"Michael! When do I get to sell?" I begged for what must have been
the forth time that week. I'd been with the Brooklyn newsies for five days
and I had yet to spend a day selling. I was anxious to try my hand at it
and earn my keep.
He sighed and answered, "Hopefully nevah. Ya don' understand, sellin' ain't for goils, its hard woik and there are frequent fights. I wanna protect ya from dat."
"I know ya mean well, but ya can't keep her imprisoned," Roman said as he walked by. Roman was another boy at the lodging house, and him and I had become very close since I had first gotten there. "She already looks da part, an' she's a goil, da boys won' beat up on her."
"Dat's da problem. Ya see, she's me sistah, an' dat makes her more vulnerable," Michael said, and I looked up hopefully, thinking that possibly he cared about my safety instead of his reputation. My hopes were dashed when he continued, "I can't have dat sort of weakness. Dey'd have me on a collar, and I'se Spot Conlon, I can't be like dat."
I looked at him. "You aren't Spot. You're Michael. You're my brother Michael. And let me just tell you, Michael was never as much as an asshole as you."
"Don' ya evah swear again, Alex! Ma's rollin' ovah in her grave listenin' ta ya speakin' so vulgar!" he shouted.
That was the final straw. I slapped him, and turned on my heel. I slipped past the boys and girls that had formed a crowd around us and walked out the door. I started towards the Bridge, walking across and over to Manhattan. I figured that at least people there cared about me.
"Wha' ya doin' ovah heah?" I heard a boy ask. I turned around to see another boy that had been in the bunkroom when I went there with Blink the first time. "Alex, right?" I nodded. "Race told me 'bout ya. I'se Mush, by the way."
"Hi, Mush. Speaking of Higgins, have you seen him lately?" I asked, looking around for the familiar crop of dark curls.
"I think he was heading towards Sheepshead earlier. Want me to take you?" I told me that yes, I would be very thankful. "If ya don' mind me askin', you'se Spot's sistah, right? Dat would mean you'se in Brooklyn, why ya ovah heah?"
"Spot and I aren't getting along too well right now. He finds me more of a hindrance than help. Wouldn't let me sell because someone might use me against him," I answered.
His eyes gleamed with honesty as he told me, "In truth, Jack talked ta Spot a couple days ago. He means well, he jus' don' know what ta do with ya. Don' think he's evah been given a goil ta worry 'bout before. He doesn't like ta have Devy with him, 'cause he believes that some of the gangs'll take her an' use her as ransom. I think he's worried 'bout da same thing wit' you."
"I know, I just can't handle having people fussing about me twenty-four seven. I didn't ask for any of this," I ranted.
"I know," Mush said softly, patting my back. I knew he must have had much experience comforting girls. I could tell that while he could probably just have all the angles necessary and fake it, there was a sincerity that rang throughout his voice when he talked to me.
"Thank you," I said as we reached Sheepshead.
"We's heah now. Ya think ya can find Race on ya own?" Mush asked. I nodded. "Sorry ta head off, but I still got twenty or so papes ta sell."
"Its all right," I promised. "I'll find him on my own," I said as I headed off in the crowd, listening for the thick accent I always found comforting. I grinned when I heard him hawking. "Woman births a cow!" he shouted. I grabbed a paper from him, finding the original headline.
"Female Cow Proud Mother?" I questioned.
He snatched the paper back. "Ain't much ta woik with, I know, I noticed. What ya doin' down heah? Thought things were goin' well wit' Spot in Brooklyn."
"We just butt heads every once in a while," I said defensively.
He grinned, evidently very amused. "I see. You know, you definitely spark some controversy heah." He explained. "Newsie name, ya know?"
"Controversy or Spark?" I asked him.
"Spark. Controversy's nice an' all, but I think Spark suits ya more. Ya know?" he answered.
"I like it. Spark, spark, spark," I muttered, trying it out. It rolled off my tongue with a pleasing vibration. I laughed, "Sorry, I'm such a nerd."
"No, no you ain't. We's all like dat when we get our nicknames. It makes ya belong, don' it?" he said. I loved how he always knew how to make me feel better about sounding stupid. "I like Controversy though, I'll keep it in mind for somethin' else."
"Maybe ya future child," Race joked.
I laughed. "I don't plan on having any children any time soon," I told him.
"Ya nevah know. Livin' wit' us newsies changes a goil, ya know?"
"I'm pretty sure about that one. I don't plan on having a child until I have a ring on this finger," I said firmly.
"Da boys'll be disappointed, I know I am," he said in a tone that made it impossible to tell whether he was joking or completely serious. Almost in answer to my question, he said, "I'se serious ya know." He winked. Completely changing the subject he said, "Well, let's go find the other boys."
"Let's," I said, and walked with him back towards Tibby's.
Right when I walked in I noticed Michael standing in the corner waiting expectantly. "You comin' back wit' me?" he asked as I walked in the door.
"Maybe, maybe not," I answered, wanting to defy his authority. It was a habit I couldn't break, despite many people trying to rid me of it. He looked at me sternly and I obliged, "All right, I'll come."
"Good. But foist I got ta talk ta Jacky-boy." He turned to Jack. "Kelly, we gots a borough meetin' dis weekend. Take three of ya men. Its out in Queens, since they're a neutral territory most of da time. I gots ta take Alex back, so I'll see you then."
"She ain't Alex any more," Race cut in. "It's Spark now."
"Ya named her?" Spot asked, though for once I didn't sense any hostility in the question. "Ya did well, boy. Ya did well. Nice name Spark."
"You too, Spot," I said. He looked shocked, but tried not to show it. Since I'd gotten my name, I might as well call Michael his real name. Sure, I'd always think of him as Michael, but I could address him as Spot at the very least. "Now, we goin' or what?"
"Yeah, let's go."
Once we were out the door and walking back towards Brooklyn I asked Michael, "So what's this borough meeting you were telling Jack about?"
"I need ta talk to ya 'bout dat. Ya see, every once in a while, all da boroughs get dere best men tagether ta talk 'bout boundaries and solve conflicts." I looked at him in shock and he laughed. "Ya don't think we solve everythin' wit' fists, do ya? Anyway, we've got one comin' up dis weekend, an' I was wonderin' if ya wanted ta come along. I think you'd be good, 'cause woman can keep level heads in dat sort of situation. Ya wanna come?"
"Sure," I promised. "Sounds like some decent fun."
"Oh, you don't know half of it. Dey have parties an' stuff every night. It's like a social gatherin', but we get some woik done too. An' some of da Queens newsies are musical, so we'se likely ta have a band dis time, meanin' some dances."
Happily, I commented, "Oh, good. I haven't been to a party in ages, I really need a celebration." I couldn't help but add, "But what am I going to wear?"
"Ugh," Spot groaned. "Women."
"Ya know ya love us," I teased.
"Only some."
"Slidah?" I asked him.
"Yeah, an' Devy of course," he said.
"Ya love Sli or do ya just tolerate her 'cause of Dev?"
In a soft whisper that I almost missed, he confessed, "I think I love her. But she don' even know I exist."
"She does," I assured him. "An' if she don' I'll make sure she does soon." I knew he was uncomfortable with the subject at hand, so I changed it. "So, who else are you taking to the meeting?"
"You, Roman, and probably Chant." Honestly, I had no idea who Chant was. I looked at Michael with questioning eyes and he explained, "Da tall gangly one dat's close friends wit' Checkah an' Thread."
"Oh, yeah, I think I know who that is. So we leave in two days?"
"Yep, I recommend ya start gettin' ready. Why don' ya do dat while I sell da afternoon papes?"
I agreed with a simple "Yes," and walked up to my room, starting to think about the event that was to come.
A/N: My chapters are actually getting slightly longer, I'm so proud. Haha, well that's all I have to say, byya!
Shoutouts-
Anonymous- I know Raeghann started a story that was from the perspective of Spot's sister, but this is based on me being put as Spot's sister in a different story (I have that person's permission to do that as well). However, just to be on the safe side, I am not reading any of Raeghann's story until after I finish this one.
Sli- WMS, you know it. And WSM, of course. Haha. Wait, my number is on a cow? Which number: cell or house? Damn you!
Sprite- Yeah, I know what you mean about being busy. I hope you get to post some this weekend, I'll be on the lookout for it. Glad ya like my work, and that you review. Thanks!!
Fingers- I'm sure we'll meet Smith soon enough. I love Smith and his wondrous muscles that almost compare to Aaron Lohr's (though not quite). Haha. See you on Monday I guess. Byya!
He sighed and answered, "Hopefully nevah. Ya don' understand, sellin' ain't for goils, its hard woik and there are frequent fights. I wanna protect ya from dat."
"I know ya mean well, but ya can't keep her imprisoned," Roman said as he walked by. Roman was another boy at the lodging house, and him and I had become very close since I had first gotten there. "She already looks da part, an' she's a goil, da boys won' beat up on her."
"Dat's da problem. Ya see, she's me sistah, an' dat makes her more vulnerable," Michael said, and I looked up hopefully, thinking that possibly he cared about my safety instead of his reputation. My hopes were dashed when he continued, "I can't have dat sort of weakness. Dey'd have me on a collar, and I'se Spot Conlon, I can't be like dat."
I looked at him. "You aren't Spot. You're Michael. You're my brother Michael. And let me just tell you, Michael was never as much as an asshole as you."
"Don' ya evah swear again, Alex! Ma's rollin' ovah in her grave listenin' ta ya speakin' so vulgar!" he shouted.
That was the final straw. I slapped him, and turned on my heel. I slipped past the boys and girls that had formed a crowd around us and walked out the door. I started towards the Bridge, walking across and over to Manhattan. I figured that at least people there cared about me.
"Wha' ya doin' ovah heah?" I heard a boy ask. I turned around to see another boy that had been in the bunkroom when I went there with Blink the first time. "Alex, right?" I nodded. "Race told me 'bout ya. I'se Mush, by the way."
"Hi, Mush. Speaking of Higgins, have you seen him lately?" I asked, looking around for the familiar crop of dark curls.
"I think he was heading towards Sheepshead earlier. Want me to take you?" I told me that yes, I would be very thankful. "If ya don' mind me askin', you'se Spot's sistah, right? Dat would mean you'se in Brooklyn, why ya ovah heah?"
"Spot and I aren't getting along too well right now. He finds me more of a hindrance than help. Wouldn't let me sell because someone might use me against him," I answered.
His eyes gleamed with honesty as he told me, "In truth, Jack talked ta Spot a couple days ago. He means well, he jus' don' know what ta do with ya. Don' think he's evah been given a goil ta worry 'bout before. He doesn't like ta have Devy with him, 'cause he believes that some of the gangs'll take her an' use her as ransom. I think he's worried 'bout da same thing wit' you."
"I know, I just can't handle having people fussing about me twenty-four seven. I didn't ask for any of this," I ranted.
"I know," Mush said softly, patting my back. I knew he must have had much experience comforting girls. I could tell that while he could probably just have all the angles necessary and fake it, there was a sincerity that rang throughout his voice when he talked to me.
"Thank you," I said as we reached Sheepshead.
"We's heah now. Ya think ya can find Race on ya own?" Mush asked. I nodded. "Sorry ta head off, but I still got twenty or so papes ta sell."
"Its all right," I promised. "I'll find him on my own," I said as I headed off in the crowd, listening for the thick accent I always found comforting. I grinned when I heard him hawking. "Woman births a cow!" he shouted. I grabbed a paper from him, finding the original headline.
"Female Cow Proud Mother?" I questioned.
He snatched the paper back. "Ain't much ta woik with, I know, I noticed. What ya doin' down heah? Thought things were goin' well wit' Spot in Brooklyn."
"We just butt heads every once in a while," I said defensively.
He grinned, evidently very amused. "I see. You know, you definitely spark some controversy heah." He explained. "Newsie name, ya know?"
"Controversy or Spark?" I asked him.
"Spark. Controversy's nice an' all, but I think Spark suits ya more. Ya know?" he answered.
"I like it. Spark, spark, spark," I muttered, trying it out. It rolled off my tongue with a pleasing vibration. I laughed, "Sorry, I'm such a nerd."
"No, no you ain't. We's all like dat when we get our nicknames. It makes ya belong, don' it?" he said. I loved how he always knew how to make me feel better about sounding stupid. "I like Controversy though, I'll keep it in mind for somethin' else."
"Maybe ya future child," Race joked.
I laughed. "I don't plan on having any children any time soon," I told him.
"Ya nevah know. Livin' wit' us newsies changes a goil, ya know?"
"I'm pretty sure about that one. I don't plan on having a child until I have a ring on this finger," I said firmly.
"Da boys'll be disappointed, I know I am," he said in a tone that made it impossible to tell whether he was joking or completely serious. Almost in answer to my question, he said, "I'se serious ya know." He winked. Completely changing the subject he said, "Well, let's go find the other boys."
"Let's," I said, and walked with him back towards Tibby's.
Right when I walked in I noticed Michael standing in the corner waiting expectantly. "You comin' back wit' me?" he asked as I walked in the door.
"Maybe, maybe not," I answered, wanting to defy his authority. It was a habit I couldn't break, despite many people trying to rid me of it. He looked at me sternly and I obliged, "All right, I'll come."
"Good. But foist I got ta talk ta Jacky-boy." He turned to Jack. "Kelly, we gots a borough meetin' dis weekend. Take three of ya men. Its out in Queens, since they're a neutral territory most of da time. I gots ta take Alex back, so I'll see you then."
"She ain't Alex any more," Race cut in. "It's Spark now."
"Ya named her?" Spot asked, though for once I didn't sense any hostility in the question. "Ya did well, boy. Ya did well. Nice name Spark."
"You too, Spot," I said. He looked shocked, but tried not to show it. Since I'd gotten my name, I might as well call Michael his real name. Sure, I'd always think of him as Michael, but I could address him as Spot at the very least. "Now, we goin' or what?"
"Yeah, let's go."
Once we were out the door and walking back towards Brooklyn I asked Michael, "So what's this borough meeting you were telling Jack about?"
"I need ta talk to ya 'bout dat. Ya see, every once in a while, all da boroughs get dere best men tagether ta talk 'bout boundaries and solve conflicts." I looked at him in shock and he laughed. "Ya don't think we solve everythin' wit' fists, do ya? Anyway, we've got one comin' up dis weekend, an' I was wonderin' if ya wanted ta come along. I think you'd be good, 'cause woman can keep level heads in dat sort of situation. Ya wanna come?"
"Sure," I promised. "Sounds like some decent fun."
"Oh, you don't know half of it. Dey have parties an' stuff every night. It's like a social gatherin', but we get some woik done too. An' some of da Queens newsies are musical, so we'se likely ta have a band dis time, meanin' some dances."
Happily, I commented, "Oh, good. I haven't been to a party in ages, I really need a celebration." I couldn't help but add, "But what am I going to wear?"
"Ugh," Spot groaned. "Women."
"Ya know ya love us," I teased.
"Only some."
"Slidah?" I asked him.
"Yeah, an' Devy of course," he said.
"Ya love Sli or do ya just tolerate her 'cause of Dev?"
In a soft whisper that I almost missed, he confessed, "I think I love her. But she don' even know I exist."
"She does," I assured him. "An' if she don' I'll make sure she does soon." I knew he was uncomfortable with the subject at hand, so I changed it. "So, who else are you taking to the meeting?"
"You, Roman, and probably Chant." Honestly, I had no idea who Chant was. I looked at Michael with questioning eyes and he explained, "Da tall gangly one dat's close friends wit' Checkah an' Thread."
"Oh, yeah, I think I know who that is. So we leave in two days?"
"Yep, I recommend ya start gettin' ready. Why don' ya do dat while I sell da afternoon papes?"
I agreed with a simple "Yes," and walked up to my room, starting to think about the event that was to come.
A/N: My chapters are actually getting slightly longer, I'm so proud. Haha, well that's all I have to say, byya!
Shoutouts-
Anonymous- I know Raeghann started a story that was from the perspective of Spot's sister, but this is based on me being put as Spot's sister in a different story (I have that person's permission to do that as well). However, just to be on the safe side, I am not reading any of Raeghann's story until after I finish this one.
Sli- WMS, you know it. And WSM, of course. Haha. Wait, my number is on a cow? Which number: cell or house? Damn you!
Sprite- Yeah, I know what you mean about being busy. I hope you get to post some this weekend, I'll be on the lookout for it. Glad ya like my work, and that you review. Thanks!!
Fingers- I'm sure we'll meet Smith soon enough. I love Smith and his wondrous muscles that almost compare to Aaron Lohr's (though not quite). Haha. See you on Monday I guess. Byya!