"Mom, I'm getting ready to leave!" Josh yelled. He stood in his room in
front of his mirror looking himself over.
"Why can't I come Josh?"
"I told you, Eric, you're too young." Josh's 12 year old brother was sitting on his bed. "I'm almost 13."
Josh turned around and smiled. "Ask me again in about 4 years. So, how do I look?"
Eric stood up and straighten Josh's collar. "You look okay."
"Okay?!" Josh picked Eric up over his shoulder and walked into the living room of their small home.
"Aaahhh, Mom!" Eric yelled.
"Joshua, put your brother down." Josh put Eric down and fixed his clothes again. "When will you be home," she asked.
"I don't know...not too late."
"Okay, be careful and tell Justin I said hello."
"Ok. Bye Momma." Josh leaned down and kissed his mother's cheek. He left the apartment and exited the building. As he was walking down the street he got a strange feeling. Just then a figure came up from behind him and jumped on his back. "What the hell!!" Josh swung the person off of him.
"Where's your sense of humor Joshua?!!"
"Justin! You're crazy!!"
"Haha!"
"You scared me to death! Where have you been?"
"Waiting for you. Let's go, the ladies await!"
Justin slapped Josh's back as they continued walking. Justin and Josh were on their way to their favorite hangout...a swing club. It was May of 1943 in Nazi Germany. WWII had engulfed the world and Hitler's presence was felt everywhere, especially in Germany. Swing music was a hit all over the world as teenagers used it as an escape for the horrible things going on around them. Justin and Josh could not see it, but the most turbulent times in their lives would soon be upon them.