Chapter 22
Concerning item #5: The Key Around His Neck 16 (continued)
-
Spot went with the others that night to celebrate their victory, everyone treating each other to drinks and Racetrack leading a game of poker in the back of the bar. The night was joyful, everyone having a great time, the most popular amusement involving laughs about the warden being arrested by his own men.
But not Spot, who, as soon as he arrived, just sat down at a stool in front of the bar and ordered a drink. His thoughts consumed him. He had a decision that needed making. His heart ached for Cat, but his soul was sold to Brooklyn. Was Brooklyn tying him down from what he really wanted? Or was she just a distraction from where he really belonged?
Nine shots and three beers later, he still hadn't come to a decision. Soon the party was over, and the boys began to leave in groups.
By four in the morning, Racetrack, Kid Blink and Specs were the last ones heading out. Racetrack told the others to go on without him, and went to Spot with concern on his face.
"Ya alright?" Racetrack said demandingly, as was his way. Spot sighed, shifted in his seat, and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm good, Race."
"You don't look 'good'."
Spot snickered and downed another shot.
"How'd ya do tonight?" Spot tried to change the subject. Racetrack shrugged.
"Eh, came out about even."
Spot knew Racetrack well enough to know that was a lie.
"That bad, huh?" Spot said with a chuckle.
"I'll get it back tomorrah," Racetrack reassured him. "Don't pass out here. I'm gonna leave the door open for ya."
"Thanks, Race."
"Oh, and Spot?"
"Yeah?"
"Griff told me about yer lady friend, and I wanted to say one thing: Brooklyn ain't what made you. You made Brooklyn."
With that Race gave Spot a pat on the back and left. Spot chuckled to himself again. Wisdom from the gambler. Even so, it helped, and it wasn't long after that when Spot finally came to a decision.
-
Spot awoke with the others and went to the distribution office with a heavy heart. Jack was nowhere in sight, so it made the atmosphere in Manhattan seem strange. Everyone was leaving New York lately… everyone but Spot. Griffin patted him on the back knowingly, but said nothing.
Spot went in the office
with the other boys, as the new office manager rang the circulation
bell. The newsies ran with excitement, letting David get papers first
like he was their new leader or something.
And speaking of a new
leader…
"Hey Griff, I've been meaning to talk to ya."
"What's on your mind, Spot?"
"I've been thinkin' lately." Spot had to look up at him since Griffin was a half-a-head taller than himself. "I've been thinkin' maybe it might be time to move on, so to speak. Ya follow?"
Griffin stopped walking immediately.
"What?"
"What do ya think about leadin' Brooklyn for a while? I don't know… maybe forever."
Griffin was stunned with confusion.
"I don't get it. You leavin' us, Spot?"
Spot looked ahead in thought.
"Yeah, I think so. I think I'm done here."
"Where ya gonna go?"
Spot shut his mouth and didn't answer. Griffin smiled and patted him on the back.
"Say 'hi' to her for me, will ya?"
Spot couldn't hold back his smirk.
"You'll be a great leadah, Griff. I wouldn't have chose ya otherwise."
Griffin nodded.
"No one could ever be a greatah leadah than you."
Spot smirked, spit in his hand, and shook Griffin's to seal the deal. Spot went around to some of his other boys to let them in on what he was doing, and they were all equally surprised. It was like they expected him to live here forever, to be leader until he was a hundred years old…
That's when all the newsies around him began to shout and go mad with excitement. Spot only heard Mush through the noise.
"He's back!"
Then Spot saw the carriage, and Jack in it.
Of course. Jack didn't have the heart to leave his town. They all were surprised? The only surprise in Spot was that it only took him one day…
As Jack said something to the governor and hopped out to greet everyone. Spot gave him one pat before single-mindedly heading Roosevelt himself.
"Hey there, big shot," he said, holding out his hand for the governor to shake. "I gotta damsel in distress that needs my immediate rescue. Spare me a lift?"
At that moment Jack kissed David's sister, the girl named Sarah, and the other newsies cheered and taunted his fervor. Spot smirked and was jealous of Jack for a good long moment. He wanted that too.
Mr. Roosevelt waited for the noise to die down before answering.
"Of course, young sir," the old man said good-naturedly, shaking Spot's hand gladly.
"Hop right in!"
So Spot climbed over the door, not bothering to open it, onto the green suede seating.
"Oh, Reginald!" Roosevelt called to the driver. "Away, please."
The driver shook the reins and the horses started off.
"Where to, good lad?" Roosevelt asked Spot. Spot thought hard for a moment. He looked at his cane.
"To the train yards."
"Back to the train yards, it is."
"Hey, look at Spot!" Jack called through the crowd, as he followed the carriage arm-in-arm with David and Sarah.
"Good-bye, Spot!" Sarah called with a wave. Spot waved and tipped his hat as he passed the crowd. Never would he see them again.
"Yeah," Jack taunted. "Go back to Brooklyn, eh?"
Spot looked back to the governor when he said something Spot didn't catch.
"What was that?" Spot said leaning in to hear through the noise.
"I said, where are you headed on the train?"
"Out west, to California."
The governor chuckled.
"I don't see why everyone wants to go out there. It's like I told your friend, you go out there to start a completely new life, away from what you know and who you know. You will be all alone out there…"
"No," Spot said with a smile, holding up the key hanging around his neck to eye level. "I won't be alone…"
-
Short chapter, yes.
You almost finally caught up to where I have written… almost. That
only means it might take a little longer to post. I want to end it
just right.
I love all my
readers, you are wonderful, and if I could, I would give you a
continent of your choice.
So just keep reviewing, and I'll see
what I can work out.
Signed,
--RedRogue
