Furious and blinking away tears Sadie stalked back to the lodging
house to collect her things and say her good-byes. Becca and Sam were sad
to see her go, and Becca threatened to set 'that no good Conlon boy'
straight if it meant Sadie staying, but Sadie persisted. Gathering her
things into a couple sacks, she started on her way back to Manhattan.
Spider, Lefty and Frog joined her halfway down the street silently taking
her bags away from her and walking alongside.
"He does care about ya Sadie," Spider said as they finally neared the end of the Brooklyn Bridge. Frog had a stubborn, angry set to his little mouth. In the past few days that Sadie had been living with the newsboys she had won over the younger ones quickly by playing with them and giving them the maternal attention they secretly craved.
"If you say so, Spider." Awkwardly they stood looking out into Manhattan. Sadie finally gathered all three boys to her in a big hug, which they protested loudly about, but hugged her back tightly. Then with a determined air, she set off into Manhattan, dragging her bags behind her.
When she was almost to Mr. Foster's shop she ran into Jack and Racetrack, who after greeting her happily helped bring her things the rest of the way. Jack was curious and kept pestering her as to why she was back in Manhattan, but the way she answered him shortly and to the point made him realize that she didn't want to talk about it. Exchanging glances with Race, they waited while her mother and brother emotionally greeted her before helping bring the bags upstairs into her family's apartment.
"So Sadie, what're you doing tonight? Me and the gang are going to have a poker game thought you might like to join us." Sadie smiled at Racetrack and agreed. The pair of boys left after she assured them she would show up later. Jeremiah came in soon after; his eyes alight with curiosity.
"What happened to Henry? Mr. Foster's been upset since he ran off." Sadie didn't meet Jeremiah's eyes and the young man sighed knowingly.
"I would have thought you'd stay in Brooklyn. That newsie leader looked like he could take care of his gang pretty well. I figured you'd be safest there."
"Yeah well that newsie leader didn't want me around anymore. Besides with Henry gone there was no reason to stay there and hide and nobody gave me a reason not to leave." At her biting tone Jeremiah smiled slightly and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Having feelings for guys like them isn't good Sadie. Most of them have no feelings. You know this, you knew plenty of his type in Boston." Sadie sighed and stopped folding her clothes into her battered old dresser.
"You know what Miah? I've NEVER met anyone like him before in my whole life. Ever."
Spot found himself facing an irate trio of little boys when he and the rest of the gang who had gone to Molly O's stumbled back to the lodging house. Stinking of beer and cigarette smoke, Spot was in no mood to explain his actions to them.
"You know what Spot? I used to think you were so tough." Spot's eyebrows rose as little Spider Allen gave him a piece of his mind while smoking a cigar.
"But then you got scared of a girl and you were an asshole and made her run away. WE like her Spot. WE want her around. And I KNOW that you do TOO!" Thrusting his chest out and pointing his cigar at Spot, Spider was extremely agitated. Spot had never seen the little runt this upset before. Lefty stood behind Spider, his arms crossed face carved from stone. Frog's eyes were red rimmed and he looked like he'd been crying.
"Listen up runts. We got more important things to think about then some broad. You want to get treated like the big boys you'll have to forget her and pay attention. It's time to soak Manhattan." Spider defiantly turned his head so that he wasn't looking at Spot anymore.
"Tell me you like her and then we'll help." Spot could have been knocked over with a feather he was so shocked at this insubordination. Grasping Spider by his collar and hauling him up so that they were eye level, he gave the little boy his infamous glare.
"Excuse ME?" he growled. Spider looked faintly afraid, but he pouted stubbornly. Spot threw him down so that he barreled into Lefty and throwing his hands up in the air he lost his cool.
"FINE! I LIKE HER! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR? I LIKE THE GODDAMNED BROAD. NOW CAN WE GO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS?" Punching his fist into a nearby wall, he whirled to face Spider who had a look of pure contentment on his little face.
"Yes Spot, whatever you say." Seething at the child's placid tone, Spot stalked into the lodging house to get the rest of the boys. It was going to be a long night.
Early evening found Sadie lounging at Duane Street with the Manhattan newsboys and girls. Diamond had been eager for news of Spot and the rest of the Brooklyn boys. The other kids had sat enthralled as she told her story of Molly O's and what had happened to Henry. Jack whistled through his teeth.
"You MET Jasper MacKendrick? Shit that man's more famous than Spot." Ink and Sorrow were sighing over Pirate's part in the tale.
"Now HE is one fine lookin' boy." Ink blew smoke rings and pretended to fan herself while Sorrow and Sadie giggled. Diamond was looking at Sadie queerly and Sadie caught her.
"What was it that Spot was calling you?"
"Trouble." Diamond smiled slightly as Jack put an arm around her shoulders.
"So he gave you a newsie name. That's a big thing coming from Spot. In all the time I've known him he's only given two other people a newsie name." Interested, Sadie gave her full attention to Diamond.
"Oh yeah and who was that?" Jack cleared his throat.
"Me," he said looking at the floor.
"And me," Diamond said softly.
" Sadie come sit on my lap and give me some luck, here." Sadie laughed at Racetrack's imploring face. Shoving thoughts of Spot out of her head she went and sat next to Race so she could observe the game and practice banishing her feelings for the cold Brooklyn leader.
Racetrack was quick to use up all her attention and she didn't mind the flirting one bit. The other boys at the table were show-offs, repeatedly slapping each other upside the head for some imagined slight, or trying to make witty comments. Sadie noticed more than a few empty bottles lying around and some of the boys were slurring their words. Ink and Sorrow in particular were giggling incessantly and looking rather flushed. Sadie moved to sit near Jack and Diamond, her eyebrows raised in question.
"Yeah, they've been celebratin'. It's Mush's birthday so we bought him some liquah." Mush was loudly protesting the fact that Race had actually won a hand of poker. Smiling, Sadie turned back to Jack.
"I probably shouldn't say anything, but I know Spot's going to be planning something against Manhattan some time soon." Bitterly she looked at the ground and twisted her fingers in her skirt.
"He cares about you guys, but I think his pride's been hurt something awful." Diamond clucked her tongue.
"That's one of the things he values most of all, his pride. It's going to be his downfall one of these days." Diamond looked at Sadie intensely and motioned for her to climb out the window onto the fire escape and follow her up to the roof. Kid Blink was up there with Cloudy, their arms around each other but they broke apart when Diamond and Sadie reached the top. Faces red, the two muttered their excuses and disappeared. Diamond snorted and Sadie giggled. Leaning against the wall, Diamond lit a cigarette and offered one to Sadie. Sadie shrugged and took one. Watching Diamond, she inhaled and then exhaled painfully, coughing out smoke.
"First time?" Sadie nodded and Diamond smiled sympathetically.
"Listen, I was wondering. Why aren't you still in Brooklyn? I mean it was rather obvious that you had a thing for Spot." Sadie rolled her eyes.
"Sure it was."
"No really. I've known him for years. I know the affect he has on females. Did he tell you that there was no reason for you to stay there now that your Henry problem was dealt with?"
"He asked me if I was coming back to Manhattan and I asked him if there was any reason for me not to leave and he couldn't give me one." Diamond snorted again.
"That jackass. I bet he likes you." Sadie smiled faintly.
"That's what Spider said."
"Well, he'll either come back here and get you if he does, or he'll be a coward and avoid you. He's one of those guys that he loves girls, but he's scared to death of 'em." Sadie nodded in agreement. They stood, smoking companionably, Sadie making faces and coughing every now and again.
"There's something else," Diamond said abruptly. The setting sun set her already red hair aflame. Sadie looked at her curiously. Diamond's pretty face was uncharacteristically drawn and suddenly pale. Sadie waited patiently.
"I haven't wanted to mention it to anyone because I don't want them getting upset. I think there's something wrong with me." Sadie's eyes shot to Diamond's face.
"What do you mean?" Diamond shrugged.
"I haven't been feeling well that's all. It's probably nothing. But if Spot's going to make his move against Manhattan, then Jack needs everyone on his or her toes. It was a really bad idea for him to get them all drunk tonight. Who knows when Spot could come down here? Especially if he's been drinking."
"Who knows indeed," the two girls gasped and whirled around in shock at the voice. Spot leapt down from the sidewall of the rooftop, holding his cane like a sword. Silently Whiskey, Pirate, Sketch, and Mumbles followed. Sadie ran over to the roof and looked down. There was another group of boys waiting in the alley.
Spot was glaring at Diamond, his face an icy mask. Diamond glared back, two bright red circles appearing on her already pale face. Spot stalked lithely over to them and took Diamond's chin in-between two of his fingers. She tried to jerk away, but his grip was viselike.
"Well Jacky-boy's been treatin' ya good, I can tell. Now where is the bastard."
"Spot, please don't do this." Diamond grated out the words before Spot threw her face away from him. She grabbed his forearms and held him tightly.
"Spot please, Jack's your friend. I'm your friend. We've known you for too long and been through way too much. Please don't do this because of me."
"I'm not doing it because of YOU," he sneered.
"I'm doing it for me." Ripping her hands off of his forearms, he turned his gaze onto Sadie.
"I might have known you'd be here. As soon as you leave Brooklyn you run right to the Manhattan newsies. So who've you been glued to all night? Racetrack? Mush?" Sadie threw back her head and laughed in disgust. Taken aback, Spot took two fast steps so that they were nose to nose, him slightly taller and just as pissed off.
"What's so funny, Trouble?" Shoving her hands against his chest, she heaved with all her might. He barely moved, but he stumbled back a step or two.
"You pompous, arrogant, ass. I've been down there trying to get my mind off of YOU and you can dare to sit there and accuse me of being a whore when you yourself threw me to the gutter? You have no claim on me Spot fucking Conlon so don't act like it." A faint smile played on Spot's lips.
"Keep telling yourself that Trouble. Me, I know otherwise." Turning to Diamond, he pointed his cane at her.
"Tell Jack to meet me in Central Park in an hour. He can bring whoever he wants, I have my boys. But it's me and him first." He started to leave, before he looked back at Sadie.
"You come too, I'm bringing you home with me." His eyes held hers for a moment and she shivered before he disappeared over the wall, followed by the rest of his boys. Sagging against the wall, Sadie gulped in a deep breath of air, before she caught Diamond's eyes.
"Oh shit," was all she could manage to say. Diamond leapt for the fire escape, hauling Sadie along with her by her sleeve.
"Oh shit is right, let's go. We have to find Jack."
"He does care about ya Sadie," Spider said as they finally neared the end of the Brooklyn Bridge. Frog had a stubborn, angry set to his little mouth. In the past few days that Sadie had been living with the newsboys she had won over the younger ones quickly by playing with them and giving them the maternal attention they secretly craved.
"If you say so, Spider." Awkwardly they stood looking out into Manhattan. Sadie finally gathered all three boys to her in a big hug, which they protested loudly about, but hugged her back tightly. Then with a determined air, she set off into Manhattan, dragging her bags behind her.
When she was almost to Mr. Foster's shop she ran into Jack and Racetrack, who after greeting her happily helped bring her things the rest of the way. Jack was curious and kept pestering her as to why she was back in Manhattan, but the way she answered him shortly and to the point made him realize that she didn't want to talk about it. Exchanging glances with Race, they waited while her mother and brother emotionally greeted her before helping bring the bags upstairs into her family's apartment.
"So Sadie, what're you doing tonight? Me and the gang are going to have a poker game thought you might like to join us." Sadie smiled at Racetrack and agreed. The pair of boys left after she assured them she would show up later. Jeremiah came in soon after; his eyes alight with curiosity.
"What happened to Henry? Mr. Foster's been upset since he ran off." Sadie didn't meet Jeremiah's eyes and the young man sighed knowingly.
"I would have thought you'd stay in Brooklyn. That newsie leader looked like he could take care of his gang pretty well. I figured you'd be safest there."
"Yeah well that newsie leader didn't want me around anymore. Besides with Henry gone there was no reason to stay there and hide and nobody gave me a reason not to leave." At her biting tone Jeremiah smiled slightly and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Having feelings for guys like them isn't good Sadie. Most of them have no feelings. You know this, you knew plenty of his type in Boston." Sadie sighed and stopped folding her clothes into her battered old dresser.
"You know what Miah? I've NEVER met anyone like him before in my whole life. Ever."
Spot found himself facing an irate trio of little boys when he and the rest of the gang who had gone to Molly O's stumbled back to the lodging house. Stinking of beer and cigarette smoke, Spot was in no mood to explain his actions to them.
"You know what Spot? I used to think you were so tough." Spot's eyebrows rose as little Spider Allen gave him a piece of his mind while smoking a cigar.
"But then you got scared of a girl and you were an asshole and made her run away. WE like her Spot. WE want her around. And I KNOW that you do TOO!" Thrusting his chest out and pointing his cigar at Spot, Spider was extremely agitated. Spot had never seen the little runt this upset before. Lefty stood behind Spider, his arms crossed face carved from stone. Frog's eyes were red rimmed and he looked like he'd been crying.
"Listen up runts. We got more important things to think about then some broad. You want to get treated like the big boys you'll have to forget her and pay attention. It's time to soak Manhattan." Spider defiantly turned his head so that he wasn't looking at Spot anymore.
"Tell me you like her and then we'll help." Spot could have been knocked over with a feather he was so shocked at this insubordination. Grasping Spider by his collar and hauling him up so that they were eye level, he gave the little boy his infamous glare.
"Excuse ME?" he growled. Spider looked faintly afraid, but he pouted stubbornly. Spot threw him down so that he barreled into Lefty and throwing his hands up in the air he lost his cool.
"FINE! I LIKE HER! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR? I LIKE THE GODDAMNED BROAD. NOW CAN WE GO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS?" Punching his fist into a nearby wall, he whirled to face Spider who had a look of pure contentment on his little face.
"Yes Spot, whatever you say." Seething at the child's placid tone, Spot stalked into the lodging house to get the rest of the boys. It was going to be a long night.
Early evening found Sadie lounging at Duane Street with the Manhattan newsboys and girls. Diamond had been eager for news of Spot and the rest of the Brooklyn boys. The other kids had sat enthralled as she told her story of Molly O's and what had happened to Henry. Jack whistled through his teeth.
"You MET Jasper MacKendrick? Shit that man's more famous than Spot." Ink and Sorrow were sighing over Pirate's part in the tale.
"Now HE is one fine lookin' boy." Ink blew smoke rings and pretended to fan herself while Sorrow and Sadie giggled. Diamond was looking at Sadie queerly and Sadie caught her.
"What was it that Spot was calling you?"
"Trouble." Diamond smiled slightly as Jack put an arm around her shoulders.
"So he gave you a newsie name. That's a big thing coming from Spot. In all the time I've known him he's only given two other people a newsie name." Interested, Sadie gave her full attention to Diamond.
"Oh yeah and who was that?" Jack cleared his throat.
"Me," he said looking at the floor.
"And me," Diamond said softly.
" Sadie come sit on my lap and give me some luck, here." Sadie laughed at Racetrack's imploring face. Shoving thoughts of Spot out of her head she went and sat next to Race so she could observe the game and practice banishing her feelings for the cold Brooklyn leader.
Racetrack was quick to use up all her attention and she didn't mind the flirting one bit. The other boys at the table were show-offs, repeatedly slapping each other upside the head for some imagined slight, or trying to make witty comments. Sadie noticed more than a few empty bottles lying around and some of the boys were slurring their words. Ink and Sorrow in particular were giggling incessantly and looking rather flushed. Sadie moved to sit near Jack and Diamond, her eyebrows raised in question.
"Yeah, they've been celebratin'. It's Mush's birthday so we bought him some liquah." Mush was loudly protesting the fact that Race had actually won a hand of poker. Smiling, Sadie turned back to Jack.
"I probably shouldn't say anything, but I know Spot's going to be planning something against Manhattan some time soon." Bitterly she looked at the ground and twisted her fingers in her skirt.
"He cares about you guys, but I think his pride's been hurt something awful." Diamond clucked her tongue.
"That's one of the things he values most of all, his pride. It's going to be his downfall one of these days." Diamond looked at Sadie intensely and motioned for her to climb out the window onto the fire escape and follow her up to the roof. Kid Blink was up there with Cloudy, their arms around each other but they broke apart when Diamond and Sadie reached the top. Faces red, the two muttered their excuses and disappeared. Diamond snorted and Sadie giggled. Leaning against the wall, Diamond lit a cigarette and offered one to Sadie. Sadie shrugged and took one. Watching Diamond, she inhaled and then exhaled painfully, coughing out smoke.
"First time?" Sadie nodded and Diamond smiled sympathetically.
"Listen, I was wondering. Why aren't you still in Brooklyn? I mean it was rather obvious that you had a thing for Spot." Sadie rolled her eyes.
"Sure it was."
"No really. I've known him for years. I know the affect he has on females. Did he tell you that there was no reason for you to stay there now that your Henry problem was dealt with?"
"He asked me if I was coming back to Manhattan and I asked him if there was any reason for me not to leave and he couldn't give me one." Diamond snorted again.
"That jackass. I bet he likes you." Sadie smiled faintly.
"That's what Spider said."
"Well, he'll either come back here and get you if he does, or he'll be a coward and avoid you. He's one of those guys that he loves girls, but he's scared to death of 'em." Sadie nodded in agreement. They stood, smoking companionably, Sadie making faces and coughing every now and again.
"There's something else," Diamond said abruptly. The setting sun set her already red hair aflame. Sadie looked at her curiously. Diamond's pretty face was uncharacteristically drawn and suddenly pale. Sadie waited patiently.
"I haven't wanted to mention it to anyone because I don't want them getting upset. I think there's something wrong with me." Sadie's eyes shot to Diamond's face.
"What do you mean?" Diamond shrugged.
"I haven't been feeling well that's all. It's probably nothing. But if Spot's going to make his move against Manhattan, then Jack needs everyone on his or her toes. It was a really bad idea for him to get them all drunk tonight. Who knows when Spot could come down here? Especially if he's been drinking."
"Who knows indeed," the two girls gasped and whirled around in shock at the voice. Spot leapt down from the sidewall of the rooftop, holding his cane like a sword. Silently Whiskey, Pirate, Sketch, and Mumbles followed. Sadie ran over to the roof and looked down. There was another group of boys waiting in the alley.
Spot was glaring at Diamond, his face an icy mask. Diamond glared back, two bright red circles appearing on her already pale face. Spot stalked lithely over to them and took Diamond's chin in-between two of his fingers. She tried to jerk away, but his grip was viselike.
"Well Jacky-boy's been treatin' ya good, I can tell. Now where is the bastard."
"Spot, please don't do this." Diamond grated out the words before Spot threw her face away from him. She grabbed his forearms and held him tightly.
"Spot please, Jack's your friend. I'm your friend. We've known you for too long and been through way too much. Please don't do this because of me."
"I'm not doing it because of YOU," he sneered.
"I'm doing it for me." Ripping her hands off of his forearms, he turned his gaze onto Sadie.
"I might have known you'd be here. As soon as you leave Brooklyn you run right to the Manhattan newsies. So who've you been glued to all night? Racetrack? Mush?" Sadie threw back her head and laughed in disgust. Taken aback, Spot took two fast steps so that they were nose to nose, him slightly taller and just as pissed off.
"What's so funny, Trouble?" Shoving her hands against his chest, she heaved with all her might. He barely moved, but he stumbled back a step or two.
"You pompous, arrogant, ass. I've been down there trying to get my mind off of YOU and you can dare to sit there and accuse me of being a whore when you yourself threw me to the gutter? You have no claim on me Spot fucking Conlon so don't act like it." A faint smile played on Spot's lips.
"Keep telling yourself that Trouble. Me, I know otherwise." Turning to Diamond, he pointed his cane at her.
"Tell Jack to meet me in Central Park in an hour. He can bring whoever he wants, I have my boys. But it's me and him first." He started to leave, before he looked back at Sadie.
"You come too, I'm bringing you home with me." His eyes held hers for a moment and she shivered before he disappeared over the wall, followed by the rest of his boys. Sagging against the wall, Sadie gulped in a deep breath of air, before she caught Diamond's eyes.
"Oh shit," was all she could manage to say. Diamond leapt for the fire escape, hauling Sadie along with her by her sleeve.
"Oh shit is right, let's go. We have to find Jack."