"Joy, Spot's here," Uncle Mayor called from the living room as I just finished packing and joined them.
"Joy," Spot nodded a greeting in my direction as I did the same, although I was a little disappointed by the greeting, still thinking about the kiss we shared a few days ago.
"You ready to go?" He asked taking my two suitcases for me.
"Now sweetie, I still don't understand why you have to go to Brooklyn when you have a home here with your family, but your old enough to make your own decisions, so I'm not going to force you to stay, even though I still think you should," my aunt rambled on nervously, not liking the idea of me being in a rougher neighborhood.
"I'll be fine, Aunt Esther, Spot won't let anything happen," I looked his way as he reassured my aunt.
"We'll miss you around here, you've been like another daughter to me," my uncle gave me a hug.
"I'll miss you to," I smiled at him and gave my cousins all a hug and told them that they'd have to come visit me.
"So, how have things been in Brooklyn?" I tried breaking the silence that had fallen between us.
"Things have been ok," he replied quietly.
We finally reached Brooklyn and my feet were about to fall off from the walking.
"Hey fellas," Spot greeted the newsies as we walked into lodging house.
"You must be Joy," a newsie who resembled Spot sauntered up to us.
"Yeah Skip this is Joy. Skip is my right hand around here," Spot explained as he introduced me to the others.
"You can stay in this bunk over here," Spot led me to a bunk in the corner of the room and he put my suitcases on.
"This is my room over here, so if ya need anything I'll be close by. I'm gonna play poker with the guys and you can unpack and do girl stuff or whatever you want I guess."
"This place is kind of dirty, with just us boys living here, if you ever feel like cleaning," he smirked and left before I could answer.
"This place is kind of dirty with just us boys living here, if you ever feel like cleaning," I mocked him, annoyed that he thought that's all I wanted to do.
"Now what to do," I drummed my fingers on the bed trying to think of something I could do since all the guys were watching Spot and a few others play an intense game of poker.
I decided I'd join the spectators and watch since there was absolutely nothing else to do at the moment.
A couple of them nodded as I pulled up a chair, trying to seem somewhat interested in the game. Poker was not my cup of tea, I thought it was a complete bore.
"You play," one of the guys asked me as he sat watching the game almost mesmerized.
"No, I don't really care for it," I shrugged.
"Ha, that makes three times this week I've beat ya," Spot gloated as he gathered up his winnings into a pile.
I went over to where Spot was sitting and gave him a hug congratulating him.
He pushed me away, "whoa, whoa there girl. What're you doing?"
"I, I was just congratulating you," I said surprised that he was taking it so personal.
"Looked like she was getting a little fresh with ya Spot," one of the newsies called out as the room erupted with laughter at my expense.
"Sorry hun, but Spot Conlon, ain't the mushy type," Spot stated.
"You want Mush, there all back in Manhattan," they all laughed at his joke.
Hurt, I turned away and told them I was tired and lay down.
Around dusk, I woke, realizing I had slept for several hours.
"Sorry I didn't wake ya sooner, you looked like you needed the rest," I sat up and saw Spot sitting in a chair by my bed.
"I don't see anyone else here, so why aren't you with the other guys," I said angrily still upset.
"Because I wanted to explain about this afternoon. The reason I acted that way, is because Brooklyn is much tougher than Manhattan. If the guys saw me getting all sentimental over a girl, they'd think I was going soft. Word would spread around, and I wouldn't be respected anymore."
"That really hurt me, ya know," I looked up at his face seeing those eyes. The real eyes of Spot Conlon that I knew and no one else did.
"Why do they think I'm here?"
"I, um, told them that David wanted his cousin to know how to fight and wanted me to teach her to be able to defend herself."
He looked down ashamed. "All I can ask is for your forgiveness, and hope you can accept the responsibilities I have."
"Well, the only thing I...." Skip entered the bunkroom. "Spot you gotta come quick, Box is at it again."
Wow it's been awhile since I updated this story. I've been stuck at home with a bad cold I'm almost getting over it, so I've finally had time to update this story. Everyone have a Happy Easter, and I'll try and update later this week, or maybe this weekend. Start reviewing!!!!