Brooklyn *Spot Conlon Love Story*

Chapter 30: Home Again

The train chugs along, slower than molasses in January. Hours crawl by. Minutes drag on. Seconds turn into hours. Forever. Excruciating.

I hunch over in my seat, dressed in my Newsie clothes. New plaid shirt, not as ratty as the old one. Newer, nicer pants without holes in the knees. My boots are new, a bit scuffed from walking in them all the time. But, I couldn't get a new hat or new suspenders. I just couldn't.

The strike comes into my mind. Such a vivid memory for someone who had very short lived moments. I stare out the window with sorrow reflecting back at me. I miss everything. What would I give to be sixteen again, with the thrill of fighting Pulitzer in an epic battle that, really, changed history? Everything. I miss that period of my life. Everything seems dull compared to that moment. Even the murder mystery that we dealt with.

I remember it as if it were yesterday. I remember walking out of that circulation office fuming about the fact that I was now forced to pay an extra ten cents a pape. I remember Davy and I encouraging Jack to begin the strike. Jack has always had a way with words, whereas I was always the brains behind his mouth. At least, when something good came out, that is.

I remember Jack being scared of the fact that I wanted to go to Brooklyn. At the time I couldn't see anything wrong with it. That is, until I met Spot Conlon. Brooklyn Newsie leader. An ego too big for even five of his own heads. Such a player. The flirtatious winking at me. Calling me Doll Face. Now, I realize that that had been because he actually liked me, not because he wanted to play with my heart. If that had been the case, I wouldn't have given him any satisfaction in that.

I remember going to the fight and Spot showing up. I felt something flutter in my chest then. I knew I liked him. I had gone to talk to him, determined to come back with a yes to the strike and still came back uncertain. Spot Conlon was just as stubborn as I was. Well...almost.

I remember the Newsie rally and Jack's arrest. I also remember our make out thing during that. That was...wonderful. I loved him that and love him now. I remember when Jack was arrested, he was there for me. I love him so much.

The train lurches to a stop, causing me to jerk forward and butterflies erupt in my stomach. I gather my belongings as the conductor calls for Manhattan, New York. I climb off the train and hear a familiar voice shout.

"There she is!"

Racetrack. My best friend. I feel tears well in my eyes as my eyes snap to the now eighteen year old. He looks so old and grown up. I drop my bags and launch myself into the arms of my best friend. He catches me with no problem and plants about seven kisses on my head. He's so tall now, I look like a munchkin compared to him. But, his same cheeky smile and street smart personality. I feel Race's cheeks against my hair and realize they're wet with tears and I realize I'm crying too.

"Jay!" Jack's voice cuts through the air. I turn to my older brother with tears pouring out of my eyes. I immediately jump to him. His arms wrap around me so tightly. He kisses my head and forehead over and over, making up for a year of affection missed.

Then, I realize that both boys are dressed in nice suits for their work. I'm so proud of both of them. I kiss Jack's cheek and step out of him grip.

"I missed ya so much," I tell him. Jack smiles widely when he hears my accent still thick as ever. I had stopped writing with it.

"I missed ya too, Jay," Jack says, his accent mirroring mine, except that mine is bit heavier towards Brooklyn because of the amount of time I spent there. I guess I just picked it up.

Then, an Italian accent pierces the air. "So, are we just gonna stand 'ere, or are we goin' back ta the lodgin' house?"

I tilt my head in confusion. The lodging house? Both of them live I'm their own houses. Jack is even married. Oh, yeah!

"Congratulations, Jack," I tell him. "I think I's gonna make a pretty good aunt."

Jack blushes bright red. "Thanks, sis."

"Let's go," I say. Jack leads us to a coach. He whispers to the driver and we head off. I caress the railing. "This is yours?"

"Mine, actually," Race answers. I smile at my best friend and ruffle his hair.

We pull up to the lodging house and we walk inside. Immediately, I'm engulfed in a huge hug. I hug back and pull away to see Kamden. I grab her hands and then, I notice something. A ring on her left finger. And engagement ring.

"Kamden! What the hell?" I yell, studying her finger closely. "Why didn'tja tell me in your letters?"

"Thought I'd surprise ya when ya came back," she answer bluffly. I smile and pull her in for a tight hug.

"Well, it woiked," I exclaim. "So, is the lucky guy the one I think it is?"

"Yeah," another voice enters the conversation. Crutchy comes in a wraps an arm around his fiancé's waist. Only, there's a difference. He doesn't have a crutch. I freak out.

"Crutchy, where's ya crutch?" I ask. He smiles at me.

"I saved the money ya sent for Christmas and me birthday," he says happily. "It added up ta enough ta fix me leg."

"That's great, Crutchy!" I exclaim, glad I could help. He nods. I give him a huge hug and he kisses my forehead lovingly. "So, whadda ya do now?"

"I woik as the lodgin' house directer," Crutchy tells me. I crease my brow.

"But, ain't that Kloppman's..." I trail off. It hits me like a ton of bricks. I feel tears well in my eyes.

"Why didn't nobody tell me?" I demand. They all look at Jack for the answer.

"We knew you's would be upset n' we didn't wantcha ta have ta deal wit that, Tick, and your studies," Jack tells me. The anger leaves. I see what he did and I thank him for it. I wipe my tears away hurriedly. "I'd sorry."

"S'okay, Jack," I answer. He nods and then, a smile floods his face. "What?"

"Come wit me," he says. I follow him up the staircase to the bunking room. I see a freshly washed and pressed dress laying out on my bad. It's actually a gorgeous dress, despite how much I hate them. There's a pair of heels brown boots beside the bed and some pins. I guess Kamden's doing my hair, but why?

"What's this?" I ask him. Jack smiles at me.

"I'd takin' ya somewhere," he answers simply. I nod. Wait, where's Spot?

"Where's Spot?" I ask Jack before he leaves. He turns and looks at my face, his smile faltering a moment before returning. I guess I look hurt that the love of my life didn't show up.

"You'll see 'im," Jack assures me. He gives me one last kiss on the cheek before leaving me to change.