Warning: This story contains adult language, graphic violence, attempted
rape, attempted suicide, and sexually explicit themes. Reader's discretion
is advised.
Rating - R.
Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies or any of the Newsies characters. Apollonia, Giselle, Checkers, and other miscellaneous characters are all mine.
Chapter 19 - Love Reinvented
David was finishing up his work at "The New York Sun" as he hustled to get out of his office. Denton was off on an assignment and had passed off most of his responsibilities to David. As he gathered his belongings, he was startled by a familiar voice.
"Hey, there, Dave. Ready ta go?" Jack said. "Yeah, just give me a minute."
Once he gathered his notebooks together, David hurried out of the office with Jack trailing behind him. "Ya seem to have your work cut out for you, Dave." Jack said, smiling as he watched his friend struggle with the gobs of paperwork he had to slave over in his apartment.
"Yeah, well, it's a living. And it's not like I have much of a life to begin with. I'm either at work or sleeping. I don't have time to do much anything else."
"Well, you have time to hang around with me."
"That's different, Jack. I always have time for a friend." Jack smiled at his warm statement. They continued to walk through the streets to make their way to David's apartment building.
Once inside, David pulled out some drinks for the two of them and happily sat down, preparing to reveal whatever thoughts crossed their minds.
"So, what's been up with you, Jack? How's Apollonia since you saw her last?"
"Apollonia is doing fine. After that incident with Killian, I was worried that she would close herself off from the world again. But she seems to be holding herself taggeda. She's a real trooper."
David concurred with a nod. He knew that Giselle spent much of her time with Apollonia, but he did not find it appropriate to ask about her, especially since he wanted to eventually ask Giselle out.
"So I take it that you are helping her out of her shell."
"You could say that. I go to her bookstore at least once a week to check up on her. We sit and talk for a while usually. We went to see a flicker and to Tibby's a while ago. After dat, we went to Paddy's Tavern and just hung out. And we went ta Irving Hall ta see Medda."
David was surprised. "Wow, Jack. You don't waste any time, do you?" Jack looked at him confused.
"What's dat suppose ta mean?"
"I'm saying that you are really redeeming yourself for what you are doing. I mean it's not everyday a guy looks after the widow of a friend that he became enemies with because he made a pass at his woman."
Jack looked down. "I know what you're saying, David. But it's much deeper than that. Spot told me on his deathbed that he wanted me to look out for her when he died. And he knew that I loved her." Jack made the last statement with a melancholy tone. David looked at his friend closely, giving him his undivided attention. He knew that there was something else that Jack was not telling him, and his inquiring mind wanted to know what it was.
Jack remained quiet, looking as if he was reflecting on something.
"Jack what are you thinking about?" David inquired.
"I'm not going to apologize for it anymore. I love that woman so much. She consumes me, alright? It ain't petty love, it's not being smitten like puppy love - this is real. This is the thing that people always want. It's been happening for thousands of years and it's happening to me now. It's been happening ever since I met her for the first time in her store. I think about her every single day. I wake up thinking about her. I can feel her when I go to bed at night. I sit there and cry because I love her so much - it's not even sorrow at times; I'm just happy that I can have her. Do you know what a gift it is to have someone like that?"
David listened carefully. He knew that Jack was being serious about this entire deal.
"You might know her in a different respect than I do, but I know her for real. I don't know what Spot was thinking, but I am glad that he was thinking about her and me, and giving us his blessing if we decided to be together. I will always thank Spot in my prayers for that. He knew that I would take care of Apollonia, and I intend to do just that." A small tear started to form in David's eye. He had never heard anything so touching and bittersweet in his life. He turned his head to wipe his eye, not wanting Jack to see him being so sentimental. He knew that Jack was truly happy for the first time in his life since they had known each other. And that happiness made David all warm inside.
"You know, Jack, I always knew that you were a hopeless romantic, but I never knew that you were a romantic fool." He said grinning. Jack just shoved him childishly.
"Well, I just hope that she sees me in the same way as I see her."
"I'm sure she does." David said sincerely.
~
Reflecting on the past dates and words exchanged, Apollonia was feeling like she was on an emotional roller coaster. Sitting in her room, she reminisced on Jack's expressions, his actions, and his questions. She thought that if his feelings for her were so strong, she should perhaps see what he had to offer. Recalling what he said to her, she could tell that his words rang true.
Although Jack was warm and inviting, she wasn't sure if she was ready. While Spot gave his blessing, Apollonia felt guilty about giving herself to another man, even though a force greater than infidelity had torn them apart. Everything was so confusing to her concerning the situation, especially since Spot was her first. She needed to talk to someone; someone who could steer her in the right direction. She knew just who to contact.
~
"Alright, guys. Here it is. I'm gonna place bets for you on tomorrow's race on Wildfire. Wildfire is a new horse that came to Sheepshead last week and I have a burning suspicion that this horse is a sure winner."
"That's what you said about the last new horse that came there and we almost lost our shirts!" Blink retorted. "Aw, come on, fellas. This is the perfect opportunity to regain what we lost and then some." Blink and Mush just looked at each other to confirm Race's insanity. Feeling at a loss, Racetrack walked away to let the two roommates play cards while he smoked a cigar. A knock at the door interrupted his train of thought.
"Apollonia, howya doing, Doll?" He said as he pulled her into a hug. "Hey, fellas. Look who decided to come and visit us mooks?" Blink and Mush rejoiced at seeing Apollonia.
"Hey there, sweetie. Howya doing?" Said Blink, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Mush hugged her and gave her a pinch on the cheek. Pulling a seat out from the table, Blink offered a place to watch them play a few games as usual. "Um, I'm not going to watch you guys play. I actually came to talk to Race about something, in private."
Raising an eyebrow, Racetrack led her to the window where they could talk on the fire escape. Looking out above the apartment roofs, Apollonia relaxed her nerves while Racetrack continue to smoke his cigar liberally.
"So, what's up, cuteness?"
"Well, as you already know, I've been trying to move on with my life; hanging with you guys, running my business, and it hasn't been easy. While trying to reclaim my life, I have been taking pleasure in the company of a certain young man."
"Okay, who's the lucky guy?"
"It's Jack." Racetrack whipped his head around to look at her, practically snapping his neck. Apollonia looked down shyly. A smile spread across his face.
"Sweetie, that's great. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Well, I wasn't sure about getting involved with him. I mean, you know the history we have and all. And with Spot's passing, I have been trying to remain focused on recovering. Then Jack comes into my life and seems to make things better. I'm very pleased by his presence and his need to protect me."
"Well, you've been down in the dumps for almost a year now, and you know that we are always here for you. And Jack seems to want you to be happy, too. So, what's the problem?"
"I always assumed that Jack had some ulterior motive to be with me. Perhaps that he wanted something he didn't have or that he was jealous of Spot. His words told me that his feelings for me were deep and true. Although I'm flattered by his genuineness, I'm still a little scared about getting involved with him. And Giselle, with her big sister role isn't helping either. I'm so confused."
"Look, when two people love each other - truly love each other - acting on that love is never wrong. It's a very natural thing. It's how people show they love each other. That's why it's called making love. And if Jack feels this strongly about you that he wants to be with you, you should oblige him, especially if you feel something for him." In her heart, she knew this was true, but acting on her feelings is what caused her dilemma.
"In giving myself to Jack, I feel like I would be cheating on Spot."
"Listen, Spot told you on his deathbed that he wanted you to live your life and be happy. He even gave you his blessing. You would be cheating Spot if you didn't do as he asked." Racetrack's words struck a cord in Apollonia. She never thought about it that way. Her obsession with holding onto Spot's memory and not moving on with her life would have been a greater predicament.
"Listen, I have known Jack for several years. When he is set on something, he follows all the way through. He must have had it bad for you when he and Spot fought over you. And I can't say I blame him." He said smiling hoping to motivate a beam of positivism in her. Before leaving, Racetrack put his arm around her and gave his last words of comfort.
"Listen, I know that you would do the right thing. And whichever way you choose, I will back you 100%." He hugged her and left her with those words of wisdom.
Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies or any of the Newsies characters. Apollonia, Giselle, Checkers, and other miscellaneous characters are all mine.
Chapter 19 - Love Reinvented
David was finishing up his work at "The New York Sun" as he hustled to get out of his office. Denton was off on an assignment and had passed off most of his responsibilities to David. As he gathered his belongings, he was startled by a familiar voice.
"Hey, there, Dave. Ready ta go?" Jack said. "Yeah, just give me a minute."
Once he gathered his notebooks together, David hurried out of the office with Jack trailing behind him. "Ya seem to have your work cut out for you, Dave." Jack said, smiling as he watched his friend struggle with the gobs of paperwork he had to slave over in his apartment.
"Yeah, well, it's a living. And it's not like I have much of a life to begin with. I'm either at work or sleeping. I don't have time to do much anything else."
"Well, you have time to hang around with me."
"That's different, Jack. I always have time for a friend." Jack smiled at his warm statement. They continued to walk through the streets to make their way to David's apartment building.
Once inside, David pulled out some drinks for the two of them and happily sat down, preparing to reveal whatever thoughts crossed their minds.
"So, what's been up with you, Jack? How's Apollonia since you saw her last?"
"Apollonia is doing fine. After that incident with Killian, I was worried that she would close herself off from the world again. But she seems to be holding herself taggeda. She's a real trooper."
David concurred with a nod. He knew that Giselle spent much of her time with Apollonia, but he did not find it appropriate to ask about her, especially since he wanted to eventually ask Giselle out.
"So I take it that you are helping her out of her shell."
"You could say that. I go to her bookstore at least once a week to check up on her. We sit and talk for a while usually. We went to see a flicker and to Tibby's a while ago. After dat, we went to Paddy's Tavern and just hung out. And we went ta Irving Hall ta see Medda."
David was surprised. "Wow, Jack. You don't waste any time, do you?" Jack looked at him confused.
"What's dat suppose ta mean?"
"I'm saying that you are really redeeming yourself for what you are doing. I mean it's not everyday a guy looks after the widow of a friend that he became enemies with because he made a pass at his woman."
Jack looked down. "I know what you're saying, David. But it's much deeper than that. Spot told me on his deathbed that he wanted me to look out for her when he died. And he knew that I loved her." Jack made the last statement with a melancholy tone. David looked at his friend closely, giving him his undivided attention. He knew that there was something else that Jack was not telling him, and his inquiring mind wanted to know what it was.
Jack remained quiet, looking as if he was reflecting on something.
"Jack what are you thinking about?" David inquired.
"I'm not going to apologize for it anymore. I love that woman so much. She consumes me, alright? It ain't petty love, it's not being smitten like puppy love - this is real. This is the thing that people always want. It's been happening for thousands of years and it's happening to me now. It's been happening ever since I met her for the first time in her store. I think about her every single day. I wake up thinking about her. I can feel her when I go to bed at night. I sit there and cry because I love her so much - it's not even sorrow at times; I'm just happy that I can have her. Do you know what a gift it is to have someone like that?"
David listened carefully. He knew that Jack was being serious about this entire deal.
"You might know her in a different respect than I do, but I know her for real. I don't know what Spot was thinking, but I am glad that he was thinking about her and me, and giving us his blessing if we decided to be together. I will always thank Spot in my prayers for that. He knew that I would take care of Apollonia, and I intend to do just that." A small tear started to form in David's eye. He had never heard anything so touching and bittersweet in his life. He turned his head to wipe his eye, not wanting Jack to see him being so sentimental. He knew that Jack was truly happy for the first time in his life since they had known each other. And that happiness made David all warm inside.
"You know, Jack, I always knew that you were a hopeless romantic, but I never knew that you were a romantic fool." He said grinning. Jack just shoved him childishly.
"Well, I just hope that she sees me in the same way as I see her."
"I'm sure she does." David said sincerely.
~
Reflecting on the past dates and words exchanged, Apollonia was feeling like she was on an emotional roller coaster. Sitting in her room, she reminisced on Jack's expressions, his actions, and his questions. She thought that if his feelings for her were so strong, she should perhaps see what he had to offer. Recalling what he said to her, she could tell that his words rang true.
Although Jack was warm and inviting, she wasn't sure if she was ready. While Spot gave his blessing, Apollonia felt guilty about giving herself to another man, even though a force greater than infidelity had torn them apart. Everything was so confusing to her concerning the situation, especially since Spot was her first. She needed to talk to someone; someone who could steer her in the right direction. She knew just who to contact.
~
"Alright, guys. Here it is. I'm gonna place bets for you on tomorrow's race on Wildfire. Wildfire is a new horse that came to Sheepshead last week and I have a burning suspicion that this horse is a sure winner."
"That's what you said about the last new horse that came there and we almost lost our shirts!" Blink retorted. "Aw, come on, fellas. This is the perfect opportunity to regain what we lost and then some." Blink and Mush just looked at each other to confirm Race's insanity. Feeling at a loss, Racetrack walked away to let the two roommates play cards while he smoked a cigar. A knock at the door interrupted his train of thought.
"Apollonia, howya doing, Doll?" He said as he pulled her into a hug. "Hey, fellas. Look who decided to come and visit us mooks?" Blink and Mush rejoiced at seeing Apollonia.
"Hey there, sweetie. Howya doing?" Said Blink, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Mush hugged her and gave her a pinch on the cheek. Pulling a seat out from the table, Blink offered a place to watch them play a few games as usual. "Um, I'm not going to watch you guys play. I actually came to talk to Race about something, in private."
Raising an eyebrow, Racetrack led her to the window where they could talk on the fire escape. Looking out above the apartment roofs, Apollonia relaxed her nerves while Racetrack continue to smoke his cigar liberally.
"So, what's up, cuteness?"
"Well, as you already know, I've been trying to move on with my life; hanging with you guys, running my business, and it hasn't been easy. While trying to reclaim my life, I have been taking pleasure in the company of a certain young man."
"Okay, who's the lucky guy?"
"It's Jack." Racetrack whipped his head around to look at her, practically snapping his neck. Apollonia looked down shyly. A smile spread across his face.
"Sweetie, that's great. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Well, I wasn't sure about getting involved with him. I mean, you know the history we have and all. And with Spot's passing, I have been trying to remain focused on recovering. Then Jack comes into my life and seems to make things better. I'm very pleased by his presence and his need to protect me."
"Well, you've been down in the dumps for almost a year now, and you know that we are always here for you. And Jack seems to want you to be happy, too. So, what's the problem?"
"I always assumed that Jack had some ulterior motive to be with me. Perhaps that he wanted something he didn't have or that he was jealous of Spot. His words told me that his feelings for me were deep and true. Although I'm flattered by his genuineness, I'm still a little scared about getting involved with him. And Giselle, with her big sister role isn't helping either. I'm so confused."
"Look, when two people love each other - truly love each other - acting on that love is never wrong. It's a very natural thing. It's how people show they love each other. That's why it's called making love. And if Jack feels this strongly about you that he wants to be with you, you should oblige him, especially if you feel something for him." In her heart, she knew this was true, but acting on her feelings is what caused her dilemma.
"In giving myself to Jack, I feel like I would be cheating on Spot."
"Listen, Spot told you on his deathbed that he wanted you to live your life and be happy. He even gave you his blessing. You would be cheating Spot if you didn't do as he asked." Racetrack's words struck a cord in Apollonia. She never thought about it that way. Her obsession with holding onto Spot's memory and not moving on with her life would have been a greater predicament.
"Listen, I have known Jack for several years. When he is set on something, he follows all the way through. He must have had it bad for you when he and Spot fought over you. And I can't say I blame him." He said smiling hoping to motivate a beam of positivism in her. Before leaving, Racetrack put his arm around her and gave his last words of comfort.
"Listen, I know that you would do the right thing. And whichever way you choose, I will back you 100%." He hugged her and left her with those words of wisdom.
