Unlocking Him: A Spot Conlon Love Story

Chapter Seven: Foreign Feelings

The sun's gold and crimson streaks danced like scarves in the blue-lavender stretch of sky. The water was erupting with the reflection of its colors as the diamond waters glittered. The sun dipped into the horizon as its colors swayed and swirled around in the air. Charlie saw Spot waiting by the gate's entrance.

"Heya doll face."

"Charlie."

"Whateva. C'mon."

"Where are we'se goin' and why didja want ta meet me?"

"Just c'mon."

"Not until I knows where I'se goin'!"

"Just trust me."

"I'se don't trust no one."

"Oh my God. Race was right."

"What?"

"You'se a goil version of me."

"Shuddup. Fine just no throwin' anyone in da harbor this time."

"Deal. Now let's go."

They walked into Brooklyn. As they did, Charlie marveled at the sunset. She hadn't seen a good one in a long time.

"Pretty isn't it?" Spot said as he helped her up onto the dock where his "throne" was. But before she saw anything he put his hand over her eyes.

"What're ya doin'?"

"Just wait. Ya have ta have da perfect angle..."

"What're ya talkin' bout?"

But as soon as he lifted his hand she knew. It was the most beautiful view. She could see all that was below and the entire sun got ten times bigger and brighter. "Wow." She said.

"Wait. Give it a second."

"What?--"

"Look! Right there!"

In the distance, two or three dolphins leaped out of the water. Charlie gasped. She had never seen anything like it. It was amazing. It was more than amazing. It was indescribable.

"Spot, this is incredible. Thank you."

"Welcome."

"But I'se still don't understand why you brought me here."

"Someone just needed ta see Spot Conlon wasn't all that bad."

"I'se knew that already."

"Ya know you'se probably the first person that didn't tremble in fear at the sound of my name or didn't throw yourself at me."

"I'se also still don't understand why anyone would be scared of you'se. You'se what? 5'2?"

"Ey, height got nothin' ta do wit it."

"You'se not exactly buff either."

"That's cuz ya haven't seen me wit my shirt off."

"Uh huh. What I'se mean is I'se don't understand how boys twice you're size fear and obey you."

"Like I'se said dats got nothin' ta do wit it. But nothin' I'se say is gonna keep ya from wonderin', is it? That's the thing--you could care less bout any power I 'ave."

"So?"

"It's just--nevamind. What's ya story?"

"My story?"

"Yeah ya life story."

"Don't tell nothin' ta no one."

"That's funny cuz I don't either."

"Really the only thing that I worry bout is moving on ta da next place."

"Why? Ya don't eva wanna settle down somwhere?"

"Why should I? Everywhere ya go is a bunch of people that if ya get close to then you're gonna get hurt. I'm better off by myself."

"What bout the 'Hatten newsies? Race? Jack?"

"They're alright for now. But they'll be fine witout me. I mean, Jack wants ta leave and Race won't even remember my name in a few years--it's not worth it."

"Wow you are just like me."

"How so?"

"Ya don't let no one close ta ya cuz--remember yestaday when I'se asked ya who taught ya ta fight and you'se said--"

"The world."

"Yeah. Now I'se knows what you'se meant. I'se don't know what you're story is but..."

"Spot?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you wear a key?"

"What?"

"Race said no one knows why you wear the key that you're wearing. Why?"

"It's part of my story."

"Why don't ya tell it?"

"Why don't you?"

"It's complicated. I'se hate the way people think bout ya before an after they know how you are and what you've done and--I'se know I'se don't make any sense but if you knew you'd understand."

He put his arm around her. She didn't know what this was. She didn't know how it happened. But she laid her head on his shoulder. He laced his fingers through hers.

"I'se understand."

Neither knew who made a move first. All they knew is that the last glimmer of day flicked out as they kissed. They didn't know why. They didn't know how. They did however know they were insane and breaking all of their rules. But in the moment, no one cared.