IT'S FINALLY FINISHED! And I think I feel like crying. I can't believe this is the first story that I have ever actually finished. I don't know what I would have done without all of my wonderful reviewers pushing me along. Sometime soon I will be going over it and revising everything that I messed up on…and there's a lot. Lol But I just want to thank everyone who every read this story! I luv you all!
Chapter Thirty
The wind was blowing the curls gently out of my face as I starred solemnly up ahead at Spot. We were walking in the direction away from the fair but the soft sound of the music could still be heard. My torn, and tattered boots kicked small rocks on the pathway as I starred down at my feet, waiting for him to speak. It didn't take very long before he took my hand and led me up onto a small bridge. One that passes over a tiny stream that was running swiftly below us.
I could still see the lights from the fair glowing beyond the trees and I wondered why Spot had taken me to such a secluded area. If it had been any other newsie I think I would have been slightly nervous. But I knew that Spot had no wrong intentions, so it didn't frighten me in the slightest bit. I leaned over the thick cobblestone edge and starred at the water below. My hideous fear of heights had been diminished over time. I didn't fear much of anything anymore, because I no longer feared death.
Ever since I was a little girl I had always loved the sound of running water. It was so calm and tranquil, as if it somehow had the power to wash away all my pain. I knew that it was foolish to think such a thing, but I did not care. I think that sometimes it's helpful to hold on to childish memories, because it saves you from becoming to serious about life. It gives you hope and makes you believe that somewhere out there, there's something that can come and take all your pain and misery away. If even just for a second in your mind.
"It's amazing isn't it…this bridge?" Spot asked as I turned and looked at him. It was strange to hear him talking so intently about something so deep and meaningful.
"Yes…I do not understand how something so grand and elaborate could be built by the hands of man, but there can't be one simple solution for the two of us." Warm tears flowed down my cheeks, as they had so many times in the past few months. Spot just sighed.
"Everything has it's own time," he replied. As he walked over and leaned up against the edge of the bridge.
"I know," I replied sadly. "But I still must leave." Spot fidgeted uncomfortably and then looked down at the water.
It took a few minutes and then he spoke. "I think dat it would be for da best. At least for you and for da rest of us." I nodded my head and chocked back a sob. There remained a few moments of silence and we both just thought about the days that laid ahead.
"I think I will be alright," I said softly. "I heard that Virginia is beautiful and I will be able to go to school once more. So I can finally have something to do with my life." I tried to sound enthusiastic but it wasn't working.
Spot just nodded his head as he looked up into my eyes. For the first time in many weeks, the wall that he had placed up had been torn away and I could see into his soul. He was trying to act strong for me and I would remain eternally grateful. For if Spot broke down just then, I knew in my heart that I would not have had the strength to leave. Suddenly the music coming from the fair changed, it turned both soft and sorrowful. A song filled with too many unspoken emotions. Spot turned to me and held out his hand.
"Would ya care for a dance?" he asked as he gazed longingly into my tearful green eyes.
"But you do not like to dance," I said, remembering the night at the restaurant. The night when he had first told me that he loved me. I sniffed my nose ungratefully, for I did not have a handkerchief with me at the moment. But Spot didn't seem to notice.
"Yes, well I have danced with a lady such as yourself, once before." I smiled weakly as I placed my hand in his own. I laid my head softly upon his chest and he wrapped his arms around my waist.
I could smell the lingering sent of tobacco on Spot's clothes and it made me smile. Yet I felt a slight bit of sadness as I was reminded of the fact that it would be the last time I would ever see any of my friends again. I knew that going to Virginia would be for the best and that it was something that I had to do. But I had grown to depend on Spot for so many things, that I couldn't imagine living a life without him.
Yet I had to get out of the hole that I had mistakenly fallen into and start making a life of my own. It scared me to think that I would actually be able to make decisions and be free to do anything that I wished. It was something that I had craved for so long and now that it was right before me, I didn't know if I was ready to face such a thing.
I knew that even though I would be back among the higher class of society, I would never forget the lessons that I learned. Because I had felt what it was like for both sides of society and it had opened my eyes to many new realizations. I had learned first hand, that life isn't always greener on the other side. That no matter where you are, you should never take for granted anything that you have. Because one day you may wake up and realize that its all gone.
If things hadn't turned out the way that they had, I would have stayed with Spot forever. But sometimes things don't work out the way that you want them to. But I believe that everything happens for a reason and that no matter how much hardships I will face in the future, its all leading up to something. When things happen that you that you have no control over, I think its best just to leave them be. Because its not good to dwell on the past, all you can do is work for a better tomorrow.
I would be leaving with Olivia the next morning and I wondered what it would be like at my new home. I tried to picture a house just like the one that I lived in when I was younger. With a women in charge who was both strong and beautiful, just like my mother had been. I wondered if Olivia's aunt would keep it just as neat and perfect, or if things would be entirely different. But no matter what happens I would never forget everything that my friends had taught me. I wish somehow that I could have erased the line that separated the rich from the poor. But this was a battle that would never be won. Yet I would be dammed if I would join in for the ride.
So as I stood there upon the bridge, holding the boy I loved for the last time. I realized just how short life really was and how so much time is wasted searching for a love so perfect. When most of the time its stands right in front of your eyes, but you are somehow to blind to notice. It just lays hidden behind a vial, waiting for the proper time to reveal itself to our hearts. But sometimes it comes to late and time has already moved on, making it impossible for the two hearts to be together. But just the few moments that they spend in each others arms, will leave an impact so great that they will forever be left with the memories. But also with the satisfaction of knowing that one day they may have the chance to be together once more. So as Spot and I, starred into each others eyes, I thanked god for this dance. Because I knew that Spot Conlon was my savior in every way and I was the flame that burned in his eyes.
Now, many years later…on my 21st birthday. I sit upon the porch of my purple house and listen to ocean that lay just beyond the cliff. I have written down the story of my life in hopes that it has somehow helped you to see the world in a different point of view. But as I left Spot on the bridge that day and walked alone into the darkness. I knew not what laid before me. All I knew was that I would never forget the summer of 1899 and the small group of boys that forever changed my life and hopefully, yours as well.
I would have closed my eyes forever
Just to hide from all my pain…
But forever wasn't long enough
To save me from the rain.
With every breath I took,
It felt like daggers in my heart…
I was desperately defeated
and my world was torn apart.
Chorus:
The winds of fate had carried us
through trial and through fear.
I know that destiny had its reasons,
But sometimes its not so clear.
Our many differences divided us,
But in our hearts we still remained.
You were the one who saved me,
And I was your secret flame.
Your eyes were cold and dreary,
Like the mist upon the sea…
If you didn't love yourself,
Then how could you possibly love me.
It was a long and gruesome battle,
To ignite the fire within your soul…
Then it took our broken pieces,
and made us something whole.
Chorus:
…you were the one who saved me and I was the Heat of the Flame.
Thank you:
C.M. Higgins- You are the most important person, I have to thank. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you talking me through things all the time. You are a wonderful friend and I am so glad that I met you(online) lol. You always give me such great advice and you kept me writing, when I was about to stop. Thanks so much, for always saying such wonderful things about my writing and never putting me down. I will ttyl,lylas.
Long and Winding Road- I love getting new reviewer's! Thank you so much! Yeah I am really really sad that this story is over. But I am happy that people are still reading it. Don't worry, I will be writing other newsies story's with Spot in it. Actually at the moment, my friend and I are planning a story together. I think you will enjoy it. Anyway, I hope to hear from you again!
Splashey- YAY! Your back! Its alright that you didn't review the last chapter. I understand. I am just happy that you are still here and reading this story. You have to be one of the most long and dedicated readers that I have. I don't know what I would do without you guys. I just can't believe that this story is finished. It's the first one I have finished…ever! I hope you liked the ending. I was afraid that it would suck. Lol But I hope to hear from you soon! Thanks again
Dimonah Tralon- Thank you so much for reading my story this long. You have been one of my most constant reviewers and I really appreciate it. You really did keep me writing through the story. If I didn't get such wonderful review's, I don't know if I would have finished. Please let me know what you thought of the ending. I can't believe this was the last chapter! Thanks again!
truecalifornian- Thanks, thanks, thanks. Its reviewers like you, that make me really hate to end this story. You are so sweet and I really appreciate how encouraging you have been. I hope that you liked the ending to this story. I know that it isn't very long, but I feel that any more, would have been to much. Please let me know what you think!
Hopscotch and Link- Thank you so much!!!! You are such a sweet person and I really appreciate everything the fact that you love my story so much. It really means a lot to me. I really hate having to end the story like this. But I can't keep it going on forever. I can't say thanks enough and I hope you like this chapter as much as you liked the other ones.
Koodles4You- Awww, you make me want to cry! I am so sorry that I have to end the story. But I can't keep it going on forever, even though I want it to. I know that this chapter wasn't the longest but I hope that you enjoyed it as much as you did the rest of my story. You are so sweet and I really thank you for all of the nice things you said to me. You really kept me writing for as long as I did. Without you I don't know if I would have finished it. Please, please, let me know what you think!
The Good Girl- Thank you! I really hope that you liked this chapter. Please review and let me know what you think of the ending chapter. It makes me want to cry, to think that there wont be any more.
Eva young- Thank you very much! I am so happy that you like my story. I always love to hear from people. Especially when they say such nice things. I hope that you liked this chapter. It makes me sad to think that there wont be any more. But thanks so much for your compliments. I really appreciate it so much.
Luv ya all,
BlackWiltedRose