Unlocking Him: A Spot Conlon Love Story

Chapter Five: The Harbor

Charlie never got scared. Never. She knew fear was something people could take advantage of. That's why she always did her best to be rid of it. But walking into Brooklyn at about midnight made her come close to being afraid. She always felt a pair of eyes, the feeling wouldn't go away. But if she turned around, nothing was there. The shadows danced in every dark corner as she entered the most feared borough and all of New York. She heard a scuffle and turned around abruptly to see nothing. Suddenly, she was snatched from behind. she tried to scream but her cries were muffled by strong hands forcing her mouth shut. She bit down on her attacker's hand but it didn't budge. She kicked and struggled but she was only wearing herself out. She was dragged into an alleyway and slammed against the wall. Her head was throbbing and vision started to blur. She could barely make out a smaller figure appear next to her attacker. A long, thin object dismissed her larger attacker. This was strange. Her vision focused enough for her to make out what she saw. The object was a pimp cane. The only person she knew that had a pimp cane was the one holding it: Spot Conlon. The larger boy must've been a brooklynite. Spot came closer and nudged her with his shoe. She groaned and lifted her hand to her head. He picked her up bridal style and headed towards the harbor. She became completely conscious before he could make it.

"Put me down!!"

"Calm down doll face or I'll drop ya. In the harbor."

"I'd actually prefer that if I didn't have to speak with you."

He put her down and leaned against his cane, waiting for her to speak.

"Look, I know since you're 'King of Brooklyn' and all--"

"Respect my title or you don't speak."

"I'm not one of you're little birdies. I'se don't really have ta do what you'se say."

"Then I'se don't gotta listen ta you'se tryin' ta get me ta join ya little strike."

"How didja know that--"

"What else would ya be here for? Unless you'se just like all da otha goils who can't keep themselves away from me--"

"Don't get a big head, you're crown won't fit."

"Watch ya mouth. I ain't afraid ta hit a goil---"

"Then do it. I'se dare you."

There was a pause. A long pause.

"I'se guess Spot Conlon's not as heartless after all. Can't even hit a goil--"

He punched her hard in the stomach. She stumbled back a bit, but wasn't phased by it.

"Is that all you'se got? Do it for real this time, will ya?"

"Ok. I'se don't want ya bawlin' ya eyes out."

"Try me."

He swung hard, but she dodged quickly and punched him even harder in his stomach. Of course he didn't expect it, so he fell back a little too far. He fell into the harbor. The cold water pierced him like a thousand needles all over his body. He swam to the top and climbed out, soaked. Charlie laughed so hard she snorted a bit.

"That's how ya punch. I guess you could say I soaked ya!"

Spot was furious. But his face softened slightly as he scooped her up and dumped her in the icy, black water. She flailed her arms around splashing furiously.

"Spot!! I'se can't swim!!"

"Oh brutha..." He mumbled to himself as he dived in to help her. As soon as he surfaced she was swimming like a pro.

"You evil little--" He started. Then, for the first time in a long time, he was actually enjoying himself. Her laugh was obnoxious, but he loved it. Her eyes twinkled in the silvery moonlight.

No. No, no, no. No Spot. You promised yourself you would never ever...

But it was too late. Finally they climbed out of the water. She wrung the water out of her dripping hair and skirt as he did the same with his hat. She finally spoke after much tugging at her hair.

"What time is it?"

"Who cares?"

"I'se probably been here for ova an hour and I haven't even--"

"Look doll face I'se told you. You'se gotta show me you'se serious."

"I came all da way down here by myself and almost got soaked by one of your newsies and then literally got soaked cuz you dumped me in da harbor cuz we'se really need ya ta join us! Isn't that enough?"

"I'll think bout it."

"Great. Just peachy."

She started to walk away, but caught him off guard and pushed him in the harbor again.

"What the hell was that for?"

"Oh ya know. You'se not the only one wit a temper."

"You gotta name?"

"Charlie."

"I've heard a lot of weird names, but Charlie? For a goil? Ya gotta middle name ya could go by?"

He was starting to climb back up but she stepped on his hand and he fell in once more.

"I hate my middle name almost as much as I hate my first name. Charlie's short for my first name."

"Which is?"

"I don't tell no one my real name. It's stupid like most other girl names."

"Whateva ya say, doll face."

She pushed him in again.

"Stop doin' that!!"

"I gave you'se my name. Don't eva call me doll face again."

Then she walked out of Brooklyn, hating the feeling of butterflies in her stomach.