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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 3, 2018 17:35:28 GMT -5
”Alright, if that’s what ya want.”
Spot returned her smile and nodded. “There’s no rush. We’ll be fine,” he assured.
”Alright, but I’ll make sure ta remind ya.”
Thunder winked back at her. “Works for me.”
”Already?”
The older Conlon raised an eyebrow as he watched his brother excuse himself. “Don’t worry. He won’t head out yet. Just needs ta let off some steam, ya know?” He shook his head. “He hates me talkin’ about him sometimes, the punk.”
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Post by Lacey on Jan 3, 2018 17:46:40 GMT -5
“There’s no rush. We’ll be fine.”
Lacey bit her lip, watching Spot leave despite really not wanting to. She stayed quiet, however, figuring that it would be best to not say anything.
“Works for me.”
She quirked a smile. "Good."
“Don’t worry. He won’t head out yet. Just needs ta let off some steam, ya know?”
"Did I say somethin'?" She immediately fretted, glancing after him before turning her attention back to Thunder. "I swear I didn't mean ta say anythin' stupid."
“He hates me talkin’ about him sometimes, the punk.”
She bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before lowering her voice a bit. "Thunder, do you, uh... Do ya think I'm ever gonna be good for Spot? Like, just..." She stopped herself for a second, not wanting to begin rambling and risk Spot walking back in during the conversation, "I don't have much ta give him, and I'm not sure if it's gonna be the sort of thing that makes him happy... Even just for now. Because I really like him, and so I want him ta be with someone who can give him all the good stuff in the world, y'know? I want him ta be with someone who's gonna be good enough for him, and I'm worried that... I'm not."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 3, 2018 18:06:35 GMT -5
”Did I say somethin’? I swear I didn’t mean ta say anythin’ stupid.”
Thunder looked at her, surprised. “No, no. It’s not your fault, I promise. Spot’s a blockhead that’s all.” He chuckled a bit. “And I would know.”
”Thunder, do you uh... Do ya think I’m ever gonna be good enough for Spot? Like just...”
The elder Conlon pursed his lips, sitting down beside Lacey. “Well, do you think you’re good enough?” His stormy eyes searched her, but they weren’t judging. “It’s really not a matter of good enough, you know,” he began quietly. “It matters if you truly care for him, which I think you do.”
”I don’t have much ta give him, and I’m not sure if it’s gonna be the sort of thing that makes him happy... Even just for now. Because I really like him, and so I want him ta be with someone who can give him all the good stuff in the world, y’know? I want him ta be with someone who’s gonna be good enough for him, and I’m worried that... I’m not.”
Thunder just smiled as he listened to her. “Don’t worry about it too much,” he advised. “Spot’s not one for getting things so no need to worry about that.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully. “What Spot needs right now from you is just a listening ear and lots of love.” He chuckled a bit at the last part, but he was serious.
“I brought your coat,” Spot announced, unaware of the conversation that took place.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 3, 2018 18:12:23 GMT -5
“No, no. It’s not your fault, I promise. Spot’s a blockhead that’s all. And I would know.”
Lacey smiled faintly, shaking her head, "I suppose ya would, wouldn't you?"
“Well, do you think you’re good enough?”
She swallowed thickly. It was a tougher question than it may have seemed, as it really depended on the time. She thought that she was good enough sometimes, whenever they would sit together and it would be just them, but there were other times where she couldn't help but question whether he would be happier on his own or with someone else. She had just never wanted to bother him with those sorts of insecurities.
“It’s really not a matter of good enough, you know. It matters if you truly care for him, which I think you do.”
Lacey faintly smiled, "I do. A lot." She was glad that Thunder had been able to tell, or as least thought so.
“Don’t worry about it too much. Spot’s not one for getting things so no need to worry about that. What Spot needs right now from you is just a listening ear and lots of love.”
“I brought your coat.”
She had been about to reply when Spot walked in, diverting her attention away from Thunder. Moving to take her coat, she slipped it on quickly. "Thank you... And thank you, Thunder, too. Really. I appreciate it a lot." She beamed.
[I'll be back soon! I'm off to the dentist.]
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 3, 2018 18:26:47 GMT -5
”I suppose ya would, wouldn’t you?”Thunder grinned. “Sixteen long years,” he joked. ”I do. A lot.”The older Conlon nodded, knowing it to be true. ”Thank you...”Spot merely shrugged and held out her coat. ”And thank you, Thunder, too. Really. I appreciate it a lot.”Thunder just grinned and nodded. Spot, on the other hand, seemed a bit confused, but he supposed she was just thanking him for breakfast or for letting her stay? He wasn’t one to let those sort of thoughts linger. “You ready, Lacey?” ((Okie doke! I hope your appointment goes well. I’ll be around. ))
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Post by Lacey on Jan 3, 2018 20:11:41 GMT -5
"Sixteen long years."
Lacey giggled, "I can't even imagine your pain."
"You ready, Lacey?"
She nodded, turning briefly back to Thunder one more time. "And thanks for letting me join ya. It was amazin'." Turning back to Spot, she flashed him another bright smile, gesturing to the door. "After you."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 3, 2018 20:50:16 GMT -5
”I can’t even imagine your pain.”
“Tell me about it!” Thunder laughed. “Spot’s a bit of a pain in the arse... but he’s a good guy.”
”And thanks for letting me join ya. It was amazin’.”
Thunder grinned. “Anytime!”
Spot raised an eyebrow at his brother. “Later, Thunder.”
”After you.”
Spot seemed a bit flustered for a moment. “Ladies first...” He somewhat awkwardly opened the door for Lacey, ignoring the snickering from his brother. “Let’s go.”
It was great spending time with family, but Spot supposed he had grown a little too used to being independent. Thunder’s brotherliness was starting to grate.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 3, 2018 21:17:04 GMT -5
“Tell me about it! Spot’s a bit of a pain in the arse... but he’s a good guy.”
Lacey beamed, "That he is."
“Anytime!”
“Later, Thunder.”
Lacey waved briefly one more time, pushing away the slightly confused expression on Spot's face.
“Ladies first... Let’s go.”
She bit her lip, shuffling out the door before him and out into the cool morning air. It looked as though the snow had picked up overnight - there was a faint layer of it over everything, and it was actually really pretty. The snow was continuing to fall, albeit much more lightly. "It's really pretty out here..."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 3, 2018 22:33:03 GMT -5
”That he is.”
Thunder winked. “Just keep him in line, okay?”
”It’s really pretty out here...”
Spot squinted a bit as snowflakes hit his face. “Yeah... it does look nice out.” Though, on the downside, that would mean not a lot of people would be out and about wanting to buy a paper.
He offered her his arm, to protect her from the cold. “It’ll be a bit of a walk with all this snow.”
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Post by Lacey on Jan 3, 2018 23:09:37 GMT -5
“Just keep him in line, okay?”
Lacey laughed, "I'm not sure that I'm that good, but I'll try."
“Yeah... it does look nice out.”
Lacey beamed. She had always loved the snow. It made everything around look nicer, in her opinion.
“It’ll be a bit of a walk with all this snow.”
She bit her lip. It would certainly be cold, and it was already long, so she was quick to accept Spot's arm. Even just being close to him seemed to make her feel that little bit warmer inside.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 4, 2018 12:28:51 GMT -5
”I’m not sire that I’m that good, but I’ll try.”
Thunder grinned. “That’s all I ask.”
Spot did enjoy the beauty snow could bring, but he also knew the dangers it could bring. He hoped it wouldn’t snow all day so he and his boys could get some selling done quickly.
The walk was a little difficult since the snow had blocked certain routes. They had to detour and take a longer walk home. Part of Spot didn’t mind since he could be with Lacey longer, yet another part was worried about all the snow...
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Post by Lacey on Jan 4, 2018 12:43:26 GMT -5
Lacey didn't really mind the long walk. It was cold, of course, and it was less time to eventually sell when they got back, but for the most part, the detours were welcome things. She figured that having to take them with Spot, however, was much better than taking them alone.
"It's gonna be the evening edition by the time we get back," She mumbled.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 4, 2018 16:35:22 GMT -5
”It’s gonna be the evening edition by the time we get back.”
Spot quirked a brow. “It won’t be that late...” He admitted it was taking longer than he expected, but he was certain they would arrive on time for selling. They had set off a little earlier than he had expected anyways.
“At least the bridge is open,” he said, opting to look at the brighter side. He wasn’t too fond of taking a ferry ride to Brooklyn in this sort of weather.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 4, 2018 17:26:31 GMT -5
"It won't be that late..."
Lacey bit her lip, shrugging a bit. Her whole clock seemed to have been thrown off, and all of a sudden the fact that it was later than usual was making it difficult to discern morning from afternoon, especially with the snow.
"At least the bridge is open."
She smiled faintly, "Yeah... At least it is."
She couldn't help but think back on everything that Thunder had said to her, his words echoing through her mind. It wasn't if she was good enough, it was if she cared enough. Did she not care enough?
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 8, 2018 16:19:22 GMT -5
”Yeah... at least it is.”
Spot was glad to see her smile even if it was a faint one. Mornings likes this were always rough. These sort of mornings were even worse back at the lodge. He remembered his first Christmas by himself in Brooklyn and the next morning... it had been awful. Most of the boys were very unwilling to get up and go sell papes despite needing the money desperately.
Though mornings like this were also worrisome. It would be a perfect time for disgruntled boroughs to attack when the other boroughs were so laxed... and a certain leader was not even present at his borough.
These thoughts made Spot furrow his eyebrow and pick up his pace ever so slightly even though there was no need to hurry. They were well more than halfway home.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 8, 2018 18:49:06 GMT -5
The minute changes in Spot's pace caught Lacey off guard a bit, taking a few moments before fully realizing that she was following behind and catching up to him. The expression on his face told her almost right away that perhaps Spot was worried about something, and that had her worried about him.
"Spot? What's wrong?" She pushed her own thoughts aside for the time being, figuring that focusing on Spot would be the better choice.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 8, 2018 19:02:33 GMT -5
”Spot? What’s wrong?”
He stopped short, not realizing how fast he had been going. “Uh...nothin’.” He seemed a bit caught off guard by the question. “Nothin’s wrong.”
At least, nothing was wrong yet.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 8, 2018 20:05:28 GMT -5
"Uh... nothing'. Nothin's wrong."
Lacey bit her lip. She didn't believe him one bit, but she didn't want to sound pushy and to keep trying to push just in case there really was nothing going on. It would just make her sound rude. "If ya say so..."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 8, 2018 21:47:10 GMT -5
”If ya say so...”
Spot almost wanted to express what was troubling him, but he decided against it. He was afraid he’d worry her too much. Besides it wasn’t like anything had happen.
“Yeah... just want ta get you out of the wind,” was his reply.
After all, the wind had started pick up. It wouldn’t be good for her to stay in a wind like this.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 12, 2018 21:21:19 GMT -5
“Yeah... just want ta get you out of the wind,”
While Lacey could tell that it definitely wasn't the only thing on Spot's mind, she made the quick choice just to let him work it out however he needed to. Besides, he would tell her about it and get her involved if that was what he needed in his own time.
She couldn't, however, prevent the faint blush from forming on her cheeks. "How sweet," She giggled quietly. "Thanks."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 13, 2018 18:29:44 GMT -5
”How sweet. Thank.”
Spot was also blushing at her comment. Though, the blush just wasn’t one of embarrassment, it was also one of shame. He didn’t mean to lie to her (though he wasn’t exactly lying...). There was just no need to get worked up over something that hadn’t and might not even happen, right? It was something he needed to work on. He worried too much...
“You’re welcome,” was his quiet reply.
The wind picked up a little as they hurried along, but once they reached the distribution center it seemed to have completely vanished along with the snow flurries that had been falling. It seemed as if Mother Nature felt like being kind to the Brooklyn newsies.
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Post by Lacey on Jan 14, 2018 23:20:28 GMT -5
"You're welcome."
Something just didn't feel quite right to Lacey. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, although she wanted so badly to believe that it was nothing that she managed to convince herself of just that.
Once they finally made it back to Brooklyn, it became clear almost right away that things were nicer there, and that made Lacey relax exponentially. "It's nice here, huh? Strange."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Jan 15, 2018 16:08:46 GMT -5
”It’s nice here, huh? Strange.”
Spot nodded in agreement. It was strange, but he was grateful. “Hopefully this will last until we all finish sellin’.”
He glanced down the street, spotting a few girls and boys slowly making their way towards the distribution center.
“Seems like we’re right on time.”
Which was good... that meant Queens hadn’t done anything or would have time to do anything.
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Post by Lacey on Feb 7, 2018 21:54:38 GMT -5
“Hopefully this will last until we all finish sellin’.”
Lacey bit her lip softly. It almost seemed as though something nice lasting after all of the tension building up with Queens was impossible, but she figured that she should do her best to enjoy it regardless.
“Seems like we’re right on time.”
She nodded in relief, her shoulders slumping slightly as she untensed her muscles. "That's... That's good." She couldn't afford to get behind on selling. Not now.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Feb 8, 2018 11:24:50 GMT -5
Being back in Brooklyn put him at ease. Not completely, it more than he had been. Brooklyn was home, and it was good to be back and find that things hasn’t fallen apart while he was going. Not like Cloud would let that happen, but with uneasy feelings, he could never be sure how his boys would be doing. Not all were fond of his right hand man.
”That’s... that’s good.”
Spot pursed his lips and glanced at Lacey a bit of reluctance in his eyes. “I uh... better head up to the front and make sure the boys are behavin’...”
It was a little odd, the more time he spent with Lacey... the less urgent his small duties were to him. He wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. He might have to ask Jack about it after selling. He certainly would know having Sarah and all. Though Spot wasn’t sure if he really wanted to ask advice, but he did want to know... was he just overreacting with all the Queens stress? Or was this something he should look into?
He sighed a bit. Either way, he did need to talk to Jack. He needed to check in and see what the Manhattan leader had been hearing about things. He might also have to see about getting in touch with Harlem, Staten, and Bronx... ugh there was so much to do! If this turned into a borough war... he might have to see about getting on better terms with the Jersey boroughs. But then again, maybe he was thinking too big? But he had to be prepared!
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