I stayed in Brooklyn the next day. I didn’t feel like going to Manhattan and dealing with Jack. I sat on the edge of the harbor with my feet in the water. I heard someone come up behind me. I looked and it was Jack. I rolled my eyes.
“Get lost or somethin’?” I snapped.
“No,” Jack said, “I came to apologize, dats all.”
“Well, apology not accepted.”
Jack knelt down behind me. “I brought ya flowers.”
I turned around and took the baquet from him. I smelt the flowers then threw them into the harbor. Jack stared wide eyed at me. I shrugged. “Flowers ain’t my style.”
Jack furrowed his brow in frustration. “I’m tryin’ ta say I’m sorry. Won’t ya just listen to me?”
“No, I won’t. You never listen ta me anymore. Ya always snappin’ at me like I done somethin’ to ya. Well I’m tired of it.”
“I ain’t always snappin’ at ya.”
I poked him. “See? Ya just did. Everytime I say somethin’, everytime ya got somethin’ ta say. I can’t do it no more, Jack!”
I stood up and walked away from him. He went after me and grabbed my arm so I would turn around. “I got a lot on my mind, alright? I don’t mean ta be mean to ya.”
“Well, ya are. Ya went too far yesterday, Jack.”
“Give me anudder chance den.”
I rolled my eyes. The last thing I wanted was to give Jack another chance. He had hit the line. He didn’t treat me like a little sister anymore. I was about done with him for good, but I couldn’t be. The Manhattan newsies were my family. They had been with me through everything. I looked at Jack and sighed heavily.
“Fine,” I said, “I’ll give ya anudder chance but ya better not mess dis one up.”
“I won’t, promise.” He held up his hands in surrender. “Hug it out?”
“No.”
“Come on, ya know ya want a hug.”
“No I don’.”
“Come on.”
“No, Jack.”
“Come on.” He started tickling me.
I started laughing. “No Jack, stop I can’ breathe, ya idiot.”
He wrapped his arms around me. He laughed and wrapped my arms around him. He was alright for an idiot. He buried his face in my shoulder and pulled me closer. I was starting to feel a bit awkard so I pulled away. He stared at me with sparkling eyes. Something I only had seen him do with Sarah.
I chuckled nervously, “Yous a good kid for an idiot.”
“I ain’t no idiot.”
“Ya ain’t no smart guy either and there ain’t no inbetween.”
“I don’ know how Spot does it. I can’t win wit you.”
“Spot know how to keep a girl. Don’ talk to much.”
He seemed to flinch like he was in pain when I mentioned Spot. “Well, ya better get back to sellin’ papers.”
“Carryin’ the banner right?”
“Carryin’ the banner.”
He smiled wide at me before walking away. I watched him leave then went to go sit back on the harbor. For once, I felt awkward being around Jack.
YOU ARE READING
My Newsie Baby Too (A Spot Conlon Love Story)
FanfictionLes and Spot have already been dating for a year. Everything is looking up except for Jack acting more and more irriated by the minute. But could there be another reason he's being so hostile to Les and Spot other than the fact that Sarah left?
