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| "Damn it Gwen, wake up!" She awoke to Sammy shaking her. "Spot'll be heah soon, git yer ass in gear." She stopped shaking her and went to her bed to finish getting ready for work. "You don't wanna piss anyone off your foist week in Brooklyn do ya? Especially not Spot Conlon, I'se don't care what Jo taught ya." Gwen managed to get up and drag herself to the bathroom to get ready. When she came out and went back into the bedroom she was startled to see Spot sitting next to Jo on her bed. She froze. 'Damn, how long has he been here?' He was obviously sharing a joke with Jo, he was laughing and smiling so big you could see his molars. Gwen tried to walk over to her bed to get her shoes on without being noticed. Spot looked up however when he heard the floor creak, and his mood seemed to change instantly from cheerful to annoyed as he looked at her. " 'Bout time you decided to grace us wid yer presence." He stood up. "I'll meet ya outside." She stood there, assuming that he would just turn and leave. But he stared at her till she realized he wasn't in the mood to wait for her. "But who's gonna get Jo Breakfest? I haven't even eatin' yet..." "You shoulda thought of dat." "I'll git 'er breakfast!" Said a giddy little girl, obviously from the second floor. Gwen hesitated, looking at her, then dashed to the door and down the stairs when she caught Spot's razor sharp eyes cutting into her. He sort of gave a little chuckle when she was gone. Still standing beside Jo's bed she gave him a playful hit as she giggled. "Don't let anyone tell you youse not a gentlman." He looked back around at her, smiled and gently climbed over her back to the window. When he was on the fire escape he grabbed his papes which had been balanced on one side of the windowsill. "Gotta teach dose new bloods der place, wouldn't have gottin where I am if I was a gentlman." Jo continued to smile. (She had been feeling better first thing in the morning.) "I guess not." "I'll come by lattah," he rolled his eyes " 'course wid dis goil dat may be midnight." And with that he headed down to meet Gwen at the front stoop. Though 'meet' isn't the word I'd use. He really just walked by expecting her to catch on and catch up. As she saw him walk by she ran to keep up. Back upstairs... As promised the little girl, Magic, brought Jo something to eat for breakfast. "I feel so much better today, maybe I'll get up and walk around a bit. Though I do seem ta get sick aftah I eat." She looked down at the garbage Mrs. Butts called breakfast. 'It's no wonder I git sick aftah I eat.' Jo thought to herself as she played with her food, pushing it around the bowl with her spoon. She needed her strength however and knew it was this or nothing. Reluctantly she spooned it into her mouth swallowed quickly and washed it down with water, until the bowl was empty. The year in Buffalo had spoiled her, never would they feed their girls such slop their. When she was done Magic took the dirty dishes back down to the kitchen. Jo rolled over to sleep more, the whole time she'd been sick she always felt terrible after eating and would try to sleep through the pain. This morning however was quite different, the food had not sickened her the way it had been, but rather energized her like it used to. Feeling her strength slowly returning she sat up, having been in bed for so long it was difficult to do so. She leaned up against the wall next to the window and let her feet hang over the side of the bed. Sitting there she rested herself to prepare for her long walk to the bathroom. Other days she had gotten help from a few of the orphans downstairs, but today she would do it herself or die trying. Gwen still walking hastily behind him, Spot slowed up when they were across the bridge. He checked to make sure she was still there and stopped for a moment, so she could catch her breath. "We's almost dere." He was actually a little impressed that she was able to keep up, and didn't complain the entire way. Her supposedly close friendship with Jo, he thought, would make her less likely to take him seriously and more likely try to take advantage of him having seen him so vulnerable with Jo. Try as he might to see her as just some girl he had to admit to himself that there was something in her eyes that he found thrilling. And not knowing what that was, was making him feel vulnerable when alone with her. With this thought popping into his head he began walking again, heading straight for Medda's. Once there he knocked on the backstage door, not knowing Medda as well as Jack or Jo he thought it only polite. (Yes I know, SPOT thought it was polite? Well when it comes to beautiful older women he has to do more then be tough to impress them!) Toby answered the door and at once recognized Spot from the rally and ushered them in without a word. He silently motioned for them to stay there, and went to get Medda. Spot leaned up against the railing of the stage steps impatiently toying with his rather large stack of papers. Then Medda came down the stairs, at first only seeing Gwen standing by the door. "And who are you?" She gestured to her with her feather fan. Spot then walked into view, and she smiled. "Vell, vell. Spot Conlon. Haven't you seen you around lately." "Ya well, I'se got business in more den jist Manhattan." He smiled back but his impatience showed. He reached into his pocket and took out Jo's note. "Jo wanted me ta give ya dis. She's ben awfully sick lately." He looked over to Gwen as Medda read the note. Then she too looked over to her. "You must be Gwen. I've heard a little about you." For some reason Medda seemed less excited to meet her as the girls back in Brooklyn. "Well," Medda began, her Swedish stage accent disintegrating, "I can't start you today, but if you'd like to come back tomorrow I could show you some of Jo's responsibilities." Gwen finally had a chance to speak, but didn't know what to say. "Yes, I'd love to...I'll be here bright and early." Spot snickered at the thought of her getting up early enough to be in Manhattan bright and early. Gwen looked over to him with a sharp look, a look she hadn't dared give him before. She had put up with so much this morning and couldn't take it any longer. Medda just watched the two questioningly. From in the auditorium they could hear the crowd becoming louder and chanting her name. "Vell, my people await." She smiled gave a fake bow fanning herself with her feather fan, much like she had done when she first met David and Les. Then she floated up the stairs and out onto the stage to appease her now cheering patrons. Gwen and Spot had watched her go, both in awe at how graceful and sought after she was. When she was back up there doing what she does best, Gwen looked back at Spot who's gaze remained on Medda a smirk beginning to form. She had to break the silence sometime. "What am I supposed to do today if Medda doesn't need me?" Spot's straight face returned and looked over at her. "I'll drop ya off at Central Pawk. You cen hang around dere til I'se ready ta go back ta Brooklyn." "Why can't I just stay with you?" Gwen hadn't meant to let that thought be heard out loud. He looked over to her and laughed. "You've put me behind enough taday, Ise gotta make a livin'. It's gonna be hawd enough ta sell all dese dis time a day, Ise don't need you slowin' me up." There was an awkward silence. "Come on I'll show youse central pawk." He headed out the door and through the streets to Central Park, doing his best to sell his papers on the way. Spot earned his position as the best of the best that day as he sold most of his papers by the time they reached the park. "Heya Spot." Gwen was startled at how loud, close and unexpected the voice was. Spot didn't seem phased and turned to see Jack and a few other Newsies headed over. "Heya Cowboy." They shook in the usual Newsie fashion. Jack quickly noticed the girl, clearly not Jo, by his side as did the others; Race, Mush and David. "Hey Spot, who's da catch?" Race questioned, looking her over winking at her. Mush, let his eyes wander, David just blushed. "Dis heah's Gwen, Angel's friend from Brooklyn. Ya mighta hoid heah tawk about her." Spot watched as the newsies continued to stare at her, almost making him jealous. Gwen was disgusted by the way they stared at her but figured she should try to look flattered. The last thing she needed was to alienate the people she had worked so hard to meet. "Ya well Ise gotta git goin' gotta sell de rest of me papes sometime taday." Spot began to leave. "I'll be back aftah suppah, jist stay heah." He told Gwen as he headed towards the park exit without another word to the perplexed, yet too love stricken to care newsies. ******************************************************** Jo had managed to get to the bathroom, get cleaned up and changed all by herself. Granted she had had to rest a few times, she wasn't completely back to normal. Magic had brought her, her lunch and was just now getting her some supper. It was earlier then she usually eats but the younger ones usually eat early, before the working girls come back. Jo sat on her bed, her back against the wall and her feet towards her pillow, looking out the window wondering when Spot and Gwen would be back. "Got you some supper Jo." Magic brought her the same bowl of slop that they had at nearly every meal, accompanied by a glass of water on a tray. "I was gonna make it special like Gwen always did but I couldnt find what she uses." "Make it special? What do you mean special? What you bring me is the same as what Gwen always brought me." Jo looked over at Magic, sitting on Sammys bed. "You know, special. She always adds somethin' from a little bottle, must make it taste bettah...or maybe it's medicine ta help ya git bettah?" Jo just looked at her like she was crazy, took a sip from the glass and set in on the table (trunk) next to her bed. Magic continued to rant. "I saw her put it in every time I watched her make you a meal. Must be somthin' from Buffalo though, she always takes it out of her pocket. Doesn't seem like a big bottle, she must like you a lot to let you use it so often." Jo began to form thoughts in her head, of what might be in the bottle. She tried to push them from her mind, Gwen wouldnt do anything to hurt her...but she did get sick after every meal...and Gwen had been getting her every meal since shed been sick...and now that Gwen wasn't serving her anymore she was getting better rather quickly. "Forget it Magic. What you bring me tastes way better then what Gwen ever brought me." Jo tried to hide her fear as she looked over to Magic reassuringly. "Promise me somthin' Magic?" She had perked up after Jo's compliments. "Anyting, Jo you know dat." "Promise me dat only you will make me food while I'm still ill...just like you your food has the Magic touch. Seems it's the only thing getting' me bettah." Magic smiled proudly as Jo finished her supper. After she was done Magic yet again took the dirty dishes down to the kitchen. With all her strength Jo got herself up and down the stairs. The old clock at the bottom of the winding staircase read four thirty. Spot wouldn't be back for at least another six hours. [Below added 3/24/03] She shouldn't just sit by as Gwen tried to take her life away from her. She had trusted Gwen and taught her so much and she had been using the entire time. All those stories she told about the newsies had only fueled her desire to leave Buffalo and start a new life, or rather to have Jo's. Jo stepped outside into the surprisingly cool air and leaned up against the stoop railing to catch her breath. The trolley usually passed by around a quarter to five, and the next time after that was quarter to seven which was usually the rush to workers going home. She could hop on the back without the driver knowing, and this way she was sure to get that seat on the back that was out of his view when he looked back. Climbing down the steps she readied herself for the jolt she'd get from grabbing the moving trolley and hopping on. It didn't usually bother her but she was in an awfully weak state still. As the trolley came she reached out grabbing hold of the bar and swinging herself up, almost losing her grip which would have sent her flying across the street. When she was safely perched on the back of the trolley she tried her best to cal, herself, at this rate she'd be too worn out to jump off the trolley without landing flat on her pale face. The trip over the bridge seemed to be too quick as it suddenly hit her; she didn't know what she would say, to whom she would say it and where they were. She figured she'd start in Central Park, then head to Tibby's. As Central Park neared she prepared to hop off, again bracing herself for the impact. But to her surprise the trolley driver made an unscheduled stop across the street. So Jo got off and tried to not look suspicious as she walked over to the park without the driver noticing. She walked to the areas most frequented by the Newsies, and found no one. The next place to look was Tibby's and she was not looking forward to more walking. After so many days in bed she found walking quite painful, she must have been quite a site walking mostly on her toes because putting her heels all the way down was even more painful. She sat down as often and as long as her still enfuriated mind would let her. She was rounding the corner to Tibby's when the church bells ran, it was seven o'clock the newsies may not even be at Tibby's now. 'Damn it Jo' she cursed herself 'You should have come here first!' As she peered into the window there was no sign of a single newsie. Exhausted, furious and now extremely frustrated Jo just let herself sink to the ground and sit in front of the Tibby's window. She would have begun to vry if it weren't for the thoughts of being seen sitting there like that by some newsie. Forcing herself to stand up she decided to head to the newsboys' lodging house. Though it was getting dark she frigured Spot (and Gwen) could still be in Manhattan. As she drew closer to the building she could see lights and movement from within on the second floor. She headed in, still not knowing what exactly she was doing there. "Angel? Well it's great ta see you feelin' bettah!" Kloppman peered over the front desk at her. "Expect yer heah ta see dah boys? Dere up stairs, playin' wid dere cards I'm sure." "Thanks" Was Jo's only reply. She slowly headed up the stairs and peeked into the bunk room where all the noise and light was coming from. Most of the newsies were huddled around an overturned crate in the middle of the room. She could see Jack and some others but a few had their backs to her and she couldn't tell who they were, except the two closest to the door. Spot in his blue flannel shirt she had seem him wearing that morning and Gwen sitting close by a little too close. The groups seemed to be sharing in a joke. When she first arrived she caught the tail end of Gwen saying something about a horse and a Delancy brother, then they all burst out with laughter, then the conversation began again; "Good one Catch." Mush spoke holding his still laugh trembling stomach. 'Who the hell is Catch?' Jo though to herself as Mush continued. "Where'd ya here dat one?" "Made it up me self." Gwen now a.k.a. Catch replied. "It was an awful long trip from Buffalo after all." They all continued to laugh, but it began to die down now. 'Hey!' Thought Jo. 'That's one of the jokes I told her back in Buffalo...' But then something caught her eye, even Spot seemed to be enjoying Gwen's company. 'They're all treating her like...like she's their number one girl or something...so what does that make me? Their number two girl? No, there's no such thing you're either number one or you;re nothing.' She couldn't take it any longer, so without a sound she crept back down stairs and down three blocks just tin time to catch the trolley back to Brooklyn. Climbing the stairs to her bunkroom she didn't say a word to anyone and just climbed into bed without a single person noticing she had been gone, which only added to her depression. So she just laid in bed looking up and out of the window loosing all concept of time till she heard "Catch" come in and go to her bed and the sound of someone creeping up the fire escape. When she heard him getting closer she closed her eyes to make it look as though she was sound asleep, even though adrenaline rushed through her body at the thought of him coming. She listened as he gently opened the window and peered in. "Shhh." Catch scolded Spot. "She's sleeping, by the looks of her she could use it." 'By the looks of me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?!' Jo thought to herself trying not to let any facial expressions show with her disgust at the comment. 'Don't listen to her Spot, you promised you'd visit me later, don't let her tell you what's best for me. You know better then she does!' Jo tried a sort of mental telepathy. Spot didn't say a word however, just closed the window and headed back down the rusty steps. Still awake Jo listened as Gwen left and came back all ready for bed. "Jo." Catch shook her a bit. "Jo I brought you somthin' ta drink." Jo slowly opened her eyes trying to make it look like she had just been awoken from a deep sleep at the same time trying to show her annoyance by Catch's obvious attempt at a NYC accent. "Thanks." Jo took the glass from Catch and set it on the trunk next to her bed. "Aren't you gonna drink it? Doc says ya need ta keep up dem fluids in ya." Catch smiled at her. "Maybe later." Silent awkward pause as Jo tries to think of some way to trap Catch in her lies. "So...has Spot been by yet?" Gwen's mind seemed to stumble as she searched for a good lie, but Catch was quickly back in the game. "Naw, haven't seen him." "I thought he would have brought you back?" Jo said with a half smile while Gwen looked away and stumbled again. "Ya well, he did. But he said he had somthin' ta do and he'd be back latah." Then Catch added "And dat was hours ago." And that was that, if there had been any chance of Gwen's actions being somehow skewed or misinterpreted this proved she was up to something terrible. "Well I'm really tiered." Said Jo, not exaggerating in the slightest. "I'm gonna get some more shut eye." So she turned over and shut her eyes trying to hide the hot tears of anger and hatred streaming down her face, and the sharp feeling of betrayal in her heart. "What about yer water?" Asked Gwen impatiently, but got no response. End Part 7 |
| The Magic Touch |
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