A Newsie Story

Chapter 13

Spot bursts into tears. Spot doesn't cry but when I say those words he starts sobbing. All of us are silent before I start crying too. Between tears I look at Medda,"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You had ta find out on ya own child. I knew you would find out eventually,"She says patting my hair.

Spot and I do hold a family resemblance. Same nose, same temper, similar hair, and our eyes are the same shape even though his are brown. He takes after our dead father while I take after my mother, but we got a kind of temper that neither of them had. Suddenly everything makes sense.

"Anthony! I can't believe it's really you! How? You were right near us this whole time,"I say giving him another bone crushing hug.

He whimpers,"Sis! I can't breath!"

I grin.Spot is my brother! My brother is here! My brother Spot is in my arms as I crush the life out of him. Oops. I step back and blush. I'm not usually this lovey. He wraps me in a hug again patting my back.

"So ta answer ya question I left afta Da was especially drunk. You'se was out with anotha possible husband and he kept beating on me. I let him at foist but then he brought out da butcher knife. He was goin ta kill me because I wasn't the perfect son he wanted. I ran and I didn't wanna. I was gonna come back foah ya but he said that he would kill you'se if I eva came back,"He says quietly.

I stare at him and I'm glad that he never came back for me even though sometimes I wish he would of. I smile at him,"Da really missed ya after ya left. He just said that you ran away is all. Mama missed you too, but I missed you most of all. I thought I would never see you again!"

"I'm real sorry that I left you'se wit him,"He spits out the word him. Anthony always hated Da because he remember our real Dad so well. I never met our real father since he died before I was even born.

I frown because I'm already starting to forget the crazy old man,"It's ok. He wasn't as bad after ya left. Mama died a few months ago and do ya remember her crazy sister who hated me? Well Da gave me to her and she left me to die. I've kind of forgotten him."

"How could he leave you'se wit that bitch,"Spot asks looking angry.

"I look so much like Mama that he hated seeing me."

Silence fills the place and then Medda speaks up quietly,"The doors ah supposed ta open soon. You'se can all go backstage if ya don't want ta move Race yet."

We agree and carry Race backstage to let him rest awhile. He lost a ton of blood and he can't even walk yet. Davey looks at me almost angry as we sit in a little dressing room backstage. Finally I've had enough of his weird stare. I turn to him,"What's the matter Davey?"

"It's just that you ah related ta Spot. Spot don't like me much,"He says looking at Race quietly.

I look at him concerned,"Whatever happened between you two?"

"It's kind of a long story."

"We've got plenty of time,"I respond quietly.

He starts with a sigh,"Afta the strike I was kind of a loner except for Les. Jack left right afta the strike for his new job and I don't think anyone knew how ta deal with me really. Race was best friends with Spot. So one night Spot wants ta soak me foah the hell of it. Race stops him and Spot gets angry at Race. Race sticks up foah me. That night is the night that we found you about a month afta the strike. I kind of took Race away from Spot and he hates me foah it. Afta we found you we was always taking care of ya so Spot and Race stopped being friends. He also thinks I'm a threat to him and his power."

I look at him carefully,"Will you please stop fighting? It's killing me. He's my brother and you have to except that."

"It will take me a little while ta comprehend but I'll get used ta it. Something has changed in ya eyes. It's not just Spot. You'se is looking at me different,"He says looking at me concerned.

"I forgive you."

"For the fight we had?"

"For everything."

He wraps me in a gentle hug and I let him for the first time in weeks.

* * *

Davey and I carry Race home at about 9 at night. We are all thoroughly exhausted. Spot helps dragging Race home and protecting us in the process. He stays for a little while and we talk about everything since he left.

He came to Brooklyn right after he ran away and found a place with the newsies. "They knew what it was like ta have drunk parents. Some a them had the same situation as us even and I felt right at home. Afta a year they all looked up ta me since I was such a good shot wit a slingshot. The old leada got shot in the back from a big gang. The boys voted me leada a few days afta that. Then a legend was born,"He says winking.

"Were you always this full of yourself,"I ask playfully punching him on the arm.

He grins,"Well when you'se ah the leada foah the biggest bunch a newsies in New York ya got a right ta have a big head."

A little after that he departs giving me the biggest most affectionate hug that Spot Conlon has ever given. He hugs Race gently and he even gives Davey an awkward hug. After Spot leaves we all settle into bed. Race has stopped bleeding for now but I stay up all night taking care of him. I can't lose him.

They wake up the next morning passed out from exhaustion. The boys get dressed quickly and leave a little note on the door. I wake up groggily at about 1 in the afternoon. I don't know where I am or what century I am in. I find the note on the door.

"Dear Olivia,

Thankyou so much for taking care of me during the night last night. We will be selling enough papes today for all three of us so you should have a free day. Relax! Be careful though. I wouldn't go to Brooklyn cause Fatso might still be pissed at me. We both just want you to be safe.

Love,

Race and Davey"

I think for awhile as I get ready in a pretty emerald green dress. So I shouldn't go to Brooklyn that's for sure. I suppose I'll just wander around Manhattan for the rest of the day.