Brooklyn Baby | Spot Conlon ¹

Chp. 21: John Luciano

The next morning, Spot and I were sitting on the top of his crate stack, just looking over the sunrise. It looked beautiful over the bridge. Most of the boys were sellin' papes or swimming.

"As much as I regret to inta-fere, Spot, Fetch needs ya." I heard Bucky say.

"What is it?" Spot almost growls.

"Go see Fetchy, it's urgent,"

"I'll go with ya," I say.

"Alright, let's go," Spot says.

We walk over to where Fetch was pacing. That couldn't be a good sign, I thought.

"What's up, Fetch?" Spot asks.

"I just got a message from Ollie,"

"Who's Ollie?" I say, confused.

"Staten Island messenga'," Spot says without looking at me. "What did Ollie say?"

"Someone's looking for you,"

"A lot of people is lookin' fa me, just send 'em ta Brook--"

"No, Spot, you don't understand. You don't want this one to find you,"

"Who is it?" Spot asks, growing eager.

"John Luciano,"

Spot's expression changed. He opened his mouth, but said nothing. Fetch also looked a little nervous. I squint at them both, but Spot says something to Fetch before I can ask.

"Tell Red that I's thankin' him for tha heads up."

As Fetch walked away, I grabbed Spot's arm. "Who's John Luciano?"

"No one ya need to worry about,"

"Come on, Spot, I ain't dumb. He's afta ya to hurt ya,"

"So what if he is? I can play hide 'n seek as good as anybody,"

"I's just worried 'bout ya," I try. He looks into my eyes, and takes my hand.

"I thank ya fa that, but please, don't worry 'bout it. I's got it covered,"

I just nod, and he nods once. He goes off to say something to Wiz and the other guard, leaving me to sit on his crates. I wait until he comes back, chatting with Bucky and Peak.

"Do you guys know who John Luciano is?"

"Nope, neva' hoid of 'im," Bucky says.

"I's neva' been told 'bout him," Peak agrees.

I was very determined to find out who this man was, and why he wanted to find Spot.

Spot's Pov

Kenny stayed over in Brooklyn this time. I insisted she should, but I's not tellin' her why. I knew that he was out there, and who knows what he'd do with her.

In the middle of the night, someone rushed up to my room, waking both me 'n Ken.

"Spot, come quick!" It was Buck.

"What is it?"

"Just hurry,"

"Stay here," I instructed Kenny, who just nodded.

I climbed down the ladder, and followed Buck outside. A bunch of the olda' newsies was out there too, crowded around something. They all moved back when they saw me.

The thing, or, person, they were crowded around, was Geo. He was dead.

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oh shit