A Suitable Leader

Would ya like ta buy a papa miss?" Spot said to the beautiful girl walking out of school.

"Yeah." She replied to the gorgeous newsie in front of her. He was about six inches taller than her and had the most wonderful gray eyes, and dark blond hair.

"Thanks, miss." Spot said, walking back to the Manhattan Lodging House.

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

Ever since Jack had left for Santa Fe things had been different with the newsies. Spot had put his best newsie in charge (temporarily) of the Brooklyn Newsies and he went to Manhattan to be their leader until he found someone he thought could replace Jack. All the newsies in Manhattan were still kind of in shock that Jack could just leave like that. It made them wonder just how close they really were. Spot didn't like it and he tried his best to get back the newsies Jack had left.

""Hey boys, we goin' ta Tibby's tanight?" Mush asked Blink, Spot, Snoddy, and Race. It was Friday and the boys always went Friday night, but this was the first Friday with out Jack.

"Yeah, why wouldn't we?" Spot asked.

"Well, um, da place sorta reminds us a Jack, ya know. Maybe we shouldn't go." Snoddy said.

"I am sick a dis! You boys can live wid out 'im. He was me friend too, but 'e left and ya gotta except that. So we's all gonna go ta Tibby's and have a great time!" Spot ordered. And walked away furious. He had only meant to spend about a week there finding another leader, he had been there six days and didn't have any idea who it should be.

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

When Spot went in Tibby's everyone was there but no one looked happy. Except maybe Race and Mush. But only because they were there with their girlfriends Heather and Skweeker. Which reminded Spot of the gorgeous girl he had met that day. But he decided to forget about her. He had enough to worry about.

"Heya Spot." Blink said. "I was waitin' fer you to get hea. I was wid Mush and Race, but dey got dere goyls, so I felt outta place. Ya know?"

"Yeah, I know. Hey Blink, you got any ideas of who I should make leadah?"

Blink wanted more than anything to be chosen. But he didn't want to sound self centered. "Uh, well Race would be good. Mush too. Dey are both respected ya know, but there's somethin' I think is missin'. But I cain't think a what it is. Dutchy or Snoddy would be good too. I dunno, Spot. There are a lot of great leadahs hea."

"Yeah. But dey's all missin' sumpin' or anuda. Like ya said. Well, I'm shoa I'll find some buddy." Spot smiled, he could tell the gleam of hope in Blink's eye. How much he wanted to become the leader, but knew he wouldn't ever say anything. And he liked that.

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

The next morning Spot got his papers and went to his corner. Right near the school. Hoping to see the beautiful girl again. But he didn't see her.

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

"AHH!"

"What in the woild was dat?" Blink thought to himself. But he was interrupted from his thoughts as he heard the scream again. He ran to see the Delanceys beating up Les. He ran with Snipeshooter coming close behind him.

"Snipes, get outta hea. Go git Spot!" Blink screamed at the little boy. "Boys, I think ya should pick on someone yer own size."

"Like, you?" Morris laughed.

"Get da hell away from 'im. NOW!" Blink said, punching him across the face. Morris fell over right away. Then he went over to Oscar and head butted him. They were both on the grounds, holding their heads in their hands. "And git da hell outta hea." Blink screamed, kicking them one last time. Then he ran over to Les.

Just as the Delanceys were fast Spot came down the alley. When he saw those two he started laughing. But he stopped when he saw Les. Les was lying in the street curled up in a ball. A pool of blood by his head.

"Oh God. Is he awright?" Spot asked, looking at Blink. "Wow, he just soaked da Delanceys by 'imself!" Spot thought to himself.

"I dunno. He is conscious, but we need ta git 'im to a hospital. Where'd Davey go?"

"Davey had ta go pick up somethin' for Misses Jacobs, but Les wanted ta sell papes. I was wid 'im. But den I went ova da odda way and he stayed dere. And den I hoid da screamin'." Snipeshooter said, without taking a breath.

"Well go find Davey. Tell 'im ta meet me an' Spot at da hospital. And ta tell his mudda." Blink said to Snipes. Then he and Spot carefully picked up the boy and wrapped Blink's extra shirt around his head to try to stop the blood, and Blink carried him to the hospital.

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

"Is my baby all right? David, how could you have let this happen?" Ester said, as he told her what happened.

"I don't know, mama. That's why we need to go. And I was running an errand for you." David said, grabbing his mothers jacket and purse and practically shoving her out the door.

When they got to the hospital they saw Spot, Mush, Blink, Racetrack, and Snipeshooter huddled around his bed.

"Mrs. Jacobs, I'm so sorry I didn't pay more attention to him. I shouldn't have let him stay there by 'imself." Snipeshooter said sadly.

"Don't worry, dear. It wasn't your job to watch him." She said, eyeing David. He scowled and turn to Spot.

"Spot, how is he?"

"I dunno, Blink talked to da doctah, I don't like doctahs very much." Spot said.

"Well?" David said, looking at Blink.

"He got a couple stitches and 'e'll have a black eye fer a while. But he should be fine."

"My poor baby." Mrs. Jacobs said, cradling Les in her arms.

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

The newsies left when Mr. Jacobs and Sarah arrived. They thought the family should be alone. So they all went to Tibby's.

"Blink, I nevah got da chance ta tell you what a good job ya did taday. You saved 'is life."

"Thanks." Blink said, a little embarrassed.

That night everyone talked a little more, mostly about Les. Then David spoke up. (He had decided not to spend the night at the hospital getting blamed for the accident, so he joined the newsies."

"I have to tell you something."

"What is it, Dave?" Mush asked.

"I got a letter from Jack today." The room fell silent.

"Whad did da bum want?" Race asked.

"Well, I have it, but I haven't opened it, I was gonna read it in front of all of you. So here goes.

'Davey-
Hi. I know you probably don't wanna talk to me. Afta the way I left. But I felt I owed you an explanation. I know you'll prob'ly read dis to da boys, so Boys- I am sorry I left ya likes I did. I jist had ta git out. I still think about ya all da time, and I hopes you don't hate me. And I wrote Davey because I figured you could understand me writing to just him instead of someone else. And I'm not sure if Spot will be hea when you read this so Spot- don't be too disappointed in me. I'm sorry.
How is Sarah? Tell her I love her and leaving her was the hardest thing for me to do. I hope she doesn't hate me. Tell Les I say hi. Your parents too. You guys were the closest I ever had to a family and I miss you very much.
Santa Fe is very pretty dough. I knew it would be. It's all bigah. Da sky and da sun and everything. I met a very nice family who knew me mudda. And I'se stayin wid dem. (Dey have a son who helped me write most of dis lettah) Well it's time for suppah. So I have to go. I miss you.
Jack'

Wow, um, I have to go. They are probably home now and I need to show this to Sarah. Se ya tomorrow. Bye."

"Bye Davey." They all said.

"Dat was weird." Mush said.

"I know, hearin' 'im. I could hea 'is voice readin' it ta us." Snoddy said.

"Jack- where evah you are, I don't hate ya. I miss ya." Spot said to himself.

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

They all went to the lodging house, except Spot. He went up on the roof to think. He loved it in Manhattan and wished he could be there leader, but Brooklyn needed him, and he needed Brooklyn. He had to make up his mind. And he thought he knew who.

"Spot, whatcha doin'?" Blink said, climbing on to the roof.

"Thinkin'"

"'Bout what?"

"'Bout how hard it's gonna be ta leave tamorra."

"You chose someone?" Blink said, shocked.

"Yeah, but I ain't tellin' ya. So don't ask. You'll all find out tamorra."

Blink nodded, said good night to Spot, and went inside.

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

"Everyone! Wake UP! C'mon, I got an announcement ta make." They all slowly woke up, rubbing their eyes, and stretching.

"What is it Spot?" Crutchy asked.

"I've decided who's gonna be da leadah. Dis was a very hard decision, dere are so many of you dat would be good. But one poison stuck out in paticula. He showed courage, caring, and leadahship yestaday. And I know y'all like 'im. Blink, you are now officially da leadah of da Manhattan Newsies."

They all clapped and a few of the stronger boys lifted Blink on their shoulders. Spot could tell he had made the right decision. "Bye guys!" He said, as he was half way out the door.

"Bye Spot!" They yelled. And he turned back and locked eyes with Blink. He could tell Blink was happy and Spot nodded, as to accept his thanks.

As Spot walked out the door he too, was very happy. Happy to be going back to Brooklyn, and happy because now he had time to pursue the girl that bought a paper from him Friday afternoon.

THE END