PHILADELPHIA IN SPRING
Chapter Five

The two crept quietly down the drive, holding back snickers the entire way. Rose started running at the end, unable to hold back her laughter. The exhilaration of "sneaking out" was touching on her childlike side, and she felt herself forgetting, once again, the consequences of this little outing.

"This way." Jack motioned toward the street.

Jack and Rose walked side by side for a few moments. Jack stopped suddenly and turned toward her.

"Rose, you can go back. I'm sorry- I'm going to get you in trouble..."

Rose looked up at him and smiled.

"Jack, believe me, it's all right. I'm old enough to make my own decisions, whether my mother acknowledges it or not."

Jack smiled weakly and stuck his hands in his pockets. They continued walking in the silent darkness. The street was not well lit, and Rose had never been out like this. She stayed close to Jack, shuddering when she heard a sound from a nearby tree.

Jack laughed. Without hesitation, he draped his arm across her shoulder. "It's just an owl. Are you okay?"

Rose smiled up at him. "I'm fine."

Jack kept his arm around her, and Rose recognized how good it felt, to have his warm body so close to hers.

They turned the corner unto the silent street. Normally, it would have been bustling with traffic and people, but tonight the sidewalk was theirs. Jack led the way across a few blocks. Rose noticed that they were heading into the older, more run down section of town. For a moment, a wave of nervousness hit her. But she had developed such a trust for the man standing next to her, regardless of the small amount of time they'd known each other.

He looked down at her, as if to get her approval. She smiled up at him, and found herself lost in his eyes once more. He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

They turned one last corner.

"This is it."

Rose looked at the place he pointed at. It was a small building, with fogged up windows. The sounds of laughter and music could be heard from inside, and the thick glass of the windows seemed to radiate warmth.

"What is this?"

"You'll see." Jack held the door open for her. Rose stepped inside. It was a large room, crowded with cheerful people. Some were dancing, some were sitting at tables, with large mugs of beer. The floors were sawdust, and the air was filled with smoke. In the corner, a small band was playing lively music, and the bar on the other side of the room was crowded with men and women. Most seemed to be dressed like Jack.

Rose turned to look at Jack. He smiled at her hopefully, and she grinned back.

He led her to a table and motioned toward the bartender for two beers. Rose placed her hands on the top of the table. For one second, she caught a glimpse of her engagement ring on her finger, but quickly took her mind off of it. She looked around her once more. Everyone in the room seemed so joyful, so happy. She'd never been to a place like this.

"Is this okay, Rose?" Jack leaned in close to her, because the sound was so overbearing.

Rose could feel his warm breath on her face. She looked him directly in the eyes and nodded.

The bartender brought the two drinks over to the table. Rose was about to bring the glass to her lips. Jack grabbed her other arm, "Let's dance first Rose."

Rose turned to face him. She glanced around her at the couples already on the dance floor. They were moving wildly, quickly, almost jumping around the room to the fast beat of the music.

"I don't know, Jack. I've never..."

But Jack wouldn't hear any of that. He pulled her up into a standing position in front of him. The band was just starting a new song.

Jack pulled her to the middle of the floor. She looked at him worriedly.

"We're going to have to get a little closer." Jack put his hand at the small of her back, taking her other hand in his own, and pulled her toward him. "Like this."

Rose smiled weakly.

"I don't know the steps."

Jack smiled. "Neither do I. Just go with it."

Rose found herself giggling as he began to move his feet. He lead her around the room, following the other couples. The dance was jubilant and loud, and she began to lose herself in it. Jack was holding her tight, smiling with her, and for once, she felt safe. Completely safe.

Beads of sweat began to trickle down her face as she moved with Jack and the music. She reached up to swat a piece of hair from her face. Jack's floppy blond locks were in his face, so he threw his head back. He caught sight of the small platform in the middle of the floor.

He grabbed Rose's right arm and led her to the platform. He let go of her hand, and putting his hands to his waist, began a wild step dance. His shoes clicked against the wood loudly, and the whole crowd began to clap wildly. Rose joined in, mesmerized. Jack looked to her, as if willing her to join him. She gave him a exhilarated glance and then proceeded to remove her dainty white heels. She tossed them to a woman nearby and, in her white stockings, began a foot routine of her own. Jack gave her a curious look and then smiled at her. She looked up, beaming. He slid his arm in hers, and they swung around in a sort of do-si-do. Rose's hair was flying everywhere, but she didn't even bother to swat it away. Jack took both of her hands in his own, and facing her, began to swing her around. Rose opened her mouth and let out a little screech. "Jack, no!"

But she was laughing hysterically as he speeded up. As they both began to grow dizzy, he let out a little scream of his own. When they finally stopped, Rose practically fell into his arms.

He grabbed her hand.

"Let's go sit down."

"All right," Rose wiped a strand of sweat from her forehead. Jack glanced over at her. Her eyes were bright with excitement, her hair flew in little tendrils all around her face. It felt so wonderful to him, to see her obvious joy.

Their table had been taken, but Jack reached over several men to grab their glasses.

Rose hurriedly took the glass from Jack's hand and brought it to her lips. She swallowed it hungrily, downing it all in almost one gulp. Jack took one sip of his, and then stared at Rose as she finished hers off. She laughed and looked at him.

"What? You think a first class girl can't drink?"

Jack looked at her and smiled.

Rose put her glass down on the table in front of her. She glanced at two men arm wrestling and grabbed the cigarette that one of them was holding. She put it to her mouth, taking one drag from it.

"So, you think you're big, tough men?"

"Let's see you do this." Jack watched, confused, but at the same time, eager to see what she was about to do.

Rose lifted part of her skirt from the floor and handed it to Jack.

"Hold this for me, Jack." Jack grinned at her and exchanged a curious look with one of the men seated at the table.

Rose lifted her arms above her head and began to raise her feet, until all of her weight was on the tips of her toes. She held the position several seconds before stumbling, laughing, and fell into Jack's arms.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph..." An older woman standing near the table muttered to herself.

Rose placed her hands around Jack's shoulders. Jack was beaming, his grin wild and warm. Their eyes locked for several seconds.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh, Jack! I haven't done that in years!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The night was dark and silent, but the stars above the quiet city shone brightly. Rose looked at them, amazed.

Jack was walking next to her, staring at her profile as she gazed at the sky.

Their clothes were rumpled and sweaty from the dancing. Jack's heart was still pounding quickly in his chest.

"Jack, look at all the stars." She turned to him and lowered her eyes.

Jack glanced at her, and then the sky.

Suddenly, Rose's face lit up, as her gaze seemed to follow something in the sky.

"Jack-look! It's a shooting star..."

"My dad always said that a shooting star was a soul going to heaven." Jack commented, all the while staring at her face, not the star.

Rose turned to him. "My father used to say that too."

Rose's face turned serious. "You know, Jack, sometimes I wish I could just fly- fly away. Up to the sky- and never come down."

Jack's eyes studied her. The sadness had returned as she spoke. Her eyes darted upwards, and then back to him.

"You can, Rose." He looked directly at her as he said this.

Rose's eyes sought his own. The soft color of them enveloped her, as if they possessed the power to see into her soul, to consume her.

She smiled at him, trying to take in the full meaning of what he'd said.

Jack turned to look in front of him as they continued to walk.

"What's that song? Come Josephine, in my..."

"Flying machine..." Rose finished his sentence.

Jack laughed. "That's it--"

Rose started singing the verse, her eyes compelling him to join her. He found his voice and then his deep sound joined her soft one. They sang through the whole song, stopping only occasionally to giggle. The energy and giddiness of the night took them over, until they were almost keeling over in laughter. When they finished, Jack stopped suddenly.

"Rose this is your street."

"Oh, goodness." Rose pretended to smile, but her disappointment in reaching home was apparent.

Jack tried to cheer her up as they approached her house.

"You forgot to wish on your star." He turned to her. His face was skewed in a cute little expression. His mouth curved in a curious smile. Rose felt weak at her knees, looking at him, but managed to speak.

"A wish? Very well..." Rose playfully closed her eyes. Jack watched as her full lips moved soundlessly. Jack felt so compelled to lean in, right then and there, and kiss her, but he stopped himself just as she opened her eyes.

"What did you wish for?" He asked.

Rose looked at the ground below her.

"Something I can't have, Jack."

She brought her gaze back up to him and studied the saddened expression on his face.

"Jack you don't know how much tonight has meant to me." A single tear formed in the corner of her eye.

Rose felt a gentle rush go through her body as he reached up and softly wiped the tear from her eye.

"I have to go, Jack."

Jack nodded slowly and brought his hand back to his side.

"Good bye Rose."

Rose hesitated slightly before stepping toward him, placing her hand on the top of his back. Jack put his hand on her shoulder, and they stood like that for a few moments. Rose closed her eyes. She could feel the electricity between them.

She unwillingly stepped away from him, knowing that she needed to get inside quickly.

"Goodbye, Jack." She ran her hand lightly over his chest before stepping away and turning toward the hill.

Jack watched intently as she walked up, staring after her until she disappeared from view. He closed his eyes and stood there, rooted for a few seconds.

He then turned, and began his way home. His mind was overflowing with images of Rose. And he no longer fought them, but welcomed them and held to them as he walked back to his apartment.

Chapter Six
Stories