"Well, lets take her to da Lodgin House in Manhattan, we ain't got room here. Can she make it ta Manhattan?"
"Um, she's bleedin, but she could probably make it."
"Well where is she?"
The big Newsie lead Spot to me, I was soaked by some big scabs, they said I was in their territory. I didn't mean to be, but they didn't care.
"Oh, God. She looks pretty bad. Why would dey do dat ta such a pretty goyl. Find out who dey is, den I'll get me men and soak 'em!" Spot said, lifting me off the ground. He carried me all the way to some Lodging House. It was complete heaven.
When he entered the Lodging House he was greeted by all sorts of Newsies, one had one eye, another one was Italian and smoking a cigar, another one had a big cowboy hat, another one had dark brown hair, and beautiful brown eyes and the other one had the most gorgeous curly brown hair, and appeared to be cleaner then the rest of them. Then Spot laid me on a bed.
"So, goyl, can ya talk?"
"Yeah, thanks for carryin me all the way here."
"So, whadda dey call ya kid?" He asked with a smile.
"My name's Kristin, but you can call me Kris."
"Well, nice ta meet ya, Kris. What happened? Why'd dose thugs soak ya?"
"Well I was walkin' down the street and these two guys came up to me. They said I was on there territory, and nobody, goes on there territory. I tried to tell 'em I was just trying to find a place to sleep, but they started hitting me. I didn't know what to do. I tried to fight back, but I was no match for them."
"We's gonna find out who dey were, and we'll take care a dem!" Spot said, punching his fist in his palm. "Sorry, but I gotta go back ta Brooklyn, dese guys are me pals, and dey'll letcha stay here. Dis here's Cowboy." He said pointing to the guy in the cowboy hat. "He'll introduce ya to everybuddy. I hope ya feel betta, I'll come see ya soon." He said, giving me a kiss on the cheek. I think I blushed, but I couldn't help it. Already I liked Spot.
"So, Kris, I'm Jack you's can call me Cowboy if ya wanna. Dis is Racetrack, Kid Blink, Mush and Davey. Davey don't live here though."
I was greeted with warm hello's and I could tell I was going to like this place.
"Where are you from Kris? Do you have a family?" Davey said, he was totally gorgeous.
"I'm from the upper part of Brooklyn. And I had a family, but they were killed in a train accident." I said, sadly. It seemed like only yesterday I was telling my parents 'Good bye!' and then I heard of the terrible train wreck and they didn't find any survivors. When I said good bye I didn't think it would be forever.
"Hey, Kris, ya still wid us?" Mush said.
"Yeah, sorry. I guess I got lost in my thoughts."
"So, you was from da nica part of Brooklyn. Didja go ta school?"
"Yes, but I knew I needed to find a job, so I was going to sell papes, and then I came across the thugs."
"Well ya can stay here as long as ya like." Blink said with a grin.
"Thanks."
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
The next morning just as Jack was about ta "show me the ropes" Spot came by.
"So, Kris, ya feelin betta? I was wonderin if ya are, if I could show ya da ropes, and maybe treat ya ta lunch?" He said, smiling.
"Sure! I mean, well Jack was gonna, but--"
"You two's go on, I don't mind. But tamorra, you's goin wid me!" He said, giving me a playful nudge.
"Okay. Let's go." Spot said, practically dragging me out of the Lodging House.
He took me to a place where all the Newsies seemed to be buying papes.
"Spot, whadda you doin' here?" An unfamiliar Newsie asked.
"I came here ta check on me goyl!" His girl! I couldn't believe it! "Do ya mind if I call ya dat?" Mind, yeah right!
"No." I said, beaming.
That morning was the greatest I'd ever had. Spot showed me all the tricks of the trade, and we went every where. I met a lot of other Newsies too! The one that had talked to Spot before was Snoddy. I also met Dutchy, Bumlets, Specs, and Snipeshooter.
"Hey, Kris, ya hungry?"
"Yeah."
"Well I'll take ya ta Tibby's." As we walked in I saw a lot more Newsies. Some I knew, some I didn't.
As we sat down I noticed a look on Davey's face. It looked sad, but I wasn't sure.
"So, whadda ya want?"
"Um, I dunno. What ever you're having."
"Hey, can we get two Cokes and two burgers down hea?"
The meal was one of the best I'd had in a long time. Spot walked me back to the Lodging House after we sold some more papes.
"Well, I gotta go back ta Brooklyn, before it gets dark. I had a lot of fun taday. I hope you did too. Bye, Kristin." And then he bent over and kissed me, it was amazing! Talk about fireworks! And before I had a chance to say bye, he was gone.
Just then a familiar voice came up behind me.
"So, ya thought it'd be safa hea in Manhattan? Well you was wrong. Dose boys from Brooklyn don't scare us."
Oh, God, the thugs. I don't know what exactly happened, one minute I was standing up scared to death, and the next I was pushed aside by a strong boy, it was Davey. He got the guys away and took me into the Lodging House.
"Kris, are you all right?" David asked, still out of breath from the fight.
"Yeah, thanks. You probably saved my life." I said, still not able to grasp what could have happened.
"Oh, well yer welcome." He said, blushing. "Well I better be goin. Bye Kris!"
"Bye Davey. Thanks again!"
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
"Jack, you shoulda seen it, those two thugs were back, and I saved Kris. God, she's beautiful, ain't she?" Dave said, relaying what just happened to Jack outside the Lodging House.
"Yeah, Davey, she is. But she's Spot's. You don't mess wid Spot's goyls."
"She'll never see him Jack. It ain't fair! Why does she hafta like Spot? She's more my type, comes from a family, has an education. She should be with me, not Spot."
"Davey, if ya wasn't me friend I'd soak ya fer dat. Don't talk bout me friends dat way, just cuz you had an education don't mean you'se a betta person. Spot's just as good as you are. Tink bout why she likes Spot. Da foist guy dat didn't try ta soak her, he ain't bad lookin, from what I'm told! Not dat I see it. And he treats her good, and came ta see her."
"Well, I saved her, and I'd do that for her."
"Don't talk wid me, Davey, tell her or Spot."
"Right, he'd soak me, and I could never tell her."
"Den I guess you'se gonna hafta look, but not touch. Sorry. I'd like her too, but ya can't always get everything ya want."
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
I fell asleep quickly in my new 'house' and had a great sleep. The next morning as I was going to get my papes a little blond boy came to me with a beautiful rose, it had a message....
How sweet! I am so happy that I had Spot. He was the greatest thing I had in my life, now that parents had died.
As promised, I went around with Jack that day. We had a lot of fun too, not as much as I had with Spot, but a lot.
"Wow, Spot must really like ya if he's sendin ya flowers already. Betcha all the goyls in Brooklyn hates ya! Dey all like 'im."
"I can see why. Too bad he lives in Brooklyn, I hardly will ever get to see him." I said with a sigh.
"Hey Kris. Hi Jack." It was Davey and he looked a little happier then yesterday.
"Hiya Davey. I was just makin shoa Spot showed her everythin yesterday."
"Hi, Dave!"
"Yes, well I'm sure he did a fabulous job." He said, seeming a little sarcastic. Jack shot him 'a look' and I had no idea what was going on.
"Well, Davey, I's gotta go, would you mind stayin wid her? Spot'd kill us if we left her alone, afta what happened last night."
"No, I don't mind. Kris, would you like some lunch?"
"Sure, it'll be my tre---"
"Great, I'll pay fer it." I didn't know why he was so eager to pay for my lunch, but I just nodded and followed him to Tibby's.
David stayed with me for the rest of the day and even invited me to dinner at his house. I met his family and we had a great dinner. Then he walked me back to the Lodging House.
"Davey, I had a lot of fun today. Thank you for lunch and dinner." Then he leaned over and kissed me. I didn't kiss him back, but I didn't push him away either. I just stood there, in amazement.
"Woah, what was that David?" I was shocked, I couldn't believe he had done that. He knew I was going with Spot.
"Um, sorry, I guess it just felt natural." He was bright red.
"Yeah, well, um, don't let it happen again, if Spot found out..." Then I went inside, still in awe.
"Kris, where were you?" Jack asked, almost as if he'd been waiting up for me.
"Um, I had dinner at David's. He invited me."
"Well, obviously." I guess it was obvious, but I felt guilty about what happened.
"Did he say anythin to ya? Like, bout, uh I dunno, who he likes, maybe?"
"No, why? Jack, I gotta ask you somethin. He does know I'm goin out with Spot, right?"
"Why, oh geez, uh-oh." I think jack could tell by the look on my face something was wrong. But I also got the idea he knew something I didn't.
"Kris, I gotta talks to ya...."
Geez, he likes me! Jack had told me everything, including parts of his and David's conversation the night before. I still felt really guilty, even though technically I hadn't done anything wrong. I wanted to tell Spot, but I didn't want David to get hurt. When I woke up the next morning I found out I didn't need to worry about that anymore.
As I woke up I saw Spot waiting for me on the end of my bed. Just watching me sleep.
"Ya know, you'se beautiful when yer sleepin'."
"Spot! What are you doing here?" Wondering why he came. Then in the back of my stomach I got a sinking feeling, he knows.
"Well, I came ta see you, of couis!" Little did I know what had happened that morning...
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
"Davey, I hoid from some little boidies dat you'se been tryin to get me goyl. I don't like dat, Davey. Not one bit. I hoid ya tink she's too good fer me, and betta fer you, well I don't tink you'se got da right ta say things like dat. Seein as how our relationship don't cuncoin you. So, ta be on da safe side Davey, stay away from her. Or I'll soak ya, and dat's a promise. Stay away."
Thankfully, he didn't lay a finger on him. Just scared him to death. David walked out of the alley calmly, feeling Spot's icy glare on his back. But once he was out of Spot's view he ran. Not to anywhere in particular, he just ran.
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
"So, can I have the honor of sellin' papes wid you dis mornin'?" Spot said. I knew the only reason he was there was because of last night.
"Sure!" I was glad Spot was here, but I wish he would have come to see me, not to keep David away.
So, like two days earlier we sold papes all day, only stopping at Tibby's for lunch. It was fun, but something seemed to be missing. I couldn't quite figure out what it was, but I knew there was something.
"Well, I best be headin back ta Brooklyn. It was fu--"
"Spot, what's going on. Why are you really here? Please, tell me." I pleaded.
"Um, well, on of me boys was here da odda day, and saw you'se and Davey together all day. Den he saw ya go inta his house! When he walked ya home, well, he saw Davey kiss ya. I thought you were me goyl? Not his. Now I ain't mad at you, me boy told me it wasn't yer fault. He kissed you, and dat was all. Den da night before sumbuddy else hoid Davey sayin how's he was betta dan me, because he got's an education and all. And how you'd be betta off wid him. Do you'se tink dat, Kris?" He looked as if he was going to cry.
"He said that! I don't believe that." I was irate, how could anyone say that about Spot. "NO! I don't think that at all. I love you Spot, and I wouldn't dump you for any one. I wanted to tell you about last night, but David is my friend, at least, he was, and I didn't want you to hurt him." I felt so bad. I wished I would have told him. As I said that a sigh of relief passed across his face.
"You don't know how good it feels ta hear ya say dat. I love ya too, and I wouldn't want ta leave ya fer any one eider." Then he kissed me, and the fireworks were even better than they had been two nights before.
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
"Woo hoo!" We were so rudely interrupted by Jack and the others. David was there. He just stood there, avoiding any eye contact with me, or Spot.
"Hey ya Jackie boy, wanna scram fer a couple more minutes, so we's can finish?" He said, grinning at me.
"Sorry, Spot, didn't know we'd be interrupting anything." Blink said with a smile.
"Yeah, well I'se gotta be goin back ta Brooklyn. Bye guys. Bye Kris." He said, kissing my cheek.
"Bye Spot!" We all said, well all but David.
"David, can I talk with you for a minute?" I asked, as we walked away from the others.
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
"Um, I heard some things, from Spot and Jack. They told me you liked me, and when I heard that I thought it was sweet. Then Spot told me that you thought he wasn't good enough for me, and that you'd be better, since we both have an education. Why did you say that?" I was more hurt for Spot, than angry.
"I don't know, Kris. I just really liked you, I know that's no excuse for sayin that though. I wish I wouldn't have. I really wish I hadn't of said that. I know I can't change what happened, but I just hope you can forgive me. Eventually. It wasn't the greatest first impression, but I would like to be your friend."
"Dave, I don't think I'm the one you need to be apologizing to. I mean I forgive you, and would like to be your friend, but Spot does deserve an apology."
"I know, I was going to apologize to him tonight, but everyone was always around him. I will as soon as I can though."
Like David had promised the next day he walked to Brooklyn (which was a very brave thing to do, considering his rep with Brooklyn's leader.) He apologized, and Spot had a little trouble forgiving, but eventually did.
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Months had passed, and I had grown very close to all the Newsies. They seemed like big brothers, all there to protect me, especially Jack. I think David had, for the most part, 'gotten over me', but there was still a little of his crush left. And Spot had come to see me almost every day. But today he came, bearing gifts, the most wonderful gift I ever could have wanted...
"Kris, I got a surprise fer ya. You ain't ever gonna believe dis." Spot said, beaming.
"What? What is it?" I had no idea what could be this great.
Then from behind the statue he pulled out a man and a woman. Oh my God! It was my mother and father, I couldn't believe it. Immediately I raced to them and all three of us started bawling. Then I turned and gave Spot a kiss.
"Where did you find them?" I was still in awe.
"Well I saw some posters saying 'have you seen dis goyl?' and I looked at da picta and it was you. So I contacted yer parents and told em where ya was." He said. He looked so proud.
"I thought you were dead, the papes said dere were no survivors?' (After a couple of months in 'New Yoik' you kind of pick up on the accent.)
"Well we did, just your father and I. We were in pretty bad condition and had to stay at a hospital for a while. When we went back to Brooklyn you were gone. We checked a few neighbors but no one had seen you."
" So we put up the posters and this nice young man was kind enough to show us to you." My dad piped in. Spot was glowing.
"So, that's how we found you. Would you like to introduce us to your, um, friend?" My mom asked.
"Well, this is Spot. And after I read the paper I knew I needed a job, so I went lookin ta be a Newsie. And..." I explained the whole story to my parents, just as I had to all the Newsies a couple months before.
"Well I can tell being a Newsie has really improved your English skills, young lady." Great, she was back from 'the dead' and already criticizing me. I blushed and turned around to look at Spot. He gave me a sympathetic look.
"So, dear, if you could pack your bags, we'd like to take you home now." Woah, I'd been used to being a Newsie and now, WHAM, they wanted me to go back home.
"Now? I just can't leave like this. I remember where we lived, can't I stay here one more night and Spot and Jack will walk me to Brooklyn tomorrow?" I was crushed.
"I suppose. I know this may seem unfair, but we just haven't seen you for so long, we just want you home with us." My mother said, on the verge of tears.
"I know, I missed you too. But dese, um, these boys are like my family. I can't just get up and leave. I'll see you tomorrow. Later in the evening, I wanna sell papes one last time."
^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
That night was the saddest of my life, I had to tell all the guys, and some of them actually cried. I bawled and Spot just sat there with his arm around me.
"I know this is kinda selfish, but what's gonna happen wid us?"
"Actually that'll be da only thing that gets better. I'll be in Brooklyn."
"But on the upper, nicer side."
"Spot, I've stayed with ya this long, I'm gonna stay with ya there. We'll see each other. I will hafta be in school though. But we'll see each other."
"Yeah, I guess." He looked disappointed.
The next day I sold papes with everyone. We all went to Tibby's and I cried the whole day.
"We betta get goin." Jack said, reluctantly.
"One minute." I went over and said special good bye's to a few of my favorite Newsies, Blink, Mush, Race, Snoddy, and David. Especially David.
"I'm ready." All the guys walked me to the bridge and Spot and Jack took me the rest of the way, in silence.
"Wow, nice shack." Jack said, glancing impressively at my house.
"Yeah, I guess." They walked me to the door. Jack gave me a big hug and a kiss, and then Spot, with a tear in his eye, gave me a kiss.
I guess he knew, but I didn't. That was the last time I ever kissed Spot, and the last time I ever spoke to any of them.
THE END
