Note to readers: Every chapter from here on out deals with item #5, The Key Around His Neck. Just to warn you.

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Chapter 8

Concerning item #5: The Key Around His Neck 2 (continued)

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Jack woke up with ease the next morning, and went straight to distribution without waiting on the others. He didn't even make time to get a punch or two in with the Delancey brothers. He just got his papers and headed over to meet Cat.

She sat on the steps, wearing a green dress with a black sash, and another straw hat with long green ribbons. She sat like she felt small, with her hands in her lap, and her head down.

"Hey there," Jack said, announcing his presence.

"Oh, hi," she replied, looking up with a smile. "How do you do?"

"I do fine. Youse?"

She nodded her agreement.

"You never told me your name," she said.

"Oh, pardon me. It's Jack Kelly."

She offered white-gloved hand, and he shook it gladly.

"Pleasure, Mr. Kelly," she said.

"Jack," he corrected. "Youse want to walk with me?"

"Don't you have to go sell newspapers?"

"Well, yeah, but it can wait. For you, it can wait."

She grinned, blushing again. Jack liked making her do that.

"I have to go right now anyway. I have to go to class."

"Maybe after classes and sellin' papes?"

"Maybe," Cat said agreeably.

Jack nodded, and watched her go back up the stairs. Behind her, the door opened and old skinny woman stepped out.

"There you are, Catherine. I've been looking for you. Come, classes are starting without you."

"Alright, Miss Gray, I'm coming."

"And who is this boy you are talking to?" she demanded. "He looks like a newsboy ruffian."

"He is, Miss Gray. I was just buying a paper from him. I wished to know the news."

Jack gave her a paper. She tried to give him a penny, but he refused.

"It's on me."

The woman snorted her displeasure.

"Well hurry up, and make sure you don't touch him. We just bathed you this morning." Miss Gray finally closed the door.

"My mentor," Cat explained her cheeks flaming in embarrassment. "Well, goodbye, Mr. Kelly."

"Jack," he corrected again. "See you later."

Cat giggled.

"It's still 'maybe'," she said, before heading up.

Jack started to walk off, then stopped. Very abruptly. Rich old skinny broad…

"Uh, Cat?"

"Yes?"

"What's Miz Gray's foist name?"

"Agnes."

Cat waved, then went inside, leaving him on the street.

Jack's heart froze, and he thought he'd never catch his breath again. A.G…. Agnes Gray….

Oh God…

He found the old broad. Jack looked up at the building, memorizing the name. Spot's long lost friend, maybe even love, was residing in that very building. He couldn't wait to tell Spot all about it.

-

Spot woke up early Sunday and frowned. He didn't have to sell papers today if he didn't want to, but the more he thought about it, the more he wanted to. This girl laying next to him was really starting to get annoying.

"Mmm," she said. "You awake now, Spotty-Honey?"

"Yeah, Beth," Spot hopped out of his bed and grabbed his pants. "And I gotta go."

"So soon?" she complained.

"Heya Spot!" Jack said, entering his room without invitation. "Heya Beth," Jack continued, tipping his cowboy hat to the lady.

"Jackie-boy!" Spot said with relief as he laced his boots. Finally an excuse to leave this woman behind. "Look at ya, all in a hurry, and grinnin' from eah to eah. You got me some good news, doncha, Cowboy?"

"Do I evah. You're gonna like this one, Spot."

Spot froze.

"Don't tell me you found her?"

"You're little goilfriend? Sure did. Come on, I'll show ya!"

"What little 'goilfriend'?" Beth said in surprise. "Spot? Spot!"

But Spot just kissed her, tossed her clothes at her and left with Jack.

"So what she look like?" Spot insisted. "God, it's been forever, hasn't it? She's gotta be like seventeen now, eh?"

"Well," Jack admitted. "I don't rightfully know. But I saw the old broad, and this goil I met goes there, and she said the lady's named Agnes Gray, like the handkerchief ya gave me. Real hoity-toity kinda place. Snooty, ya know?"

"Fits," Spot agreed. Then he grinned at Jack knowingly. "Ya met a goil?"

Jack ran a hand over his hair.

"Yeah," Jack admitted. "Real pretty one. Kinda shy, ya know the type?"

"From the way ya make this place sound, she's too good for ya, street rat."

They chuckled.

"Man," Spot said, shaking his head. He was feeling a million things at once, and he was ready to burst all over the pavement. "I wondah if she'll even remembah me. It's been a long time. I wondah if she still goes 'round by the name Cat, or if she just went with Catherine."

Jack suddenly stopped smiling, but Spot didn't seem to notice. He recovered just as quickly, kept walking, staying cool and collected.

"You goilfriend's name is Cat, huh?" he said good-naturally.

"Yeah, but cut that out, she ain't me goilfriend. Nevah was, nevah will be."

Spot took one glance at Jack and his gray eyes narrowed.

"Why?" he said sharply.

"Nah, no reason," Jack said, passing it off. "Name sounded funny, is all. So, if you ain't courtin' her, what's your business combin' the whole stinkin' city for her?"

"Swore I'd take care of her," Spot said, going back to sit on his crate. "So ya like her, huh? She that good-lookin'?"

"What?" Jack said in alarm. "What youse talkin' 'bout, huh?"

"I'm just askin'."

"Youse a piece of woik, Spot," Jack said, shaking his head in amazement. "How'd you know?"

"I'd say it's a gift, but ya can't hide anythin' worth beans… Francis."

"Shut up!" Jack said inconspicuously peering around to see if anyone heard. "Geezes, Spot! How'd youse find out that too?"

"Got contacts nowadays, Cowboy. Don't be so surprised. Can't run a city and be oblivious. But don't think on it none, yer secret's safe wit' me."

"Youse spyin' on me?"

Spot smirked to himself and said nothin' as they began to cross the Bridge.

"Look, Jack. I nevah got to thank ya for introducin' me to Brooklyn." Spot said as they began to cross the Bridge. "I owe her to ya for that. She's me best lady yet. Tried an' true. Treats me swell." Spot said, patting his friend on the back reassuringly. "I got all the love I need right heah. She gives me a different lady in me bed every night. Got me loads a' dough playing the tables 'round. The day I fall for a woman," Spot turned around, and spread his arms to his city. "Will be the day I give up all this. She's got the only key t' me heart."

-

"This is the place, Spot." Jack said, pointing to the quaint little white building on the corner. "She's due out anytime."

Spot stood loosely, feeling a bit nervous in spite of himself. Four years it's been, so he didn't know what to expect.

"Hey, hey, Jack." Spot said. "Don't tell her me name. I gotta see her foist. See if she recognizes me."

"Sure, Spot, no problem." Jack obliged. He seemed confused at Spot's anxiety, but let it go.

Spot hid close by, around the corner, and let himself peek around it just a bit, like a child spying. He never felt more foolish.

But then the doorknob turned. The door creaked open slow. Spot clenched the wall and didn't breathe.

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Revised. Hope you like better. Speak in no full sentences. RedRogue- Out.
Signed,
--RedRogue