NEW IMPRESSIONS
Chapter Seven
July 20th, 2000
Jack pulled his black Explorer into a parking
space directly facing the windows of Starbucks. The morning sun was reflecting
off the glass, but he could just make out the form of Seth Townsend seated at
one of the small tables inside. His friend waved, seeing him at precisely the
same moment. Jack smiled and hopped out of the car. After a week of playing
all-out phone tag, the two of them had finally planned to meet for breakfast,
if only to catch up a little. As Rose was in his life now, this summer had been
a whirlwind with her, and he had realized that he'd not spoken to Seth in quite
awhile. Which meant that Rose's journalism advisor knew absolutely nothing of
the relationship that had developed between her and his trusted friend. Jack
took a deep breath and opened the door, the cool air of the cafe hitting him.
He pushed his sunglasses over his forehead, glad to be out of the heat.
Seth's lopsided grin greeted him, and he
motioned Jack towards his table. He was wearing a suit, and he rolled his eyes
as he stood. "I have a meeting after this. Last minute thing. So I'm glad
you're early." Jack nodded and reached to shake Seth's hand, before pulling
out the seat across from him. He knew that Seth had taken a part-time job with
a small publishing company over the summer, and this made Jack all the more
thankful for his own break from working. But he felt a little out of place in
his T-shirt and jeans.
"That's okay. I would have been here
sooner, but the traffic was bad." Jack sat down, followed by Seth. His
friend pushed a steaming cup of coffee in his direction. A small plate of
muffins already sat in the middle of the marble table.
"I went ahead and ordered. I think I
remembered how you take your coffee."
Jack laughed and nodded. "That's fine.
Always on top of things, huh, Townsend? So how have you been?" Seth shook
some crumbs from his fingers, resting his elbows on the tabletop.
"Good, actually. Just wondering what's
been up with you?" He raised his eyebrows good-naturedly and cleared his
throat. "I've been calling for weeks, and all I ever get is your answering
machine. I think I have it memorized now. Let's see...'You've reached Jack
Dawson. You know the drill, I'll get back to you.' Aren't you usually in front
of that easel during the summer?" His tone wasn't exactly accusing, but
Seth knew that Jack must have something new going on in his life.
Jack looked down for a moment, biting his
lips to keep from smiling. He took the spoon beside his cup and began to
absentmindedly stir the hot liquid. He had recited the message on his machine
perfectly. Had he really been gone that often? What could he say exactly?
Certainly not come right out and confess why he'd been utterly unavailable for
nearly two months. How would Professor Townsend react to a romance between Jack
and one of his students? Knowing Seth, telling him would be no easy feat.
"I have been painting, just not as much. And this may surprise you, but
people can have more than one interest to pursue. Especially in the
summer." Jack chuckled and eyed Seth, who appeared shocked to say the
least.
"You, Jack? I always thought that art
was your one love." Seth raised his own cup and took a long gulp. "So
what else has been filling your time?"
If only he knew. Jack sighed and reached for
one of the piping hot muffins, tossing it several times in his hands.
"Just things, I guess," he squinted in the bright sunlight filtering
into the room. "You know that Rick left me his boat for the summer. I've
been spending some time up there. And basically just going where I feel like
it. Trying to enjoy the time off."
Seth looked amused, but he managed to sound
serious. There was something different about Jack. He'd known this man for six
years now, and he had never before seemed this carefree. Or this mysterious for
that matter. "Spending this time with anyone special Dawson?"
Jack only smiled, leaning back in his chair
to get comfortable. "When did this become the inquisition?" He tried
to look unaffected by the question, but inside he was battling with the idea of
revealing that the answer was a yes.
"It's not, Jack. I'm just interested.
That's all." Seth raised his hands palms forward, as if to symbolize his
backing away. "But I can tell that you're hiding something. This isn't
like you. You're usually so frank...just acknowledging the change." He
tapped the table lightly, as if just thinking of something. "But if you're
still not seeing anyone, then I'm going to keep trying to set you up. Come to
my house this weekend for dinner. Caroline's cousin is visiting from Los
Angeles. You'd appreciate her--she works in a museum--you'd have a lot to talk
about." Seth's hands were moving expressively as he talked, trying to
tempt Jack with the description of his wife's relative.
Jack listened to Seth rave about Caroline's
cousin Jennifer. He heard the vivid descriptions of her midnight black hair,
her sophisticated job. All the while, he was instead picturing the weekend with
a redheaded woman who sent his adrenaline level soaring just by thinking of
her. He blinked and stared straight ahead, searching for something to say. What
excuse could he make? For some strange reason, he still was not ready to reveal
that he was no longer single. "I can't. I appreciate the offer, but I have
plans."
Seth looked taken aback by Jack's response,
setting his coffee down with his mouth wide open. "Okay, now I know
something's up. What happened to my wife being the best cook in the
world?" He smiled and a crease appeared above his brown eyes.
"Besides, you know you're not getting any younger. If you don't look,
you'll never find anyone."
Jack nodded wisely, shifting in his chair.
The room was practically empty. Only a few older businessmen stood at the
counter. "I think I can manage it on my own." Jack laughed and
drummed his fingers along his jaw. "But seriously--how is everything?
Caroline? The job? I feel like I haven't talked to you guys in ages."
"You haven't been home in ages,"
Seth stated pointedly, "but you haven't missed much really. The job is
good, but it's nothing like the newspaper. I never thought I'd be glad for
school to start back up. And Caroline was just transferred to the south branch
of the hospital, which is what she wanted. So she finally stopped
complaining." Seth spoke with pride in his voice about his wife, who was a
nurse that worked in pediatrics. Jack darted his eyes to the side, wondering
just for a minute how it might feel to be married to Rose. To experience all
the ordinary things together. Seth had already been married when Jack met him.
He was two years his senior, as was Caroline, a petite brunette who was sweet,
but just a little bubbly at times. Seth had been at UCLA as well, which is
where he had started his teaching career before moving to Berkeley.
"I'm glad." Jack swiped some hair
from his face, "I remember the last time we talked, you were stressed out
about one of the last issues of the paper. It must have been in early May, I
guess."
"Ah, yeah," Seth lowered his eyes
in recollection, "when I talked you into that interview. I never got to
ask how that went?" He raised his eyebrows in an innocent question, while
Jack squirmed silently in his chair. He knew this was going to happen eventually.
Oblivious to Jack's discomfort, Seth continued. "Rose was nervous about it
but I knew she would handle it well. So...what did you think? Say
something."
Jack let out a nervous cough and sat up
straighter, "Oh, it was fine. You were right. Nothing to worry
about." Jack talked quickly, as if he wanted to change the topic, and Seth
cocked his head to the side, a little smile on his face. But he decided not to
comment on the squeamish look in his friend's eyes.
"I knew it would be fine. Rose is one of
the brightest students I have...I'm thinking about making her an editor this
year. The piece she wrote was good...at least I thought so. With the quotes
from your thesis and everything." Seth's voice was calm, as if Rose were
someone he talked about everyday. The casual tone in his voice reminded Jack
just how disconnected he and Seth had been all summer. For him to be completely
clueless about this.
Jack shook his head in affirmation. All he
could do was go along with the conversation. There was no reason not to discuss
Rose's talents or her gift for writing, was there? And he was proud of
her--that a distinguished professor like Seth would have such complimentary
things to say about her. "That was her idea, actually."
Seth listened as Jack's voice took on a tone
he'd never heard before. It sounded not only strange, but so out of character.
Something bordering on embarrassment. He was usually so opinionated, so serious
when he spoke. "She's a pretty girl," Seth said, as he sliced his
muffin, looking up to meet Jack's wide eyes.
"Yes...yes she is." Jack pretended
to be engrossed with his own food, picking it at it slowly, all the while
trying to hide the blush in his cheeks.
"And she's so determined. Always talking
about the places she's going after graduation," Seth began to butter his
pastry as Jack's ears perked up. He slid his hand nervously down his leg,
trying to appear nonchalant as Seth continued to rave about Rose. "She
could be some sort of correspondent, I think. She's always mentioning Europe,
Florence especially. She flitters around though, as if she has nothing holding
her down at all." Seth shook his head back and forth lightly and pursed
his lips. "I just hope that whoever she finally decides to stick with
understands all of that. That he understands her. She deserves someone
nice."
Jack felt his head spinning, and had to fight
not to let the scalding coffee in his mouth come sputtering out. He put his
hand to his face and bit the palm of his hand. Seth had not noticed his jittery
actions and was still talking, "She's had a string of losers. Let me tell
you. I met some of them at the office--they just didn't deserve her--not at
all."
"Re...really?" Jack's voice cracked
and he rested his chin in his hand, his heart pounding loudly. Now was he not
only interested, but curious. Rose had never really talked about any of her
previous boyfriends. She had only told him that she'd never had a relationship
as serious as theirs. And as for her plans for the future, he had already
noticed the excited gleam in her eyes each time she mentioned the places she
wanted to go someday. And Jack was already working on that.
"Jack, whatever is wrong with you this
morning..." Seth laughed and looked at his watch, "I sure hope you
recover quickly."
When the subject had finally switched from
Rose, the two men had managed to lighten the mood, reliving some of their crazy
stunts and antics from years past. And as Jack felt relaxed and out of the
spotlight, he began to enjoy spending time with such a cherished friend. Seth
had always been a reliable and trustworthy person in his life, and Jack wasn't
about to jeopardize that in any way. He just hoped that Seth would understand
the situation at hand, once he mustered up the courage to tell him everything.
The time passed quickly, though, and Seth
sighed as he slid his arms back into the jacket of his gray suit. "I hate
to say this Jack, but I have to go. If I'm late for this meeting, my boss will
have my head. Something about a screw-up in a pamphlet that a client ordered last
week." Seth looked tired and bored with the idea of going to work, but
smiled as he stood. "I'm glad we finally managed to get a hold of each
other though." He looked much older than he was--wise if that was
possible. Seth had accomplished so much, seemed so content with his life. And
Jack wanted that sort of life desperately--the kind he hadn't known since his
mother died so many years ago. With Rose, he felt he was finally gaining that
consistency and fulfillment once again.
Jack took the last sip of his refill of
coffee and pushed his chair out, jumping to stand as well. "I am too. I
mean that." He nodded and offered his hand to Seth, who laughed and shook
it heartily.
"Well, if you mean that, then try to
keep in touch from now on, okay?" His brown eyes were warm and sincere, as
if he genuinely missed seeing Jack on a regular basis. Jack rolled his eyes
humorously and nodded, starting toward the nearby counter.
"Will do, Townsend. Don't work too hard
now, hear me?" Jack laughed and continued to walk, giving his friend one
last goodbye. Seth seemed to be intent on the door, until he saw Jack stop at
the glass counter, smiling as he gave an order to the cashier. Curious, Seth
pulled the handle back, standing inside for a moment. He watched as Jack fished
for his wallet and quickly paid, before reaching for the drink he was handed.
Seth's forehead creased and he looked down at his digital watch. Nine o'clock
in the morning. Much too early for one of those sweet Frapaccino things. But
that was exactly what Jack in his hand, in a clear plastic cup filled with the
icy substance and topped with whipped cream and chocolate. This being the man
who refused even sugar in his coffee.
Jack seemed busy finding a straw in the
container next to him, but when he looked up and saw Seth still blocking the
door. He had one finger raised in the air as if out of confusion. Jack
swallowed and smiled weakly, walking slowly towards his friend. So much for
being inconspicuous.
Jack watched wide-eyed as a stark look of
realization flowed over Seth's features. The man let out an almost sarcastic
little laugh and lowered his eyes. "The absolutely only...and I mean only
person I know who drinks those things so early is Rose..." He seemed to be
asking a silent question, and before Jack could open his mouth, Seth had
already answered it himself. He shook his head a few times, eyeing Jack, who
stood extremely still. "Well that explains a lot...gosh, Jack...are
you...is this a joke?"
Jack saw that while Seth wasn't exactly
angry, there was a slight look of annoyance in his face. But didn't he have a
right to be? Jack had practically lied straight to his face, if only by his
silence.
"No, no joke. I'm sorry I
didn't..." Jack let out a long breath and then sighed, "It just
didn't seem like the right time. But is it really that bad of a thing
Seth?" Jack chuckled softly, trying to make light of all of this.
"Don't trust me enough with your prized pupil?"
Seth found himself softening. He'd caught
Jack off-guard to be sure. But the guy was only human. And Rose was certainly
someone that any man would be easily attracted to. He just had not even
considered that, not even when he had assigned Rose to the interview. "Of
course I do." Seth grinned and opened the door, "I just never
thought...hmm..." He held the door open for Jack, realizing that soon, he
would indeed be late for that meeting. "Jack, you do know what you're
doing though? With Rose?"
Jack looked down for a moment, collecting his
thoughts. His head shot up and he couldn't control the happiness he felt at
this moment. In the craziest way, he was glad Seth finally knew the source of
his changed attitude and his new demeanor. And to think that Seth was
worried...If he only knew how much of an initiator Rose had been of this
relationship. So strong and so sure of what she wanted. "I know exactly
what I'm doing. Trust me." There was a teasing gleam in his blue eyes now
and Seth sighed. There was never a way to win with Jack.
Seth followed him to his car, all the while
trying to conjure up some brilliant thing to say. "So how long...did it
start with the interview?"
"That's exactly where it started. Thanks
to you." Jack knew that his playfulness was torturing Seth, but he was
enjoying it too much to stop. He opened the door of his car and carefully slid
Rose's drink into the cup holder on the dashboard. Then he climbed into the car
himself, rolling down the window as he shut the door.
"Okay, okay, disregard my good
intentions," Seth sighed and smiled before becoming more serious,
"I'm just warning you Jack. As a friend. She's...she's different. She has
such a promising future ahead of her. Rose is young, and there's so much she
wants to do. Almost like a fireball. I just don't want to see you hurt when she
heads off for these adventures of hers."
Jack threw his head against the seat and
started the engine, looking Seth directly in the eye, "Adventures that
Rose and I are going to have together now." He checked his rearview mirror
and smiled, poising his finger to raise the window, "And besides...that's
great advice coming from someone who got married at age 19." Jack raised
his eyebrows and stared at Seth for a moment, who looked just a little bit at a
loss for words.
"I'll be in touch. We can talk later.
But right now...this drink is going to melt, and you're going to lose your job
if you don't hurry."
Seth backed away from the vehicle and nodded,
putting his hand into the air for a single wave. "Okay, Jack." And
with one last grin, he was gone down the shady California street. The sun was
bright, and Seth walked briskly to his own car, surprised and amused all at
once. Rose Dewitt-Bukater and Jack Dawson? When he hadn't been looking, two
people that he held great admiration and esteem for had found each other. To
him, they seemed polar opposites. Jack with his subdued lifestyle and infinite
concentration and Rose, who never seemed to stay in one spot for very long,
always with that excited shimmer in her eyes. But wasn't the old saying that
opposites attract? And maybe they would balance each other out. He'd just have
to trust them, wait, and see.