BARRIERS OF A FIRST LOVE
Chapter Eighteen
They hit the cold water hard and Rose’s body
began to sink towards the bottom. She was so tired and cold...
Strong arms wrapped around her and pushed her
to the top. She emerged and breathed heavily.
"Rose, you have to swim."
"I hurt."
"Swim. Just keep swimming. They’ll come
for us. They wouldn’t let two kids just stay here. Just keep swimming and soon
they’ll come for us."
"I have to get out of the water."
"Okay. Come on. Let’s go. Toward the
shore; you can do it."
The blood would leak out and make a little
red puddle in the water in front of her. Her vision blurred, and nauseating
black spots appeared before her eyes. Once again, she began to sink towards the
bottom, and, once again, Jack supported her frail body. He had her lean against
him as he swam them out of the water and onto the trashed, filthy, rocky strip
of beach. He lay her down in the sand and made sure she was comfy before
putting his good arm around her and lying down next to her.
"I love you, Jack."
"No. Don’t say your good-byes. You’re
going to live. And you’re going to die an old, old woman, warm in her bed. Not
like this. Not tonight."
"I’m sorry for this."
"Don’t you dare. Not for anything would
I ever trade knowing you and caring for you and loving you. I am eternally
grateful to you."
"You’re so good. I can never repay you
for anything you’ve done for me."
"Well, just promise me one thing.
Promise me that you will go on and make each day worthwhile. And never let go
of that promise."
"I promise you, Jack Dawson, that I will
go on. And I’ll never let go of that promise."