Unlocking Him: A Spot Conlon Love Story

Chapter Six: Never Fear Brooklyn is Here

A few days later, all the newsies were rising out of bed early to get ready for their second battle. The first one went pretty well except for Crutchie being taken to the refuge. That disappointed everyone, especially Jack who blamed himself. Despite all that was going on, the one thing on Charlie's mind was Spot Conlon and that night she went to Brooklyn. She could never get it out of her mind, mostly because Race wouldn't shut up about it.

"Why can't ya tell me why you'se was in Brooklyn the otha night??"

"I'se told you'se before I'se left its none of your beeswax."

"But I'se your bestest friend. Ya tell me everythin'."

She exploded at him. "Ya don't know the half of it, Racetrack!!"

"Oh no, here we go. What'd I do?"

She snatched his hat and beat him stupid with it. Then she walked away, her blood boiling.

"Women."

She called back to him. "I heard dat Race. Remember I'se knows where ya sleep!"

"Yeah, yeah."

Soon they were all out of the lodging house and went marching on to the Distribution Center. They all locked arms into a man-made fort and waited for the gates to open. A carriage came at them but they separated just in time.

"Everybody stay calm." David said.

"Let's soak 'em for Crutchie!!!" Jack shouted.

That was their cue to charge, which left David wondering why he was even there. All the newsies started attacking the scabbers. It was chaotic, but they were winning for about two seconds. Suddenly another set of gates opened to reveal that Pulitzer had prepared this time.

"Jack it's da bulls!!!" Race shouted to Jack. Dozens of men with clubs and chains started toward them, swinging at them with a vicious force. Some newsies backed up, but Jack fought back, dodging their swings. Then, on the rooftops, Brooklyn newsies popped out of the blue, a group twice the size as the goons. Spot Conlon leaped onto a platform.

"Never fear, Brooklyn is here!"

"It's Brooklyn!!" Mush shouted as the others cheered.

The brooklynites took out their slingshots and fired mercilessly at the scabbers and goons. It was surprising how much damage was done by a bunch of boys with a few shooters.

"Ey Spot!!" Jack shouted to him. Spot swung down knocking three goons off their feet. He and Jack spit-shook.

"What changed ya mind?"

Spot saw Charlie helping Blink with one of the goons and smirked.

"Let's just say a little boid told me I'se wasn't gonna regret it."

They separated and started fighting but Spot made his way over to Charlie. He came up from behind the guy she was fighting, pretty well for that matter, and conked him in the head with his pimp cane. He collapsed as Spot put it back in his belt loop.

"Works every time."

She beamed. "You came!" She hugged him, surprising both of them. And surprisingly he hugged her back. Little did they know Race was nearby, wide eyed as ever. They broke away and Charlie immediately punched the guy sneaking up behind her then kneed him where the sun don't shine.

"Who taught ya how ta fight?"

"The world."

"Huh?"

"Duck."

They both ducked and she kicked the goon in the gut. He fell with a deep thud. Charlie looked over and saw Mush struggling with a large attacker with a club.

"Don't worry bout me, go help Mush."

They separated. Denton, the reporter that had talked to David when they first started, was there and when the fighting was over he took a picture for the paper. The newsies were throughly satisfied with what happened that day. And they should be, because even more good news was to come--but not from Pulitzer's paper. The next day, they were all at Tibby's eating lunch. Spot and Race were sitting next to Charlie.

"So you're tellin' me the reason ya showed up yesterday was cuz she snuck out and an told ya to?" Race questioned towards Spot. He then looked at Charlie. "And exactly why couldn't ya tell me this??"

"Don't get ya suspenders in a twist. I didn't tell ya cuz I knew you'd try ta stop me."

"What bout all the otha times?? Huh, huh??"

"I didn't want everyone ta know. I didn't want ta deal wit everyone's reactions an opinions."

"I wasn't gonna tell nobody."

She glared at him.

"You're probably right, hehe."

He turned to Spot. "And why exactly didja listen?? Ya didn't listen the first time--"

Spot didn't really know why he joined. It actually confused him. He had to come up with something fast.

"I'se figured if ya came down ta Brooklyn twice tryin' ta get us ta join, then you'se are serious. And my boidies reported bout you're first fight. So I'se guess ya showed me that it was a worthwhile cause. Besides who doesn't wanna soak someone when deys got da chance."

That was when Denton came in with the newspaper. Their newspaper. All the boys crowded around it to see their picture. On the front page. Above the fold. Charlie felt great to be apart of something. She had never felt that way before. Of course there was the victorious tap dance sequence and a toast to "our man Denton", but afterwards Spot pulled her aside as the Brooklyn boys were leaving.

"Meet me at da Brookyn Bridge tonight bout sunset...ish."

"Ok but why?"

"You'll see."

"I don't like surprises."

He smirked. "Deal with it."