Yay! It's Chapter Three! Tell me what you thing. I'm simply dying to know. ;o)
As the curtains closed and the lights rose, Claire let go of Spot's hand and smiled at him. He thought her smile was perfect and he'd do anything to keep it that way. To him she was amazing. He hated letting go of her hand.
The group murmured praises about the show and started to get ready to leave. Jack offered to walk home with Sarah and David. Other than Claire and Spot, everyone else went to go talk to Medda. Spot had decided to spend a few nights in Manhattan, much to Claire's delight. They walked out of the theater into the bitterly cold evening. Spot wrapped his arm around her when she started to shiver.
"Jack says youse is lookin' for an apartment of youse own. I think I knows of a place youse might like." He said casually.
"Oh, really? I'd love to see it. Kloppman is probably at Medda's so we'd be locked out. We could go see it now, if you feel like it."
"Yeah, let's go. It's pretty close. Just a block or two down. It's not in a bad part of town or anything. It's pretty close to the bridge."
"Oh, that's good. My new job is close to the bridge."
"New job? Don't you like sellin' papes?" Spot said lifting up his eyebrow.
"I liked it, I really did. It's just that the older I get, the less people buy. I mean it was nice to buy from a little girl when I was little, but as a young woman it's been harder. I thought it was high time I got a job that was . . . a little less freelance. You know?"
"Yeah, I understand. I guess I'm gonna see even less of youse now?" His voice sounded slightly hurt.
"It doesn't have to be like that!" Claire didn't even think of that and seeing him look at the ground in disappointment nearly broke her heart. Unlike Spot, she could not hide her emotion as well. "Once I have my own apartment, I'll make you dinner whenever you can find the time. It's not as if I'm abandoning the newsies! I'll still see them when I'm not working and I'll still see you!"
"Promise?" Claire wasn't sure if his last remark had been a question or a command, but either way her answer stayed the same.
"Yeah, I promise."
"Here we are." Spot came to a halt in front of a tall building, hoping she would like it. There was a warm light emitting from the main room. It was nice, but not ritzy. It looked like it would be a bit expensive for Claire's budget, but not wanting to offend Spot, she didn't say anything. They walked in and a man sat in a stool at a desk.
"Goo' evenin' Mr. Conlon. Hows may I be of assistance to youse and your lovely guest." The man I obviously knew Spot. Spot took pride in being treated politely by this usually rude man. But with a reputation like his, Spot Conlon demanded and received respect.
"Do youse got any empty apartments, Demsey? I want to see the nicest one youse got." Spot said, knowing he'd be offered a dirt cheap price even for the best they had. Claire did not however realize his plan and blushed knowing she couldn't afford it. Her job at the shop might pay well, but she still didn't have any savings. She smiled weakly in return of Spot's sincere grin. She did appreciate all he was doing to help her, but she was embarrassed by her lack of money.
"Yes, yes, yes. Follow me, follow me." Mr. Demsey said jumping off his stool and leading them up three flights of stairs. He opened a door with a big 307 on it, revealing an empty sitting room with cheery yellow walls and big windows. There were three more doors that led to a kitchen, a bathroom and a bedroom. It wasn't huge but it was considerably better than a single bunk in the Lodging House.
"Wow. Oh, it's wonderful." Claire said taken aback. She was so in love with the apartment she forgot about the price and began to look around the other rooms. They were almost empty. There were counters and coupoards in the kitchen. There was nothing in the bedroom and a tall bookshelf in the sitting room. The bathroom was the only room that didn't need many new things.
While she was admiring the kitchen, Spot was determining a price with Mr. Demsey. "Its nice, but she ain't payin' that much for it." He nodded as Demsey continued to lower the price. "Yeah, that sounds right." He mumbled when Demsey six dollars a month was a fair price. "Claire, come in here." He called towards the bedroom. "Mr. Demsey says six dollas a month and it's yours."
"That's great!" She was estatic. She hugged Spot, knowing it was because of him she was going to be able to live here. Of course, it was a little wrong of him to bully Demsey into a cheap price, but she didn't care. The apartment was cozy and warm and perfect.
"Well, she'll take it." He said to Demsey over Claire's shoulder in a suprisingly business liketone for a man beign bear hugged. "I'll take tomorrow off so we can start moving you in." Hesaid into Claire's ear.