Humbling Spot Conlon (A Spot Conlon Love Story)

Ch. 25: Nightmare Come True

It was a common occurrence that I'd have to keep the boys out of trouble. It was a daily thing, because they're definitely idiots. However, the trouble often wasn't bad enough that the cops would have to get involved. 

It was beginning to get colder and less people were walking in the streets. It was a pretty normal day. That was, until Jack came running at me and shoving me into an alleyway. 

"What are ya doin'?" I asked. He simply put a finger to his lips. I noticed that he had a beer bottle in his hand. 

He stood against the wall, anxiously watching the road. I rolled my eyes, wondering what it was that he'd done this time. I figured it was nothing. He probably just made the Delanceys mad again. 

Then, to my surprise, a cop came running over. He stopped, seeing Jack, then he came in. I gave Jack an accusatory look. How could he rope me into this? 

"What did you do?" I whispered to him. 

"I may have had a beer or two," He whispered back. 

I elbowed him. "Where didja get a beer?" 

"May or may not have stolen one." 

The cop asked us to stand against the wall. I complied, though very reluctantly. "I'm gonna need your names," He told us, "You first." He patted Jack on the back. 

"Jack Kelly." 

"And how old are you?" 

He sighed. "Seventeen." 

"That's just a little too young for a beer. Dontcha think? And stealing? That doesn't sound legal to me. A couple o' weeks in the slammer oughta sort you out." 

"No!" I exclaimed. I couldn't let Jack go to jail. I grabbed the bottle from Jack's hands. "It's mine. He got it for me. I made him do it." 

"No, they didn't," Jack said to the cop, then turned to me, "No you didn't." 

"Stop tryin' ta cover for me. It's alright. I know it was wrong." I mouthed the words, 'trust me'. I didn't have a plan. I just couldn't let Jack get taken away. Jack nodded, looking at the ground. 

"What's your name?" The cop asked. 

"Nicky," I said simply. I figured vague answers would be better. 

"Full name." 

I cursed under my breath. I was hoping it would be easy to get out of this. But, of course, it wouldn't be. "Nichole. Nichole Badger." The cop raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, I'm a girl. Big shocka," I snapped. 

He simply shook his head. "No, it's just- Your mom wouldn't happen to be Penelope Badger, would she?" 

I nodded uncomfortably. "Everyone called 'er Nellie." 

How was it that everyone seemed to know my mother? "She was a wonderful woman. I knew she had a daughter, but I didn't expect you to be such a spittin' image of her. Except for your eyes. I assume you got them from your father." 

"How did you know 'er?" I asked curiously. 

"She spent a lot of her time wanderin' the boroughs. Everyone knew her. And I pity those who didn't. But I think the biggest question is, where have you been all these years?" 

"Doesn't matter." 

He sighed. "I'm gonna let ya off with a warnin'. However, now that you're here, I need to find a place for you to stay. Your friend is alright to leave, but I'm gonna need you to come with me." 

I sent Jack a worried look. I wondered what he was going to do with me. I had a feeling it wasn't going to include letting me back onto the streets. 

"Can I have a moment wit' my friend first?" I pleaded.