Chapter 8 (Memory's Point of View)
Whenever one door closes, I hope one will open.
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance, I hope you dance!
-"I Hope You Dance" by LeeAnn Womack
I felt bad about asking Spot about his past loves. I really didn't mean to pry, but I was curious. I once heard that "curiosity killed the cat", now I knew that curiosity killed the relationship. He'd probably hate me now. After getting to the bunkroom, I threw myself my bed and started crying.
I'm not sure how long I lay there, but it seemed like hours. Kloppman, the man who took care of the lodging house, came into the bunkroom to wake us up. I pretended I had been sleeping, and grumbled about it being too early, like usual, instead of letting anyone know I had been crying. I had a reputation to maintain, you know.
"Heya, Memory," Jack said, "I was wondering if you would like to sell with me today, instead of Spot. I wanna see if you're really as good as he says you are," he explained with a smirk.
"Good? I'm the best this side of the Bridge. And I'll prove it to ya," I answered, trying to act like myself to hide any problems. Jack just bopped me over the head with his cowboy hat in reply. I finished getting ready, and headed downstairs. Jack was leaning up against the front desk, waiting for me. I went over to him and smiled. That's when Spot came over.
"Memory, you ready to go?" Spot asked.
"Um, actually, I told Jack I'd sell with him today. Gotta prove to him that I'm the best," I responded, unsure of myself. If Spot still wanted to be my friend, I didn't want to ruin my chance, because it might be my last. "I'll meet up with you afterwards?" I ventured cautiously.
"Sure," he said non-chalantly, walking off.
Jack took my hand, and led me towards the distribution center. We walked there in silence, and it seemed like the walk took an eternity. I didn't mind though, I felt safe with Jack. I felt like I had known him forever. I might have, but I doubted it, he would have recognized me if I had.
"So, you remember anything about your past yet?" Jack asked, after we had gotten our papers. We were walking towards Central Park.
"Yeah, small things. Like walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, or playing pirates with some boys. That's all though."
"Don't worry, Memory. You'll remember, it might take a while, but you will. Never give up hope," Jack said. "Even if you do, you are one of us now, and we'll never give up on you."
"Thanks Jack." I said, while entering the park. I was comforted by his words. Even if I couldn't reconcile things with Spot, I'd still have the newsies to turn to. I'd still have Jack. He went and stood a little bit away, and we went to work. I sold all of my fifty papers in no time flat, and then went to help him with some of his hundred. After we were done, and I had given him the money from what I sold for him, we went to Tibby's. Spot waved us over as soon as we entered. Smiling, I went over to him, Jack followed.
"Memory," he said, after Jack and I had sat down, "we need to talk. As you know, I'm the leader of the Brooklyn newsies. Well, I can't be the leader if I'm in Manhattan. I need to go home. So you have a decision to make. You can come with me, or stay here." I sat and thought for a while. Spot and Jack had these hopeful looks on their faces. I had to laugh at one of the looks Jack gave me. Spot smirked. How could I turn down these adorable faces? With resignation, I finally came to a decision.
"Spot, I really care about you, so don't be mad about what I'm going to say. I think I'd rather stay here in Manhattan. I feel safer here, and your boys kind of scared me. I'm really going to miss you though."
"I thought you would say that. Don't worry, I'll come visit whenever I get the chance. I gotta go, I'll see ya, Jack. Bye Memory." With that, Spot was gone.
