gingerly. "And... I'm not looking forward to working in another factory... I guess there's always papes, hmm?"
"We both know that you are really too old to be selling papes. We both are really. As soon as I find a real job, I'm leaving the newsies."
He nodded. "But that is the problem- FINDING a real job..." Smiling at Hades, he added, "I don't think I could picture you as anything BUT a newsie... the job just fits your personality too well."
"Go jump off the Bridge," she muttered.
He smirked. "Ladies first."
She sighed, "We're growing old, Spot. I mean, look at you, you'll be a father by Christmas. Times are changing. We have to change with them."
"I know...." he replied.
She lightly hit his shoulder. "Come on, it's time for dinner."
His stomach growled to that, and he laughed. "I think that's a good idea."
"Everyone can't wait to see you. Word spread quick that you were back."
"News always did," he said, shaking his head with a small smile. "And back so soon, I'm sure they are shocked... or were, anyway."
"Well, with the way that you've been disappearing out of here and then reappearing, they weren't too shocked."
"I reckon I'll need to be a little more dramatic about it then."
As if your first disappearance wasn't dramatic enough."
"Mm, maybe.... but I have to keep my followers on the edge of their seats," he replied with a grin.
"You are so full of yourself."
"I know. And you know you love it."
She smirked, rolling her eyes. "You know, I was hoping that Rae would be able to do something about that terrible ego of yours."
"What can I say? I'm hard to break."
"Remind me to talk to her about that the next time I see her."
"I won't, I promise," he teased.
She opened her mouth to retort, but was cut off my Jecca running and throwing herself at Spot. "What are you doing back? Where is Rae? and Julie?"
He smiled at her. "I just had to leave for a little while. They're all back at our house."
She took his hand and dragged him toward a table. "How long can you stay this time?"
"Probably a few months... 'Til stuff dies down back home."
She turned to look at him. "Are you gonna sell papes with me or are you going to find a job in the factories?"
He flinched. "I don't know if I'll sell papes... maybe for a short while... But I'm going to see if there's anything out there besides factory work.... if I can..." Jecca nodded and sat down. Spot sat next to her. "Care to sell with me this evening, Miss Jecca?"
Her only reply was to grin up at him and nod.
He chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Alright. We'll see if you can outsell me this time."
"I bet I can!" she retorted, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. A sparkle that reminded him so much of Rae.
He smiled, albeit a bit sadly, and ruffled her hair again. "We'll see about that."
It was nearing bedtime one night nearly two weeks after that picnic by the lake and Spot was reading a story to the family while Molly and Julie were mending clothes and Rae was letting Ann "help" her sew a new dress for Ann. Spot had just come to the part in the book where Belle and the beast met for the first time, when there came a knock on the door. Spot and Rae glanced at one another and exchanged puzzled glances. Placing a finger in the book, Spot stood and went to answer the door.
A very frantic Tom stood on the other side of the door. "Ya gotta hide, Spot...they are coming after you!"
"What?" Spot gave Tom a very puzzled look and wondered briefly if the young man had been drinking or something. "Coming after me? Who? Why?"
"The men from town are on their way out here right now to hang you...and if you don't find a place to hide, they will in just a few minutes."
Rae had just approached. "Hang Spot? Why? He didn't do anything!"
"I know that and you know that, but they don't know that! They think he murdered someone from town. I only had a five minute head start, maybe."
Rae held a hand up to her mouth and gasped, turning to Spot. "You have to get out of here, Spot."
"But I can't run! I didn't do anything!"
"If you don't they'll hang you!" she shrilled. "They think you're rotten to begin with, they won't listen!"
"But I'm not going to leave you here alone to deal with them!"
"I'll be fine. Chris and Julie are perfectly capable of helping. Just go!"
"But Rae..." He stopped when she covered his mouth with her hand. "At least go hide in the tunnel until they leave," she pleaded.
"But-"
"Stop arguing and go! I want you alive to see our baby, you know?!" He sighed and quickly kissed her before darting up the stairs. "Go with him Tom," she said, "You can't be seen here." Tom nodded quickly and followed Spot.
A moment later, Anne darted over and clung to Rae's leg. "What's going on, Momma?"
Rae rested a shaking hand on the little girl's head. "Nothing, sweetheart, Momma needs to go sit back down." Suddenly, there were several angry knocks on the door and muffled voices of townspeople just outside. Rae took a deep breath and opened the door. "Can I help you?" she asked shakily.
"Where is he?" screamed a burly man with black hair. "Where's the beast?!"
"I don't know who you are talking about. There is no beast here."
"You're hiding him in here, we know it! Come out beast! Come out!"
"Please, sir, you are scaring my children."
"Bring us the beast!" A man from the back of the crowd shouted.
"Go in and get him!" And that's promptly what the man in front went to do. Pushing past Rae, he and the other townsfolk followed. The man who pushed Rae shoved her with enough force to knock her to the floor. Chris leapt to her defense, only to have a gun shoved in his face.
"Leave my brother alone!" Julie yelled.
"Shut up broad! Bring us the beast!"
"He's not a beast!"
"Either you bring him to us know or we search the house." the man in charge demanded.
"I demand you leave at once, sir," Rae ordered shakily, climbing to her feet, "and come back in the morning, as is proper!"
"It will be too late by morning. He will have gotten away, but then he probably already has, right missy?"
Chris stepped in front of her. "We don't know what you're talking about. So get out and leave us alone!"
The man looked at Rae who gave him her coldest glare. "Alright boys, let's go home. Someone warned them and he got away. Hopefully he's gone for good."
Rae followed them to the door and slammed it shut, pulling the lock. A moment later, she turned, leaned against it, and promptly sank to the ground, shaking. Chris took one look at her and darted up the stairs to find Spot, calling over his shoulder for Julie and Molly to take care of her. Ann and Andy were already on the floor next to Rae, asking her what those "mean men" wanted. Spot raced in moments later. "Are you all right?" he asked worriedly. "Did they hurt you? If they did, so help me, I'll-... Chris said they pulled a gun?"
"We're fine," she said. "I'm just a little shaken, that's all."
He embraced her tightly. "Everyone else okay?" he asked the children, glancing around at them. They all nodded, Ann clinging tightly to Chris' hand.
Rae glanced at him worriedly. "Maybe you should leave for a little while... 'til it all blows over?"
"But, you heard them, they already thought I left... and it's not like they're going to come back repeatedly, right? I doubt they know about the passage."
"Next time we may not have any warning. Please, Spot, get away from here until this all blows over."
"I don't want to leave you here alone, Rae."
"But I'm not alone, and I don't want to lose you because of this. Please..." she pleaded.
Spot sighed heavily. "Where? I guess Brooklyn, hmm?"
"Anywhere but here."
Spot pushed her hair out of her eyes and kissed her forehead. "I guess I'll leave early in the morning."
"It would probably be better to leave now. They may return early in the morning."
"But..."
She closed her eyes and sighed. "I don't want you to leave...."
"But I know you're right...." he said with a sigh.
She kissed him. "I'll go pack your clothes while you tell the children goodbye."
He stopped her and placed a hand on the side of her face. "I love you," he whispered, kissing her gently.
"I love you too," she whispered, her eyes full of tears. He kissed her once more and went to round up the children to explain, if he could, why he was going away. He found all of them, from Chris to Baby Kendra, in the living room. He entered the room with a sigh and sat on the couch, motioning for Ann to come sit in his lap. "I have to tell you all something... I'm ... going to go to Brooklyn for awhile..." he began.
"Can we go too, Daddy?" Andy asked, crawling up next to his knee.
"I'm afraid not."
"Why not?"
"Because I have to go by myself this time, Andy. I may have to be gone for a long time."
"Are those mean men making you leave?" Ann asked softly, staring at him with wide, trembling eyes.
He sighed, "Yes, sweetheart. But don't worry, I'll be back."
Ann clung to him. "I don't want you to go..."
He kissed her head, "I know, princess, but if I don't go those men might come back and hurt one of you or maybe even Momma."
"I don't want them to come back..." she murmured, sniffling. "They were scary... can't you beat them up?"
"I wish I could, baby, but there are too many of them."
"Chris could help..." He smiled gently.
"I won't be gone forever."
"When will you be back?" Andy asked. "Christmas?"
Spot nodded. "I don't know, but I'll try very hard..."
"Promise?" Ann asked.
"I promise I'll try."
Rae came back into the room, a small carpetbag in her hand. She gave it to Spot, eyes glittering with tears. "Be careful."
"YOU be careful too." He kissed her gently.
"I love you Spot."
"I love you too," he whispered. "I'll see all of you soon, hopefully."
Giving him a kiss, she finally said, "Please go now. They may come back." He gave them a small gesture of farewell and slipped out the door. She hastily crossed to the window and shoved the curtain aside, staring out into the darkness and hoping to catch one last glimpse of him. Ann followed, clinging to Rae's nightdress, and began to whimper. Hearing the little girl's whimpers, Rae led her to the couch and pulled Ann into her lap. "It's gonna be all right, sweetheart," Rae said, stroking the girl's hair.
"I want Daddy back!" she wailed. Her cries probed those of Andy's and he began to bawl as well.
"Come here, Andy," Rae said, patting the couch beside her and he climbed up next to her. "Everything will be just fine," she assured them, though she had a little trouble believing it herself.
"But I want Daddy," Ann wailed again.
"I know you do, sweetheart... But Momma's here." She kissed the tops of Ann and Andy's heads. Rae glanced up at the clock and then at the confused and tired faces of Chris, Molly and Julie. She sighed. "I think it's bedtime."
"Nooo," Andy and Ann wailed, clinging to her.
"It's way past time for all of us to be in bed."
"I'm not tired...." Ann whimpered around a yawn. "I wanna wait 'til Daddy comes home..."
"It's going to be a long time until Daddy comes home, Annie."
"I can wait," she protested stubbornly, pouting.
"Annie, please don't argue with me tonight." She pouted more and a few tears leaked over her cheeks. Turning to Rae, she clung to her. Rae stroked her hair, "I'm sorry for snapping sweetheart."
"I don't want you to go like Daddy did..."
"I'm not going to leave Annie." Gently prying Ann's arms from around her waist, Rae stood and picked her up. "Now come on... Bedtime."
"Can I sleep with you, Momma?"
"Just for tonight," she replied, kissing the side of Ann's head. "But not another peep, okay?"
"Can I sleep with you too," Andy asked.
Rae lifted a brow and smiled gently. "I suppose so."
"Thank you Momma,"
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
"I'll lock up," Chris offered
"Make sure it's tight," she advised. "And thank you..."
"Your welcome."
"I hope Spot and Tom are okay," she mused, heading up stairs with the twins. "Sleep tight, the rest of you," she called.
* * *
The next morning, Rae awoke to someone kicking her in the knee. Ready to chew Spot to bits, she opened her eyes to see that it was not Spot, but Ann. She frowned deeply when she recalled the previous night. "Oh, Spot," she sighed deeply, "what's going to happen to us?"
"Momma?" Ann murmured, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "Is Daddy back?"
"No, sweetheart," Rae said, pulling the girl into her arms, "Daddy won't be back for a long time."
"Will he EVER come back?"
"He promised he would, Annie, and Daddy always keeps his promises."
"Will we go visit him?"
"Probably not, sweetheart. Cause then those mean men might follow us and try to hurt Daddy again."
"Well... I think those mean men need to go in time out!" Anne exclaimed loudly. Andy whimpered and snuggled deeper under the blankets.
Rae smiled slightly and kissed Ann's forehead. "Daddy will be home before you know it...and know what?"
"What?"
"I bet he's thinking about us right now."
"I hope so." She rubbed her nose.
"I'm hungry..." Rae slipped from the bed and helped Ann down and the two of them walked downstairs to prepare breakfast.
* * *
Spot left the train with a single bag in his hand and, with a sigh, headed towards the Brooklyn Lodging House. Who knew how long he'd have to be there- away from the kids... away from Rae. To say he was worried about her was an understatement. He was downright frantic, wondering if she'd be overworked and such with all those children and no one to help her... being pregnant, and all... He sighed again. He hoped that everyone would be gone from the house by the time that he got there so that he could get some sleep, as he had been up all night worrying. But then again, he probably wouldn't be able to sleep, for his mind would only return to Rae and the children again.
He reached the lodging house just as Shadow and Hades were leaving. "Spot Conlon, what in the world are you doing here? And where is Rae?" Hades demanded.
"It's a very long, very stupid story. If you would let me, I'd like to stay for awhile," he replied wearily.
"You didn't hurt her did you?"
"No, no! Jeez Hades!"
"Well... How long are you planning to stay?"
"A simple yes or no would have sufficed."
"How long?"
"I don't know."
"Can you pay for it?"
"Hades." He gave her a very exasperated look.
She just shrugged. "You know, we can't let you stay for free. None of US do. You of all people know that." Whacking his shoulder, she smiled.
He held out the change. "Happy?"
"Yes," Hades said, taking the money. "You didn't answer my question. What are you doing here and where is Rae?"
Spot sighed wearily. "Look, all I want right now is some sleep, so if you will excuse me..."
She thumped her hands on her hips. "Fine. But I demand you tell me later." His only answer was to walk past her through the door and up the stairs. "Something's not right, Shadow," Hades said to her companion.
"What was your first clue?" She whacked Shadow upside the head.
Upstairs Spot stopped in the doorway of the room that he and Rae had shared only a few short weeks ago. He didn't want to be in the bunkroom with everyone else, but he wasn't sure that he wanted to stay in this room either. With a heavy sigh, he glanced around. Dropping his bag on the floor, he left the room and went into the parlor. It was empty, as he expected. And, knowing his old newsies, no one would be back until well after lunch... possibly after supper. He stretched out across the couch. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but it was too quiet and he was too worried to do so. A thousand what-ifs ran through his head. What if those men returned and hurt the others? What if something happened to Rae and the baby? What if he couldn't make it back? What if, what if, what if....
* * *
Molly pulled Chris and Julie aside after breakfast. "I'm worried about Rae. She looks dead on her feet."
"YOU try making her take a nap," Chris replied. "She keeps saying we need looking after- but we did a fine job of looking after things when she and Spot were sick on that island..."
Molly sighed thoughtfully. "It's just a matter of being more stubborn than her."
"Well.... she's as stubborn as an ox."
Molly sent him a smug look and marched back into the kitchen where Rae was stubbornly washing the dishes. Promptly, she took the dishes from her and pushed her out of the kitchen. "Go. To. Bed."
"But, Molly...I'm not tired and there is work to be done....this house doesn't just run itself..." Rae stumbled wearily and would have fallen, had Chris not been there to catch her.
"We're perfectly capable of keeping the machine running, Rae," Chris said. "You have three sets of hands who are mature enough to handle the work- and two little ones that love to help when they can. Five people, Rae. Five. More than enough to take care of things. Now go to bed. Spot would kill us if he knew you were running yourself ragged."
She sighed. "I'm supposed to be the one taking care of all of you, not the other way around."
"You're going to have a baby. Don't you think you should take care of yourself first? That baby needs a different kind of taking care of right now," Molly pointed out.
She nodded wearily.
"Up to bed with you." Chris said.
"Alright, but if you need ANYTHING, come and get me."
"We won't," he said with a smile. "Go. Sleep."
"I'm going! I'm going!" she said, stumbling from the room.
"See, it wasn't so hard," Molly pointed out, looking a bit smug.
"Well, when we're all backing it, of course it isn't."
She stuck her tongue out at him. "Come on, Julie, let's get this kitchen clean while Chris does the laundry."
Julie grinned. "Just be warned- he's awful with laundry," she said as they walked away.
"Hey! That's not fair!" He yelled after them. The girls giggled and began to finish up the kitchen. "Come on, girls! Give a guy a break!"
"But it's so much fun," Julie called back as Molly burst into giggles. "Anyway, you can get Ann to help you. She's very helpful in that sort of thing."
"I'll get you back for this Julie."
"I know... but it's fun while it lasts."
He ruffled her hair and reached to do the same with Molly, but she pointed the knife in her hands at him. "Don't you dare!"
Holding up his hands, he said, "All right, I surrender... Jeez, you're dangerous, girl." Chris shook his head and left the kitchen, "Annie, want to help me wash clothes?"
Ann bounced to her feet, cheered that Chris was asking her to help and nodded vigorously. "Okay!"
Upstairs Rae crawled into her bed and buried her head in Spot's pillow, to muffle her sobs. Why did things have to turn out so horrible all of a sudden? Spot shouldn't have had to leave- he should have been there, with her. Those townspeople just had to accuse him, didn't they... And he had done nothing wrong! Spot Conlon... or at least, the one she had married, would NEVER hurt anyone like that. He should be here with her. She needed him. Although she wouldn't admit it to the children, she was exhausted. Grudgingly, she admitted to herself that she was grateful that they had insisted she lie down, but now her worries plagued her tired mind. She had been very sick so far, what if it only got worse? She didn't think she could bear it if something happened to the baby... She placed her hand on her stomach, which was just beginning to show signs of her pregnancy. 'Nothing better happen to you,' she thought.
* * *
iRae stood on the docks of Brooklyn breathing in the night air. Manhattan was in Brooklyn for a poker game, leaving the lodging house full of smoke and noise. Stupid arrogant Spot Conlon had made a big show of making a clean sweep of the game and he was driving her insane, as usual. She sighed and took another deep breath. She loved to be out here where it was quiet. Or rather, she loved to be anywhere Spot Conlon and his stupid ego were not!
She suddenly became aware of a set of footsteps behind her. Before she could turn around, a pair of firm hands pushed her from behind and, wheeling her arms around wildly, she toppled into the river with a shriek. "I'm going to KILL whoever did that!" she threatened, pushing wet hair from her face after she had surfaced.
And the famous Spot Colon smirking face peered over the edge of the dock. "Oh, are you now?"
"You better believe it, mister!"
Spot sat on the edge of the dock. "And how are YOU, Rae Kelly, going to kill ME?" She threw something in his direction and at first he couldn't see anything. Then the moonlight reflected off of something and a moment later he heard a dull thud. Rae's knife was stuck in the edge of the dock near his hand. "Watch where you throw that thing Kelly!"
"Watch who you shove, Conlon!"
"You are really getting on my nerves Kelly! No one talks to Spot Conlon that way!"
"So you'd like to think!" she retorted.
"Watch your step, girl!"
"Ooh, big bad dangerous Conlon..." She clambered out of the water.
He plucked her knife from the wood. "Want this back?"
She held out her hand expectantly. "Yeah... Now."
"I don't think so. It's a rather nice knife. Think I'll hang on to it for a while."
"Give it here. Now," Rae demanded.
"Make me, Kelly!"
With a yell, she dove for his ankles, knocking him over. "Give it back, or I'll make you sorry!"
With practiced ease he dropped the knife and flipped her onto her back, pinning her hands to the dock. "Oh really? Want to rethink that?"
"No... because now you've made yourself the perfect target. We girls know exactly where to hit." She smirked deviously.
He scrambled to his feet. "I bet if I kissed you I'd have you falling at my feet with all the other girls."
She laughed haughtily, climbing to her feet. "You won't ever get the chance to kiss me, Conlon!"/i
* * *
Spot felt as though he had just nodded off when loud voices startled him awake again. For a moment he thought he was back home and he was just about to get a bit snappy at whoever woke him up, but when he sat up, he met a face that wasn't anyone back at the house. "Oh... hello, Hades."
"Look, you know you are always welcome to stay here, but I want some answers."
Spot groaned and sat up as she rounded the couch to sit down. "What do you want to know?"
"Where is Rae? And all those kids?"
"Back home..."
"Why are you here without them? Did you and Rae get into a fight or something?"
"No, we didn't get into a fight.... It's a very... strange story..."
"I'm not going to leave you alone until you tell me!"
"I know you won't...." Spot sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "See... it's like this... The townspeople think... I'm some sort of monster- "
"Why?"
He pointed to his face. "And so... I reckon someone was murdered... and they pinned the blame on me... on the Beast.... A mob of men came to our house with the intent of lynching me..."
Hades eyes went wide. "Lynch Spot Conlon! How DARE they!... How did you escape?"
"An old friend of Blank's warned me just in time."
"Wow.... Boy... you guys sure live a very... adventurous life..." Hades remarked, taking this all in. "Why didn't you stay to protect your family? Or at least bring them with you?"
"They wouldn't let me!"
"She always was more stubborn than you."
"I know... Which can drive a man crazy, sometimes." He sighed, leaning his head back. "I'm ... so worried."
"Why? If Rae can handle being married to you, she can handle all those kids."
Spot lifted a brow. "That was helpful."
"Alright, so you're worried about your wife. It's natural! But instead of sitting around here worrying yourself to death, get out and do something to take your mind off of it."
He gave her a look. "Such as?"
"Get a job!"
"What can I do? I'm not exactly highly educated, if you remember." He touched his face gingerly. "And... I'm not looking forward to working in another factory... I guess there's always papes, hmm?"
"We both know that you are really too old to be selling papes. We both are really. As soon as I find a real job, I'm leaving the newsies."
He nodded. "But that is the problem- FINDING a real job..." Smiling at Hades, he added, "I don't think I could picture you as anything BUT a newsie... the job just fits your personality too well."
"Go jump off the Bridge," she muttered.
He smirked. "Ladies first."
She sighed, "We're growing old, Spot. I mean, look at you, you'll be a father by Christmas. Times are changing. We have to change with them."
"I know...." he replied.
She lightly hit his shoulder. "Come on, it's time for dinner."
His stomach growled to that, and he laughed. "I think that's a good idea."
"Everyone can't wait to see you. Word spread quick that you were back."
"News always did," he said, shaking his head with a small smile. "And back so soon, I'm sure they are shocked... or were, anyway."
"Well, with the way that you've been disappearing out of here and then reappearing, they weren't too shocked."
"I reckon I'll need to be a little more dramatic about it then."
As if your first disappearance wasn't dramatic enough."
"Mm, maybe.... but I have to keep my followers on the edge of their seats," he replied with a grin.
"You are so full of yourself."
"I know. And you know you love it."
She smirked, rolling her eyes. "You know, I was hoping that Rae would be able to do something about that terrible ego of yours."
"What can I say? I'm hard to break."
"Remind me to talk to her about that the next time I see her."
"I won't, I promise," he teased.
She opened her mouth to retort, but was cut off my Jecca running and throwing herself at Spot. "What are you doing back? Where is Rae? and Julie?"
He smiled at her. "I just had to leave for a little while. They're all back at our house."
She took his hand and dragged him toward a table. "How long can you stay this time?"
"Probably a few months... 'Til stuff dies down back home."
She turned to look at him. "Are you gonna sell papes with me or are you going to find a job in the factories?"
He flinched. "I don't know if I'll sell papes... maybe for a short while... But I'm going to see if there's anything out there besides factory work.... if I can..." Jecca nodded and sat down. Spot sat next to her. "Care to sell with me this evening, Miss Jecca?"
Her only reply was to grin up at him and nod.
He chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Alright. We'll see if you can outsell me this time."
"I bet I can!" she retorted, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. A sparkle that reminded him so much of Rae.
He smiled, albeit a bit sadly, and ruffled her hair again. "We'll see about that."