Author's Note: In the 1800's and even to the early 1900's, schools ran year round. Summer vacation didn't start because of help needed on the farm (you plant in the spring and harvest in the fall - not much to do in the summer), rather, especially in the cities, and even mores with the rich, people vacationed in the summer, often times leaving the city. So rather than having students miss school, schools provided vacation time for families to be together and go vacation. It wasn't the long 3-month ordeal it is now, it was usually just August (at least according to a few of my sources). So if there's any questions as to why Charlotte is getting out of school at the end of July…there you have it. :-)


July 26, 1899

Day 6 of the strike

Spot leaned against the lamppost outside of Charlotte's school. Spot wanted to take her out to celebrate the last day of school. She'd be out for a month before going back again in September.

A nearby clock tower chimed and Spot knew she'd be getting out any minute.

"Spot?" said a familiar voice off to his side.

Spot looked over and saw Adelaide and Skittery walking hand in hand towards him.

"Hey Aide. Skittery."

"What brings you all the way up here?"

Spot nodded toward the building. "Char goes to school here."

Adelaide gave him a look. Spot raised his eyebrows, daring her to say something. Adelaide rolled her eyes and shook her head.

Skittery looked between the two. "Am I missing something?"

Adelaide raised her eyebrows at Spot, who just rolled his eyes. "You're gonna end up telling him anyway."

Adelaide looked up at Skittery. "Our Spot Conlon is caught in a love triangle." Skittery raised an eyebrow and looked at Spot.

Spot made a disgusted face. "Don't put it like that."

Adelaide glanced at Spot. "Oh, pardon me," said Adelaide. She looked back at Skittery. "Spot is cheating on his girlfriend with the girl that David is trying to court."

"David?" Spot furrowed his brow. "David's trying to court Char?"

"Only an idiot can't see that." Adelaide rolled her eyes.

Skittery glanced down at her. "I couldn't see it either."

"See what I mean?" Adelaide gestured towards Skittery.

"Hey!" Skittery poked her in the side, making her jerk and giggle.

The front doors of the school opened and students began to walk out.

"Get lost, you two," said Spot, turning back towards the school.

Adelaide and Skittery continued down the sidewalk.

"Hope you know what you're doing, Conlon," Adelaide called over her shoulder.

Spot ignored her, but he knew she was right. He knew it could only end badly, but what did they expect him to do? He hadn't planned on reuniting with Charlotte, and he didn't expect to have the feelings he did towards her when he did.

"Hey," Charlotte said, walking up to him, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Spot grinned. "Hey," he said. "All done?"

Charlotte nodded. "I'm free until September 5th."

Spot grinned and took her hand. "Good."

"Let's go back to the old neighborhood," said Charlotte. "I haven't been there since I left."

Spot hesitated. Violet wouldn't be getting off work until much later. "Sure," he grinned, taking her hand. "Let's go."

They walked until they caught a trolley. They stood at the back, looking out the back window. Spot stood behind Charlotte, his hands resting on the railing on either side of her. Charlotte leaned back against him.

"So, uh, what's with you and the Walkin' Mouth?" Spot asked.

Charlotte furrowed her brow. "David?" She shrugged. "We're friends."

Spot nodded. "Anythin' more?"

Charlotte rolled her eyes and looked back at him. "I would've be here with you if there were."

Spot swallowed and nodded. "Right."

Charlotte grinned and rested her head back against his shoulder as they rode downtown toward the Brooklyn Bridge.