Brooklyn Baby | Spot Conlon ¹

Chp. 14: What Jack Doesn't Know

"So, you and Sarah Jacobs, eh?" I jab Jack in the arm.

"Yeah, and don't think I ain't mad about you kissin' Spot earlier,"

"Oh, boohoo, Jackie." I smirk. "I's fifteen,"

"Too young,"

"I'm goin' ta Harlem," I say. "Skiddy wasn't there today and he'll wanna know what's goin' on,"

"You go to Harlem everyday," Jack says. "And Skiddy knows everything,"

"Fine, ya caught me, Jackie. I'm actually sneakin' out and havin' drinks wit Hearst." I say with a smirk. He just shakes his head with a small grin, and gives me a little shove.

I walk into the large room where the newsies hang out before bed.

"Where's ya goin', Kensta?" Kid Blink asks me.

"Harlem,"

"Again?" Specs asks.

"Yeah, again. Skiddy wasn't here today, and he'll wanna know tha details,"

I wave to them before walking outside, but I get stopped by none other than my good 'ol friend, Racetrack Higgins. I groan as he pulls me to face him.

"I know where ya really goin',"

"I's told ya, I'm goin' ta Harlem,"

"You's goin' ta Harlem like I's goin' ta France," He scoffs.

"Don't tell Jackie," Is all I say.

"I won't," He assures. "Just be safe,"

"Come on, Racey, safe is me middle name,"

"Yeah, yeah," He walks back inside. I grin slightly before taking off.


"Why is ya always here? No one invites ya here, scram!" Wiz says.

"Ya know, Wizzy, can I call ya Wizzy?"

"No."

"Wizzy, this hatred, it's a mutual feelin'," I say. "But that's alright, 'cause I'll be the bigger person."

I look at the tremendous amount of height between us, and laugh. "Well, I guess that ain't possible,"

"Why is ya here, anyway? Spot ain't in,"

"Where is he?"

"Dunno."

"Isn't it ya job to know?" I ask, annoyed.

"It's someone's job, but it ain't mine." He says. "My job is to keep pestering punks off tha dock, and you ain't really lettin' me do my job here,"

"Thanks for the compliment, but I'll just wait here then,"

"What makes ya think Spot wants ta talk to you?"

"Everyone wants to talk to me,"

"I don't," He points out.

"You don't count,"

"Wiz, jus let her in, I'll keep her company," A voice says. I don't recognize the voice. I look behind Wiz to see a tall, older looking . Wiz nods and steps aside.

"Sorry 'bout 'ol Wiz, he's a grouch most a tha time," The boy says.

"Yeah, I's noticed. Sorry, but, who are ya?" I say. "Spot hasn't introduced me ta any of his boys except Fetch."

He laughs. "Yeah, Spot ain't very courteous, but you knew that. I'm Buck, or Bucky, his unannounced second in command."

"Nice ta meet ya, Bucky, I's--"

"Kenny Sullivan," He interrupts. "I's heard 'bout ya,"

"From where?"

"You and ya brudda Jack is famous. Also, and don't tell him I's told ya, but Spot talks 'bout ya,"

"He does?"

He raises a finger to his lips, and I nod. "So, allow me ta introduce ya then,"

He walks me over to where some of the newsies were sitting.

"Since ya came so late, the newsies unda' twelve is sleepin'," He says. "But tha majority of us is olda',"

I nod, and he introduces the boys one by one.

"That's Ace, he's the head spy. Over there, is Dex, he's just a newsie. Hell of a good one though,"

"Oi, I'm betta'," Someone calls.

"That's Rocky, he's also a newsie. Then there's Wilde, Johnny, Peak, Dunk, Pop, K.C., Wiz, Geo, and Wally." He points out the boys that are sitting in that area. I wave to them with a small smile. "The rest ain't here at the moment,"

"Nice ta meet ya all, I'm Kenny,"

Just then, I hear a voice. This one, I recognize.

"What's goin' on he-ah?"

"Jus introducin' ya guest to some of tha newsies," Bucky says.

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah,"

"Time fa bed anyway," Spot says as the boys all stand up. "Big day tomorrow, we start sellin' papes again,"

"It was nice to finally meet ya, Kenny Sullivan," Bucky says before we spit shake. I watch all the boys clear out into the lodging house before turning to Spot, who's leaning against a crate.

"Where ya been?" I ask, just now seeing a cut right below his bottom lip.

"Nowhere important,"

"Spot, you's got a cut,"

"I do?"

"Yeah, right unda' ya lip,"

"Kiss the wound?" He says with a smirk.

I walk closer to where he's sitting, and I tilt up his chin. I'm taller than him now, because, well, he's sitting down. I look into his eyes, then at the cut.

"It's not a bad one, it ain't bleedin,"

"Good, then you can kiss me,"

I lean down slowly, and connect our lips together. My hands are on the sides of his face, and his are either on my waist or over my hand, holding it in place.

"Wanna tell me where ya was?" I say, our faces close together.

"I got into a fight is all,"

He pulled me back in, and I (reluctantly) pulled away.

"Over what?"

"Jus' some punk talkin' shit about the strike,"

"Oh, well, ya won, right?"

"Is that even a question?" He says before hungrily pulling me back in. Our lips move against each other, his tongue swiping my bottom lip. He just teases me a little before we pull away.

We both climb to the top of the crates, where he usually sits. I sit fairly close to him as we both look out onto the dark river that somewhat reflects the moonlight.

"Jackie was mad about tha kiss," I say with a chuckle.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, but he's just bein' a brudda,"

"I bet,"

"So, what are we now?" I ask, looking at him.

"I dunno, that depends."

"On?"

"What you would say if.." He says, now looking at me. "If I asked ya to be me goil,"

"I would say..." I trailed off teasingly. His eyes stared into mine intensely, waiting for an answer. "Yes,"

"So, you'll be me goil?"

"Yes, Spot, I'll be ya goil,"

"Great," He grinned.

"Spot, when did ya know ya liked me?"

"I dunno, when I foist saw ya, I thought you was gorgeous and fiery. Jus' how I like 'em,"

I laughed a little. "I thought you were real good-lookin'," I say.

"I guess it was there tha whole time, I jus' neva' acted on it,"

"Yeah, I know what ya mean,"

"But, anyway, it's gettin' kinda late, so, do you wanna stay here?"

"I want ta," I say. "But I can't,"

"You ain't goin' ta Harlem, is ya?"

"No, Jackie will be wantin' me back,"

"Alright, get back ta ya brudda," He says.

"Bye," I say with a small smile. I turn to leave, but of course, what should stop me but the boy's bloody cane.

"Is ya forgettin' somethin'?"

"I don't think so.." I fake-thinking.

"Yeah, I think ya are,"

I roll my eyes, stand on my tip-toes, and kiss him on the lips. He grins as I pull back. I push him away slightly with a smirk, and start walking away.

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so yeah theyre together..uh...yep