Sadie and Diamond burst through the window into the lodging house.
Startled, the boys all looked up from the party. Ink and the other girls
were gathered on a single bunk, playing a dice game. They stopped when the
two entered. Jack leapt up from the table and grasped Diamond's shoulders.
"What is it?"
"Spot.Said to meet him at Central Park in an hour."
"Spot was HERE?" Diamond gulped and nodded.
"He was just on the roof. He had some of his boys with him. There were more in the alley." Jack swore and cast his eyes over his group of newsies. Half of them were sauced and would be of no use to him. The other half were the youngest ones who had barely thrown a punch ever.
"Any of you guys who aren't that drunk get your shit together, we're leaving in ten minutes." Ink, Sorrow, and Cloudy jumped up and ran to get weapons. Specs, Snoddy, Skittery, Bumlets, Kid Blink, Racetrack, Pie Eater, Snipeshooter, Snitch, and Jack quickly gathered any weapons that they had as well. Jack drew Diamond to him and kissed her.
"You two stay here I don't want you getting hurt."
"Spot told me to come too." Jack gave Sadie a hard look, and Diamond poked Jack's chest.
"There's no way I'm not going. I started all this shit. Besides if Ink, Sorrow, and Cloudy are going then so are we." Jack threw his hands up in the air and swore.
"Fine! Get ready then." Together they all trooped down the stairs, bringing a blinking Kloppman out of his bedroom. Seeing the old man standing in the lobby in his long underwear brought more than a few smiles to the newsie's faces.
"What're you kids doing? Do you know what time it is?" Jack looked at the man apologetically.
"We'll be back shortly Kloppy. We have some business to attend to." The old man still half-asleep shrugged, scratched his chest and made his way back into his room. Quickly and quietly they exited the lodging house and made their way to the park.
It had grown dark, and nobody was happy. More than a little bit drunk, Ink and Racetrack were helping each other walk arms around each other's shoulders. Sadie nervously kept cracking her knuckles until Sorrow put a hand on hers.
"It'll be okay," was all she said before catching up to Cloudy who walked hand-in-hand with Blink. They reached Central Park in what seemed like only a few minutes. Walking down a path, Jack kept muttering to himself.
"Where the hell are they?"
"Right here Jacky-boy." Spot's voice rang out in the darkness from a bench where he lounged, his gang arrayed around him. There was a street lamp nearby that cast a dim glow to the area where they all stood, eyeing each other tensely. Spot suddenly stood up, threw his cane to Whiskey, and pointed at Jack.
"Let's go Cowboy, I've been waiting for this for two weeks."
"Took ya long enough," Jack retorted as they both started rolling up their sleeves. The rest of the kids stood silently, their breath misting over their heads in the crisp air. Sadie saw Spider and Lefty in the group of Brooklyn boys and they gave her secret half-smiles and winks. Diamond stood near Sadie, her hands clenched into fists, biting her lip.
Jack and Spot circled one another, feinting and dodging for a few minutes. Suddenly Spot struck out with his right fist and cracked Jack on the jaw. Jack cursed in pain and spat out a thin stream of saliva mixed with blood before lunging for Spot. The newsies burst to life then as well, calling out encouragement for their respective leaders. Jack hit Spot full on in the stomach. Spot bent forward before jerking upwards and catching Jack once more on the chin with a nasty uppercut. Sadie was in awe as she watched the boys throw punches and either miss or land hits with the ease of boxers. Spot was by far a more seasoned fighter, Jack usually using his 'insult and run' technique in street fights. But she had to admit that Jack was definitely giving the Brooklyn leader a run for his money. One didn't become a newsie leader just by wanting the job. They had to earn the right.
Both factions of newsies were getting rowdy with each other as well. Ink and Sorrow were shouting obscene invitations to Pirate MacNamara, who was blushing furiously and scratching his head. Spider and Lefty were hollering at Snipeshooter, the closest one in age to them. Whiskey and Mumbles were glaring at Racetrack and Kid Blink, while Diamond and Sadie paid close attention to the battle. The two groups would only fight if their leaders spoke up and requested it. Sadie gasped as Spot hauled back a fist and punched Jack in the stomach and then across the face in rapid succession. Jack's eyes rolled up into his head and he collapsed onto the ground. Chest heaving, knuckles, and nose bleeding, Spot dropped to the ground beside him and put two fingers on his neck.
"He's just out cold," he finally managed to say. Raising his eyes to meet Diamond's, Spot smirked.
"I'd say we're even now, wouldn't you?" Diamond made a noise of disgust deep in her throat before shoving Spot aside and taking Jack's head into her lap. Spot made a croaking noise that Sadie realized was laughter. Pirate and Whiskey jogged over and helped him stand up, Whiskey handing him his cane.
"Listen fellas," Spot looked at the Manhattan group of newsies who had gathered around Jack.
"I just wanted to say that I didn't mean for any of this to get as out of hand as it did." A few of the Manhattan newsies, shocked at the apology being made by someone who never apologized, stammered out replies while the rest just nodded. Sadie noticed that Spot was leaning heavily onto his cane. Blood stained his red gingham shirt, and white undershirt. He had dried patches of it on his chin, near his left eye, and underneath his nose. He slowly brought his gaze around to where she stood.
"We need to talk, Trouble." He hobbled over closer to her, and she couldn't help but draw back for a second at the gore staining his shirt and face. Chuckling lightly, he grasped Sadie's sleeve and drew her away from the crowd of kids surrounding Manhattan's fallen. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Racetrack steal one of the Brooklyn kid's caps and run off towards a fountain to capture as much water as he could in it. Smiling slightly at the unfortunate awakening Jack was about to have, she let Spot tug her away. They walked down the path until they were out of hearing distance. Sadie put her hand up to Spot's cheek and turned his face left than right.
"Jack really got ya a couple times," was all she could say. Spot took her hand away from his face and held it in his own. Sadie met his eyes, dark in the moonlight, but no less intense.
"Sadie, when I said that there was no reason for ya to stay in Brooklyn, I was lyin'." Sadie shook her head and Spot put a finger up to stop her from speaking. She could see his mouth set in determination, and he wobbled a little trying to stay standing.
"I," he shot a look down at the ground before bringing his eyes back to her face.
"I want you to come back to Brooklyn. To stay at the lodging house." Although her heart was fairly near pounding out of her chest, Sadie wasn't certain.
"Why?" Spot gave an incredulous snort at her question and she could see the amusement on his lean face.
"Because I like ya, Trouble," he softened his tone almost imperceptibly but Sadie caught it actually having had more than a few conversations with the Brooklyn leader than most. It interested her briefly that after such a short time she could already catch the nuances in the boy's voice. 'That would come in handy trying to read him', she mused.
"I like ya a lot," he finished saying. She jerked herself back to the moment and felt her mouth drop.
"Did you just say what I thought you did?" Spot grinned impishly, the moonlight making his eyes actually dance.
"Honest Injun," he said holding a hand to his chest and then one palm out before him like a witness swearing in at a trial. Sadie was damn near speechless as she looked up at him. Starting to feel foolish and growing impatient, his bruises and cuts from the fight stinging like mad, Spot took her chin in his hand.
"Are you coming with me Sadie? Or do I have to beg?" The tone in his voice said he wouldn't dare beg, his pride was too great. Sadie almost felt like making him prove himself to her, but a little voice in her head said that she had plenty of time to do that. Life wasn't always kind; it tended to throw curves and nasty surprises here and there. Proof would be had soon or it wouldn't be had ever, she amended to herself.
"I'm coming with you Spot, you don't need to beg," she saw him flash another smile at her and she couldn't resist one last barb.
"Yet, anyway." Spot barked out a laugh and pulling her close to him with one arm planted a kiss on her lips that made her pulse race. Hearing clapping and laughter, the two pulled away from each other quickly.
The Brooklyn newsies stood nearby clapping, hooting and hollering, and waving caps in the air. Spot gave them a murderous look, but none of them took it to heart as they ran over to the pair. Spider and Lefty practically tackled Sadie, and the older boys winked at her before slapping Spot heartily on the back.
"It's about goddamned time," Whiskey crowed as Spot winced.
"Jesus Christ ya lousy bastard, I'm hurt." Whiskey snickered and Pirate almost fell over laughing. For Spot to complain about being hurt only meant that he didn't want to talk about what was going on between him and Sadie. Spot never complained about being hurt after a fight. Sadie looked over to see the Manhattan newsies helping Jack stand up. Throwing Spot an apologetic look and a murmured "I'll be right back," Sadie jogged over to the other group.
"Jack! Are you all right?" Jack was held up by Kid Blink and Specs and he gave her a painful grimace that she assumed was meant to be a smile. Diamond stood nearby, her eyes worried.
"I'm fine Sadie. Nothing a few days won't cure. I'll be back out tomorrow sellin papes and getting' rewarded handsomely for all the workin' over to me my old man did." Sadie rolled her eyes. Only a newsie would take the bruises from a street fight and pass it off as a beating by a parent to try to sell more papers.
"So are you going back with Brooklyn?" Sadie glanced up at Diamond who was gazing at her with a little smirk on her face. Face burning, she nodded mutely. Racetrack punched her lightly on the arm.
"Hey it didn't take a genius to figure that one out," he quipped. Ink slung an arm around Sadie's shoulders.
"So, what do they call you again? Trouble? See if you can set me up with Pirate MacNamara. That boy's got a fine lookin .."
"Ink, that's disgustin'," Race cut in, trying to look affronted. Sadie snickered as did Ink and Sorrow who had joined them.
"It's not like I won't come to visit. Tell Crutchy I'll see him at the end of the week, would ya?" Diamond nodded and gave the shorter girl a grin.
"I know you'll come visit. We're too friendly over here in Manhattan. Them Brooklyn boys will be makin' ya tear your hair out by the end of the week. One especially in particular." Throwing a fond glance in Spot's direction, she turned her attention back to Jack, fussing over him like a mother hen. Saying their good-bye's and with promises of many visits to come, Sadie returned to the Brooklyn newsies. Spot, refusing to be held up by anyone merely took Sadie's hand up in his own, and with a wink, they started the long walk back to Brooklyn.
Sadie sat out on the fire escape with Spot later that night, both of them wrapped up in their thin blankets. He had said when they arrived at the lodging house that he was too sore to sleep, and Sadie decided to sit up with him to keep him company. Spot had been a little taken aback at the idea that a girl he liked would actually sit up with him instead of moaning about being tired and wanting to go to bed. He was even more taken aback when she took his cigarette out of his mouth and took a couple drags before sticking it back into place.
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you smoke now?" Sadie smirked.
"So what Conlon?" He snorted and nudged her with his elbow. She grinned before laying a head on his shoulder and looking up at the night sky. As she settled in for a long night of talking with Spot, she couldn't help but shake her head slightly and wonder how she had gotten to this place. Back in Boston and even when they arrived in New York, she hadn't experienced as much action in her life as she had in the past couple of days. Listening to Spot tell her a story about the time Whiskey and he escaped from the Refuge, she sighed in contentment.
It was funny what happened to someone when they weren't even looking for it. Funny indeed.
A/N--- I'm not sure if the ending's a bit weak, I didn't want the story to end! But there will be a sequel as soon as I get it organized. Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed this story, it helped me keep writing. I hope you continue to read stories I write. I appreciate the encouragement!! ----
"What is it?"
"Spot.Said to meet him at Central Park in an hour."
"Spot was HERE?" Diamond gulped and nodded.
"He was just on the roof. He had some of his boys with him. There were more in the alley." Jack swore and cast his eyes over his group of newsies. Half of them were sauced and would be of no use to him. The other half were the youngest ones who had barely thrown a punch ever.
"Any of you guys who aren't that drunk get your shit together, we're leaving in ten minutes." Ink, Sorrow, and Cloudy jumped up and ran to get weapons. Specs, Snoddy, Skittery, Bumlets, Kid Blink, Racetrack, Pie Eater, Snipeshooter, Snitch, and Jack quickly gathered any weapons that they had as well. Jack drew Diamond to him and kissed her.
"You two stay here I don't want you getting hurt."
"Spot told me to come too." Jack gave Sadie a hard look, and Diamond poked Jack's chest.
"There's no way I'm not going. I started all this shit. Besides if Ink, Sorrow, and Cloudy are going then so are we." Jack threw his hands up in the air and swore.
"Fine! Get ready then." Together they all trooped down the stairs, bringing a blinking Kloppman out of his bedroom. Seeing the old man standing in the lobby in his long underwear brought more than a few smiles to the newsie's faces.
"What're you kids doing? Do you know what time it is?" Jack looked at the man apologetically.
"We'll be back shortly Kloppy. We have some business to attend to." The old man still half-asleep shrugged, scratched his chest and made his way back into his room. Quickly and quietly they exited the lodging house and made their way to the park.
It had grown dark, and nobody was happy. More than a little bit drunk, Ink and Racetrack were helping each other walk arms around each other's shoulders. Sadie nervously kept cracking her knuckles until Sorrow put a hand on hers.
"It'll be okay," was all she said before catching up to Cloudy who walked hand-in-hand with Blink. They reached Central Park in what seemed like only a few minutes. Walking down a path, Jack kept muttering to himself.
"Where the hell are they?"
"Right here Jacky-boy." Spot's voice rang out in the darkness from a bench where he lounged, his gang arrayed around him. There was a street lamp nearby that cast a dim glow to the area where they all stood, eyeing each other tensely. Spot suddenly stood up, threw his cane to Whiskey, and pointed at Jack.
"Let's go Cowboy, I've been waiting for this for two weeks."
"Took ya long enough," Jack retorted as they both started rolling up their sleeves. The rest of the kids stood silently, their breath misting over their heads in the crisp air. Sadie saw Spider and Lefty in the group of Brooklyn boys and they gave her secret half-smiles and winks. Diamond stood near Sadie, her hands clenched into fists, biting her lip.
Jack and Spot circled one another, feinting and dodging for a few minutes. Suddenly Spot struck out with his right fist and cracked Jack on the jaw. Jack cursed in pain and spat out a thin stream of saliva mixed with blood before lunging for Spot. The newsies burst to life then as well, calling out encouragement for their respective leaders. Jack hit Spot full on in the stomach. Spot bent forward before jerking upwards and catching Jack once more on the chin with a nasty uppercut. Sadie was in awe as she watched the boys throw punches and either miss or land hits with the ease of boxers. Spot was by far a more seasoned fighter, Jack usually using his 'insult and run' technique in street fights. But she had to admit that Jack was definitely giving the Brooklyn leader a run for his money. One didn't become a newsie leader just by wanting the job. They had to earn the right.
Both factions of newsies were getting rowdy with each other as well. Ink and Sorrow were shouting obscene invitations to Pirate MacNamara, who was blushing furiously and scratching his head. Spider and Lefty were hollering at Snipeshooter, the closest one in age to them. Whiskey and Mumbles were glaring at Racetrack and Kid Blink, while Diamond and Sadie paid close attention to the battle. The two groups would only fight if their leaders spoke up and requested it. Sadie gasped as Spot hauled back a fist and punched Jack in the stomach and then across the face in rapid succession. Jack's eyes rolled up into his head and he collapsed onto the ground. Chest heaving, knuckles, and nose bleeding, Spot dropped to the ground beside him and put two fingers on his neck.
"He's just out cold," he finally managed to say. Raising his eyes to meet Diamond's, Spot smirked.
"I'd say we're even now, wouldn't you?" Diamond made a noise of disgust deep in her throat before shoving Spot aside and taking Jack's head into her lap. Spot made a croaking noise that Sadie realized was laughter. Pirate and Whiskey jogged over and helped him stand up, Whiskey handing him his cane.
"Listen fellas," Spot looked at the Manhattan group of newsies who had gathered around Jack.
"I just wanted to say that I didn't mean for any of this to get as out of hand as it did." A few of the Manhattan newsies, shocked at the apology being made by someone who never apologized, stammered out replies while the rest just nodded. Sadie noticed that Spot was leaning heavily onto his cane. Blood stained his red gingham shirt, and white undershirt. He had dried patches of it on his chin, near his left eye, and underneath his nose. He slowly brought his gaze around to where she stood.
"We need to talk, Trouble." He hobbled over closer to her, and she couldn't help but draw back for a second at the gore staining his shirt and face. Chuckling lightly, he grasped Sadie's sleeve and drew her away from the crowd of kids surrounding Manhattan's fallen. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Racetrack steal one of the Brooklyn kid's caps and run off towards a fountain to capture as much water as he could in it. Smiling slightly at the unfortunate awakening Jack was about to have, she let Spot tug her away. They walked down the path until they were out of hearing distance. Sadie put her hand up to Spot's cheek and turned his face left than right.
"Jack really got ya a couple times," was all she could say. Spot took her hand away from his face and held it in his own. Sadie met his eyes, dark in the moonlight, but no less intense.
"Sadie, when I said that there was no reason for ya to stay in Brooklyn, I was lyin'." Sadie shook her head and Spot put a finger up to stop her from speaking. She could see his mouth set in determination, and he wobbled a little trying to stay standing.
"I," he shot a look down at the ground before bringing his eyes back to her face.
"I want you to come back to Brooklyn. To stay at the lodging house." Although her heart was fairly near pounding out of her chest, Sadie wasn't certain.
"Why?" Spot gave an incredulous snort at her question and she could see the amusement on his lean face.
"Because I like ya, Trouble," he softened his tone almost imperceptibly but Sadie caught it actually having had more than a few conversations with the Brooklyn leader than most. It interested her briefly that after such a short time she could already catch the nuances in the boy's voice. 'That would come in handy trying to read him', she mused.
"I like ya a lot," he finished saying. She jerked herself back to the moment and felt her mouth drop.
"Did you just say what I thought you did?" Spot grinned impishly, the moonlight making his eyes actually dance.
"Honest Injun," he said holding a hand to his chest and then one palm out before him like a witness swearing in at a trial. Sadie was damn near speechless as she looked up at him. Starting to feel foolish and growing impatient, his bruises and cuts from the fight stinging like mad, Spot took her chin in his hand.
"Are you coming with me Sadie? Or do I have to beg?" The tone in his voice said he wouldn't dare beg, his pride was too great. Sadie almost felt like making him prove himself to her, but a little voice in her head said that she had plenty of time to do that. Life wasn't always kind; it tended to throw curves and nasty surprises here and there. Proof would be had soon or it wouldn't be had ever, she amended to herself.
"I'm coming with you Spot, you don't need to beg," she saw him flash another smile at her and she couldn't resist one last barb.
"Yet, anyway." Spot barked out a laugh and pulling her close to him with one arm planted a kiss on her lips that made her pulse race. Hearing clapping and laughter, the two pulled away from each other quickly.
The Brooklyn newsies stood nearby clapping, hooting and hollering, and waving caps in the air. Spot gave them a murderous look, but none of them took it to heart as they ran over to the pair. Spider and Lefty practically tackled Sadie, and the older boys winked at her before slapping Spot heartily on the back.
"It's about goddamned time," Whiskey crowed as Spot winced.
"Jesus Christ ya lousy bastard, I'm hurt." Whiskey snickered and Pirate almost fell over laughing. For Spot to complain about being hurt only meant that he didn't want to talk about what was going on between him and Sadie. Spot never complained about being hurt after a fight. Sadie looked over to see the Manhattan newsies helping Jack stand up. Throwing Spot an apologetic look and a murmured "I'll be right back," Sadie jogged over to the other group.
"Jack! Are you all right?" Jack was held up by Kid Blink and Specs and he gave her a painful grimace that she assumed was meant to be a smile. Diamond stood nearby, her eyes worried.
"I'm fine Sadie. Nothing a few days won't cure. I'll be back out tomorrow sellin papes and getting' rewarded handsomely for all the workin' over to me my old man did." Sadie rolled her eyes. Only a newsie would take the bruises from a street fight and pass it off as a beating by a parent to try to sell more papers.
"So are you going back with Brooklyn?" Sadie glanced up at Diamond who was gazing at her with a little smirk on her face. Face burning, she nodded mutely. Racetrack punched her lightly on the arm.
"Hey it didn't take a genius to figure that one out," he quipped. Ink slung an arm around Sadie's shoulders.
"So, what do they call you again? Trouble? See if you can set me up with Pirate MacNamara. That boy's got a fine lookin .."
"Ink, that's disgustin'," Race cut in, trying to look affronted. Sadie snickered as did Ink and Sorrow who had joined them.
"It's not like I won't come to visit. Tell Crutchy I'll see him at the end of the week, would ya?" Diamond nodded and gave the shorter girl a grin.
"I know you'll come visit. We're too friendly over here in Manhattan. Them Brooklyn boys will be makin' ya tear your hair out by the end of the week. One especially in particular." Throwing a fond glance in Spot's direction, she turned her attention back to Jack, fussing over him like a mother hen. Saying their good-bye's and with promises of many visits to come, Sadie returned to the Brooklyn newsies. Spot, refusing to be held up by anyone merely took Sadie's hand up in his own, and with a wink, they started the long walk back to Brooklyn.
Sadie sat out on the fire escape with Spot later that night, both of them wrapped up in their thin blankets. He had said when they arrived at the lodging house that he was too sore to sleep, and Sadie decided to sit up with him to keep him company. Spot had been a little taken aback at the idea that a girl he liked would actually sit up with him instead of moaning about being tired and wanting to go to bed. He was even more taken aback when she took his cigarette out of his mouth and took a couple drags before sticking it back into place.
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you smoke now?" Sadie smirked.
"So what Conlon?" He snorted and nudged her with his elbow. She grinned before laying a head on his shoulder and looking up at the night sky. As she settled in for a long night of talking with Spot, she couldn't help but shake her head slightly and wonder how she had gotten to this place. Back in Boston and even when they arrived in New York, she hadn't experienced as much action in her life as she had in the past couple of days. Listening to Spot tell her a story about the time Whiskey and he escaped from the Refuge, she sighed in contentment.
It was funny what happened to someone when they weren't even looking for it. Funny indeed.
A/N--- I'm not sure if the ending's a bit weak, I didn't want the story to end! But there will be a sequel as soon as I get it organized. Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed this story, it helped me keep writing. I hope you continue to read stories I write. I appreciate the encouragement!! ----