Chapter 26
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When I got to the lodging house I was bombarded with hugs coming from left and right, even from newsies I did not remember. I smiled and put my hands up in surrender, "Okay, okay I'se get it, ya miss me. And if I was you'se, I would miss me too," I said with a giggle.
I looked over at saw Race in the corner and gulped, was he still mad at me? I pushed my way out of the crowd and went over to Race. I put my hand gently on his shoulder. He turned around and looked at me, sighing and placing his cards on the floor. He stood up and hugged me, "I'se is sorry fa da otha night, I was drunk. Can ya fahgive me?" He whispered in my ear.
I smiled and chuckled as I pushed back from him, "Race, a course I can! I live wid Spot Conlon, and I even fahgive him! How could I not fahgive you?" I said, causing him to laugh.
"Oh, yea, I fahgot about dat," he said, leading me back towards the boys.
Jack came over to me with Davy and Les, "Some one wants ta see ya," Jack said, just as I was attacked in a strong embrace from Les. I smiled and blushed as I hugged him back and pet his hat covered head.
"Hey dere Les," I said, looking down with smile.
He looked up at me and smiled brightly, "I missed ya Sar- I mean Cross," he said cutely as he released me.
That day, I played cards with all the boys, losing my money and sharing laughs. I took me very first sip of beer and a terrible puff of Races cigar. I loved all these boys, loved them to death.
But somewhere in my heart, I knew that I could never consider Manhattan my home; no, that was somewhere else.
It was getting late and I yawned tiredly, rubbing my eyes with fisted hands. I rose from the table of the always energetic boys, "I'se is gonna head back to Brooklyn before Spot presumes me dead," I said with a tired chuckle.
Jack put his hand on my shoulder and looked up at me, "I think it would be safer if ya jus stayed heah fa da night," he said with raised eye brows.
I shrugged, "Nah, I'se'll be fine," I said, "Thank ya fa lettin' me stay foah the day. I'se'll miss you'se," I said as I turned on my heel, leaving the boys speechless; thinking I was crazy for leaving in the dark of night in New York.
Once I made it outside, I found it was the darkest night I had ever seen in all of New York. The moon was a mere sliver in the charcoal sky and there was not a single star in sight. It was actually beautiful.
The night air was thick with a strong wind, sending my hair whipping in all directions around my face as I held my hat in my hand.
When I was a good twenty minutes away from the lodging house in Manhattan, I had the feeling I was once again being watched; a thump was thick in my throat.
I turned around and saw nobody and let out a sigh. I should have stayed with Jack and left in the morning. I was scared.
I turned back to face forward again but almost screamed as I saw someone in front of me. It was too dark to see who but I held my own. "Who are you?" I asked strongly.
The figure took a step closer and wrapped its arm around my waist and pulled me to him, "Ya worst nightmare," the haunting voice said.
I gasped. It was Smooth. "Whadda ya want?" I said putting my hands to his chest and pushing away.
He laughed at my petty attempts and leaned into my face, "I want you," he said breathily, in a lustful tone.
I panicked; he want to do bad things to me. Very bad things.
I did not even think as I brought me knee to his groin and ran from his grasp up the bridge. I did not look back, for I knew he was not stupid enough to cross in to Brooklyn. I ran home and as I slammed the door closed I slid down it and caught my breath. I ran my hand threw my hair and looked around the dark, silent lodging house entrance.
It must have been very late if everyone was asleep. I got up and began to make my way upstairs as I heard, "And where do you think ya goin?"
I put my hand to my face and groaned as I turned around and looked down stairs, "Ta bed, where else?"
"Where have ya been all day Cross? Please, enlighten me," he said from the darkness.
I sighed and went back down stairs, "I went ta Hattan, ya know ta see my pals," I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
I heard footsteps approaching me, but saw nothing, "And who did ya tell dat you was leaving?"
I shrugged and looked around the room, "No one. I'se is not a child," I said simply.
I almost jumped out of my skin as I felt his hand on my arm; he was that close?
"No, but ya are stupid, ain't ya?" He asked in a calm voice that was laced slightly with venom.
"H-how?" I stuttered nervously.
"Oh, I don' know. Could it be da fact dat even though dere is threats against ya, you'se still go out in night? Alone?" He said his voice raising.
I put my hand on his chest, "I'm sorry," I said in a whisper.
I felt his breaths lighten and his heart beat slow down. Spot did something no one would expect; he pulled me into a hug, "Ya don' know what I thought happened to you'se Cross. Ya could'a been killed," he said in my ear, rocking me side to side.
I hugged him back and rested my chin on his shoulder, "Now ya know how I felt," I whispered.
I loved being near him like this.
I felt Spot turn me around and lightly push me toward the stairs. "Go on, it's pretty late," he said as we walked up stairs and back to the room.
I hopped on my bunk, kicking off my boot, tossing my hat to the floor and taking off my suspenders. I saw Spot watching me and I cocked my head. "What?" I asked.
He looked up at my eyes and moved his hand to his back pocket and pulled out a slingshot. I flinched and he sighed annoyed, "I'se ain't gonna hit ya," he said.
I nodded, "Oh. Den what's dat foah?" I said pointing to the slingshot.
He smirked, "Tomorrow, I'se is gonna teach ya to shoot wid one a dese," he said, twirling it around and placing on the dresser.
"Okay," I said, laying back and smiling brightly.
Last time I asked him to teach me, he refused, saying he could not stand to be around me. Now he insisted on teaching me how to use one. My heart fluttered.
I was never more excited, and I never had more butterflies in my stomach; ever.
End of Chapter!
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