NOW & FOREVER
Chapter Six
Jack was at the bow of the boat, looking out
at Lake Superior and the Sleeping Giant. He couldn't believe the beauty of it.
There was never anything like this in Chippewa Falls. He heard Rose call out
that they were casting off and that she needed his help. But he paid no
attention. He was too enraptured by the beauty of everything around him. His
previous life was nothing compared to this. He had been upset about his
parents' deaths and being separated from his sister, because no one in their
family could afford to keep both of them.
"Jack? Are you all right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I'm just
fine."
"I'm not sure. I called your name at
least five times, and all you did was stare ahead. Are you sure you're all
right?"
"Yeah, Rose. I'm fine, okay? There's
nothing wrong with me!" She had moved closer and had put her hand on his
shoulder.
"Jack, I know we only just met today,
but I'm willing to listen if you ever need someone to talk to."
"Rose! I told you I was fine, and I mean
it! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get a snack!"
She stood there, bewildered. What had she
done wrong? She had tried to be understanding and sympathetic.
I guess that's what I get for living with
Mother all these years, she thought.
"Rose? Rose? Where are you?"
"Right here, Jessica. I'm right
here."
"Rose, thank God! There's a loose rope
up there on the mast. I'm the only one who knows how to sail this, so I can't
get it. Do you think that you and that...person you brought might be able
to?"
"Is it necessary?"
"Yes, very! If those ropes do not get
tied back soon, we'll blow over and capsize!"
Rose took off running. She tripped on her
high heels and ran right into Jack's chest.
"What is it, Rose?"
"Jessica says...that there's a
loose...rope on the mast...and we'll capsize if...it's not tied!" she
managed to gasp out.
"I'll go!" he said instantly.
"I'm coming, too!"
"No, you're not!"
"But I have to! Jessica said it's a two
person job."
"All right, but be careful."
They started to climb, up and up to the
platform that Jessica referred to as the crow's nest, but it was no such thing.
The wind on Lake Superior was more often than not unpredictable. A sudden gust
sent the sailboat to a forty-five degree angle to the surface. Rose, in the high
heels that her mother forced her to wear, tripped again on them as she
struggled to regain her balance from the gust of wind. But no such luck would
she have. She fell of the edge of the platform.
Jack, who was making himself responsible for
Rose's safety, dived onto his stomach and grabbed her hand just before it got
out of reach.
"I've got you! Hang on!"
"Help, please! Please, get me!
Please!"
"It's all right. I've got you. I won't
let go. Now, come on! Pull yourself up!"
As they both struggled, Rose finally
collapsed on the platform. Gasping for breath, she started towards the ladder.
Jack let her go. He began tying the ropes. Ten minutes later, he started down
the ladder. He found Rose clutching the ladder midway down. She looked so pale
Jack was surprised she hadn't fainted.
"Come on, Rose. You can do it! One step
at a time!"
Finally, she managed to get down the ladder.
She slumped down on the deck in a dead faint. Jack lifted her easily in his
strong arms and carried her belowdecks. He laid her on a bed and soon she came
to.
"Jack? What happened?"
"Don't worry, Rose. It's all right now.
You're okay."
"What happened to me?"
"You almost fell in the lake, but I
saved you, and you're all right now."
"I remember now! Where's Jessica?"
"She's still above decks, I think."
"Well, I'm feeling much better, and I
want to start learning how to sail, so let's go."
"No, Rose. You should rest a while
longer."
"Nonsense! I feel fine! A little faint
isn't going to stop me from sailing!"
"Rose, no!"
"Don't presume to tell me what I will
and will not do. You hardly know me!" And with that, she got up and
stomped above decks. Before looking for Jessica, she straightened her clothes
and tried to fix her hair. Her mother insisted upon her wearing the latest
designer clothes, whether they were appropriate for her activities or not. She
had the maids try to tame her fiery red curls in a fashionable style.
Jack was cooled off and coming back to talk, to
try to explain to Rose why he was upset, when he heard voices drifting on the
wind.
"Rose, I have to teach you to sail now!
But because you brought that bohemian, I guess I have to teach him how to sail
as well."
"Yes, Jessica. He's a lowlife, a scum, a
gutter rat! Yes, Jack Dawson is not good enough to be on this boat, but now I
guess you're stuck with him! Because we all know the rule. Once you start
sailing in this club, you have to continue to the end. Well, I'm so sorry,
Jessica, that I brought a gutter rat on my boat."