SWING
Chapter Five

After fifteen minutes of running down side streets and through alleys, Rose and Jack finally emerged into what seemed to be a working class neighborhood where apartment buildings lined the street.

"Come on," Jack took Rose’s hand and led her to a tall gray building, All of the apartments seemed to be dark except for one and that was the one Jack had led her to. "Mom!" Jack called

"Jack?" a woman in her forties with dull blue eyes and graying blond hair sat up on the couch where she must have been sleeping. "You’ve been to that dance hall again haven’t you? After I begged you to stay home."

Jack sighed, some of the light leaving his eyes. "Mom, you know I have to go. How else am I going to fight against the Nazis?"

"Don’t! Just leave it be Jack. Let things be. Now come and give your dear old mother a kiss. I’m going to bed."

"Night mom," Jack went over to the woman and hugged her. Mrs. Dawson’s eyes flew wide open when she saw Rose.

"Oh I see you’ve brought a girl home."

"Mom, this is Rose. Rose this is my mother Elaine."

"It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Dawson," Rose swallowed.

"The pleasure’s all mine Rose. Jack don’t keep her out too late," Elaine wagged her finger at her son. "And be a gentleman."

"I’m always a gentleman mom," Jack waved as his mother disappeared into another room. "That’s my mother. Always assuming I’m up to no good," Jack’s smile turned to a frown of concern when he saw how pale Rose had become compared to a just an hour ago. "Hey, are you all right?"

Rose nodded. "Just scared. That’s all. I’ve never been through a raid before."

"Hey it’s okay Rose," Jack pulled her into a comforting hug. "We got away. We’re safe."

"But what about Helga and Fabrizio? We just left them there."

"Fabrizio and Helga are fine. They’re probably on their way here now," Jack gently rubbed her back. "They’ll be okay."

Sniffing Rose pulled back a little, to wipe away her tears, but to her surprise Jack beat her to it. He gently brushed the tears away. For not the first time that night she was lost in a pool of blue, blue that was now full of conflict.

"Has anyone told you how beautiful you are?" Jack asked, his voice a husky whisper.

"Once. Very recently but I hated the guy who told me."

"Well he’s right. You are," Jack leaned down and gently his lips met hers for the briefest moment and then he pulled away. "Come on. Let’s set down so you can catch your second wind."

Rose only nodded, shocked by the kiss. This Jack moved pretty fast. They hadn’t even known each other for five hours and he was kissing her. Not that she was complaining. She enjoyed that kiss very much.

Rose cleared her throat as she sat on the couch, for the first time taking in her surroundings. Jack lived in a tidy two bedroom apartment. The living room wasn’t all that big but it was cozy and Rose felt at home and safe here. The kitchen sat just to the right and the bedrooms were stationed in the back part of the apartment.

"You have a very nice home here Jack," Rose complimented him as he disappeared into the kitchen to fix them both some lemonade his mother had made just that morning.

"It’s not much, but it’ll do," Jack shrugged, coming back with two tall glasses in his hand. "Here you go. This should relax you some."

"Thank you," Rose smiled, accepting the offer. Taking a sip she noticed the opened portfolio on the table. It was turned to a sketch of Fabrizio and another boy with curly hair, their arms slung over their shoulders, they smiles wide. "Jack, did you draw this?" Rose remembered him telling her about his art.

"Yeah. I did that one a couple of days ago."

"Oh Jack, this is exquisite work. You captured them perfectly," Rose gasped.

She turned to another picture of a girl setting in a club wearing a fur coat and jewelry, her eyes spoke of grief and tragedy. "Who’s this?"

"Madame Bijoux. She’d set in the dance halls sometimes waiting for her boyfriend that was captured by the patrol and sent into the war. She never was the same after that. See how her clothes are all moth-eaten?"

"You have a gift Jack. You do. You see people."

"I see you."

Rose blushed. "And?"

Jack leaned closer. "You have a fire Rose. A spark of life that just needs to be let out more. You’ve been cooped up way too long."

Rose’s smile faded a little, surprised that he had hit the nail on the head. They lean in closer for another kiss when the door suddenly bursts open and Fabrizio and Helga come bursting through.

"Rosie! There you are!" Helga rushed to her friend. "Thank God you’re okay!"

"Helga! Thank God you made it out of there!" Rose got up and hugged her friend. "I was so worried!"

"Fabri got me out. I’m sorry Rose. You must think me a terrible liar."

"Oh no Helga. I know it wasn’t your fault. Besides, I had a great time here with Jack. We drank lemonade and he showed me his artwork. You really should see his pictures Helga. He has an exceptional talent."

"Well thank you Jack. For taking care of my friend," Helga turned to Rose’s companion.

"It was nothing. I enjoyed Rose’s company really," Jack shrugged. "You know Rose, we’re going to have to do this again sometime."

Rose sighed, wishing that she could. But she knew she couldn’t. She was already spoken for. Besides, Jack’s future was unclear. He was a swing kid and most of them ended up dying in the war. She was sure Jack shared the same future, even though she fervently hoped he didn’t, that somehow he survived.

"Well let’s get home Rose. We’re way past curfew. My mother’s going to ground me forever," Helga pulled her to the door.

"Bye Jack," Rose waved as she disappeared into the hallway with her friend.

"Don’t you think we should walk them home?" Jack asked getting to his feet.

"They’re fine. They don’t live far from here. Oh look. Rose left her purse. I’ll give it to Helga tomorrow," Fabrizio picked up the white sequin accessory just to have Jack snatch it away from him.

"That’s okay Fabri. Why bother Helga? I’ll return it to Rose myself."

Fabrizio knowingly grinned. "Ah! Jack’s in love!" He doubled over with laughter. "Wait until I tell Tommy!"

"I’m not in love," Jack frowned indignantly, his voice betraying his own uncertainty. "I just like her and wouldn’t mind seeing her again."

"Do you remember where she lives?"

Jack dreamily smiled. "Of course."

"My friend, finally in love," Fabrizio shook his head.

"So did you have a good time all considering?" Helga kept up the pace as they walked back to Rose’s house.

"It was wonderful. I never thought swing dancing could be so fun," Rose sighed

"Yeah you were really cutting a rug in there," Helga nodded. "So…what do you think of Jack? You two seemed pretty cozy in his apartment"

"He’s sweet."

"And handsome. Dare I say couple?"

"No. Helga…you might as well be the first to know…my mother’s going to approve Caledon Hockley’s request to court me."

"What? Oh Rose no! You can’t date that Nazi in training! What about Jack!"

"What about Jack? He’s nice, he’s cute and he’s a great artist and dancer, but that’s it. He’s a swing kid Helga. You know what happens to swing kids when they’re captured. There’s not much chance of a future. But Cal can give me a future. Plus security."

"I can’t believe you said that. Rose Cal’s a Nazi! He’s evil! You can’t possibly be serious about dating him."

Rose sadly sighed. "My mother’s serious enough for the both of us. Look at the time. I better get in. See you tomorrow Helga," Rose ran up her front porch steps and into her house.

Her heart full of pity for her friend, Helga continued down the street toward her own house. She hoped and prayed that some how Rose could escape from the gruesome fate of marrying Caledon Hockley.

Chapter Six
Stories