Chapter 37
Bottle Cap leaned her back against Dibs' chest, her hair blowing across her face as she watched the swimming newsies contently. The whispers about that morning had been put to an end at last, and no one even gave it another thought, thanks to Spot. The two waited silently as Spot spoke to a few of his newsies about searching for Benjamin.
"Why don't ya evah swim, BC?" Dibs finally asked, gently taking the girl's hand. Bottle Cap was about to respond when their serene moment was interrupted by an unanticipated eruption.
"Bottle Cap Conlon!" A voice shrieked from behind them, causing her to turn quickly, pulling away from Dibs.
"Spin?" She furrowed her brow, "What happened? Are you okay?"
"Don't even try it, ya stupid, no good, two-faced, good fa nothin'..."
"Spin!" Dibs yelled, "Take it easy, theah ain't no reason ta tawk ta her like dat."
"Oh, shuddup." Spin spit at him, "Dis don't concoin you."
"Spin, what did I do?" BC asked innocently, in shock at the sudden rise in temper.
"I can't believe ya did dis ta me! Ya knew how I felt 'bout Jake...'bout Caps..." She threw her hands up as tears came to her eyes, "I don't even know anymoah! Why'd ya tell 'im? I thought we was friends...but I was wrong."
"I didn't..."
"Don't tawk ta me! I hate you, Katie. I hate ya an' I hope ya die!" She hissed vehemently, glaring before she took off back toward the bridge at a run, trying to stop her tears. Katie was speechless, she hadn't a clue what she had done wrong.
"Wha' was dat all about?" Dibs looked at her, but upon seeing her shocked and overwhelmed expression, pulled her into a hug instead. "Hey, don't worry 'bout it, Bottle Cap. She'll cool off an' den you'se can tawk about it an' find out wha' happened." Bottle Cap shook her head gently as she pulled away from his arms.
"I need to talk to her now, Micah." She said softly, turning to go.
"BC, Spot don't want ya goin' off..."
"Please, Dibs." She turned back, "You know I have to face Ben, it doesn't matter how protective my brother is, he'll find me. I have to make this right while I can." And with that, she headed off. Dibs sighed heavily, wanting to keep her in his arms forever, but knowing she had a responsibility.
*
Spin kicked a rock along the street, tears streaming down her cheeks as she went. She had meant every word she had screamed at her sister. Right at that moment she was thinking of ways to kill her twin off, as a matter of fact.
"Spin? Spin, dat you?" Caps jogged up beside her. "Hey, wha's wrong, angel?"
"What ain't wrong?" She sniffled, not looking up. "Bottle Cap tol' Jake wha' happened wid us da othah night an' now he hates me."
"Bottle Cap?" Caps furrowed his brow, thinking. "Are you shoah, Spin? I mean, I jus' don't think she would do somethin' like dat..."
"I know it was her." She insisted, "No one else knew but da three of us." The sky had been gray all day, but now it was unusually dark for being so early. With a crack of unexpected lighting, the rain began to pour.
"Le's get outta dis rain, Spin!" Caps yelled over the booming thunder, taking her hand and running for cover.
*
"Not now, rain." BC complained, breaking into a jog. "Anytime but now!" She cried outloud, still heading for the Manhattan Lodging House. She knew Spot would be worried sick, not to mention poor Dibs who would be getting a stern lecture from him. She thought about turning back, but she knew she didn't have enough time left to let Spin hate her.
*
"Why does she do dis ta me?" Spot mumbled, pacing. "She can nevah make things simple....nevah."
"Spot, we should go look foah 'er...its rainin' buckets out theah." Cajun suggested, Dibs agreeing.
"Yeah, I'll run ovah ta Manhatten, tell 'im ta stawt lookin', too." Popper offered, heading out into the thunderstorm.
"Okay, fellahs. Le's move! We ain't got much time b'foah Ben shows up I'se guessin'..." Dibs also started for the door.
"Wha'?" Spot asked firmly, "Wha' da hell ya tawkin' 'bout?"
"We gotta go...I'll explain latah." He replied as he exited, the newsies following hurriedly.
*
"Jack, Silvah, Spin...ev'rybody!" Popper exploded into the lodging house dripping wet.
"Wha's wrong, Poppah?" Jack walked over, Silver anxiously awaiting the answer.
"It's BC....she's missin'" He replied, out of breath. "Spot says he needs ya ta help look."
"What?" Silver Fists exclaimed, nearly falling off the top bunk. Luckily, Blink caught her and she slid out of his arms to rush to the middle of the room. She knew Bottle Cap asked her not to stop her, but she didn't want to lose her, either.
"Brooklyn's already out scourin' da streets, Cowboy. Maybe you'se could spare some…" Popper continued.
"Not some, all!" Tipsy spoke up, dragging David toward the middle. "BC is da best thing dat's evah happened ta New Yawk! I ain't lettin' 'er get taken away!"
"Tip's right, fellahs." Illusion nodded. "I mean, befoah BC, ev'rything was da same an' den she showed up an' brought so much colah…I dunno. It seems like if she left, pawt a us would be missin' now, ya know?"
"Why you worryin', ladies?" Blink smiled, taking his place next to Jack. "Nobody said we won't ALL going ta look foah 'er."
"An' ya'll jus' wastin' time tawkin' 'bout it!" Silver threw her hands up. "Come on!" Before Jack could say a word, half of the Manhattan Lodging House population was flooding into the streets right along with the rain.
