16
Rose’s house stood dark and empty when they arrived. Rose quickly unlocked the door and led her friends up to her room where Fabrizio immediately sat on the bed with his friend. He was now bone tired from walking at a fast pace and supporting his friend’s wieght as well.
"Finally," Fabrizio breathed hard.
"Come here, Jack. Lay down," Rose pulled back her covers. "You’re safe here."
"What about your mother?" Helga worried.
"She’ll be out of town all week. We’ll have Jack moved to a safer place by then," Rose pulled the blankets over her injured boyfriend and kissed his forehead tenderly. "Or on the airship to America."
"Are you sure they can’t find me here," Jack frowned. He was definitely worried. The Nazi’s were all powerful. They could do anything they wanted to do no matter how minor. Take his father for example. They had made him disappear! He’d never forgive himself if anything happened to Rose and Fabrizio because they helped him.
"Positive," Rose smiled, kissing his lips. "You’re safe."
"Well…I guess I
better be heading back. I want to make sure my parents are
ok," Fabrizio stretched. "I’ll be by
tomorrow."
"Me too," Helga hugged her friend. "You be
careful. Those Nazi’s are mean."
"Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. We both will be," Rose smiled bravely. She knew why Helga was so worried. She had told her friend about her father being a Jew. If the Nazi’s really did know about that and Rose pissed them off, she’d be on the first train to Auscherwitz.
"I’ll stop by tomorrow," Helga nodded. "Take care."
"I will. Now both of you out," Rose pushed out the door and followed them downstairs. Two minutes later she was back by Jack’s side, tightly holding his hand. "How do you feel?"
"A little better, but worried. Rose…this isn’t a good idea. What if that Hockley guy drops by or my mother discover where you live?
"I’ll deal with them when the time comes. But right now you have to rest."
Jack smiled and took her hand in his. They got lost in each other’s gazes. "Thank you."
"For what?" Rose asked, lost in his blue stare. His eyes were the most beautiful she had ever seen. Her heart broke each time at the thought of anyone hurting him. How could anyone want to hurt someone with such beautiful eyes.
"For taking me in like this. I promise Rose, it won’t be for long…"
"Shhh. There’s no rush for you to leave. You’re safe here Jack," Rose smiled, pushing his hair back out of his eyes.
Jack stared back up at her, his face was full of emotions, but what they were, Rose couldn’t tell. She swallowed and tightened her hold on his hand.
"Why are you doing this Rose? We barely know each other."
"Well you did save my life a couple of days ago. Remember?" Rose smiled. "Plus…Jack…I…"
"What?"
Rose swallowed. It was time for him to know her true feelings for him. She knew that. It was now or never. But what would his reaction be? Will he get up and leave her? Would he feel the same way? Or is she a really good friend? Well she had to find out. "I’m in love with you Jack. I have been all along, from the first moment we met."
Jack swallowed, his eyes shining in surprise and happiness. "I…I’m in love with you too Rose. I just didn’t know if you felt the same way." He reached up and gently touched her face. She closed her eyes at his touch and was a bit surprised to find herself leaning down to kiss him lightly. She was even more surprised when his arms incircled her waist and he had pulled her down onto the bed, right next to him.
They laid there together, in each other’s arms, starinag up at the ceiling. Jack pulled her closer to his body and sighed. "Thank you."
"For what?" Rose asked, rubbing his arm, wanting to warm him up some more.
"For loving me. You may be the only person in Germany who does," Jack sighed, turning his head to stare into her eyes.
"Jack," Rose touched his cheek, wiping away a tear that had formed. "Your mother does love you…just not enough. But I do believe she does."
"Can we talk about something else?" Jack asked, wanting to take his mind off his situation for a while. "Who’s your favorite Swing artist Rose? I like Cab Calloway. His songs tell a story, sometimes silly, sometimes cool."
"Oh you mean like Minnie the Moocher?" Rose giggled.
"More like the jungle swing," Jack laughed.
"I like Count Basie. He was one of the first we danced to. Jack…do you think they know what’s going on over here in Germany? Do you think that they know that people are being put to death, and that it’s their music that’s helping incite a rebellion? No matter how tiny it is?"
Jack shrugged. "It’s hard to say."
"So you like Cab Calloway huh?"
Jack nodded. "He’s the best."
"Well…it just so
happens I had brought a record recently and I do believe
it’s Cab Calloway. You want to listen to him Jack?"
"Are you serious? Of course. Put him in," Jack grinned,
letting Rose go so she could put on the record. Five minutes
later, the silky voice of Cab Calloway filled the room and Rose
was back in Jack’s arms. "Now that my dear, is swing.
If I was hurt right now, I’d get up and show you some new
moves."
"We’ll just have to wait until next time," Rose kissed him.
A yawn escaped as Jack snuggled closer to Rose. He knew that he was close to sleep, but he wanted to spend more time with Rose, but she wasn’t going to have it. As soon as she spotted the yawn, she turned out the lights.
"Rose!"
"Go to sleep Jack. You need your rest. We’ll have all day tomorrow, really the rest of this week to spend alone together," Rose kissed his cheek. "Ok ok. I’m going to sleep. I love you Rosie."
"I love you too Jack. Now go to sleep," Rose pulled the covers over their bodies and snuggled as close as she could without hurting him. "Sweet Dreams."
"Sweet dreams," Jack yawned once more as he drifted off into a deep sleep, one he didn’t wake from until the late morning hours.