8 Days, 8 Letters; Spot Conlon

Rooftop Secrets

Present Day: July 1899

Jack's POV

After spending two hours with Medda, Jaime and I started our walk to the lodge house. We had filled her in on the events of yesterday and today regarding the strike. She was happy that we were fighting for justice. She even let us stay for her afternoon show.

Not that she wouldn't have anyways. Jaime and Medda are great company, but I felt myself longing for Davey's presence. Why though?

Jaime's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Jack?" she asked. "Did you's hear what I's said?"

"Sorry, I's was jus' thinkin'," I replied. "What did you's say again?"

"Foist off, I said 'that was a good show wasn't it?' Second off, what were you's thinkin' about."

"Foist, it was a good show. Second, Davey."

"Oh you're smitten Jackie. And in only three days; that's gotta be a record."

"Shut it. I'm not smitten. I's just enjoy his presence dat's all."

"Whatever you's say Jackie," she laughed.

"I hear some deflecting here," I remarked.

"How so?"

"You's and Spot looked real cozy at Tibby's."

"Surprised you's looked away from Davey for two seconds to notice."

"Shall we talk about the photo. I mean it looks like some old timey painting between two lovers."

"It's nothin'. We're just friends."

"Friends don't look at each other the way you two do."

"Maybe. But they also don't look at each other the way you and Davey do. You two just need to confess already."

"What if he doesn't feel the same way," I said, looking down at the ground.

"I'm sure he does," she answered, softly while putting her hand on my shoulder. "But if you're unsure why don't you go find out."

"You mean by asking him? I can't do that."

"You could do that, or you could ask someone who knows him what he thinks of you?" she replied, smirking at me.

As much as she claims she doesn't scheme, she definitely does.

"Not a bad idea, James," I smiled.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. We continued our walk, joking and laughing with each other until we reached the doors of the lodge house.

We walked into the lodge house. The room was filled with newsies. Not too unusual considering we all live here and enjoy conversing with Mr. Kloppman. Jaime, however, seemed skeptical.

Itey stopped us at the entrance and put his finger to his lips.

I looked over to see Snyder in the lodge house. What's he doing here?

"Oh you mean Jack Kelly? Yeah he was here, but he put an egg in his shoe and beat it," Race remarked, putting his cigar back in his mouth.

The newsies laughed at his comment while Kloppman rolled his eyes and Snyder was getting angrier by the second.

I ran behind Snyder, mocking him as he continued making comments about Jaime and I.