His Tenacity

Chapter 1

Harry sat around the battered radio gripping tightly to his sister, Gemma's, hand. He looked at his family gathered around probably the nicest material good that they had. Robin held Anne in his lap rubbing small circles with his thumb in her side, whispering comforting words into her ear.

The war had only just been announced and the way they had described the man named Hitler was horrifying. Harry shivered at even the thought of such a man walking the same earth as his family. To top it all off, the reporter had announced that a draft would be put into motion. Any man from the ages of 21 to 45 could be put into the new war. Anne had released a breath when she heard the minimum age as her son, Harry, was only 19. When the maximum age was announced, however, she sucked air in through her teeth holding onto Robin the tightest Harry had ever seen. Gemma grit her teeth looking around at her family with sad eyes.

Harry couldn't help but feel slightly gleefully that he wouldn't be put in the draft. Yet, at the same time he felt horrible because Robin was only 44. His mother looked around the room saying nothing as the announcement sunk in. Robin held her tightly, whispering something the two siblings couldn't hear in their mother's ear. Harry's mind began to race with what could happen. He'd, of course, have to get a job as Robin was the sole provider in the house. A house that they could barely afford mind you.

Robin was the first to break the silence that had settled over the house, "Everything will be okay."

This statement did little to calm anyone's nerves. Anne had begun to silently cry and Gemma was seated pale faced. Harry bit down on his lip and took a deep breath.

"I suppose I should start looking for a job," Harry said looking around the room trying to spark up a conversation.

"One that would keep you out of the draft too. I have a buddy that works at the police station downtown, I can probably get him to get me the list of jobs that are exempted from the draft," Robin added smiling sadly at Harry.

Gemma took a deep breath and nodded, "Mum and I could probably get jobs down at the shops. I heard they were looking for a seamstress in that dress shop. Mum, you could definitely do that, and I could work at the bakery just down the road and I could take all the stale bread that they would throw away."

Anne nodded still staying silent seated in Robin's lap, wiping away the small tears on her face and taking a deep breath. "Okay, I think I'm gonna go lie down. Harry, dear go over to Jay's house and see if she needs anything from us. Her son Louis is just 21, and since Mark left her with all those kids..."

Harry nodded grabbing a loaf of bread and some butter. He set over to the Tomlinson's house knocking on the splitting door. A young girl who couldn't be older than 15 appeared at the door looking up at Harry. The girl seemed to have dried tear tracks on her small pale face.

"Yes," she snapped softy.

Harry gave her a sad smile, "I'm from the house next door, I'm Anne's son."

"Mum," the girl yelled into the small house, almost immediately summoning a older woman around the age of 40.

"He said that he's Anne's son," the girl said disappearing into the house leaving Jay and Harry alone in the doorway.

"Um, hello, Jay is it? My mum asked for me to bring some bread and butter over," Harry said awkwardly, looking down at his feet.

Jay smiled at Harry, "Anne is so kind, you could come in for a bit if you'd like. Louis could use it." She smiled at Harry her eyes pleading him to try and make her son happy for just a bit.

Harry thought for a moment. Harry had only met Louis one or two times, and he wanted to keep it that way. Nevertheless, he couldn't deny the way the shorter man made his heart go wild. It simply wasn't right though. Men dated women not men! Harry had prayed and prayed many times for God to punish him for the sins he subconsciously made in his sleep. He will always fight these feelings no matter how hard it gets. Harry would force himself to marry a nice girl if he had to.