Spot's Milkshake
Chapter Sixteen: Romance Rekindled
Disclaimer: You would think by now I would have the rights to Newsies. Well sorry to inform you, but I don't! So just be happy that I do own the main character Brandie.
We had been talking for at least two hours now. At first I was afraid Brianna would be bored, but she seemed interested with it all. Racetrack had since chewed on at least two cigars, and Kid Blink kept scratching his eye patch. Jack was eyeing me awful funny and I was becoming quite annoyed with it.
"So den, I picked 'im up an' told him ta stay away from me goil." Mush concluded his story about an incident that happened a couple of nights ago. Jack started to say something directed towards me, but was interrupted by the sound of the door being opened. I figured it was one of the younger newsies going up to the bunkroom, but it wasn't.
"Jus' felt like droppin' by."An all to familiar voice said. I heard footsteps coming towards us. Everyone looked up and smiled at the newcomer. I strained my head to see who it was too. My heart froze over when the stranger walked into the room. I scooted a little back on the bed, hoping I would not be seen. Racetrack threw me a wild look, along with Mush, and Skittery. Jack and the new boy spit shook, as did a couple other of the boys. No one told him of my presence, for he was Spot Conlon.
I wasn't hidden for long though. He scanned the room, as if he hadn't seen them for ages. He smiled at most, but when he got to me, he stopped. My heart fell to my stomach, as it beat faster. His mouth started to gape open. Everyone was now looking at me. I could feel my cheeks become redder as his eyes got wider and he about fell over. All the while, Race was watching me intently. I wanted to run out of the room and back to the hotel Freddy was at. I didn't want to have to face this.
"M-M-Milkshake?" He stuttered. I gasped. I had almost forgotten that name, but somehow nodded. He stared at me for a long time, then, finally managed to say something. "So ya finally decided ta come back!" It was more of a yell then anything else. With that he stormed out of the Lodging House, creating quite a scene. A couple younger newsies shot their head in the room and looked at us.
"Get outta heah." Jack told them. "No fights taday." He smiled a bit at me. Race looked over at me and motioned his head towards the door. I shook my head.
"Yes." He told me bluntly. I picked Brianna up and put her in Race's lap, and then I headed to the door. I had no idea what I was going to say, or why I listened to Race, but I did and that was that.
I pushed open the Lodging House door and looked around. There he was, pacing right outside the door. He hadn't really aged a bit, and I was pleased to see the same gold-tipped cane in his belt loop, and had a slingshot in a pocket. He wore the same cabby hat as he had the last time I saw him. He looked the same, except he was a little taller.
"What do ya want?" He asked me coldly. I just stared at him, not knowing what to say. "Grown up I see." He looked me up and down, pure hatred in his eyes. I took a step forward towards him, making the hatred flash dangerously. I didn't know if I needed to apologize, so I simply started making small conversation, hoping to break the ice.
"So, how have you been?" I asked softly. He looked at me wildly, the fire in his eyes dimmed a bit, but soon reappeared.
"Not really ya place ta ax now is it?" He asked me. I tried to ignore his stubbornness, but it was difficult.
"I don't see why it wouldn't be my place to ask." I told him boldly.
"Don't see how it's not ya place?" He repeated angrily, taking the cane out of his belt loop. "Ya t'ink ya can take off an' leave us all heah, not tellin' us wheah da hell ya is goin'. Ya disappeared from da face of da Earth! Den, ya 'ave the courage ta come stompin' back heah an' throw us all in da whirlwind of hell like before!" He said to me, impressively keeping his voice to an indoor level. He took a step closer to me, still fuming.
"Look, I wouldn't have come back, it's just my husband wanted to visit the city and.." I started, but he interrupted me.
"Husband?" He stammered. I knew I had said the wrong thing.
"Ya, ya is married?" He asked, coming even closer, but then backed away. "Ran off wit some long lost childhood boyfriend?" He interrogated further.
"NO!" I shouted, temper now raised. "You don't even know the half of it!" I turned around, ready to go get Brianna and leave, but he grabbed me by the arm, and turned me to face him.
"I t'ink I wanna know da half of it." He told me quietly, looking quite sincere. For the first time I had been around him, he smiled. I smiled back, truly happy that his anger had seemed to subside.
"We can go back ta da Brooklyn Lodging House." He told me, taking my hand as he lead me there.
Halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge, I let go of his hand. He didn't seem to notice, and if he did, he said nothing. I couldn't risk anyone I might now see us hand in hand. If Frederick ever found out, we would be over.
Finally, after what seemed like ages, we arrived at the Brooklyn Lodging House. He too was too old to be a newsie, but I wondered why he was still here. There was no extra room like there was in the Manhattan Lodging House. Instead of leading me up to the familiar bunkroom that he had all those years ago, he took me to a small room that looked like a previous sickroom.
"Gots meself my own room." He said smiling. "Nuttin impressive, but I ain't out ta entertain." I had a million things I wanted to ask him, but that wasn't why we were here. "So, why was ya heah anyways?" He asked, trying to be patient.
"My husband wanted to see the city. I wasn't even meaning to go to the lodging house, but Racetrack took me there." I told him. He stared at me for a long time, his blue eyes unwavering. I didn't break his gaze, it felt a little awkward sitting in a small room with a past love in my life. Finally, he broke the silence.
"So wha's da half I don't know?" He asked me. And so I began my poor pathetic story about my father, and the forced marriage. I told about everyone and everything that had happened in the past eight years. At times I found myself crying exceptionally hard, and in the arms of Spot. I wouldn't want to pull away, but I knew that I had to.
When I was finished, he looked at me pitifully.
"I'm, I'm so sorry." He said hoarsely.
"It's not your fault." I tried to comfort him.
"No, I s'pose it's not. But, but I thought so many horrible t'ings bout ya, an' what ya was doin." He said, putting his head in his hands. I didn't want to think about what he thought, or what he told people. Instead I changed the subject.
"So, still the infamous leader of Brooklyn, or do you lose that when you get too old?" I asked him. It took him awhile to answer. When he finally did look up, his face was streaked with tears. I didn't know he could cry.
"I passed it on ta anudder kid. Nuttin good lasts anyways." He said slowly, looking at me for my reaction. I couldn't really believe it, but said nothing. "I'se really sorry bout everyt'ing." He said to me. I nodded my acceptance. "But I promised dat I would come back fer ya, an' da next t'ing I know, ya wasn't in ya little town ya told me bout. I was fer sure ya had ditched me fer some idiot, or ya was out sellin' yaself." He told me. "I started ta doubt ya. Doubt dat ya really did love me. I still hoped dat ya would come back. But afta awhile, it was hopeless." He would have kept going, but he looked at me, and stopped suddenly.
"I guess ya would want ta see everyone else huh?" He asked, regaining his composure immediately.
"No. Not yet." I told him. "I want to know some things first, if that's alright." I added.
"Wha' can I help ya wit doll?" He asked, leaning back against his bed post. He was his old self again.
"First, what ever happened to the Tabernaks?" I asked, mimicking him, by also leaning back on the opposite bed post.
"Tabernak...Tabernak." He thought aloud, scratching his chin. "Oh those two. Da mista 'ad a heart attack couple o' years back. I ain't so sure he made it." He said, pausing a moment. "Any more of ya questions?" He asked, smirking.
"Could you tell me about everything that has happened here in the past eight years?" I asked again, scratching my chin just as he had done. He laughed at my antics.
"I'se could give it a shot." He said, this time actually looking like he was thinking. "Wheah should I start?"
"Brooklyn, then move into Manhattan." I replied, eager to hear what he had to say.
"Alrigh'. Let's start wit Snicker. Ya 'member him?"
"Yes."
"Uh huh, well his luck went downhill a couple o' months afta ya left. He stopped sellin' like he normally did. His attitude changed a bit, an' he stopped participatin' in our pokah games. We'se was all concerned fer 'im, but den it seemed like it would be ok cause he met a goil. Dey fell in love an' he seemed to be back on track. Den da little slut left 'im. He went downhill from dere, an' neva really did recovah. He left da lodgin' house 3 years ago. 'Haven't seen much of 'im, cept fer da one time I'se seen 'im in da streets. Looked purdy bad he did." He told me gravely. He didn't wait for a response, instead he moved right into the next story.
"Now, fer Pouncher, ya remember him?" He asked. I smiled when he mentioned the name. "Righ' well he's been doin' jus' fine really. He's jus' kinda dere ya know. Da kind of person dat doesn't 'ave much ta do, so he jus' sits dere, ready ta solve any problem dat life throws ya way. He was doin' dat twelve years ago when I'se met 'im, an' he still does it ta dis day." Spot gloated about his friend. "I'se almost appointed 'im da leadah o' Brooklyn, but decided against it, only cause of his age an' all. He's a year youngah den me. Too old really. He needs a life of his own, not lookin' out fer ouddah's." Not pausing again, he continued.
"Now, about Sniff." He paused uncertain at first, then swallowed painfully. "Well, he was always me righ' hand man he was. Harold too." Again he paused, a grim look appeared on his face, but it soon left. "Well, Sniff, Sniff has some problems on his hands at da moment." He stopped again, choking up a bit.
"What's wrong? What happened?" I panicked. He shallowed again, putting on a hard face. "Sniff went off an' got married ta an old friend of yours. Smalls." He smiled. "Dey had a little baby boy, an' named 'im Emil. He should be four now. I saw dem a couple o' weeks ago. Haven't really had da heart ta go back."
"They have their own place?" I asked. He nodded.
"Everyt'ing had been fine, until last month or two. Smalls had been feelin' a little undah da weather. Sniff got a doctah ta see her, an' found out dat she wasn't jus' a little undah da weather, she was very ill. Dere's no cure da doc says. Sniff is really havin' a hard time. Emil is scared all da time. I know I should be dere ta support dem, but it's jus' so hard." He told me, choking up again. I scooted a little closer.
"It's alright. It'll be alright." I rubbed his back, trying to comfort him. He looked up at me, his beautiful blue eyes filled with tears. I knew I shouldn't have, but I did it anyways. I leaned in and kissed his cheek gently.
"Wha' was dat fer?" He asked, quite shocked.
"To show you we are still friends." I told him, doing it again. I don't know why I was still attracted to him, but I was. He must have known that it was really more then a friendship smack on the cheek, but he didn't say anything about it. That was his first mistake.
"Friends? Dat's good." He said, getting closer to me. Here comes my mistake. I didn't move away. I felt his hand find my cheek. It pulled my face closer to his. I longed for what was next, but luckily, he had the sense to pull away. "Still dat dumb broad eh?" He asked me, smirking.
"What?" I inquired angrily.
"Ya got a husband, an' I is assumin' some kids. Why da hell would ya be hittin' on me?" He asked me seriously. I could only stare at him. Had I not just told him why I was married and why I had kids? He continued before I could answer him. "Ya must love dis Frederick guy. I know ya. Ya won't stand fer anyt'ing ya don't like" He tried to smirk but failed. "Dere ain't no way I'm gonna let ya kiss me." He said, with sincerity. I frowned, making him smile for real.
"But, you know you want to." I tried on him. It didn't work. He just shook his head, the smile still planted on his face.
"Ya'se talkin' like a little goil." He teased. I tried to force a smile, I think I managed enough to satisfy him. "Now, unto Harold. Bet ya is anxious ta hear bout 'im." He said, grinning.
"Not really." I told him half heartedly. He just continued to grin at my statement.
"Well, Harold's still his same self. But he's a good friend ya know. I'se had ta keep him in line like usual. But nuttin's changed about him." He told me, closing his eyes for a few minutes, taking as much time as he pleased.
"Enough bout Brooklyn, hows about going onto Manhattan?" He asked, opening one eye. I nodded. He closed his eye again, and started to tell stories about the Manhattan boys, almost as if he had practiced saying this before.
"Mush. Cute little Mush. So adorable, right? Maybe not. Da guy's a player. Hell of a good one, but a player none the less. Broke alota goils hearts. None ever got around ta forgivin' him. Hard ta sit around him now. I mean, sure, I've dated some pretty good goils in my day, and broken some of dere hearts, but only cause it wasn't woikin' out. I know wha' it's like ta dump em, but really, cheatin' on dem? Even I ain't like dat." He recited to me. I shook my head, disappointed in Mush.
"Den, dere's Kid Blink. He tried ta be good like Race. In gamblin' I mean. Didn't woik. He lost almost all of his money in the foist 5 months. He gambled it all away. At least Race conserved, to an extent. So now, Blink is in da poor house. I hear old Kloppman is still lettin him an' Race stay in da lodging house fer no pay." He smirked. Lucky ol' boys dem two were." He finally opened his eyes and looked at me. Probably for my reaction yet again. I didn't say anything, but inside I was scared for Racetrack. Was he hinting that Race, like Kid Blink, had lost everything?
"Jacky-boy" Spot started, chuckling as he said his name. "Jack's normal. Fer awhile dere, he wouldn't stop talkin' bout ya. It got ta be irritating afta awhile. Not cause it was bout you, jus' cause I was already missin' ya pretty bad an' it didn't help if he was talkin' bout ya 24/7. He didn't really change. Got a little more arrogant, but nothing wrong with that." He winked, closing his eyes again. Finally I spoke.
"He seemed upset that I had kids and that I was married." I started, explaining my confusion to him.
"I always thought he had a crush on ya. I just got ta ya foist." He laughed. "I'm sure you'll be interested ta hear bout Racetrack." He said, raising an eyebrow at me, as if he had asked a question. I nodded quickly. "Well, he got too cocky. Unlike Blink though, he conserved his money." He paused, giving me time to say something.
"Why doesn't he just make more?"
"He can't. Dey kicked 'im outta da racetracks, an' he jus' kinda gave up his gamblin' life afta dat." He frowned. "Seems cheerful huh?" He asked me, a nod wouldn't get me past this question.
"Yeah, same old Race." I responded, he shook his head.
"Not da same old Race. He's terrible. Always mopin' around. It ain't healthy I'se sure." He stopped again, looking anxiously at me. "Do ya t'ink ya could help him?" He leaned closer, not to kiss me, but to look at my every move. I nodded slowly. "We're here for a week."
a/n
Well, finally done. Too long? Too short? You like it? Hope so. Some parts are a bit odd for me, but that's natural, I am the author! I'll try to go faster with the next chapter! Sorry for spelling mistakes!
Shoutouts:
Coin: Yeah, that was a cute part. I am really glad you like my story! It gives me confidence! Hope you liked this chapter! Thanks for reviewing last chapter! Have fun in Ireland!
Tiggerbaby2430: I got them back for you! YAY! I was planning on it anyways. More Spot/Brandie soon! Thanks for reviewing, hope you liked this chapter! I know people would be mad at me if they didn't talk!
Vinnie Monfredo: Did you like it? Hope so. Thank you soo much for reviewing last chapter. I liked that part too! A lot. That's why I wrote it ;) Hope you like how this turned out! Fun times!
BlackWiltedRose: Your stories are better than mine, that's for sure! I'm soo flattered that you like my story! I hope you liked how this chapter turned out. Sorry it took so long to update! Cookie for you!
Pyro: I was beginning to wonder if you were going to review! I was scared! Glad you did though! HA! Bri a mini newsie! That's too cool. Hope you liked this chapter! Thank you for reviewing!
Chapter Sixteen: Romance Rekindled
Disclaimer: You would think by now I would have the rights to Newsies. Well sorry to inform you, but I don't! So just be happy that I do own the main character Brandie.
We had been talking for at least two hours now. At first I was afraid Brianna would be bored, but she seemed interested with it all. Racetrack had since chewed on at least two cigars, and Kid Blink kept scratching his eye patch. Jack was eyeing me awful funny and I was becoming quite annoyed with it.
"So den, I picked 'im up an' told him ta stay away from me goil." Mush concluded his story about an incident that happened a couple of nights ago. Jack started to say something directed towards me, but was interrupted by the sound of the door being opened. I figured it was one of the younger newsies going up to the bunkroom, but it wasn't.
"Jus' felt like droppin' by."An all to familiar voice said. I heard footsteps coming towards us. Everyone looked up and smiled at the newcomer. I strained my head to see who it was too. My heart froze over when the stranger walked into the room. I scooted a little back on the bed, hoping I would not be seen. Racetrack threw me a wild look, along with Mush, and Skittery. Jack and the new boy spit shook, as did a couple other of the boys. No one told him of my presence, for he was Spot Conlon.
I wasn't hidden for long though. He scanned the room, as if he hadn't seen them for ages. He smiled at most, but when he got to me, he stopped. My heart fell to my stomach, as it beat faster. His mouth started to gape open. Everyone was now looking at me. I could feel my cheeks become redder as his eyes got wider and he about fell over. All the while, Race was watching me intently. I wanted to run out of the room and back to the hotel Freddy was at. I didn't want to have to face this.
"M-M-Milkshake?" He stuttered. I gasped. I had almost forgotten that name, but somehow nodded. He stared at me for a long time, then, finally managed to say something. "So ya finally decided ta come back!" It was more of a yell then anything else. With that he stormed out of the Lodging House, creating quite a scene. A couple younger newsies shot their head in the room and looked at us.
"Get outta heah." Jack told them. "No fights taday." He smiled a bit at me. Race looked over at me and motioned his head towards the door. I shook my head.
"Yes." He told me bluntly. I picked Brianna up and put her in Race's lap, and then I headed to the door. I had no idea what I was going to say, or why I listened to Race, but I did and that was that.
I pushed open the Lodging House door and looked around. There he was, pacing right outside the door. He hadn't really aged a bit, and I was pleased to see the same gold-tipped cane in his belt loop, and had a slingshot in a pocket. He wore the same cabby hat as he had the last time I saw him. He looked the same, except he was a little taller.
"What do ya want?" He asked me coldly. I just stared at him, not knowing what to say. "Grown up I see." He looked me up and down, pure hatred in his eyes. I took a step forward towards him, making the hatred flash dangerously. I didn't know if I needed to apologize, so I simply started making small conversation, hoping to break the ice.
"So, how have you been?" I asked softly. He looked at me wildly, the fire in his eyes dimmed a bit, but soon reappeared.
"Not really ya place ta ax now is it?" He asked me. I tried to ignore his stubbornness, but it was difficult.
"I don't see why it wouldn't be my place to ask." I told him boldly.
"Don't see how it's not ya place?" He repeated angrily, taking the cane out of his belt loop. "Ya t'ink ya can take off an' leave us all heah, not tellin' us wheah da hell ya is goin'. Ya disappeared from da face of da Earth! Den, ya 'ave the courage ta come stompin' back heah an' throw us all in da whirlwind of hell like before!" He said to me, impressively keeping his voice to an indoor level. He took a step closer to me, still fuming.
"Look, I wouldn't have come back, it's just my husband wanted to visit the city and.." I started, but he interrupted me.
"Husband?" He stammered. I knew I had said the wrong thing.
"Ya, ya is married?" He asked, coming even closer, but then backed away. "Ran off wit some long lost childhood boyfriend?" He interrogated further.
"NO!" I shouted, temper now raised. "You don't even know the half of it!" I turned around, ready to go get Brianna and leave, but he grabbed me by the arm, and turned me to face him.
"I t'ink I wanna know da half of it." He told me quietly, looking quite sincere. For the first time I had been around him, he smiled. I smiled back, truly happy that his anger had seemed to subside.
"We can go back ta da Brooklyn Lodging House." He told me, taking my hand as he lead me there.
Halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge, I let go of his hand. He didn't seem to notice, and if he did, he said nothing. I couldn't risk anyone I might now see us hand in hand. If Frederick ever found out, we would be over.
Finally, after what seemed like ages, we arrived at the Brooklyn Lodging House. He too was too old to be a newsie, but I wondered why he was still here. There was no extra room like there was in the Manhattan Lodging House. Instead of leading me up to the familiar bunkroom that he had all those years ago, he took me to a small room that looked like a previous sickroom.
"Gots meself my own room." He said smiling. "Nuttin impressive, but I ain't out ta entertain." I had a million things I wanted to ask him, but that wasn't why we were here. "So, why was ya heah anyways?" He asked, trying to be patient.
"My husband wanted to see the city. I wasn't even meaning to go to the lodging house, but Racetrack took me there." I told him. He stared at me for a long time, his blue eyes unwavering. I didn't break his gaze, it felt a little awkward sitting in a small room with a past love in my life. Finally, he broke the silence.
"So wha's da half I don't know?" He asked me. And so I began my poor pathetic story about my father, and the forced marriage. I told about everyone and everything that had happened in the past eight years. At times I found myself crying exceptionally hard, and in the arms of Spot. I wouldn't want to pull away, but I knew that I had to.
When I was finished, he looked at me pitifully.
"I'm, I'm so sorry." He said hoarsely.
"It's not your fault." I tried to comfort him.
"No, I s'pose it's not. But, but I thought so many horrible t'ings bout ya, an' what ya was doin." He said, putting his head in his hands. I didn't want to think about what he thought, or what he told people. Instead I changed the subject.
"So, still the infamous leader of Brooklyn, or do you lose that when you get too old?" I asked him. It took him awhile to answer. When he finally did look up, his face was streaked with tears. I didn't know he could cry.
"I passed it on ta anudder kid. Nuttin good lasts anyways." He said slowly, looking at me for my reaction. I couldn't really believe it, but said nothing. "I'se really sorry bout everyt'ing." He said to me. I nodded my acceptance. "But I promised dat I would come back fer ya, an' da next t'ing I know, ya wasn't in ya little town ya told me bout. I was fer sure ya had ditched me fer some idiot, or ya was out sellin' yaself." He told me. "I started ta doubt ya. Doubt dat ya really did love me. I still hoped dat ya would come back. But afta awhile, it was hopeless." He would have kept going, but he looked at me, and stopped suddenly.
"I guess ya would want ta see everyone else huh?" He asked, regaining his composure immediately.
"No. Not yet." I told him. "I want to know some things first, if that's alright." I added.
"Wha' can I help ya wit doll?" He asked, leaning back against his bed post. He was his old self again.
"First, what ever happened to the Tabernaks?" I asked, mimicking him, by also leaning back on the opposite bed post.
"Tabernak...Tabernak." He thought aloud, scratching his chin. "Oh those two. Da mista 'ad a heart attack couple o' years back. I ain't so sure he made it." He said, pausing a moment. "Any more of ya questions?" He asked, smirking.
"Could you tell me about everything that has happened here in the past eight years?" I asked again, scratching my chin just as he had done. He laughed at my antics.
"I'se could give it a shot." He said, this time actually looking like he was thinking. "Wheah should I start?"
"Brooklyn, then move into Manhattan." I replied, eager to hear what he had to say.
"Alrigh'. Let's start wit Snicker. Ya 'member him?"
"Yes."
"Uh huh, well his luck went downhill a couple o' months afta ya left. He stopped sellin' like he normally did. His attitude changed a bit, an' he stopped participatin' in our pokah games. We'se was all concerned fer 'im, but den it seemed like it would be ok cause he met a goil. Dey fell in love an' he seemed to be back on track. Den da little slut left 'im. He went downhill from dere, an' neva really did recovah. He left da lodgin' house 3 years ago. 'Haven't seen much of 'im, cept fer da one time I'se seen 'im in da streets. Looked purdy bad he did." He told me gravely. He didn't wait for a response, instead he moved right into the next story.
"Now, fer Pouncher, ya remember him?" He asked. I smiled when he mentioned the name. "Righ' well he's been doin' jus' fine really. He's jus' kinda dere ya know. Da kind of person dat doesn't 'ave much ta do, so he jus' sits dere, ready ta solve any problem dat life throws ya way. He was doin' dat twelve years ago when I'se met 'im, an' he still does it ta dis day." Spot gloated about his friend. "I'se almost appointed 'im da leadah o' Brooklyn, but decided against it, only cause of his age an' all. He's a year youngah den me. Too old really. He needs a life of his own, not lookin' out fer ouddah's." Not pausing again, he continued.
"Now, about Sniff." He paused uncertain at first, then swallowed painfully. "Well, he was always me righ' hand man he was. Harold too." Again he paused, a grim look appeared on his face, but it soon left. "Well, Sniff, Sniff has some problems on his hands at da moment." He stopped again, choking up a bit.
"What's wrong? What happened?" I panicked. He shallowed again, putting on a hard face. "Sniff went off an' got married ta an old friend of yours. Smalls." He smiled. "Dey had a little baby boy, an' named 'im Emil. He should be four now. I saw dem a couple o' weeks ago. Haven't really had da heart ta go back."
"They have their own place?" I asked. He nodded.
"Everyt'ing had been fine, until last month or two. Smalls had been feelin' a little undah da weather. Sniff got a doctah ta see her, an' found out dat she wasn't jus' a little undah da weather, she was very ill. Dere's no cure da doc says. Sniff is really havin' a hard time. Emil is scared all da time. I know I should be dere ta support dem, but it's jus' so hard." He told me, choking up again. I scooted a little closer.
"It's alright. It'll be alright." I rubbed his back, trying to comfort him. He looked up at me, his beautiful blue eyes filled with tears. I knew I shouldn't have, but I did it anyways. I leaned in and kissed his cheek gently.
"Wha' was dat fer?" He asked, quite shocked.
"To show you we are still friends." I told him, doing it again. I don't know why I was still attracted to him, but I was. He must have known that it was really more then a friendship smack on the cheek, but he didn't say anything about it. That was his first mistake.
"Friends? Dat's good." He said, getting closer to me. Here comes my mistake. I didn't move away. I felt his hand find my cheek. It pulled my face closer to his. I longed for what was next, but luckily, he had the sense to pull away. "Still dat dumb broad eh?" He asked me, smirking.
"What?" I inquired angrily.
"Ya got a husband, an' I is assumin' some kids. Why da hell would ya be hittin' on me?" He asked me seriously. I could only stare at him. Had I not just told him why I was married and why I had kids? He continued before I could answer him. "Ya must love dis Frederick guy. I know ya. Ya won't stand fer anyt'ing ya don't like" He tried to smirk but failed. "Dere ain't no way I'm gonna let ya kiss me." He said, with sincerity. I frowned, making him smile for real.
"But, you know you want to." I tried on him. It didn't work. He just shook his head, the smile still planted on his face.
"Ya'se talkin' like a little goil." He teased. I tried to force a smile, I think I managed enough to satisfy him. "Now, unto Harold. Bet ya is anxious ta hear bout 'im." He said, grinning.
"Not really." I told him half heartedly. He just continued to grin at my statement.
"Well, Harold's still his same self. But he's a good friend ya know. I'se had ta keep him in line like usual. But nuttin's changed about him." He told me, closing his eyes for a few minutes, taking as much time as he pleased.
"Enough bout Brooklyn, hows about going onto Manhattan?" He asked, opening one eye. I nodded. He closed his eye again, and started to tell stories about the Manhattan boys, almost as if he had practiced saying this before.
"Mush. Cute little Mush. So adorable, right? Maybe not. Da guy's a player. Hell of a good one, but a player none the less. Broke alota goils hearts. None ever got around ta forgivin' him. Hard ta sit around him now. I mean, sure, I've dated some pretty good goils in my day, and broken some of dere hearts, but only cause it wasn't woikin' out. I know wha' it's like ta dump em, but really, cheatin' on dem? Even I ain't like dat." He recited to me. I shook my head, disappointed in Mush.
"Den, dere's Kid Blink. He tried ta be good like Race. In gamblin' I mean. Didn't woik. He lost almost all of his money in the foist 5 months. He gambled it all away. At least Race conserved, to an extent. So now, Blink is in da poor house. I hear old Kloppman is still lettin him an' Race stay in da lodging house fer no pay." He smirked. Lucky ol' boys dem two were." He finally opened his eyes and looked at me. Probably for my reaction yet again. I didn't say anything, but inside I was scared for Racetrack. Was he hinting that Race, like Kid Blink, had lost everything?
"Jacky-boy" Spot started, chuckling as he said his name. "Jack's normal. Fer awhile dere, he wouldn't stop talkin' bout ya. It got ta be irritating afta awhile. Not cause it was bout you, jus' cause I was already missin' ya pretty bad an' it didn't help if he was talkin' bout ya 24/7. He didn't really change. Got a little more arrogant, but nothing wrong with that." He winked, closing his eyes again. Finally I spoke.
"He seemed upset that I had kids and that I was married." I started, explaining my confusion to him.
"I always thought he had a crush on ya. I just got ta ya foist." He laughed. "I'm sure you'll be interested ta hear bout Racetrack." He said, raising an eyebrow at me, as if he had asked a question. I nodded quickly. "Well, he got too cocky. Unlike Blink though, he conserved his money." He paused, giving me time to say something.
"Why doesn't he just make more?"
"He can't. Dey kicked 'im outta da racetracks, an' he jus' kinda gave up his gamblin' life afta dat." He frowned. "Seems cheerful huh?" He asked me, a nod wouldn't get me past this question.
"Yeah, same old Race." I responded, he shook his head.
"Not da same old Race. He's terrible. Always mopin' around. It ain't healthy I'se sure." He stopped again, looking anxiously at me. "Do ya t'ink ya could help him?" He leaned closer, not to kiss me, but to look at my every move. I nodded slowly. "We're here for a week."
a/n
Well, finally done. Too long? Too short? You like it? Hope so. Some parts are a bit odd for me, but that's natural, I am the author! I'll try to go faster with the next chapter! Sorry for spelling mistakes!
Shoutouts:
Coin: Yeah, that was a cute part. I am really glad you like my story! It gives me confidence! Hope you liked this chapter! Thanks for reviewing last chapter! Have fun in Ireland!
Tiggerbaby2430: I got them back for you! YAY! I was planning on it anyways. More Spot/Brandie soon! Thanks for reviewing, hope you liked this chapter! I know people would be mad at me if they didn't talk!
Vinnie Monfredo: Did you like it? Hope so. Thank you soo much for reviewing last chapter. I liked that part too! A lot. That's why I wrote it ;) Hope you like how this turned out! Fun times!
BlackWiltedRose: Your stories are better than mine, that's for sure! I'm soo flattered that you like my story! I hope you liked how this chapter turned out. Sorry it took so long to update! Cookie for you!
Pyro: I was beginning to wonder if you were going to review! I was scared! Glad you did though! HA! Bri a mini newsie! That's too cool. Hope you liked this chapter! Thank you for reviewing!