Undisclosed Desires - Bridget Kathleen (ebooks online reader txt) 📗

newsie shook his head fast. Spot then ran in the kitchen after Sophia.

She had just put the pan in the sink and wiped away a few tears that came from the pain of hunger.
"Smalls…" he said.

She sniffed. "What?"

"Why did you do that?" holding up the biscuit.

She shook her head. "I just want you to eat."
He walked up to her and caressed her cheek. "Yeah? While, Smalls, you'se gotta eat too. Don't worry 'bout me. I'se can find me own meal from now on. Heck! Why not eat before the boys. Dat way you'se got more in your stomach to last ya."

Sophia took the biscuit. "You work so hard though. And all I do is sit around." She sniffed again.

Spot kissed her forehead. "Don't cry babe."

"I'm trying not to." She told him.

Spot then embraced her in a warm hug. He leaned his head against hers and closed his eyes. "Sophia…I love ya to death, but you gotta stop tryin' to play the hero. Hero's don't get very far on an empty stomach." He half joked. He then let her go and looked down at her. "Smalls…All you'se gotta do is get better. Healthier. What if you get sick? Then I'se be really worryin' 'bout cha." He kissed her on the lips. "Besides," he said, "I have something to show you in the bedroom after suppeh." With that, Spot left the kitchen and Sophia slowly ate her food, savoring the taste of butter and bread.

When Sophia entered the room Spot was just taking off his shoes.

"Hey, Smalls."

"Hey." She said back. When she saw what was on the bed, she asked, "Whose suitcase is that?"
"It doesn't look familiar?" Spot asked.

Sophia took another look at it, closer this time. "…It's…Tommy's."
"Yeah." Said Spot slowly, walking up to Sophia and standing next to her. "Do you want to see what's inside?" he asked her.

Sophia hesitated for a moment and then nodded. She walked up to it and clicked it open. There was once pair of clothes, some socks, letters and a newspaper. Sophia picked up one of his shirts and inhaled the smell. Instantly she started to cry and dropped to her knees. The shirt still had his smell. She then unexpectedly threw it back into the suitcase.

"You want me to put it away, Smalls?" Spot asked.
Sophia shook her head. "No." she sat up on her knees and took out a letter. It was addressed to her. She looked down at his hand writing and read:

Dearest sister, Anna Sophia,

I am sorry to say, but I think I may have been wrong to bring you here to New York, specially Brooklyn. I was stupid and now I fear I may lose you forever. I know there were many other routes we could have taken besides coming all the way here. I'm tired, hungry broke and I can't stop sweating from all this heat. I afraid to admit this but I know I must say it: I miss New Orleans. I miss home. Yes, I am glad to have gotten away from uncle, but now I know that there are worst things out there than him. I never wanted things to turn out this way. I just wanted to see you happy and smile again. I just wanted you to be safe. I hope that you can forgive me.

You're dearest Brother,

Tommy.

Sophia grabbed another letter and read that one too.

Dearest sister, Anna Sophia,

The weather is getting colder and I find myself sitting here around the boys in the lodging house writing you letters more that what I would like to. I know that you may never read these, but it gives me a peace of mind to do so. What I want to say is that I fear now for my health and more now for you as well. You see, I have not been feeling the best. In fact, I think I may be dying. A scary thought, yes, I know, but I can't really help it. It's getting harder for me sell my papers. You were always better at than I. I guess what I really want to say is that I hope Spot is treating you nicely and that you have a warm place to sleep and have enough food to eat. The weather will be changing soon…Stay safe.

You're dearest brother,

Tommy.

"What are the letters about?" asked Spot.

Sophia handed him the first that she read. "Letters from him to me." She placed the second letter on her lap and grabbed for the last one.

Dearest sister, Anna Sophia.

I have written and written so many letters to you, but I find myself throwing them away more often then what I should. I am here now at Medda's. My health has gotten really bad. Last time I saw you, you were at Medda's. You seemed happy with Spot. Speaking of him. I met up with him a few days ago. Gave him a piece of my mind about him taking care of you. He better be treating you well…

A few blood splatters were on the page so Sophia had to skip part of the letter in order to read the rest. This time though, his hand writing was messier.

…Anna Sophia, if anything should happen to me, if I am to die, know that I am sorry and that I love you and I hope you forgive me for taking you to such a retched city. I only meant to do well for you. You are after all my little sister. And If I die, I want you to live out both our lives. Live a strong and healthy life. Get married, have babies. Lots of them! Soon they will grow up and you will have grandchildren. Please, Anna Sophia, live out your life…Be happy and be strong…

You're dearest brother,

Tommy.

Spot handed Sophia back the letter. He didn't seem to want to read anymore. She then placed the letters carefully into the suitcase and closed it back up and put it under the bed. She was tired and her eyes hurt from all the crying. Spot sat down on the bed next to her and rubbed her back.

"Are you going to be ok?" Spot asked her.

She nodded and wiped away her tears. "Spot?"
"Yes?"
"When is your birthday?" she asked him.

Surprised by her question, he stumbled on his words. "I-it's in J-January. Why do you ask?"
"Hmm." Sophia thought for a moment. "Mine is this month. A week from today." Spot nodded. Why was she talking like this? Usually she'd go right to bed.

"Tell me about your family, Spot?"
Spot raised a brow and furrowed the other. "My family? Why do you want to hear about them?"
"Because I am curious to know." She told me.

"Alright," Spot said, readying himself. "I was born in Scotland and before I turned 12 my father, mother and five older sisters all sailed here. It was a weeklong trip. It was so crowded. Anyway!" Spot said, getting back to the main topic. "I came from a very big family, I guess you could say. I was the youngest. My sisters all married quickly after arriving here. My father and mother both died. They didn't last for long, seeing as they picked up some kind of sickness." The truth was, Spot knew how his parents died. It was the same way that Tommy had died, but he wasn't about ready to tell Sophia that. "By that time I was 13. Old enough to take care of me self. Or so I thought. Good thing I was tough." He half joked. "Three years later, after becomin' a newsie, I'se worked my way up and people started to pay me some respect. That's how I got my nickname: The King of Brooklyn. Everyone came to me for advise and help. Heck! Even jacky-boy did when he and David started up a strike 'bout the newspapes."

"You mean you help out with that?" Sophia asked, interrupting him.

Spot nodded. "Yeah. I'se did that best I could too and ya know what? It all paid off. The newsie strike one and then I met you." He smiled and kissed her.

"Tell me more Spot." She pleaded, sitting up on top of Spot's lap, kissing his ear and down to his neck.
Spot Moaned. "M-maybe later, babe. You'se got be tired afteh today." He pushed her down on the bed and wrapped his arms around her.

"If you're from Scotland, you must know some Irish songs then right? Sing one to me."

Sophia felt Spot smiled against her neck and soon he started to hum a soft and sweet lullaby. His voice was deep and soothing and Sophia wanted to hear more of it, only she fell asleep before she could hear the end of it.
Chapter Ninteen: Brooklyn is burning.

Spot woke up later that same night that he sang to Sophia. He swore he could smell burning wood. Suddenly, he jolted up in bed. He took a big whiff of air.

"Oh shit!" he got out of bed, put on his shoes and suspenders and ran to the door. When he did a puff of smoke wafted into the room. He coughed and slammed it shut. It was clear now: The Brooklyn lodging house was on fire.

"Sophia get up!" he yelled, taking her by the shoulders and waking her up.

When she was suddenly awaken her eyes shot open, her nose wrinkled up and she put her hand up to cover it. "What is that god awful smell?"

"That Smalls, would be fire."

Sophia shot up, almost hitting Spot in the head. "FIRE? Why the hell are we'se sittin' 'round here for then?" she got out of bed and gathered up some things. Spot did the same.

Just as they were about to head out One of Spot's Newsie's, Skipper, came running in. "You'se two betteh get outa heah! The place is fallin' 'part!"

Spot and Sophia ran to the door, the three were ready to head out but a loud crashing sound came from below them.
"Damn it!" yelled Spot. The roof above the stairs had caved in and crumbled the steps so bad it was impossible to go that way.

"Great! Where do we go now? How do we get out!" Sophia yelled. The place was falling apart, quickly crumbling to the ground.
"On the roof!" yelled Skipper.

"What?" said Spot. "You nuts?" he shuved him.

"What?" Skipper yelled back. "Do you'se wanna die tryin' ta get down those steps?"

Spot scoffed and head back to his room, grabbing on to sophia's hand as they went.

He climbed on to the bed and opened the window. Smoke imminently puffed out.

"Ugh! My eyes are starting