THE TIME SAVER
Chapter Five
Jack decided that he would confront Rose by
saying how uncalled for it was of him, and ask for forgiveness. He decided to
try and find her, but he only found her sister, who was out on the boat deck.
"Excuse me, Kaitlyn?" Jack asked.
Kaitlyn turned around, and said, "Yes,
Jack?"
"Can you tell me where your sister is? I
need to talk to her," Jack said.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Jack. She is ill with
seasickness," Kaitlyn said.
"Seasickness? But she hasn't been
seasick for the last couple days when I saw her," Jack said.
Kaitlyn was shocked. What was she going to
say for a comeback? "Well, you know, seasickness can hit you any
time," Kaitlyn said.
"Oh, well. Do tell her to get
better," Jack said.
Kaitlyn nodded once, and Jack left. He went
to go find Franklin, and decided to go through the corridor towards his cabin.
But suddenly, he saw Rose come out of her cabin, fully clothed and with all the
life in her cheeks.
"Rose, have you recovered from your
seasickness?" Jack asked, touching her shoulder.
"My seasickness? Oh, yes, of
course," Rose said, with a faint smile.
"Rose, is anything upsetting you?"
Jack asked, with his hand still on her shoulder.
Rose moved Jack's hand off her shoulder, and
said, "Everything is fine, Jack. I really can't talk right now."
Jack sighed, and said, "Rose, I want to
apologize for what I did last night. I was uncalled for, and I'm awfully
sorry," Jack said.
"You're forgiven, but you shouldn't have
to apologize for that. It's just that, well, it's just..." Rose said. Rose
looked around, but saw no one.
"Jack, I really can't talk right
now," Rose said, shaking her head, and started to walk off.
"Then WHEN can you talk?" Jack
asked.
Rose sighed, and looked around. "When my
family is asleep," Rose said.
"Meet me at the clock at midnight,"
Jack said, and kissed her hand. Jack walked off, and Rose smiled, heading for
the dining saloon to have lunch with her parents.
*****
It was exactly midnight when Rose left the
boat deck. Rose told her parents earlier that she wanted to talk to Madeline
Astor a little more, and some other women. Yet, she only talked to the ladies
an hour after the rest of her family retired for the night. After that, she
decided to go on the boat deck. Rose saw Jack, and she climbed the stairs.
"Sorry that I'm late. I lost track of
time," Rose said.
"It's all right," Jack said, taking
Rose's hand. "Well, what shall we attend to first?" Jack asked, as
Rose interlocked arms with Jack.
"How about a walk on the boat
deck?" Rose asked.
"Sounds good," Jack said.
"So, Jack, where exactly do you
live?" Rose asked.
"Minneapolis, Minnesota," Jack
said.
"Is that where your destination is
taking you?" Rose asked.
"Yep," Jack said. "Where are
you from?"
"Everywhere," Rose said, chuckling.
"Excuse me?" Jack asked,
perplexedly.
"Well, my father is a very successful
businessman, but he's retired. So he decided to go all over the world, but we
are planning to take a month off and relax in Montana," Rose said.
"What part?" Jack asked.
"I am quite sure it's around
Billings," Rose said.
"Do you like it?" Jack asked.
"Traveling? Oh, yes. My favorite place
was Africa; we went there during this winter," Rose answered.
"I heard it's awful hot," Jack
said.
"Well, trust me, Jack, during the winter
the sun feels wonderful on your skin. There are flowers all around, and it
reminds me of books that I read when I was a little girl about fantasy lands. I
even got to ride on an elephant, and that's not every day when you get to do
that," Rose said, and she laughed.
"You know, I might have to drag my uncle
to Africa. I know that some people in Minnesota come into our office wanting to
go somewhere very warm in the winter," Jack said. Rose laughed at the
comment, and the two stared at each other.
"Is it all right if I kiss you?"
Jack asked Rose in a whisper. There was a pause, and then there was a nod by
Rose. Jack pulled her gently by the arm, and said, "Come on." The two
went into the gymnasium, which seemed to be vacant.
"Jack, what are you doing?" Rose
asked.
"This time, I don't want to have anyone
disturb us," Jack said. Rose smiled, and Jack's lips went closer to hers.
Their lips interlocked for a passionate kiss.