Spot woke up with a start. It was mid afternoon but he would have stayed in bed except there was yelling coming from the bunk room. He was out the door instantly to see Frick and Frack shouting at each other. Actually Frack was shouting at his sister and she was looking at him, not very impressed.
"Yous been gone all summah den you come back lookin' completely diffent and wit a broken arm an' won't tell where ya been or what ya been doin'. What's goin' on."
Spot hardly recognized Frick in new clothes with her hair cut just below her ears and her arm in a sling but it was her, "Where's Marble?"
Frick looked at him for a second, "I ain't sure but she said fa yous ta meet 'er on da bridge tanite." It was now her turn to yell at her brother so neither of them noticed when Spot went for the door.
Right before he left Frick called out to him, "Hey Spot, Happy Boithday."
"Yea, t'anks." He slipped out the door and went to the Brooklyn Bridge.
* * *
It was getting dark and Marble wasn't there yet. Spot would have started worrying but Ashes had joined him almost an hour earlier. He was sitting on the curb petting the cat when something caught his eye. At first it was just a speck of light at the end of the bridge but it quickly became something more. To him it looked like an angel, with a fire glowing from it's chest and soft pale wings trailing behind as it glided towards him. He stood up, awestruck, and the feeling didn't fade when he saw that it was Marble. She was wearing a long grey trench coat over her normal clothes and she was carrying a white candle with her. When she got even closer he noticed that she was wearing shoes for the first time since he had known her and all of the holes in her clothes were patched up. She blew out the candle when she was only a few feet away. By the time Spot's eyes adjusted to the darkness again she was right in front of him. With her this close Spot could see that she had gotten taller over the summer. Her eyes were now almost even with his and he couldn't help pointing it out.
"Yous biggah." Marble grinned and looked down. Spot's eyes followed hers to where the top few buttons of her shirt were open, revealing much more cleavage then he remembered. He squeezed his eyes shut in embarrassment and felt his face turning red.
"I meant ya tallah."
He opened his eyes again when he felt Marble slide her arms around his neck. She kissed him deeply, making up for lost time, and pulled back smiling.
"You're really cute when you blush, ya know that?"
"Yous tol' me dat afore."
"As long as you know," Marble took him arm and started walking, "It's your Birthday."
"I know."
"Yeah, well so does everyone else. They're throwing you a party at Tibby's and I'm supposed to find a way to blindfold you before we get there. Telling you was the only way I could think of so you have to act surprised when we get there."
"Yea, Alroight. Hey Marble, I's know dat ya don't like tellin' but where'd you an' Frick go?"
"Nowhere really, I just needed to move around and Frick wanted ta come so we just left. Ya know I really missed you, more than I ever have before. I'm not sure if I ever wanna leave again unless you're with me."
"Dats real good cause I don't want ya ta leave again eithah."
They walked quietly until Ashes jumped onto Spot's shoulder, "Dustball yous ain't got no idea when it's a bad time do ya?"
After a minute Spot gave up and started scratching the cat. "Sometimes I wish I nevah gave ya dis lil' beastie."
"Well if you hadn't then you proally woulda kept him."
Spot shuddered, "Don't even say dat. I woulda killed da dumb t'ing afta week."
"Ya know Spot I think it's time ta blindfold you now.
"WHAT! We ain't no where neah Tibby's yet."
"I know but I like the thought of having you helpless and in my power."
Spot tried protesting but she cut him off, "Oh just shuddup an' take it like a man."
He closed his mouth and let her tie a strip of black cloth around his eyes, "There, now you're my puppet and you have to do what I tell you."
"Dis ain't funny."
"Not ta you it's not." Marble was laughing as she started to lead him.
After a few minutes, three curbs, a pile of boxes and a lamp post Spot stopped, "Dis ain't woikin'. Eitha let me take dis t'ing off or find a bettah way ta do dis."
"Oh, fine, you are so whiney." Marble wrapped both of his arms around her and put hers around his waist to guide him. They started walking side by side down the empty street. Eventually Marble got bored and started looking for a way to amuse herself. She couldn't walk Spot into things anymore because they were too close together so she had to find something else. She looked over at him, so innocent and helpless, and got an idea.
Marble started laying gentle kisses on his neck and face and anywhere else she could reach.
"Marble what're you doin'?"
"Nothin'."
Spot was getting very distracted and started trying to find her mouth with his. He tripped on a bump in the road and lost his balance. Marble laughed and steadied him. They stood there for a few minutes, Marble still teasing him with her lips and Spot still trying to capture them with his own. Finally Marble kissed him full on the lips but she pulled away before he could kiss back.
"Marble dis ain't fair, quit teasin' me."
"But it's so fun." Spot could feel her shaking against him with silent laughter.
"How about we forget the whole 'surprise party' thing and do something else?"
"Whada ya mean?"
She laughed and her lips met his. This time she didn't break the kiss off. Instead she pushed him back until he hit a wall. He grunted in surprise and Marble pulled away, "Come 'ere."
Spot heard a door open right next to them and she led him inside.
It was warm and light was shining through his blindfold, "Where are we?"
Marble didn't say anything, she just pulled him down a hallway, "Where are we goin?"
"Nowhere." She stopped and kissed him, backing him into a wall again, "Just be quiet and follow me."
Having her pressed up against him like that made all sorts of things run through his head, "Marble tell me dat yous ain't thinkin' what I think you're thinkin'."
"Trust me," a door opened, "I'm not."
She pushed him into a room and shut the door, "Happy Birthday."
Spot yanked the blindfold just as a key turned in the lock. He tried opening the door then started pounding on it, "Marble dis ain't funny, lemme out. Come on, open da door."
He didn't hear anything from the other side so he turned to look at the room. It wasn't very big but it was very bright. The walls and floor were covered in white tile, making the light hurt his eyes. It was empty except for something in the middle. He walked over and knelt down beside it, a tub. It was filled almost to the top with water, a faint steam was rising off of the surface.
He ran his hand down the side of the tub, "Porcelain."
Spot started laughing. He couldn't believe that Marble had done this or how easily he had been tricked. He had actually believed her when she said there was a surprise party at Tibby's.
He quickly started undressing and stepped into the tub. It was perfect. He sank into the hot water until only his face was out. He stayed like that until the water started to cool down and his hands were all pruney. Finally he sat up and looked around again. There was a stool sitting on the other side of the tub with a towel, a washcloth, and a bar of soap. He quickly washed and got out of the water. When he went to get his clothes they weren't there but he did find new, clean clothes. Everything that had been in his pockets was sitting on top of them. Spot got dressed feeling a little uncomfortable. He didn't think Marble would have come in while he was bathing but she must have. He got dressed then went to the door and found it unlocked.
He was halfway down the hall when he realized where he was. It was backstage at Irving Hall.
Jack and Dublin suddenly appeared from around a corner, "Oh Spot dere you are, Marble said you'd be bach heah."
"What's goin' on Jacky-boy?"
"Jist come wit us." They led Spot down a hallway and through a door into the main hall. The room was packed with newsies. It wasn't nearly as many boys as there had been at the rally but they were still filling the hall. When Spot came in they all started cheering and singing an off key and disjointed version of happy birthday. Spot was laughing as they led him to a table in the front, to the left of the stage.
Drinks and food were served but the curtains were still down on the stage. The boys didn't notice the light fading in the hall until it was almost too dark to see. Then music started.
It was strange and haunting and seemed to come from everywhere at once. The curtains slid open slowly and when the whole stage was visible the music became more upbeat. The spotlight switched on and there was a person on the stage with her back to the crowd. It wasn't Medda, with her flaming red hair and showy dresses. Instead it was a slim, pale figure with brown curls cascading down her back. She wore a clingy black dress with a open back and slits up the side that went to mid-thigh. She started singing.
"Something fearless in your eyes," She turned to face the newsies, showing a very low neckline.
"Something careless about you smile," Marble quickly found Spot, he was staring with his mouth hanging open.
"Something fragile when you hold your breath, and when you move," she waked to the right side of the stage and went down a flight of stairs, onto the floor.
"You move right through me."
The spotlight flooded the front of the hall as she moved past the gaping boys. Pie Eater put his hand over Snipeshooter's eyes.
"Fingertips so gently on my skin," Marble's fingers traced all the way down the neckline of her dress. Snipe pulled the hand away.
"I'm underwater, I feel the flood begin." She trailed her hand across Blink's cheek as she walked past and he almost fell out of his chair.
"Fingertips so gently on my skin, you're taking over and over again." Mush put his hand over Snipeshooter's eyes but it was quickly pulled away.
"Shed your armor," She flicked Jake's bowler off of his head but he didn't notice.
"Spin your web," Itey was rocking back in his chair and fell.
"Hypnotize me with the longest stare," Marble put out her hand and covered Snipeshooter's eyes as she strutted past.
"Make your promise, or maybe it's a threat." Marble kicked Twitch's chair down onto all four legs before he ended up like Itey.
"'cos when you look, you look right through me." Her eyes found the still gaping Spot and she had to fight a grin.
"Fingertips so gently on my skin." This time Marble trailed her fingers up the slit in her skirt, hiking the dress up even farther.
"I'm underwater, I feel the flood begin." Ash from Race's cigar fell and narrowly missed his lap.
"Fingertips so gently on my skin," Marble winked at Frack and he choked on his drink.
"You're taking over and over again." Marble reached out and tapped Skittery's chin, closing his mouth.
"We're flesh and bone, together and alone." Marble made it to Spot's table and she smiled.
"And we're looking for a home." She leaned over the table, giving everyone a good view down her dress. Her eyes met Jack's and she whispered, "Enjoying yourself Cowboy?"
He nodded dumbly as she straightened up and moved around the table.
"Silver moonlight invades the sky," She stopped behind Spot.
"Calling gently to the evening tide," Marble wrapped her arms around him.
"You're unfolding right before my eyes." She rested her cheek on his shoulder and looked into his eyes.
"And when you move," She spun around his chair and sat in his lap.
"You move right through me." Her fingers twined around behind his neck and she leaned back to see his face clearly.
"Fingertips so gently on my skin." Her hands slid around his neck and down to rest on his chest.
"I'm underwater, I feel the flood begin." Marble leaned forward so only Spot could hear her.
"Fingertips so gently on my skin," Spot's arms slid around her and pulled her even closer.
"I'm underwater, I'm underwater." Marble kissed him passionately.
Long before the music stopped the room had erupted in cheers and catcalls.
Marble finally pulled back and whispered, "Thank you for reminding me how to sing."