8 Days, 8 Letters; Spot Conlon

Serenity

A/N: Hi everyone. Please enjoy the next chapter of 8 Days, 8 Letters.

Present Day: April 1900

Jaime's POV

I couldn't sleep. How could I? People seriously think my father murdered my mother. Sure he wasn't the greatest person but he couldn't do that. He wouldn't right?

When sleep finally came, my mind didn't surrender.

I saw Mamma in her bed, choking. She was foaming at the mouth and my father was standing over her, laughing. He had a green bottle in his hand.

This couldn't be real right? My father killing my mother.

That's when I woke up. I wiped the tears and sweat off my face after jolting awake.

There's no way I'm sleeping now. I sighed and went to take off the covers when I realized a second set of legs wasn't with me.

Where is Jack?

I sighed and climbed down my bunk.

I went up the stairs, holding a lantern out.

"Hi Jackie."

"James," he grinned, "Couldn't sleep?"

"Not really."

"Come sit."

So I did. I sat next to him by the edge of the roof.

"What are you's drawing?"

"People I's love. I's find it helps me calm down."

I smiled. "Can I's see."

He handed his sketch pad over. I saw the Jacobs siblings, the boys, me with Crutchy and Race, Medda, Davey of course, and funnily enough me with Spot.

"Seems you's don't hate him after all."

"Only because you're happier with him. I's haven't seen you smile that big since we were kids."

I blushed. "He really does make me happy."

"Cause you're in love with him."

"Please the way you's look at Davey could write poems Shakespeare would be jealous of."

He flipped a page, revealing a mostly done drawing of him with Davey.

He looked at it intensely before chuckling.

"I's really do don't I's."

"I's like Davey. He makes you more grounded."

"I's had a good foundation."

"From what?"

 "From the guys and Kloppman, but mostly you's."

He flipped to reveal another page of us the night we decided to stay in New York.

"Best choice I's ever made," I stated.

"I'm glad we stayed. Sure I's still want to see Santa Fe, but this place isn't so bad to call home."

"Glad we agree."

We sat in silence for a moment.

"How long have you's been up here?" 

"Probably all night. I's couldn't sleep, but it's worth it," he softly smiled. "I's haven't even shown you the last one yet."

"There's more?"

"Just one."

He showed me a picture of Kloppman cooking. Kloppman's a real good cook. He always makes home cooked meals that make this place feel like home. But then again he's always made this place feel like home.

Flashback: November 1895

Jack and I had just left Brooklyn, the place I lived for 3 years while he was stuck in the Refuge. Jack finally escaped a week ago and we were walking in the freezing, snowy streets of New York. We had been walking for a couple days, not eating, just looking for a place; which has taken a lot longer than one would think. Jack had to make somewhat of an income first before anyone would even consider us.

We could've gone to Medda, but we didn't want to burden her. Especially with Jack now being a wanted criminal.

Suddenly Jack slid on the pavement causing a scrape across his arm.

"Are you's alright?" I asked.

"I'm fine, just a scratch."

I helped him up and we kept walking, trying to ignore the growling in our stomachs.

We came across an older man shoveling the entrance of a building. I looked up and saw the sign.

Lower Manhatten Newsboy Lodge House

"Excuse me, sir?" I asked.

The man looked at me. His eyes were warm and kind.

"Do you's have room for two more. We could share a bunk."

I dig through my pockets and pulled out some coins.

"I's could pay you's most of it now."

He smiled but pushed the money away.

"Come in," he grinned. "Let's get you's two warm."

We walked in and sat down in his office.

"Nancy, darling? Could you grab some blankets for our guests."

An older woman peaked out the corner with blankets in hand. She had kind eyes like her husband's and wrapped us in the blankets.

"Let's get you warmed up," she whispered, pouring us tea.

"Thank you's," Jack and I said.

"I'm William Kloppman and this is my wife," she said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Nancy."

Jack spoke up, "I'm Jack Kelly and this is my sister Jaime."

"The newsboys called me Books," I said.

"I's assume you're both newsies."

"Well my sister is. I'm still learning, but I'm getting better... I's think."

Jack looked over at me for confirmation.

"You's are," I assured.

The couple smiled and Nancy looked at me.

"I's assume you's know where the distribution center is?"

"Kind of. I's sold in Brooklyn but I've seen it before."

"I'm sure the boys will take you. Have you both eaten yet?"

We shook our heads.

"Well let's eat and then we can discuss arrangements."

That meal was probably the best thing Jack and I had ever eaten. Courtesy of Mr. Kloppman. We scarfed our food down like we hadn't eaten in weeks.

The boys were nice, I even found some familiar faces. Over the years Blink, Mush, Race, and Crutchy had slowly ended up here.

The boys got along with Jack and I. Kloppman and Nancy joined in the chaos of random conversations and food fights.

For the first time in a long time, I truly felt at home.

Present Day: April 1900

Now here we were 5 years later and the lodge house was just as much home as anywhere else.

I put my head on Jack's shoulder and we both drifted off to sleep. The racing thoughts in my head slowed and I was finally at peace.