"You too," I replied cheerfully. I reached ova into my bag, grabbed clodes, and staggered to da bathroom.
When I got out Spot was leanin gainst da wall waitin fer me. "Ya ready ta go?"
"Sure. Hope I didn't take too long."
"Na. Coise not." We walked down da stairs to an empty bunk room. "Where are da boys?"
"Dey left bout an hour ago." I glanced at my watch noticin it was 7:30. "I figad you was tired so's I let ya sleep in. We'se can still get some papes if we leave now."
So we walked to da Woild DO in Brooklyn and I got ninety papes. Spot and me sold on da streets all mornin. He came ta get me from my spot which was two cornas down from his. He handed me a sandwich I had seen him jes buy.
"Thanks Spot!"
"Figad I owed ya from last night." We walked back ta da docks and ate on the way. Fish and Shiner wer dere wid some of da guys.
"Heya Spot, Heidi," they both said.
"Hey guys."
"Hi ya Spot," Brass and Brick had jes shown up too, "ya got any plans dis aftanoon?"
"Figad we could stay hea if you'se guys want ta."
"Fine, we'se goin swimmin." Fish said. Da guys thought it was a good idea and they all began....taking off deir clodes. I enjoyed dis lovely spectacle.
"Ya comin in?" Spot asked jes havin discarded his shoit.
"What? Oh, um yeah I uh jes need ta go upstairs real quick." I went up ta Spot's room and tried ta find my halter top and bathin suit shorts. Dey were buried at da bottom of my bag so it took me bout five minutes to put everythin back. I slipped on my suit and opened da door seein Spot on da steps. He jes stood dere for a moment but regained his composure. He was alright seein me in shorts but I guess my suit was a little too much for da moment.
"Um, I uh...came ta see whad took ya so long."
"I had ta find my suit."
"Do all da goils wear stuff like dat?"
"Actually, no, dey wear less."
"Uh huh"
"Yeah it gets to da point when I jes wanna staple some more cloth on em."
"Man I know a bunch of guys who'd like ta live whea you do."
"I'm sure."
"Mat bein one of dem."
"Yeah, anyway whad is Mat? Like, whad does he do?"
"His fadda's a big gangsta, so he's ya know like fadda like son. He don't do much dough basically does his spendin from his fadda's wallet. Bout a month ago he got in a brawl wid anodda gang from Harlem and he killed deir leader. Since den he's taken out a couple more."
"Oh den I guess I should be scared."
"Not wid me round." he grinned. We walked down da stairs and to da docks. Shiner was climbin a ladda and Fish was on one right next ta him but a lil farda down. Shiner looked ova at me and fell back inta da wata.
"Hey wad happened ta you?" Fish looked back at his fallen comrade. He finished climbin and saw me. All da odda guys toined too, dey're jaws slammed on da docks. Brick was comin up now and he whistled.
"Hey ya Heidi, sua lookin hot!" Brass commented startin ta out his arm round my shoulda.
"Watch it Brass," he said half jokingly," you'se got a goil."
"I do?..ohh..."
"Yeah," Brick said usin my shoulda as an arm rest,"so why don't ya share her wid da guys dat ain't got one."
"You guys don't got goils?" I asked dumbfounded.
"I do," Fish said, "and I wouldn't leave 'er fer da most beautiful woman on eoith"
"She's a real lucky goil." I let out.
"Well wad are ya all standin round fer? Let's jump in!" Spot didn't like all da guys starin at me like I was a show. They jumped in and Fish offad fer me ta use da ladda but I dived in right afta Brick and Spot. I went up fer air and saw Spot right in front of me. Brick dunked me from behind and I pulled his legs unda and we started laughin which wasn't a good thin ta do considerin dat we were unda water so I went up gasping for air. Spot was gone and I toined ta look for him while Brick swam to torment da rest of da guys. Jes then I felt my leg bein tickled and I went ta see Spot motionin fer me ta follow him. I followed as he swam unda da pier. I saw him go round a post but then I lost him. Rising for a breathe, I couldn't see him above wata eidda. Suddenly, he came up right in front of me wid a huge grin on his face. Afta a quick breathe he pulled me close and was bout ta kiss me when Brass came frem behind and dunked da both of us. Spot's tempa flared and he charged afta Brass. I laughed while climbin da ladda ta dry off.
~ (Tuesday)
Afta lunch da next day Spot let me sell a street down from him. I had jes finished selling and was goin ta meet up wid him but then I saw Sarah comin down da street.
"Hey Sarah, wad brings ya on dis side of da bridge?"
"Woik."
"You mean ya mend and wash clodes fer people all da way ova hea?"
"Yeah, in Queens too. Speakin of which I'm glad I ran into you. I have to meet Snoddy this afternoon. Can you take this last delivery to a Mrs. Harris in Queens. She lives on da corner of James and Forrest. (seeing how I don't happen to have a map of Queens I just made up those names so don't botha tryin ta find them)
"Sua Sarah, glad ta help."
"Thanks," she said about ta go.
"Uh Sarah, how exactly do ya get ta Queens?" She started laughin forgettin I'd neva been der and she pointed my feet in da direction of Queens.
Da streets of Queens weren't to crowded but dere were da usual venders. I saw a lil goil plain wid some dirt usin a stick. I asked her how ta get ta James. Afta she gave me directions I tossed her two bits. She sat dere starin at it and finally yelled thank you jes when I was bout ta toin da corna. I arrived at da town house and knocked on da door. A goil bout my age opened it.
"Hi, I'm here wid Sarah Jacobs' delivery."
"Come in, I'll get my modda." She escorted me inta a room full of foinature dat resembled my great grandmodda's. I waited on a couch fer bout ten minutes when a radda plump Mrs. Harris came in apologizin fer me wait.
"That's quite alright."
"Now, where's Sarah?"
"She had a date and asked if I could bring yer things ova. I'm Heidi."
"Well it's nice to meet ya. A date, eh. I bet it was wid dat Snoddy fella she's been tellin me bout fer weeks."
"Yes dats da one." Jes then a guy walked in and oh he was incredibly hot!
"Hi, modda."
"Oh, good yer back, where's yer fadda?"
"He has ta woik late tanight."
"Da poor dear, God bless him and all he does fer dis family. Well. dinner's ready we might as well go ahead and eat. Go on and set ta table."
"Dear, we would be honad ta have you as a guest tanight. Oh, and dis is my son Josh, Josh dis is Heidi. She brought our clodes ova fer Sarah."
"A pleasa ta meet ya." He smiled escortin me ta da dining room.
(4:30, in Brooklyn)
"Hey Fish, Shina any luck?"
"No Spot, sorry."
"We couldn't find er eidda." Brick said.
"She wez jes a street away from me. Where could she of gone?"
"Ya want me ta run ta Manhattan?" Brass asked.
"Yeah," he said reluctantly, "da guys 'ill kill me when dey find out but ok." Wid dat Brass raced for da bridge.
(5:30 Manhattan)
Brass had looked everywhere and finally decide ta try Tibby's where he found them and related da news of my disappearance.
"Gone! Whaddya mean she's missing?" Jack grabbed him by da collar wid Blink right behind him.
"She was only a street down from Spot..."
"Well where is she?"
"We looked all ova Brooklyn, she ain't dere."
"Ok, well we'll go out and look fer er." Blink said already walking out da door.
Brass stayed at Tibby's ta grab some food on his way out he bumped into Sarah and Snoddy by this time it was already startin ta get dark.
"Heya Brass," Snoddy spit shook wid im.
"Hey Snoddy, Sarah."
"Wad ya doin hea?" he asked.
"Lookin fer Heidi..."
"Queens....I gotta go." He took off fer da bridge as fast as he could. It was round eight when he arrived on da docks out of breath. Spot and everyone gathad round him.
"Well, wad is it?" Brick asked.
"Do ya know whea she is?" Spot shook him.
"Sarah ...pant....pant... had her take...pant..her....delivery...pant...ta Queens," he managed ta gasp out.
"Damn!" Spot took of his cap and ran his fingas through his hair. "You guys stay hea!" He yelled as he walked off ta da street.
Bout dat time I wes jest leaving da Harris's and it was 8:30 when I slumped in da alley. I shoulda told Spot! Geez, why didn't I eva memorize dat map of Queens? Oh, duh, cuz I neva planned on leavin Manhattan and Brooklyn. Hmm I'll ask fer help in da mornin.
"Oh what a beautiful mornin, oh what a beautiful day..." hm Oklahoma, good movie, but not as good as Newsies "....I've got a wonderful feeling, everythings going my way."
"I wes jes thinkin da same thing," a voice boomed accompanied by sem deep laughs. Dey stepped inta da light and all could think of was Max. He spoke again, "Why you out hea in dis alley?" My God, wad a stupid question.
"I ain't got nowhea ta sleep so I'se stayin hea."
"So ya sleep on da Queens streets all da time?"
"No, I uh, have a place in...Manhattan." I was bout ta say Brooklyn but remembad the friction between him and Spot.
"Dats far from hea, toots. Ya know it ain't quite fair dat you can see us but we can't see you."
"No, but I ain't much ta look at."
"Well let me be da judge of dat." I reluctantly got up and walked inta da light from da street lamp.
Max whistled, "You not only sound good, ya look good." He walked up ta me and extended his hand, "Me name's Max and I'se.."
"Oh, so ya already know." He brushed his wavy black hair out of his face, "you was plannin on stayin hea tanight?"
"Looked dat way didn't it."
He got closa and said, "Well, I can't let ya do dat. Sech a nice thing as yaself sleepin on da streets. Jes ain't safe." Thing? Who does dis guy think he is callin me a thing?! And like bein wid him would make things safer.
"Why dontcha come and stay wid me tanight?" he said slyly bout ta put his arms round me.
"Don't you touch her, Max!" We all turned ta see Spot at da end of da alley.
"Spot!" I tried ta run to him but got pulled inta Max's arms.
"Wad if I do Conlon? She ain't yer goil is she?"
"I said don't touch her!" he lunged forward but all six of Max's goons jumped him.
"Finish him!" he sneered and drew me inta a deep kiss. I could hear Spot groanin frem pain in da back. But he'd managed ta knock out two of da guys. Desperately, I broke free and punched his shoulda. He was shocked dat I knew how ta fight. So I seized da moment and swung my leg round ta kick his side. My anga was flarin. Wad kinda jerk sends six guys ta do his job while he's making out wid me?! He was startin ta curse at me and I jes kicked him again. I threw a few punches at his right eye and he fell ova. Didn't even put up a fight, some loser. Wonda how he got ta be da leada of Queens?
I looked ova at Spot who'd knocked down two moa guys. Da last two looked ova and saw wad I had done to their precious leada and beat it. As dey disappeared, Spot keeled ova in pain I ran ta him and we somehow managed ta head back ta Brooklyn.
"I'se so sorry Spot! I forgot ta tell ya and I didn't even think bout Max bein hea. I'm just so...damn stupid. Dis is all my fault and I undastand how you'd be mad at me, but I don't want ya to. Please.."
"I'se could neva get mad at ya. I wes so concoined. Did ya tell Max anythin?"
"Jes dat I was from Manhattan."
"Ok, he didn't pull anythin wid you befoa I got dere, did he? "
"No, ya came jes in time."
"Why didn't ya come right back afta dropping off da stuff?"
"They invited me ta dinna and by da time I got out it was dark and I got lost."
"Well, now you'se got two powaful enemies. I don't even know how da hell ya beat Max up."
"My anger was jes so strong when he sent dose punks on ya."
"Sounds like we got da same tempa. I saw him kissin you and took out dat second pair of guys."
We walked inta da Brooklyn Lodgin House and everyone offad ta help Spot.
"Get out a my way guys. I'se had bruises and cuts befoa."
"Hey Heidi, good ta see ya back awright!" Fish yelled.
"Wad happened?" Shiner asked.
"I met up wid Max and some goons. Spot hea saved me."
"Not really," he muttered. Whoa! Did he jes say dat!?
"Waddya mean Spot?" Brick asked.
"Well I jes beat da chit out of four guys but Heidi hea took out Max."
"You!" dey all gasped. "Geez, Spot ya know how good Max is. You'se godda be pretty damn good, Heidi." Shiner said.
"ACtually I ain't, I think he wes jes havin a heart attack cuz a goil ACtually punched him."
"Ha, dats right, he ain't neva been hit by a goil befoa!" Fish said.
"Well, don't go off widout us again, k?" Brass said.
"Yeah, from now on, no goin nowhea without me or one of da guys." Spot reinstated.
"Ok guys," Spot took me arm and we went upstairs. I got some wata and started washin his cuts.
"Thanks Heidi."
"Yer welcome, Spot."
"Dey found ya!" Blink said givin me a big hug.
"Sua did."
"Wad happened in Queens?" Jack asked. Hm Snoddy spread da woid.
"I met up wid Max afta gettin lost."
"Max! Did he hoit ya?" he asked takin my hand.
"Naw, I didn't tell him I was stayin in da Brooklyn Lodgin House." I didn't want ta tell em bout da fight and dey didn't ask. Don't know how dey missed da bruises on Spot dough.
"Smart goil!" Blink declared.
"Oh, well we'se awfully glad ta see yer unharmed. Also, Mat's still lookin fer ya."
"He's threatened us to tell whea you are but we told him dat ya ran out afta da dance."
"And he bought dat crap?"
"Least fer now," Jack grinned.
"He runs around like a lunatic when he sees one of us and asks if we's seen ya."
"He come ova ta my side yet?" Spot asked.
"No but he will if he gets desperate." Jack answad.
"Well, looks like ya gotta be extra careful now. Don't take no stupid risks." Blink lectured me.
"He's right. Well, we'd love ta stay but we promised ta meet da guys and tell them wad's happening." Jack said
"Sorry ya have ta leave so soon guys. But it was great ta see ya." I gave both of them a hug and dey spit shook wid Spot befoa leaving
Since dat incident Spot started watchin me like a hawk. Da only time he'd let me out of his site was when I was in da bathroom Not dat I didn't like Spot watchin me all da time but I couldn't wait till everythin got back ta noimal.
Spot and me went out for a lot of walks round Brooklyn and da docks. Sometimes, we'd talk nonstop and odda walks would be in silence. Though it was late September, da weada was still unusually warm.
Bout three nights afta me run in wid Max, dat would be a Friday night for you who ain't keepin track, we were all swimming in da riva. Spot dunked me and I chased afta him unda da dock. I looked around and like once befoa couldn't see him. I jes waited fer him ta come up and admired da moon beams dat were playin across da wata. I was dreamin away when I was tapped on da shoulda. I toined round and Spot put his arms round me and tenderly kissed my lips. All dese feeling flowed ova me so fast I couldn't even think!
"Bout time ya kissed her!" Brass jeered from aways. He toined round ta shut him up but I dunked him in da process. He came up and sputtered, "I'll get you!"
I swam away, fast and mingled in wid Brick, Fish, Shiner, and da oddas tryin ta hide. But Spot found me and started ta tickle my sides. I began laughin and tried ta get away but all da guys made a coicle round me ta ensua I didn't escape from my tortua. When I realized I couldn't get out I put up my fists.
"So ya wanna fight me?" he joked.
"Yeah, I'se awready beat up Mat and Max, yer next."
"Uh ha!Ok den let's fight!" He threw da foist punch and I went unda wata and started ta tickle him. I neva thought Spot Conlon could be so ticklish til he started laughin.
"How's it feel ta be tickled fer once Spot?"
"haha..great.. ok, stop! I give up!"
"k, I'll quit."
~
Dat night I lay in bed thinkin. Hmm, let's see, since I've been in New York I've had a wondaful time. I'se been kissed by Jack, Spot, and Blink. Wad moa could a goil want. Then thats when it hit me. I was falling in love wid da three of dem!!!! Oh damn how'd I let dis happen ta me! Wad am I gonna do? Well, one things fer sua, I can't stay wid any of them no more. Not til I do somethin bout dis. I grabbed my journal and tour out a piece of paper and wrote a note ta Spot.
Hey Spot,
Don't worry noone's got me. I'se jes goin through a personal problem and need ta get away ta think bout it. I'll be back when it's fixed. Please don't be to concerned bout me. I'll be careful and hopefully I'll return soon. Tell Jack, Blink, and da oddas not ta worry. Til den I'll miss all of ya!
Hours later, I woke up hearin shouts. I rose my head and saw Brick and Brass comin down da street. Crap! I gotta get outa hea. I grabbed my bag and ran into da first buildin I could find. I toined round and saw some drunk rise from a couch. He smirked and staggered towards me.
"It's a little early for some fun isn't it Frank?" a guy said from behind. He had a lady on his arm wearin nuthin but da sheets from a bed. Damn, of all da places ta go, I enta a whore house.
"Uh, sorry wrong buildin."
"No sugar, yer at da right place," Frank said comin towards me.
"Really, I'm not. Bye." I quickly got out and slammed da door in his face. By now, Brick and Brass where nowhere to be seen. I decided ta head ta Staten Island; least dere I shouldn't run inta noone.
Da next few days were horrible. I walked round New York trying ta sleepin anywhere I could. Everyday I tried ta figua out wad ta do but could neva come up wid anything that made sense.
I knelt down in a pew and jes started bawlin my eyes out. Why dyd dis have ta happen ta me? Why God, why? I was in such deep, quiet contemplation dat I fell asleep. I was on my knees and I fell asleep, can ya believe it? Not dat I was bored God, but ya can't get much sleep when you've got a bunch of people lookin fer ya.
An hour lata, I woke up and lifted my head of da back of da front pew and saw someone peering at me. "God?"
" Ha, I don't think so. It's me Heidi, Race."
"Race!" I got up ta run but he grabbed my wrist.
"You ain't goin nowhere till we talk. A lot of guys want ta know why ya left. We'se lookin all ova fer ya."
"I told noone ta worry."
"Well we did and we are. Now tell me why'd ya leave?"
"Oh it's so stupid. I'm in love wid...Jack, Spot and Blink.
"All three of dem?!"
"Yeah don't ask me how but I am. I figad it out da night I left and I knew I had ta leave. I jes don't know wad ta do Race." The tears came agin and I placed my head in my hands. He sat down beside me and reassuringly put his arm round me.
"Well ya gotta choosew among em."
"Gee, thanks."
"It's true, you gotta."
"I know it's jes I don't know who..."
"Let yer heart decide."
"Ok, but Race, I can't go back yet. Please give me at least a few more days. Will ya?"
"Aw alright, I won't tell."
"Thanks."
"Oh, you'se only got ta run from one person now."
"Why?"
"Mat's dead, got killed by some opposin gang from Midtown."
"Dats great ta know."
"Heidi.."
"Yeah Race?"
"Can I at least tell da oddas I saw ya?"
"Ok."
"Thanks, now don't take too long."
"Awright, bye."
I walked out and headed ta Central Park lookin out fer any of da guys. I rested unda a bush and lay dere thinking. My mind wandad though, to thoughts of home. Geez, back dere I didn't even like nobody. I rose and walked ova to a vendor and grabbed some food.
I headed ta da docks where Jack and I foist sold papes togedda. Whoa, wad a great time dat was! Sigh, all of a sudden I realized I was really and truly in love wid Jack. Eva since I saw him selling papes. The way I felt when he held my hand. Da look he gave me when I sang at Medda's. Our night on the roof and how he kissed me good-bye. My heart skipped a beat. It's him, I'm in love with Jack! He's always been das one I loved, eva since I foist watched da movie!
Suddenly, I started running. I had no idea where I was goin but followed my legs' lead. I left da Harbor, flew past da DO, and whizzed by Horace (Greeley). I followed da path my heart took. Den. I saw him. He was at Bottle Alley yelling out da headlines.
"Jack!" I yelled still runnin. He looked up at me surprised and dropped all his papes. I threw down my bag and ran into his outstretched arms. He spun me round and our lips locked. Right den I knew dat's whea I belonged.
"Don't eva (kiss), do dat (Kiss) again!" Jack said.
"Hehe, ok Jack. I'se sorry. I jes needed ta make up my mind."
"Yer mind?"
"Uh-huh. I wes uh fallin in love wid you, Blink, and Spot."
"Woah, da three of us?" He was very surprised.
"Yeah and I need ta leave. I saw Race at St. Patrick's and he told me I had ta make up me mind. I don't know how I could've been so blind but I finally realized I was really in love with you all along."
"Well, I'm coitanly very happy ta see ya back. I'd be even happier if you'd be me goil."
"You know, I would too. Looks like we both agree."
"Yep," he took my hand, "come on we'se gotta tell da oddas and Spot."
"Wait, wad bout yer papes?" They were still scattad all ova da street.
"Dis news is moa important dan dat!" I grinned. We walked in ta Tibby's hand in hand. It was still early but we went ahead and ordad our food. Soon da guys started ta trickle in.
"Hey it's Heidi! She's back!" Mush wes one of da foist ones ta notice.
"Why'd ya leave?" Snoddy asked.
"Yea" "We wes awfully worried." Specs and Bumlets put in.
Jes befoa I could say anything, Race came in. "Hey ya, you made up yer mind awfully quick."
"Sua did, thanks fer helpin."
"Anytime, congrats Jack."
"Fer what?" Blink had jes come in.
"Well, hea goes," Jack whispad befoa standin up. "Guys, HEY GUYS!" Dey all shudup and he started again, "I'd like ta let you'se all know dat Heidi hea is me goil now!" Everyone cept Blink cheered and hollad deir congrats. Blink did not take it too good; surprise and hurt filled his face and he walked out da door.
"Jack, I have ta talk to him."
"Ok, good luck splaining it to him. Ya sure ya don't want me too,"
"No, it's my problem, thanks." I gave him a quick peck on da cheek befoa gettin up ta go.