Author's Note: Alright, here's the next chapter. Note the date – basically, it's right back where we started from. Only one more chapter to go.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Spot Conlon, Jack Kelly or any other character from the 1992 Disney musical, Newsies

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Not Here
Maybe in another time, another place, this might just have worked.
But not here.

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Liam 'Spot' Conlon
c/o Children's Aid Society Lodging House
61 Poplar Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201

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September 2, 1900

Dear Spot,

I hope this letter gets to you before you have a chance to reply to my last post but, if it doesn't, I don't blame you a bit for any harsh words you have. I was completely out of my head when I said that I was giving you up for Rosie.

I told her yesterday that I couldn't do it and she agreed. I'm not marrying her, Spot. I just couldn't.

This last year (it was a year yesterday, shit…) has been hell for me. I always thought that I would be happy out West and it didn't work out the way I wanted. I used my dream to forget about the present and as a result – my dream became a nightmare.

I'm sorry, Spot. This time I really mean it. All along I've been kidding myself and lying to you. I never told you why I left. I made it seem like it was all your fault and it wasn't.

It was mine.

I have known that I loved you for so long that it became a part of me. When someone had to go to Brooklyn, I jumped just so it meant that I had some time with you – a glimpse of you.

When you put your arms around me that night, I was not afraid. I wasn't repulsed. I was happy. You had the nerve to do what I've always wanted to do. But, I'm a coward. After you kissed me, I went right to Sarah Jacobs. And for no other reason than she was an unmarried girl and I'm supposed to like unmarried girls.

But I don't. I doubt I ever did.

I'm coming home, Spot. I know this sounds strange and I don't think you even care anymore, but New York is my home. Not Santa Fe. I think I liked it better here when I was there, you know?

Mr. Dale, the man I work for, told me that if I stick it out through Christmas, he'll buy me train fare back as a gift for my work. I'll be back in time for the New Year.

I can't wait to see you. Please tell me you feel the same.

Love,

Jack