21
It’s been a long couple of days for Tommy Ryan. His friends weren’t talking to him. He was now a full fledge Hitler Youth, something he hated. And now Ursula had dumped him after learning he was a member. Could life get any worse?
Right at that moment, he’s on his way to a meeting being held at the headquarters. He was passing by one of the offices when he heard the name Dewitt-Bukater. Tommy frowned. That was Jack’s girlfriend’s last name. He peeked through the door to see Cal Hockley, who had recently been promoted to a full ranking officer, talking with Jack’s stepfather.
“Are you sure you want to do this Cal? Auschwitz is the worse camp…” Hansel was saying, but Cal cut him off.
“Rose had her chance and she threw it away. Now she’ll have to pay the consequences. Have you found your woman’s boy yet?”
“No. I was hoping Rose would tell, but after the scene in the apartment, I should have known better. It’s a shame. Such a pretty girl.”
“Well this is what Rose want. She wanted to be treated like any old Jew, she’s got it. Ruth even had me post guards outside the house to make sure she doesn’t go anywhere. Not until Saturday when we ship her out anyway.”
Tommy quickly left the officer behind and made his way down the hall. His mind was in turmoil. Rose, Jack’s Rose was scheduled to be sent to a death camp on Saturday. He had to let Jack know. He at least owed him that much.
“Thomas Ryan!” a rough voice called out to him. He turned around to see his superior officer beckoning to him.
“Yes sir?” Tommy asked, approaching the officer that held a package.
“Do you know a Jack Dawson,” the officer questioned.
“Yeah. We used to hang out.”
“Can you deliver this package to him? It’s very important that he gets this,” the officer handed the package to Tommy.
“What’s in it?”
“That’s not important. Just make sure that the package gets to Mr. Dawson.”
“Yes sir,” Tommy nodded and headed for the exit. He knew exactly where to find Jack, not only to give him the package but also to tell him what really happened to Rose.
~*~
Fabrizio was entering the record store to visit Jack when Tommy arrived with his delivery. Suspicious, Fabrizio blocked the entrance.
“What are you doing here? Your kind’s not welcomed here.”
“I have a delivery and news for Jack,” Tommy explained. “Fabrizio please, don’t stand in my way. It’s a matter of life and death.”
“Damn right it is,” Fabrizio snorted. “If I tell you where Jack is, the SS will be here within minutes.”
“Get over yourself Fabrizio. Ever since Jack disappeared I knew he was here. So if I was going to notify the SS, I would have done it already!”
“The boy’s right Fabri,” Frank came out of the storeroom. “It’s safe to let him up.”
“But he’s one of them!”
“I’m Jack’s friend first. Plus…Rose’s life depends on me talking to Jack,” Tommy swallowed.
“What was that about Rose?” Frank stared at Tommy in surprise.
“Rose is being held prisoner in her own house. They’re sending her to Auschwitz Saturday. Plus I have this package to deliver,” Tommy explained. “Please. For Rose’s sake, let me see Jack.”
Frank looked at Tommy and then at Fabrizio who looked a bit pale. “Follow me.”
He led the two young me up to Jack’s apartment. He stopped Tommy before allowing him entrance. “You better be telling the truth, boy. This better not be no trick.”
“It’s not,” Tommy gulped.
Frank just nodded, releasing the young man to open the door. They find Jack standing, staring into space as he wondered about Rose’s whereabouts. He frowned when he saw Tommy.
“What are you doing here?”
Tommy swallowed. Hostility from Jack was what he had expected, but he hoped Jack would let go of some of that anger to listen.
“I have been asked to deliver this package to you.” He handed the package to Jack. “I also have news about Rose.”
Jack frowned, not liking the look in Tommy’s eyes. Whatever he had to say about Rose couldn’t be good.
“What about her?”
“They’re sending her to Auschwitz Saturday. Right now Cal and her mother are keeping her under guard to make sure that she doesn’t escape.”
“Oh God no,” Jack gasped in horror. He knew it! He knew something terrible must have happened! Rose would be with him now if it hadn’t. “I have to go! I have to rescue her!” Jack headed for the door just to find his way blocked by Fabrizio. “Out of my way Fabri. Rose needs me.”
“Did you not hear Tommy? They have guards! Going over there now is no use to Rose! They won’t let you near her! Plus they’ll hand you over to that Nazi boyfriend of your mother’s.”
“Fabrizio’s right Jack. You need a plan first. What’s in that package?” Fred looked at the box in Jack’s hand. “Let’s open it up and see.”
Swallowing back his fear for Rose, Jack opened the package to reveal a shoebox with a card attached to the top. He read the card.
“Lucas Dawson,” Jack frowned, getting a bad feeling. Why would a box have his father’s name? Opening the box Jack screamed in horror. Inside was his father’s glasses and wedding ring setting on top of the ashes.
“What is it Jack?” Frank rushed to the young man’s side, who had sunk down to the floor.
“Dad. It’s my dad,” Jack trembled, just staring at what had once been his father, the wedding ring gleamed in the overhead light.
Frank gasped, hot anger lit up his eyes. “Those sick bastards!” Sorrow seemed to swallow him whole. Lucas Dawson wasn’t only a good man, he was his best friend. So strong and sure of himself. All that was left of Lucas now was a box of ashes held in his son’s hands. Jack, who looked so much like Lucas it was scary…he knew then that helping the boy flee Germany was the right thing to do. It was what Lucas would have wanted done.
He wiped away the tears that had fallen and looked at Jack. “This is a sign from my old friend. Telling me to get his son out of here and to America. I know it is,” Frank took out the tickets and passports. “You leave tonight.”
“Not without Rose I’m not. I’m not leaving without her,” Jack shook his head.
“Here’s one for her too Jack. We just need to rescue her first.”
“Anyone got a plan?” Jack closed the box that contained his father’s remains.
Fabrizio smiled. “I do. It’s perfect.”
“What is it?” Tommy asked, somehow knowing that he was part of the group again.
Fabrizio told them the plan, very proud to have come up with it himself.
Jack was the only one not very happy about it. “Fabri no. You’ve risked your life one too many times for me already. I can’t ask you to do it again.”
“I want to Jack. You’re my best friend. This is what best friends do.”
“It’s a good plan Jack. It’ll get Rose free,” Frank squeezed the young man’s shoulder.
“But…”
“No buts Jack. I’m doing it. We better start now since you depart tonight,” Fabrizio headed for the door when Jack stopped him.
“I know that after leaving this room, we will probably never see each other again.. I just want to say that all these years you’ve been my brother and I love you for all you’ve done for me. Especially for this. No matter what anyone says, we are brothers,” Jack grabbed a nearby knife and ran the blade across the palm of his hand. He handed the knife to Fabrizio who did the same. The two young men clasped their bleeding hands together tightly, mixing their blood. “This makes it official.”
“I’ll miss you brother,” Fabrizio wiped a tear from his eyes.
“I’ll miss you too. Brother. I promise to keep in touch,” Jack hugged Fabrizio tightly.
“We better go if you’re leaving tonight. Time’s moving fast,” Frank hated to interrupt by the plan must start immediately.
“Let’s get this over with,” Jack sighed, suddenly tired. He was so sick of fighting the Nazis. He’ll be happy when he and Rose are safely in America and the Nazi’s a distant memory.
22
Frank, Jack, and Fabrizio stand a distance away from the Dewitt-Bukater house. Tommy was directed to return to headquarters. There was no use for him to get in trouble if they were caught. So after an uneasy good-bye, he left.
“She’s guarded alright. We’re going to have to be quick about this. There’s no room for error,” Frank whispered.
“I’ll make sure they don’t return anytime soon,” Fabrizio nodded. He looked once more at his friend. “I wish you and Rose the best Jack. Good luck.”
“Good luck to you too Fabri. Don’t get caught.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t,” Fabrizio grinned, leaving the two men. He approached the guards that stood under Rose’s window. He stuck up his middle finger. “Hitler sucks!”
Angry and as planned, the guards leave the window unguarded to chase after Fabrizio.
“The palace guards of England they’re not,” Frank laughed.
“I just hope he’ll be ok.”
“He will Jack. That kid can run like the wind. Now I guess it’s my turn. Flirt with Ruth while you climb up and get your girl. Good thing the wind’s open.”
“Let’s get started. The sooner Rose is out of that house and in my arms the better.”
Frank nodded and walked up to the door and rang the bell. Jack watched as Frank began to charm Rose’s mother and quickly made his way to the tree outside Rose’s window and began the climb up. He was in a perfect position to hear Cal’s voice yelling at Rose. He climbed the rest of the way up and saw Rose and Cal. Cal had his back to Jack.
“I’m giving you another chance here Rose. You’ll never survive Auschwitz and you know it. Marry me and live.”
“No,” Rose glared at the older man.
“Why?! So you can be some swinger’s whore?!”
“I rather be his whore than your wife.”
“Why you…” Cal’s hand swung back and gave her a stinging slap, causing Rose to see stars and not Jack slipping through the window and punching Cal to the floor.
“Don’t you ever touch her again!” Jack hissed, standing by Rose’s side.
“Why you…” Cal got to his feet again just to meet Jack’s fist once again. That time he was knocked unconscious.
“Jack!” Rose fell into his arms, clinging to him desperately. “I thought I’d never see you again!”
“You should have known better than that. I promised I wouldn’t let them send you away and I always keep my promises.”
“Rose! Cal!” Ruth’s voice floated up.
“Frank mustn’t have been able to keep her. Let’s get out of here,” Jack grabbed her hand. Together, they climbed out of the window and ran off into the horizon. It’ll be a long time before either of them saw their families again.
After a last visit to a swing hall, Jack and Rose went to the airship station where Frank was waiting.
“There you two are! Frank waved. “I was getting worried there. Here you go. Two tickets to freedom. All of your belongings are already aboard Jack. The money and…your father. Make sure he gets a decent burial.”
“I will. Thank you Frank. For everything. I’ll never forget you.”
“Just take care of Rose and write me! I want to know all about America.”
“I will,” Jack smiled hugging the older man good-bye.
“You take care of Jack now. He’s going to need you in the coming weeks,” Frank hugged Rose.
“I promise. Thank you Frank. For everything.”
“Last call before departure! Last call before departure!” the intercom went off.
“We better go,” Jack took Rose’s hand in his. “Good-bye Frank.”
“See you later,” Frank waved, watching the couple disappear into the airship, unaware of the tragedy looming ahead. He just wished them a happy and safe voyage and a life full of love and happiness.
THE END
Preview of Survival:
The sequel to Swing
Jack and Rose
have just escaped the evil of the Nazi’s just to face a new terror that will
change the course of history forever.
Can they survive and the task of starting a new life in a new
country?