Brooklyn Baby | Spot Conlon ¹

Chp. 27: Loss

  "Or he'd just stop sellin' papes," Skiddy laughed as he finished his story.

"Yeah, maybe,"

"How you holdin' up these days, eh? Wit Spottie?"

"I's doin' alright,"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." I look out at the sunset that was starting to paint itself.

"Spot's a lucky guy,"

"Thanks,"

"He almost.." Skiddy scooted so he could be closer to me. "Doesn't deserve ya.."

He started to lean in, pressing his lips to mine, and I immediately panicked. I instinctively kissed back, before my eyes shot open and I pushed myself off him. I started to sprint off, hearing my name being called, which made me run faster.

Third Person POV

Hack had been doing his usual duty, patrolling around Manhattan and Harlem. He had been about to finish his shift as the sun was setting, so he decided to go see Skiddy before nightfall.

He didn't approach the Harlem newsies when he spotted Kenny. He usually told Spot if he had seen her during the day, but Spot didn't want him to follow her around. Spot knew Kenny wouldn't like that too much.

He had watched in confusion as Skiddy kissed Kenny, but was appalled when he saw her kiss back. Deciding his shift was over early, he raced back to Brooklyn.

Flashback:

"Yeah, you's more than welcome to stay here," Skiddy said to the girl not even a year younger than him. She must've been thirteen, no older. "Any friend of Jack's is a friend o' mine,"

She stayed with him for three months, and they grew close. He treated her like an old friend. They laughed together, shared stories. He taught her tricks to selling papes, she taught him how to pick-pocket.

When Jackie got out, she spent more of her time in Harlem. She turned fourteen, and started to see things in a new perspective. She saw Skiddy as a romantic interest, and he saw her the same way. They spent day and night together, and soon, were official. They ended up breaking up months later when Jack threw a fit. Then, she didn't see him the same way. Skiddy never lost his spark for her, despite the girl he had been on/off with.

Kenny's Pov

I didn't just do that. I couldn't have. I love Spot. I don't like Skiddy. That's long over. Then why did I kiss back? My head was pounding with conflicting feelings.

I raced back to Manhattan, and retreated to my top bunk. I ignored Jack and Mush, and Race. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I just needed to be alone, to think.

Spot's Pov

"And I told 'im ta find a new place ta sell papes," Bucky told me. I was half-listenin'.

"Spot," Hack breathed. He was early from his shift, and looked like he sprinted here.

"Hack,"

"I was spyin'," He gasps for air. "I was in Harlem, ya know?"

"Yeah?"

"And Kenny was there,"

"Was she,"

"Yeah, but that ain't all,"

<>

Kenny was frustrated from the presence of annoying boys, so she went outside the lodging house. She went to sit at the place where Spot had told her his name, by the river next to the city. The bridge was pretty close in distance, sitting on the same river. The sun was almost completely set, and she swung her legs off the edge of the water. 

Spot was furious. He had known all along there was something more between Kenny and Skiddy. He sensed it. Why else was she always there?He had no idea how long this had been going on behind his back, but he felt like someone just plunged a sword right into his heart. He stormed all the way to Manhattan. When he did, he didn't find her at the lodging house.

"Where is she!?"

"Spot, what's got ya knicka's in a twist, eh?" Race asked.

"Racetrack Higgins ya tell me where she is!"

"By the riva'," He said, watching Spot storm out. "Sheesh,"

"Spot," She stood up when she heard him.

Kenny's Pov

"How could ya?" He growled.

"Spot, before you jump ta conclusions, lemme explain," I tried.

"Sure, why don't ya explain why you was makin' out with someone who ain't me!?"

"He kissed me!" It wasn't entirely a lie. He did.

"Hack said ya kissed back," He said. "I got a witness,"

"I-I,"

"Ya know, Kenny, you ain't the only goil in New York. I see goils everyday wit a pretty face," He says. Ouch. "But I always think that you's betta. I never think about them, only you."

"Spot, I have no feelings for Skiddy whatsoever. I only like you--"

"Then why were ya kissin' him?!"

"It was an instinct, it took me by surprise."

"Did I not pop into ya head?!"

"No you did," I say. "We have a complicated history, and his move was a shock ta me,"

"Ya still kissed him, Kenny." He says gravely. "You...You lost my trust,"

"Spot--"

"No, Kenny. We's done," He turned to walk back to Brooklyn, leaving me with tears forming in my eyes.

"Spot!" I called. He kept walking. "Spot.." My voice cracked as I started to sob into my hands. I just lost the most important person in my life. I lost my Spot. I just lost my heart.

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i hate this and myself