Chapter 40:

***2 weeks later***

"You have to tell him Fire. He deservers to know." Kloppman handed Fire a glass of water. "Fire he needs to know. This isn't fair to him."

"Kloppman I might get an abortion in two weeks. My next doctor's appointment. I don't want to tell him incase I decide on it." Fire sat down at the table and put her had down. "I can't have another one."

"An abortion?" Kloppman whispered. "Fire…" Fire looked at Kloppman.

"I'm dying Kloppy. That's not fair to the kid. I mean in the next three years I will die. Then where does my kid go?" Fire took a sip of the water.

"With it's dad." Fire dropped the glass of water and the glass shattered. "You okay Fire?"

"Shit! I piece of glass is in my arm. Fuck!" Kloppman took Fire's arm.

"Its pretty deep Fire. Come on the Sick room's got all the stuff. Come on Fire." Fire stood up and walked up tot the sickroom.

"You okay?" Jack asked walking out of the bunkroom combing his hair. "Shit Fire what you do?" Jack followed Fire into the sickroom. Kloppman walked in a minute later.

"The doctor called." Fire turned her head away from Kloppman.

***3 hours later***

"Fire can you get Jimmy to stop crying? We are trying to have a poker night here. We don't need a baby." Spot turned back to the game.

"I'm trying. I've tried everything. He wont stop." Fire bounced Jimmy up and down. "Come go to sleep for mommy. Please Jimmy." Spot threw his cards down and walked over to Fire. Spot took Jimmy from Fire.

"You really need a man in your life. Its obvious he wants a father." Spot tried for for ten minutes to clam Jimmy down but it didn't work.

"So now what does this make you?" Fire took Jimmy back from Spot. Mush got up from where he was sitting on his bed and took Jimmy. "What are you doing?"

"I was an older brother." In a matter of seconds Jimmy fell silent and then fell asleep in Mush's arms. "Now that your son is quiet we can back to poker night. But I think all parents should not return."

"If I were you I would leave to." Fire glared at Mush and turned away.

'What do you mean by that?! Fire!" Mush shook his head and walked back over to his bed.

"Somebody is gonna make a good daddy someday," Loons said from where she was sitting, playing poker. "Maybe a good daddy for a boy who is looking for a daddy." Mush threw his shoe at her. "Fuck!" Loons rubbed the back of her head.

"Yea okay Loons. The day I fall for Fire is that day Hell freezes over." Mush lied back down on his bed.

"I hear hell's been getting a little chilly." Loons laughed a little until another shoe hit her head. "Damn you Meyers! Like I don't have enough head injuries!" Kloppman walked into the bunkroom.

"Okay if you boys are heading back to Brooklyn. Go now." All the Brooklyn Newsies got up. "Spot, Fire and Jimmy are staying here tonight."

"They ruined our poker night." Spot pushed past Kloppman. Kloppman grabbed Spots arm.

"She's an unwed mother. Just give her a break Spot." Spot Looked at Kloppman.

"Exactly…. Unwed." Spot pulled his arm away from Kloppman and left the Lodging House. Mush patted Kloppman on the shoulder.

"When you gonna get it Kloppman. Fire is just not Fire anymore. She's a little slut." Kloppman smacked Mush on the back of the head.

"You like sluts? I didn't know that. Next time don't use Fire!" Kloppman smacked mush again.

"Ouchie! Jeeze Kloppman you treat her likes she your daughter." Mush walked back into the bunkroom.

"Kloppy its amazing." Fire held up a mirror. "I love it! This is the first present I ever got from someone beside my brother that's means so much to me. Your like the father I wish I had." Fire hugged Kloppman.

"Your like the six year old daughter I wish I had. Look fire I got and in craving on the back." Fire turned the mirror over.

To Fire Ice Conlon,

I am happy that you have joined this family.

Now that you are a part of it, it will never

Be the same without you. I love you more

Then I have ever loved anyone before. I

Wish that I was your father that you come

Home to.

Love always.

Kloppy

Kloppman looked at all the boys climbing into bed. His stopped when he reached Mush. "If he only knew," Kloppman whispered.