Brooklyn Baby | Spot Conlon ¹

Chp. 16: Be Careful

"You's full a shit,"

"Naw I ain't," Skittery said.

"He ain't dead," I reply.

"I hoid it, from a passin' newsie,"

"Kenny, just go check it out," Race says.

"Good idea. If Skiddy's gone, Hah-lem is in deep shit," Jack agrees.

"Alright, I'll go," I say.

I don't know where Skittery and Snipeshooter got the crazy idea that Skiddy died, but it's about time I pay him a visit anyway. I haven't seen him in a good couple of days. Everyone was getting back into the swing of things since the strike. It didn't really do our body clocks any good to sleep in while on strike.


Once in Harlem, I made my way to the abandoned factory warehouse where the Harlem newsies dwelled. Skiddy found it while selling a while back, and adopted it as their hangout. We didn't really have a hangout. We mostly were at Tibby's or the lodging house, and the town square. Everywhere else I've been, the newsies had their spot. Brooklyn has the dock overlooking the harbor. Queens has an old barnyard.

"Oi, Kenny, how ya been?" Potts called to me.

"Good, how's ya been?"

"Great. Ya here ta see Skiddy?"

"So the rumors ain't true?"

"They's about as true as Pulitza's headlines," He scoffs. I laugh and continue walking into the warehouse.

"Kenna, haven't seen ya in a while," Skiddy said.

"Been busy, Skid."

"Too busy fa me? I's offended,"

"We been gettin' back into the routine, ya know? Carryin' tha banna' and such,"

"I got ya," He says.

"I heard a rumor that ya died," I say, shaking my head. "I actually was worried fa a second,"

"Don't believe everything ya hear," He says. "Not everythin' is true,"

"Yeah, I know, I know. Well, now that I know ya ain't dead, I should get back ta 'Hattan,"

"See ya 'round, Kenna."

I wave and start walking back. The leaves on trees are slowly starting to change color. It was mid-July, and not only was it getting cooler, the trees were already preparing for Fall.


While walking to Manhattan, I ran into someone.

"Oh, hiya, Kenny Sullivan." It was Peak, one of the Brooklyn newsies.

"What is it with ya Brooklyns' and callin' people by their full name?"

"It's a form a respect, and you's Spot's goil."

"Whatcha' doin' out here, anyways?"

"Me cousin lives in Hah-lem, and I was on me way to see 'im."

"I was just comin' from there." I say, then quickly squint at him. "And don't you go tellin' Spot I was in Harlem. He doesn't like ta hear it,"

"Wasn't plannin' on it," He says. "I ain't a messenga. That ain't any a me business why you's in Harlem, and it ain't really Spot's eitha."

"You's pretty smart. How old are ya?"

"Almost fifteen."

"Not bad. I'll let ya go, Peak." I say as he nods.

"Good day, Kenny Sullivan,"

I watched him walk off into the distance before turning back on my way. I thought about going to see Spot, but he was probably busy selling papes or something. I wouldn't want to bother him, so I just went back to Manhattan.

---

"Kenny, pass tha towel, wouldja?" Race called from the shower. I closed my eyes and handed it to him. After I felt him take it, I turned around and walked back to where I was sitting.

"Race, why is ya showerin'?" I say. "It's early,"

"I's meetin' a goil at tha tracks,"

"A goil, eh?" I say with a smirk.

"Kiddin'. Boots flung dirt at me while we was playin' pokah."

"Damn, I really wanted to see how that woulda' gone,"

"Yeah, well, someday. Speakin' a which, how is you and Spot doin'?" He asks.

"We ain't doin' anythin',"

"When did ya become such a bad li-ah?" He says with a scoff.

"I ain't a bad li-ah, you just know me too well," I retort.

"Yeah, I do. Tell me what's goin' on,"

"Ya can't tell Jackie, but I trust ya won't," He nods. "Spot asked me ta be his goil,"

"I called it! Oh, Mush owes me some serious money--"

"No, he doesn't, because he will not find out."

"Aw, come on, Ken--"

"You know how Mush talks. He'll spill secrets fasta' than you can say 'em. Just don't tell anyone," I say. He groans.

"Fine,"

"Good Race," I say, patting his wet head.

"Just don't get hurt, okay?"

"Ah, come on. When have I ever gotten hurt by a guy?"

"You's haven't, but that don't mean that you won't. Just be careful with someone like Spot,"

"Got it,"

"Good."

<><>

yayay race knows