Song: Seize the Day (1992 version)
A/N: Hey everyone I hope you had a wonderful day. I'm gonna try to post about 3-4 times a week to make up for my months long disappearance. Anyways have a great week and I hope you enjoy the next chapter of 8 Days, 8 Letters
Present Day: July 1899
Jaime's POV
The next morning, Jack Davey, and I met the newsies in the square. Race was making poker bets with Skittery who had lost almost all of his money while Les watched them. The rest of the younger boys along with some of the older ones like Blink, Crutchy, and Mush playing with them. How am I gonna tell them our only hope of being successful doesn't believe in them sticking to the strike. We met some of the older boys by the Horace Greeley statue.
Race noticed we didn't bring backup from idiot town. "So where's Spot, huh?" he asked.
Jack stepped in, "He was concerned about us being serious. Can you imagine that?"
Well actually I can since I was there.
"Well, you know guys, maybe we ought ta ease of a little, ya know?" Race said.
I was shocked. Race was the most supportive. I mean when we first brought up the idea of a strike, he joined us, no questions asked. Hearing him doubt us made me begin to rethink the strike.
"Without Spot and the others, there isn't enough of us, ya know?" Blink piped.
"Maybe we're moving too soon," Mush added.
"I definitely think we should forget about it for a little while," Skittery mumbled.
Them too? Maybe this isn't a good idea. Something's bound to go wrong and I refuse to let any of my newsies, my family get hurt because of me. Not again. Three's enough for me.
"Oh do ya," Jack snorted. This isn't gonna end well.
"Yeah, I mean, we're not Brooklyn," Race retorted.
"Hey who are we kidding here," Jack said enraged. "Spot was right. Is this just a game to you guys?"
I never thought I'd ever hear anyone say Spot was right. I owe Ace a nickel. If only I could give it to him.
"Not a game," Race responded.
Jack walked away hurt. I looked around unsure of what to do. If we don't strike, they'll likely starve and be on the streets, but if we don't, they could get hurt or worse, sent to the Refuge. Whats the right answer here? I know Ace would say "there's never a truly answer when it comes to making decisions as a leader. Only wrong ones or better ones." But there has to be a right answer. Both of these can't be wrong.
Suddenly Davey's singing broke me out of my thoughts.
Davey: Open the gates and seize the day
Don't be afraid and don't delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Arise and seize the day
With that the boys began jumping around looking as happy as ever.
Davey: Now is the time to seize the day
Newsies: Now is the time to seize the day
Davey: Send out the call and join the fray
Newsies: Send out the call and join the fray
YOU ARE READING
8 Days, 8 Letters; Spot Conlon
FanfictionJaime Kelly, also known as "Books", is the leader of the Lower Manhattan Newsies. She loves her Newsies like they're her family. Every 8 Days she goes to see her best friend, Spot, the "King of Brooklyn". Everything seems to be going pretty normal u...
