JACK AND ROSE: PRESENT TIME
Chapter
Sixty-Five
Rose and Jack knew
that they needed a day alone to think about things. They promised their friends
that they would meet up with them later tonight. Jack took Rose on a ride in
his tuck around Santa Monica.
"How
about," Jack started. "We just go home and make them deal with
it."
Rose sighed.
"I dunno, Jack. What if they make me go back?"
"I won't let
that happen, Rose," Jack said. "Just leave it up to me. I think we
can do this."
They pulled up the
driveway of their home. Rose didn't know if she was ready to face her mother,
but she knew she had to. Jack squeezed her hand to make her feel better, to
make her feel she wasn't alone.
Jack put his key in
the door, and Rose was happy to find no one in the living room. "They must
be in the kitchen," Jack said.
They walked into
the kitchen, hand in hand, prepared for what might happen. The first image they
saw was Ruth and John drinking coffee and reading the paper. As soon as they
entered, Ruth and John's faces went into shock.
"Rose!?"
Her mother asked in disbelief.
"Yes,
mother," Rose said. "It's me."
Ruth immediately
pulled out of her chair and stood, as well was John. "How did you get
here?" John asked.
"I took a
plane back."
"With Molly's
permission?" Ruth asked.
Rose shook her
head. "No, mother. I didn't."
"You've got to
go back," John said.
"Listen,"
Jack said, coming forward. "Either both of us stay, or both of us can
leave. The ball's in your court."
Ruth put her hands
over her mouth and gasped. Everything had been perfect since Rose left. Sure,
she missed her only daughter, but it was better off this way. John laid a
comforting hand on Ruth's shoulder.
"This is
ridiculous," John said.
"Rose,"
John said. "I'm sorry, but you can't stay here."
Then, Jack took
Rose's hand, again, and walked out of the room. But, John and Ruth decided to
follow.
"Where will
you go?" Ruth asked as she looked at the two foolish young lovers.
"That is none
of your concern, Ruth," Jack said.
Jack and Rose
walked into Jack's room. Jack began to pack all of his stuff in a suitcase.
"You two can't leave," Ruth said.
"Watch
us," Rose said.
John took Rose by
the arm. "What do you think you're doing? Why are you trying to take away
my nephew's future?"
"Let go,"
Rose said. "You're hurting me."
"Let her
go," Jack said.
John ignored the
comments. "You're just a little slut, aren't you?" John said. "I
never liked you, Rose. I only pretended to make Ruth happy. You're a little
spoiled brat who is trying to ruin Jack's life."
Jack and Ruth were
silent, waiting for a response from Rose. "Go to hell."
At that moment,
John snapped. Everything that he had been holding inside for months was about
to come out. He slapped Rose, hard across the face and then pushed her into the
wall.
"Rose!"
Ruth screamed.
Jack leaned over
and picked Rose up. He kissed her and made sure she was okay. Then, Jack had
enough. He went straight over to John and punched him, knocking him onto the
floor.
Ruth ran to her
daughter's side, never knowing her husband would use physical abuse. She hugged
her daughter, "Are you okay, Rose?"
Rose nodded. Jack
went over and wrapped Rose in his arms again as Ruth walked up to her soon to
be ex-husband. "Get out of my house!" She yelled. "I never want
to see you again."
John got up onto
his feet, slowly. "What about Jack?"
He had to be joking
if he though she was going to let him take Jack with him. "If you ever come
back to this house or try to contact Jack or Rose, I sue you for physical abuse
to my daughter. Is this in any way unclear?"
John shook his
head. "It's Crystal Clear."