Let's hear it for transition chapters! A quickie just for you...winkwink.
Part I, Chapter XIV
March 22, 1899
Brooklyn, New York
If this were a testament to his future leadership, Spot was taking a beating.
"I'm sorry boys," said the doctor. "He's passed."
Spot couldn't bring himself to believe it. From the corners of his eyes he saw the still, motionless Oliver resting lifeless on the bed across the room. The doctor had told them he was dead, but Spot couldn't understand the loss.
As he and Bolt stood at the doorway, the doctor spoke with Chase, whose face was void of emotion, about getting rid of Oliver's body and cleaning up the bunk space. Spot felt his hands dampen with cold sweat. Could he cry? Yes, he could. But he wasn't going to. He was Brooklyn now; he was stronger than that.
"I'm so sorry," said the doctor, patting Spot's shoulder as he left. His eyes, tucked behind a pair of half-circle glasses, twinkled lightly with tears. "I wish there was more we could do."
It was at that moment Spot learned how to control emotion. He swallowed the lump in his throat, the cautionary sign of your body telling you it's about to cry. He knocked his head back in a nod as if knocking back tears in his eyes.
"Thanks fer yer help," he responded sternly. Briefly wiping his palms against the back of his pants, he shook the doctor's hand professionally and exhaled.
The caretaker of the lodging house stepped toward Oliver's bed and pulled the sheet over his lifeless body. Behind Spot, Bolt make a sudden upchuck noise as if throwing up. He swiftly held his stomach and covered his mouth with a clenched fist.
"I'm sorry," he apologized quickly. "I'm…"
"It's fine," Spot cut off. "Yer fine, Bolt."
Spot willed himself to watch. Chase stood stoically at the end of the bunk, his eyes unmoving and his arms folded tightly over his chest. What was he doing just staring at Oliver? Was he trying to make his peace with him? With God? Trying to understand the situation or just simply saying goodbye?
"Yeah, jus' take 'im downstairs. Doctor's downstairs. He'll take care of it," Chase said to the caretaker.
"Can't take 'im downstairs now, Chase," spoke Bolt. "Whole lodgin' house is down there."
Chase looked at Spot expectantly, who was unsure what to do. With an exhausted laugh beneath his breath, Chase checked the time on his pocket watch. He looked at Spot again and said, "Boys is waitin' fer somethin'. Aftanoon edition ain't gonna sell itself, Spot."
He eyed him with confidence. Spot nodded. He took one final look at Oliver and another final look at Chase as well; Chase's bags were packed near his bunk and he could see corner of a train ticket sticking out of his pocket. Chase knew Spot had put the two together and realized it was the last time he would talk to him.
"So long, Conlon."
