A Newsies Vacation (Gone Wrong)

[16]

March 21st, 2020

The Newsies' Beach House, Emerald Isle, NC, around 12:00 pm

POV: Narrator

It's finally the day the Newsies have all been anxious for, the day of the meeting with the "mysterious" neighbors. Don't ask me why they made such a big deal about it, just a simple coming over and saying hello. But by this greeting, the entire outcome of the Newsies' future would change.

Everyone was prepared and dressed their best and made sure they were suited professionally. Skittery and Blink conducted a "sniff-test" before anyone exited the house on their way nextdoor. As the Newsies approached the nextdoor Beach house up the large front steps, Racetrack sniffed his armpits one last time, causing Spot to nudge him harshly out of embarrasment. Tensions were still high between Spot and Davey, but only they (and Kelson) knew what had really happened. Spot still never told Jack anything, but continued to be silently rude to Davey.

Ding, Dong...

Jack had pressed the doorbell out front which sounded the pitches "F" and "Db." Everyone was still and quiet, anxiously waiting for a response from the front door, or any sort of movement. The only sounds were the songs of birds, the distant sound of the waves, and the occasional car driveby. Kelson had already been aware of this situation for some time now ever since Davey, Sarah, and Les secretly met up with them, so they were prepared, unlike the others.

Suddenly, the front door shook. It was opening. It was Jake at the front door, dressed formally in a tuxedo. Davey knew this was a mistake as Jake's tuxedo may have given away that they were expecting them as well. "Greetings, how may I help you all?" Jake asked. He and Davey immediately made eye contact, which Spot noticed and began to glare at Davey. They broke eye contact afterwards. "Hello, we are the neighbors staying nextdoor for the next week, we are the New York Times Administration." Jack introduced. Jake pretended to be shocked and excited. "Funny how you'se wearing a tuxedo right now." Spot said out of nowhere and eyed Davey down. "Oh, we just had an event earlier this morning. Now, if you want to speak to me, then please speak proper English." Jake said. "Up you'se ass." Spot responded, Jack nudging him harshly in return. "Do come inside, and have a seat in our living space. Boss will be thrilled to know the New York Times has come to visit him!" Davey entered the house last, and Jake winked at him as he walked in, while Davey returned it with a pat on the shoulder, which nobody saw.

Everyone had a seat on the large sofa that nobody had knew that Davey, Sarah, and Les had been sitting on to converse with Kelson without the Newsies' knowledge, except for Spot, of course. Spot knows everything, apparently. A few minutes later, Kelson and Mary walked into the room. Mary shot Sarah a glare before focusing on her boyfriend, once again. Everyone noticed and looked confused on why she would have a problem with her, but soon figured that Sarah was also swooning at the looks of Kelson during the morning walks, which Mary saw. Spot wasn't buying it though.

"Hello, guys! How are you all doin' today?" Kelson asked brightly. "Not bad," Jack responded. "I am really excited you guys came to visit, I've been meaning to talk with you guys for a while." Kelson and Mary sat down, along with Jake, who sat next to Davey, oddly. "So, what are your guys' positions there?" Kelson asked. "Oh, well I'm actually the President." Jack said casually. Kelson pretended to look shocked, knowing that this was a planned setup. He had known about the Newsies coming to Emerald Isle, and booked the house next door, but who knows why. "Well, my name is Kelson, and this is my girlfriend Mary, and this is our third year stayin' here." he said. "Jake, is over there, he's the one that opened the door for you, he's a good friend who's stayin' with us." Jake nodded over at Kelson, acknowledging the comment.

From then on, they continued to converse as a group, getting to know each other. In the end, Kelson ended up inviting the Newsies over to lunch after mass on Sunday at Saint Mildred's Catholic Church in Swansboro. Turns out, both groups were also Catholic!