Brooklyn Baby | Spot Conlon ¹

Chp. 43: Memories

Kenny sat in her room all day, staring at the wall. Race came in a couple times, trying to make her eat. Every time he would, she would just make him leave.

Kenny's Pov
My thoughts flooded my head like a tidal wave. I couldn't help but remember all of our good times.

"WE BEAT HIM!"

Cheers erupt from the crowd, kids are jumping up and down with their hands towards the sky. Spot grabs me, and smashes his lips onto mine. I admit, I was surprised, but I instantly moved my lips against his.

"I came ta win tha' strike, but I also came ta win you," He says in my ear, making me grin.

That was when I could finally move past the doubt of me and Spot being together, and live in the moment. I also remember the first time I stayed in Brooklyn. But it wasn't planned. The rally hadn't gone exactly as expected.

"Stop ya starin' and get in bed." He says with a smirk, looking at me in the mirror.

"No, I'll sleep on tha floor, you sleep in ya own bed,"

"No, doll face, I'm sleepin' on the floor."

"Spot, it's your place."

"Exactly, and I's bein' a gentleman. Now, One of us is sleepin' in the bed, and it ain't gonna be me. G'night," He takes a pillow from the bed and puts it on the floor.

"You sleep in ya knickas?" I ask, unfastening my own suspenders. They ain't so comfortable to sleep in, let me tell you.

"Normally, nah, but you's a special guest. Unless you tellin' me otha-wise--"

"Keep ya pants on, Spot,"

I began to stay in Brooklyn more and more after that, but of course, we weren't official yet then. I also remember our first fight, which was over something so stupid.

"He also told me that you ain't wantin' nobody to know about us," Spot says.

"Ya know what Jack would say," She says.

"I do." He replies. "But I don't know what Skiddy would say,"

She just laughs. "That's what this is about? Fetch told ya that?"

"Listen, you tell Fetch, you tell me. What he knows, I know."

"Noted." She says. She studies his face and sees that he isn't joking. "Well, what Skiddy knows, everyone knows. Harlem ain't just known for knowin' things, they's known for tellin' things."

"That's why you don't want him knowin'?"

"Yeah, whatdja' think?"

She looks at his expression, then laughs again. "No, that ain't why. I only got eyes for you, Spot, and ya know it."

"Good," He says. He reaches over and grabs her arm, pulling her closer.

We had many good memories. I couldn't help but remember the bad ones as well. Like the time Jack and I went to North Carolina to live with our wealthy aunt and uncle.

"So, you's just leavin' then?"

"Spot, we don't got a choice--"

"Of course you had a choice, she asked ya didn't she?" He retorts.

"Fine, we had a choice. You 'n me both know that really, there was only one answer!"

"You know what, Kenny, leave. Go and live in ya mansion, and leave us all here."

"What was I supposed ta do, Spot?! If someone from ya family came to get ya, you would go too." I spat.

"My family is dead!"

"So is mine, Spot! I didn't even know they existed until now, and you's really tellin' me I shouldn't go? I shouldn't go and live a better life if I have the choice?"

He didn't answer, just glared at me.

"Have a good time rollin' around in money," He says. "We's done here,"

That was our first bad fight. I don't like remembering, but I can't forget the time I cheated on him.

"How could ya?" He growled.

"Spot, before you jump ta conclusions, lemme explain," I tried.

"Sure, why don't ya explain why you was makin' out with someone who ain't me!?"

"He kissed me!" It wasn't entirely a lie. He did.

"Hack said ya kissed back," He said. "I got a witness,"

"I-I,"

"Ya know, Kenny, you ain't the only goil in New York. I see goils everyday wit a pretty face," He says. Ouch. "But I always think that you's betta. I never think about them, only you."

"Spot, I have no feelings for Skiddy whatsoever. I only like you--"

"Then why were ya kissin' him?!"

"It was an instinct, it took me by surprise."

"Did I not pop into ya head?!"

"No you did," I say. "We have a complicated history, and his move was a shock ta me,"

"Ya still kissed him, Kenny." He says gravely. "You...You lost my trust,"

"Spot--"

"No, Kenny. We's done,"

I could feel tears coming just thinking about it. It was the worst thing I'd ever done to anyone. I could feel his trust in me physically break in half. And then I left. I didn't tell anyone where I went or was going. I spent a year in New Jersey. I went crazy. I stole things, I gambled. I drank. I smoked. I made out with boys in Jersey, thinking it would make my pain go away. Of course, it never did. I hoped everyday I would either die or they'd find me. And Spot did. I thought at that moment when he found me that it was true love. That we were meant for each other, and fate couldn't possibly keep us away.

I bring my hands to my face, sobbing silently. He could've made it easier. He didn't have to come out here. He could have stayed in New York. But, if he did, I would've lived my life thinking about the time he didn't choose me. He didn't choose to love me.

So here I sit, late at night, in my room alone. Crying and reminiscing over all the memories of me and Spot. Why can't I love Austin? Why can't Spot just leave my head for good?

Then, I stand up. I'm done. I creak open the door, and make sure the hallway is clear. Everyone seems to be asleep. I walk downstairs and out of the house, making a beeline for the barn. I throw open the door, and see Spot and Bucky playing cards on the barn floor.

Third Person Pov

"Bucky, give us some privacy?" Spot stands up.

"Kenny--"Bucky starts.

"Out, Bucky." Spot says. Bucky leaves quickly and as soon as the door shuts, Kenny runs at Spot.

The two meet lips hungrily, savoring every feeling that is ignited. Spot reaches down and picks up her legs, wrapping them around his waist. Her hands find his hair, knocking off his newsies cap.

Spot somehow carries them up the ladder and to the loft. Her fingers quickly unbutton his shirt, throwing it off the ledge.

All other articles of clothing are thrown who knows where. The two are behind hay just in case anyone were to walk in, but it was unlikely at this hour of night. He takes a second to hold back and look into her eyes, which have the same lustful glisten as his.

But, there's also a sparkle of love, making him grin and capture her lips once again.

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