8
Luckily, there was no raids that night. Jack and Rose walked along the deserted streets peacefully, hand in hand.
"Look! A shooting star," Rose gasped. "Oh Jack isn’t it magnificent?"
Jack nodded. "My dad used
to say that they were souls going to heaven."
"I like that. Shouldn’t we make a wish?"
Jack nodded and closed his eyes. Rose just looked at him, examining his features…examining him. He was the most beautiful boy she’s ever seen and she hated that there was no way for them to be together. She opened her eyes to find Jack staring at her, something in his eyes that wasn’t there the night before.
"So…what did you wish?" He asked.
"Something I can’t have," Rose turned away, her voice sad. "Jack…I think you better take me home now."
"Rose…"
"Or better yet, I’ll walk myself home. It’s better that way. Mother won’t be suspicious and she’s bound to be waiting up. Thank you Jack. For another wonderful evening," Rose once again smiled before turning and walking away from him, leaving Jack looking after her, wondering how he could help her out of her situation. It wasn’t fair that someone as sweet and beautiful as Rose should feel so trapped. Maybe he and Fabri can come up with a plan. Sighing, he continued on his way back to his apartment.
Ruth was waiting when Rose finally returned. To say she was angry wasn’t even a correct description. She was furious. Her and her friends sat and waited hours and hours for Rose to come home, but there was no sign of her. Ruth called Helga and even walked about town, but still there was no sign of her daughter. Rose was going to have a lot of explaining to do once she got home.
Rose entered the house and closed the door behind her before Ruth stepped out of the shadows, her arms crossed.
"Where have you been? Do you know how long we’ve waited for you?" Ruth’s voice was cold and void of all emotion.
"I was…"
"And don’t say you were at Helga’s. I had already called there. Her mother mentioned something about swing music. Don’t tell me you attended one of those ghastly functions."
‘No mother. I didn’t attend one. I attended two,’ Rose thought to herself. Clearing her throat She just looked at her mother before speaking.
"Well say something for yourself Rose! I want to hear your excuse for not being here when I told you to be here for lunch and why you were out all night!"
"I was out mother. I was out taking back control of my life or what little control I have left," Rose glared at her mother. "You and Cal are taking over my life and it’s not fair!"
Ruth laughed cruelly. "You are such a foolish girl Rose. You act as if you have no jewish blood running through your viens. That you’re as German as the rest of us! I’m doing you a favor here! If it’s a concentration camp you want to go to I’ll be happy to make the call myself! Is that enough control for you!?"
"You wouldn’t…"
"I would Rose. If you don’t adhere to my rules and regulations and allow Cal to court you…I will."
Tears appear in Rose’s eyes. She should have known better to think she could rebel against her mother. She was foolish to even think she could take her life back. She was trapped and Ruth knew it. "I hate you."
"That won’t change the truth. Now go upstairs and go to bed. Cal’s going to be here first thing tomorrow morning and you will look your best for him."
Glaring at her mother one last time, Rose darted upstairs, hot tears blinding her. Life as she knew it was now over. Either way, she was doomed. She fell asleep crying, knowing that the few moments of freedom she had felt that night in Jack’s arms were now over.