Brooklyn, Baby | Spot Conlon ²

Chp. 28: What Happened to Manhattan

Getting the newsies on the train to New York in a private car was not hard. 

Getting them to settle down about Spot? Very hard. 

"Listen, all of you, please," Jack says. "Let Kendall speak," 

"I know this is extremely hard to wrap your heads around. Trust me, I went through it. Alone, and secretively. I apologize for keeping this from all of you, but you can understand it was what I thought was best. Spot meant no harm from disappearing, and he has his reasons, which have not been revealed yet. I cannot wait to be back home with everyone, and we will be staying at Kloppman's keeping a very low profile," She says. 

"That means no Sheepshead, Anthony," David calls. 

"Screw off," 

"Language, baby," Rosaline grins. 

Kendall stepped off her pedestal and sat down next to Spot and Jack. 

"Did you ever speak to Eric?" 

"Yes," 

Flashback...

"Eric, I'm so SO sorry for keeping this from you," Kendall says. "I did really love you," 

"Kendall, I am very sad to see you go. But, I know true love only happens once." 

"You know, absolutely nothing was wrong with Eric Buckley." Kendall speaks. 

"There honestly wasn't," Jack agrees. 

"You's makin' me jealous," Spot says sarcastically, his mouth full with bread. 

Kendall rolled her eyes and shoved him. Christian was staring at Spot like he was a ghost. 

"I don't understand how he's alive," 

"Is my good eye not fully functioning?" Ryan asked. 

"Mushy, I didn't die. Simple as that." Spot spoke up. 

"I hope New York didn't change too much while we were away," Anthony says. "We've been gone for quite a while,"

"What could change? New York is New York." 

And boy, were they wrong. 

<>

The streets were surprisingly empty for the early hour of the day. No newsies were scattering about, desperately trying to make a penny or two. 

"We just paid a visit not too long ago," Kendall says, confused. "Everything was normal," 

"Let's go talk to Mr. Kloppman," 

The group all arrived at the lodging house, which was also empty. Now, they were very confused. 

"Mr. Kloppman," Jack held out his hand. 

"Well if it ain't my boy Jack Kelly! Barely a boy anymore--look at all of ya! Miss Kenny, quite the beauty you grew up to be."

"Mr. Kloppman, I hope you understand this, there's really no easy way to say this but, Spot didn't actually die, and we were all hoping we could lay low here until we figure out how to get back into the swing of things?" 

"You know ya don't even have to ask! My boy, I knew you were too slick to die on us that fast," Mr. Kloppman winked at Spot, who grinned. 

They stayed in the lodge until after dusk to remain being unseen. 

"So, think all of ya will fit in the big room? Miss Kenny and Rosaline will sleep in the extra room o' course," 

"With all due respect sir, and to all of ya, I think I should go see Bucky and figure out what's goin' on around here," Spot tipped his hat with his forefinger.