brooklyn nights

chapter twenty-two

moving on;

Key felt movement beside her as the warmth next to her left. Grinds got out of the bed, walking through the room, probably getting ready for work. Joan on the other hand stayed in bed, not wanting to move a single muscle. The memories of last night came back, remembering what happened. Spot was gone. She opened up her eyes, looking at the wooden wall next to her. Never moving her gaze. Footsteps came closer to her, but she didn't move. "Key? You's comin with us today?" She softly shrugged before grinds laid his hand on her shoulder. "Alright, I'll see you later." Placing a kiss on her head, he left the room, many footsteps following after him. After some minutes, Joan turned around to lay on her bed. She was alone. "Fucking hell, pull yourself together, Joan." She hid her face in her hands and took in a deep breath. Slowly placing her feet on the cold floor, she reached for her pants laying on the ground. She pulled them up, taking off her long nightshirt and replacing it with a long-sleeved button-up. Looking to the bed frame, she saw the red suspenders waiting for her. A small smile lay on her lips as she placed them around her shoulders. "Ok. Just move on. It's been over a year. You got this." Talking to herself wasn't something new. Every Harlem newsie knew about it. It was a way of getting her old self back. 

Making her way through the entrance door, she felt the cold morning air hit her face. A shiver went down her spine before she wrapped her arms around her upper body, praying for the sun to heat her soon. She started walking down the street, already meeting people on their way to their job. Taking out the apple she snatched from the kitchen earlier, she took a bite of it and made her way to hers and Grind's usual selling spot. From afar she could already make out the man selling his papers. He had the charm everyone loved, especially the ladies. You could see them looking at the young man with those hungry eyes. Always wearing his smile with the beautiful tooth gap. And he knew how good he looked still not acting arrogant or chocky. Joan didn't notice the smile on her lips until the Irish man send her one back. "Good mornin, darlin." He laid his arm around her shoulder, sending a grin down to her. "Beauty sleep didn't help, did it?" Both started laughing at his words whilst walking through the crowded street. "Ain't you a charmy one, my leprechaun." She could feel the weight on her shoulder leave, Grinds taking away his arm. "Ouch." Acting hurt, he placed his hand over his chest. "C'mon my little lucky charm." She started running down an alley, leaning against the wall. Grinds was quickly chasing after her, stopping in front of her. The silence was making Joan think again, which was something she didn't want to do. As soon as she had time for herself, every single thing in her mind went back to her lost love. 

The redhead watched her every move, trying to notice if something was wrong. She was quiet, which made him anxious. "Hey, could you please tell me what-" He was stopped by Key pressing her lips onto his, closing the small space they had between each other. Grinds was taken by surprise but held himself back any longer, kissing her back. He's been waiting for this for a long time but has too much respect for her to make the move. He pushed her against the wall, his hand trailing down her side as he dropped his papers on the ground. But the bad feeling took over him as he pulled away. Key looked at him confused, reaching out for his face to pull him in again, but he took a step backward. "What?" A little hurt, she leaned against the wall, wrapping her arms around her upper body, feeling ashamed of what happened. Finally having the feeling of being wanted again, but not by the person that she was used to. But Grinds was a good man, that's what she knew for sure. "I won't be takin advantage of your weak moment. Key, if you only knew how long I've been waitin for this to happen. But I know you're hurt." He stroked a piece of hair behind her ear, admiring the beauty standing in front of him. "You're not." He chuckled a little. "But I am. Key, I would leave everything behind right now just to stay in bed with you for the day. But havin the picture of you, crying, in my head, oh I can't bear seein you in so much pain." Joan felt how hot tears started creating in her eyes. Grind's words hit her like the cold morning air. "Spot's dead. I'm movin on. And I want to move on with you by my side." Grinds send her a soft smile before shaking his head. "I'm not sayin that this won't be happenin again, but I will not be a temporary thing, helping you get over someone you actually loved." It hurt. Hearing those words come out of his mouth hurt. She wanted to get better and Grinds was her way of doing that. "You don't understand. I moved on from Spot ages ago. He left me here and never came back. He stopped replying to my letters, makin me feel worthless." Whipping away the tears on her cheek, she looked into his green eyes with hope. "He's dead, Grinds." She placed her hand on his face, making the man look down at her. "It's you and me." She leaned in, noticing that he didn't move away. His eyes flickered from hers down to her lips, before looking into her eyes again. Leaning down, he closed the gap between them. Their lips were moving in sync. Joan's hands made their way up into his hair, deepening the kiss.