The Boy Who Smelt Like Cigars

Chapter 6- Unreadable

POV Brooklyn

"So a... Brooklyn, ya eva been to da theata?" Race asks lighting a fat cigar.

I shake my head no.

I have never been to a show but my folks went to a bunch before my siblings and I were born. They used to tell us all about the shows though. Thousands of people gathered in one room to watch performers sing, dance, and act. Sounds amazing to me. 

But you know how it goes, once you have kids you either don't have the time or don't have the money. For my parents, it was both.

"Dats ok. We go almost two times a week. Jack's parents are friends with Medda, so we get ta come for free." Race continues.

Most people will pay good money to see these shows. But these boys get to go often. So lucky.

The show was great! I really enjoyed it. Medda had some really cool costume changes and I loved all of her colorful dresses. 

It was fun to watch the boys sing along to all of Medda's songs. Most of them even drool over.

When the show is over we hang around and wait to see Medda. She greets us with a grin. Jack gives her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Did you all enjoy the show?" Medda asks. 

The boys nod and cheer in response. The boys bombard Medda with their compliments about her show while me and Race hang back. We wait near the exit.

Right on cue, Spot and a few of the Brooklyn newsies walk up to Race and I. Spot has a much more friendly expression on this time. He holds his cane in one hand and a silver flask in the other.

"Hey Race! I was just telling dem 'bout a few weeks ago when ya won ten bucks from dat horse race at Sheepshead." Spot exclaims. 

He seems to be in a better mood then earlier too. Race's face lights up at the praise and attention he is receiving. 

"Oh... yeah it was nothin'. Did Spot tell yous what we blew da cash on? A case of beer!" Race laughs along with Spot and his buddies.

"Me and Race finished 'em way before it was ova' too. We couldn't walk or talk straight by da end of it. Two cops noticed we was drunk and had no tickets so we's ran! I's not sure how we's made it out of there! Race was throwin' up all da beer by da time we got back ta da city." Spot continues. 

He smiles smugly. Race blushes and playfully punches Spot in the stomach a few times.

"Ah stop it! Ya too kind Spot, really." Race says sarcastically.

I think it is cute that Race is all embarrassed in front of me.

Spot turns his attention to me, "You must be Bridge. Nice to meet ya. I'm-"

Without thinking I cut him off, "Spot Conlon. I know who you are. Pleasure to meet you." I say confidently. 

I shake his hand firmly. His hand feels rough and sort of blistered.

"Smart goirl," he notes and folds his arms across his chest. 

He begins to carefully look me up and down. Our eyes meet when he looks back at my face. I hold his gaze for a moment.

At the corner of my eye, I see some of the newsies head out the door. Jack walks over to where we are standing and says his goodbyes to Spot and his friends.

After saying goodbye, I turn to follow Jack and Race out the door. Instead, Spot grabs me by the waist.

"What the... What are you doing?" I hiss at Spot in a serious tone I didn't even know I had.

He let's go of me startled by my reaction. Do girls just fall at his feet or something?

"We're stoppin' at Tibby's before we head back to Brooklyn. Whatta ya say? Care ta join us?" Spot asks.

I can't read what he was trying to say. It is so frustrating. 

I am usually good at picking up on peoples emotions and understanding them. But I struggle to read Spot. He is so intimidating yet mysterious. 

I can't tell if he is flirting with me and asking me to join him as his date or if he was going out of his way to ease my noticeable nerves towards him.

"No thanks... I better get back at the lodge. It's getting late. It was nice meeting you Spot." I say quickly. 

I hurry to follow everyone out the door. I glance back to look at Spot before I shut the door. He is still staring in my direction.

One we get back to the lodge, I walk to the roof to grab my dress. I hung it up earlier after rinsing it in the sink.

It looks the cleanest it's been in a long time. You can now tell it's a white dress. I rip off a few of the layers of the skirt until I'm left with one.

I head to one of the bathroom stalls to change. After, I stand in front of the mirror and wash my face and brush my teeth.

" Ey, ey I don't need another mirror hogger 'round here." a voice teases.

I look up to see Specs with his arms crossed. I roll my eyes at him. 

He acts all girly and prissy and pretends to comb his own hair.

I take my toothbrush out of my mouth and protest, "I don't look like that. I'll be done in a minute." 

I finish up and head back into the bedroom. I sit on my bed and start to fold my new clothes. A few giggles echo the room. 

I look up to see a few of the boys putting on a... show while they undress for bed. Their plastered smirks are playful yet annoying. 

"Whatta ya clowns in love with ya self or somethin'?" Jack jokes as he walks by noticing the performance I'm receiving from the guys. 

I place my folded clothes on the bedside table and climb under the blanket. I haven't slept in a real bed for months. I roll over on my side and pull the the blanket to my nose. 

Blink climbs onto the top bed above me and tells me goodnight.

I look around. Everyone is settling down for the first time today. I watch Jack make his rounds around the room checking to see everyone has made it to bed in one piece. Then, he climbs into his own bed. 

I can tell Jack is a genuine guy. He seems to be always looking out for everyone.

The last lamp finally goes out and I roll over again. Race quietly walks over to put out his final cigarette of the day in the dish on the bedside table that separates our beds.

"Night Race." I whisper. 

He turned to face me and smiles.

"Night Brooklyn."

"Night wacey"  Blink shouts from across the room in a girly voice. 

I scoff unimpressed with his joke.

"Keep dat up and I'll soak ya tomorra' mornin." Race angrily fires back. 

"Wouldja all just can it. I's tryin' ta sleep." Skittery yells in a scratchy voice.

"Yeah guys, knock it off! Skittery's beauty sleep is important." Mush shouts back.

The boys continue to yell at make fun of each other for a few more minutes until finally the room falls silent. 

And I fall into the most peaceful sleep I've had in a very long time.