Brooklyn, Baby | Spot Conlon ²

Chp. 4: 18th Birthday

August 15th, 1901

It is my birthday today! I have just awoken from my short slumber, as I could barely sleep from excitement. Today, I become a full adult! 

Kendall stretched her legs as she stood up from her bed. She quickly got dressed in her normal, everyday dress. 

She heard a knocking on the door. 

"Just a moment!" She quickly put her hair in a slicked back ponytail before opening it. 

"Happy birthday, Kendall!" Francis stood there, already dressed as well. 

"Thank you, dear brother!" 

He hugged her before letting her put shoes on to go down to the parlor where the rest of the family would be. 

"Kendall, there's the brand new adult!" Uncle William clapped. 

"Happy birthday!" 

"Thank you all!" She smiled. 

"Happy birthday, my fair lady," Eric kissed her hand. 

"There is pound cake waiting for you in the dining hall, as I know it is your favorite dish of the maids," 

"You know I can't resist," Kendall grins. 

"Shall we go and dig in, then?" Uncle William dismissed, leading everyone to the dining hall. 

"I say we do!" 

The table was abundantly set with the normal breakfast dishes: waffles, cream, strawberries, eggs, bacon, the list could go on. Breakfast was definitely a favorite for the former newsies, as they often woke up without it in New York. 

"This is absolutely divine," Christian beams, politely trying to not stuff his face. 

"I second that, pass the strawberries, Harry," David spoke. 

"While we enjoy this meal, shall we discuss the details for tonight?" Aunt Anne asks. 

"Yes, dear. Kendall, you are the guest of honor for the ball tonight," 

"Ball?" 

"Yes, everyone who is anyone will be attending. A perfect chance for our selection of young men here to meet a debutante," Uncle William says. "The Rockerfellers will be attending as well, so I expect the best behavior from each of you, not that it will be an issue." 

"Aunt Anne, I haven't anything to wear--" 

"Not to worry, darling, it's all been made up." 

"I do believe we have ourselves a ball, then!" 

"All of you are to be ready to go at 5 sharp," Uncle William says. "The coaches will be here to transport us to the venue," 

"Boys, your dress suits should be in the back of your closets," 

"The Rockerfellers, you say?" Henry engages. 

Kendall tunes out the business talk as she mentally prepares her look for the night. A ball. She'd never been to anything that required sophisticated clothing, unless you count the rally. You probably wouldn't. 

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"Miss Sullivan, the bath has been drawn. We shall lay out your dress for when you are finished," Martha, a maid, said. 

"Thank you very much," 

She had bathed in the porcelain tub countless times, but she sat in the hot water for a while. It was her first birthday without Spot. She smiles as she remembers two years ago, when Spot had surprised her with the rest of the newsies.