Brooklyn Baby | Spot Conlon ¹

Chp. 38: Santa Fe

"S-Spot?"

Spot finally did look up, a smirk on his face evident. Bucky looked at Kenny, who was just staring right at Spot, her lips slightly parted.

"Kenny! What brings ya to Brooklyn?"

"Is this part of ya deal with Stetson?" She quizzes. "Because it looks a little friendly to me,"

"Kissin' my goil? Yeah, I can see how'd that get friendly,"

"Y-Your goil?"

"Oh, where are my mannas'?" Spot grins. "This is Olivia, my goil,"

Olivia smiles and waves. Kenny's eyes don't leave Spot.

"Spot, what--" Bucky starts.

"Bucky, take Olivia into the lodge, will ya?"

Bucky gives Kenny a look before obeying.

"Spot, what are ya doin'?" Kenny whispers.

"I can't do this anymore," Spot says. "It's too complicated,"

"What about everything you've said since I got back?"

Spot shrugged.

"You's choosin' Olivia," Kenny's voice breaks. "Over me?"

"Sorry, Kenny,"

"Yeah." Kenny brings her arm back and punches his square in the jaw. "Me too,"

She runs to Manhattan, her eyes brimming with tear droplets. She didn't understand. Spot said he loved her. Why would he lie? Spot doesn't trust or love easily, why does he already feel both in Olivia?

"Kenny?" Jack asks, rushing over to her.

"Jack," She sobs. "Jack, we gotta leave,"

"What?"

"I can't stay here anymore, come on, let's leave. I just gotta get out of New York,"

"Where would we even go--Kenny, just tell me what's wrong,"

Kenny sat there in a pool of her own tears and told Jack everything. Jack's face grew hard. He knew from the start that bastard would break her heart. If only she wasn't so stubborn.

"Jack, I have a plan,"

The two kept quiet for the next couple of days, Kenny mostly crying, and sent for their aunt and uncle. They asked for money, and lots. Of course, with much to spare, Aunt Anne gave it.

They would go to Santa Fe. They would rent a ranch house for cheap in return for taking care of the animals. They didn't know how long they'd be there, but it didn't matter.

The hard part was going to be telling everyone.

"We's called you all here because we have news," Jack says. Kenny nods.

"We's decided that we are leavin',"

"What?" Race jumps up.

"Where ya goin'?" Mush asks.

"Ya can't leave--"

"Guys, hear us out. It's always been my dream to go to Santa Fe, and things have happened, and Kenny wants to leave as well,"