Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Act 1 Scene 3

A/N: When I say I love turning stories like Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Spring Awakening into a story for Jack and Crutchie...what else should I do!

"Crutchie!"

A voice startled Crutchie as he rose from his bed. He moved his bad leg slightly, reaching for his crutch when the voice called again. He recognized his cousin's, Katherine, voice down the hall. Crutchie groaned, standing up slowly and making his way towards Katherine.

"How now, who calls?" Crutchie questioned, peeking his head into the doorway of his father's room.

"It's your father." Katherine explained, giving a small smile when she made eye contact with Crutchie in the doorway. She stood close to his father, her uncle.

Crutchie bit his lip and looked up awkwardly at his father. "Hello, father. I am here. What is your will."

Joseph Pulitzer had a scowl etched onto his lips. "We have a problem. Katherine, give leave awhile." He ordered, pointing to the door as Katherine slowly made her way out. "Wait." Joseph stopped, thinking. "Katherine, stay here. We have no secrets between us. Thou know'st my son is of a pretty age."

Katherine nodded, backing up slightly to stand next to Crutchie. "I do."

"Almost fifteen." Joseph sighed, the very number seeming to cause him stress. "And who is he to marry?"

"Marriage!" Crutchie shouted, taken by surprise. He was silenced immediately by his father's question.

"Tell me, son, How stands your disposition to be married?"

Crutchie felt his balance totter slightly, gripping onto his crutch. "It is an honour that I dream not of." He rolled his eyes.

Joseph stepped towards Crutchie, holding up his arm. "Well, think of marriage now!" He sighed, lowering his arm and taking a breath. "Listen, here in New York there are many young men and women already married, already mothers." Joseph began to pace around the room, Crutchie watching, gripped onto Katherine's arm. "And they aren't...like you."

"And what can thy mean by that?" Crutchie puffed out his chest, cowering slightly when he saw the glare in his father's eyes.

"You can't take care of yourself alone! I was a father by the time I was your age, and thou remains a maid." He growled, sitting in a chair by his bed, pulling himself towards his desk.

Crutchie blushed slightly, shaking his head. "I can take care of myself. I have no interest in-"

"In times like these, I won't allow you to go on." He cried out, placing his head in his hands. "It isn't safe for you out there anymore. The valiant Oscar seeks you for his love." Joseph spat out quickly, a demand. "New York's summer hath not such a flower. A man."

Crutchie began to argue, silenced again by his father's booming voice.

"What say you? Can you love him?" He asked, though Crutchie knew he wouldn't have a choice. "He'll be at our feast tonight. You have nothing to lose by taking to him. See what you think."

"Is he not one of those boys that hurt the very one's who work for you!" Crutchie shouted out suddenly, eyes wide..

"Those boys are striking against me!" Joseph shouted, causing Crutchie to recoil. "Look, all I'm saying is that Oscar and his brother are helping me. Your father. Do you understand?"

Crutchie nodded, taking a breath. "Yes sir. I understand."

"Good." Pulitzer turned to Katherine. "Go see if the guests for tonight's feast are arriving. We will follow you." He turned to Crutchie, beckoning him to follow.

"I seek happy nights to happy days." Crutchie sighed, following Katherine out.