Chapter 3: Alex and Rick

 

 

 

With all that was going on with Hitler and his Nazi power, and their desire to take over the European countries, everyone seemed to be talking about that, as well as fighting in the war to stop them.  One day, when his sisters and mum were napping, Alex found his dad in his study on the phone, and waited.  Rick looked up and held up his hand, for him to wait.

 

“Yeah Sam you too,”  Rick was saying.  When he hung up he sighed, then looked at his son, and noticed the troubled look in his eyes.

 

“Dad is it okay if we talk about the war?”  Alex asked shifting from one foot to the other.

 

“Sure we can, why don’t we go sit in the parlor,”  Rick said.  Alex lead the way, and once they were there settled on a couch, Alex began.

 

“Are you going to fight this war?”  Alex asked.  That is what worried him the most.  He knew that every able bodied man was going to fight, and he didn’t want his father too for a great number of reasons.

 

“I’ve thought about it son, and while I think that we should all do our part, I think that my part will come in support with money, and raising you and your sisters the right way,”  Rick said.  Alex turned to face him.

 

“What do you mean the right way?”  he asked.

 

“Well Hitler believes that his way of life is better than all the rest, and he believes that the Jewish faith, is wrong, enough to shun them, and drive them out of Germany,”  Rick said.  That was only half of it, but he wanted to get his point across.

 

“What I want you and your sisters to learn is that there is no ‘right group of people’  We are just the same as someone in Egypt, or the United States.  Do you understand what I’m getting at?”  Rick asked.  Alex nodded his head, then shook his head.

 

“Okay its like this.  Hitler believes very strongly, for what ever reason that the Jewish people don’t deserve to live as everyone else in Germany.  He and his group are fighting to get rid of them, kill them off because he looks down on them.  It would be like me disapproving of everything you did, not matter how good of a student you were in School, or how clean you kept your room, I would never be pleased, and even to the point of hating you,”  Alex began to see the picture, and that frightened him.

 

“Well you don’t have to worry about me thinking I’m better than someone, because that just makes enemies,”  Alex said.  Rick hugged his son.

 

“I’m glad you feel that way.”  Rick said.

 

“Won’t other people get mad because you aren’t going to fight in the war,”  Alex asked.

 

“I think so, but for right now my place is with you and your mother and sisters,”  Rick reassured.  After their talk Alex felt better, and left to go see Max.  The O’Connell family would be leaving England in three weeks, and Alex wanted to spend as much time with his buddy as he could. 

 

 

 

After their talk, Rick felt the need to go check on Evelyn and their girls.  When he arrived in their room he found her awake reading a book, though she put it down as soon as he arrived.

 

“So did you get everything settled with Sam?”  Evie asked.

 

“Yeah, we have more than enough money from selling the firm to the British forces.  Evie do you think me less of a man for not fighting in the war?”  Rick asked as he settled with her on the bed.  She scooted against him, and he wrapped his arms around her.

 

“No I don’t.  I think you have seen enough bloodshed to last a life time and more, and I believe that you can contribute, we can contribute in other ways.  I think the biggest part was your agreeing to let the British forces have your ship building firm,” she reassured.  Rick hugged her a bit tighter.

 

“Alex wanted to know why I am not fighting in the war, and I told him that I want to spend my time taking care of he and the girls,”  Rick said. 

 

“I am glad you feel that way,”  Rick smiled.  He felt good about his decision, and would stick to it no matter what happened.