13
Jack returned home to find his mother and her new fiancee having a glass of champagne. His mother at the moment was very livid with her son. Jack had disappeared, missed dinner, and now returned looking like he had just gotten in from one of those damn swing halls, something that was going to have to stop. She couldn’t have her son anticipating in such rebellion now that she was engaged to Hansel. She was going to have a long talk with her son, starting now.
Jack just glared at them both before storming into his room and slamming the door.
"Hansel, even though I hate to cut the evening short, I must. I’d like to have a talk with my son, just the two of us," Gretal squeezed his hand. "You do understand don’t you?"
"Of course I understand. I’m not going to hold it against you. Just be sure to tell Jack that there’s always a opening spot for him in the Youths. We need all the young men we can get."
"You know, that sounds like a good idea. I think the youths would keep him out of trouble. I’ll see you tomorrow night my dear," Gretal led him to the door and kissed him good-bye. "Drive safely."
After Hansel was gone, Gretal entered Jack’s room and slammed the door behind her.
"Listen Jack. This swing nonsense is going to stop. I will not have my son participating in such rebellious revelries. Hansel is a very respected member of the third riech and we’re going to make sure he remains respected. Which means all of this," She gestures at the posters of swing artists that covers Jack’s walls. "will have to go."
"Why? I’m not the one marrying him," Jack glared at his mother. For the first time in his life he had lost all respect for her. She was just another puppet for the nazi’s. Just like Tommy.
"Mind your manners young man. Maybe Hansel is right. Maybe the youths would do you good."
Jack’s eyes widened. "No! No mom, I won’t join! That’s where I draw the line!" He shivered as he thought about his and Rose’s narrow escape. "Those kids are Hitler Jrs!"
"Thomas Ryan has joined."
"Well I’m not Tommy
mom and you know dad wouldn’t want this! You know it!"
Gretal sighed. She should have known he would use his father
against her sooner or later. "Jack…your father’s
not here. Hansel is. If you must know, your father had left us.
He disappeared without a trace. I haven’t heard from him
since you were ten years old. It’s time for us to move
on."
"Fine. You move on! You don’t have to be dad’s wife anymore but I’m still his son and I believe the way he did and I’m not changing for anyone! Not even you!"
Gretal closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She hated doing this with Jack. But she had no choice. She was going to have to make Jack behave like the proper young man she knew he was. "Jack…either you give up swing dancing or I will have no choice but to sign you up for the youths. The choice is yours."
Jack’s eyes widened in disbelief. "B-but…no…you can’t…"
"I can and I will. Now I’ll give you tonight and tomorrow morning to think about it. Remember, the decision is all yours. Either way you will behave yourself," That said, Gretal left the room.
"I hate you!" Jack threw his pillow at the closed door and glared at his surroundings. Give up Swing? Was she mad? Swing was the only way besides his art that he had to express himself. But he wouldn’t join the youths. He won’t sell out like Tommy had. Signing, he picked up his portfolio, knowing that for now on, his art was going to be the only way to work out his feelings and frustrations.