THESE ARE THE TIMES
Chapter Twelve
It was Saturday afternoon, the
afternoon that Jack and Rose were supposed to spend with Rose’s father. Rose
sat on the porch, waiting for Jack to arrive. She still didn’t hold much hope
of her father showing, so she was really looking forward to it being just her
and Jack. Jack finally arrived five minutes late.
"I’m sorry I’m late. Mom had
me run to the store for her, and it threw me off."
"That’s okay, Jack. At least
you’re here." Rose sighed, glancing at her watch. "Father is already
a half hour late. Still think he’s going to show?"
"Rose!" Ruth called.
"Right on schedule,"
Rose muttered. "I’m not surprised. I’ll be right back."
Five minutes later, Rose emerged
from the house, her face hiding her emotions well.
"So, Jack, are you still for
The Mummy Returns?"
"I guess. What
happened?"
"Lindsey and her functions.
Like always." Rose shrugged. "I’m not surprised."
Jack sighed, feeling sorry for
his girlfriend and determined to make today fun for her. "Okay, Rosie.
Let’s go. The next show starts in twenty minutes." Jack ushered her down
the stairs, his voice still holding its optimism.
*****
Two hours had passed, and Rose
and Jack entered the café, laughing and exclaiming what a good movie The
Mummy Returns was.
"I especially liked the
women fighting each other." Jack sighed.
"Classic male." Rose
rolled her eyes. "I myself liked how he scooped up his son and ran for that
pyramid."
"That was good." Jack
nodded.
"Jack! Rose!" Tommy and
Sam waved them over. "Where are you coming from?"
"The Mummy Returns.
It’s a must-see." Rose smiled, taking a seat next to her friend.
"We can go see that."
Sam hopefully looked at her boyfriend.
"We’ll see." Tommy
squeezed her hand.
"So, what are you guys
doing?" Jack asked, picking up a menu.
"Trying to figure out what
we’re going to do. This is one boring day." Tommy sighed.
"Boring is heaven after the
couple of weeks we’ve been through." Rose sighed.
"You can say that
again," Jack agreed. "I’m definitely staying away from cruises for a
while."
"Oh, Rose, did you tell Jack
about the contest that the art teacher at Preston is throwing?" Sam looked
up at her friend.
"What contest?"
"For local artists. Anyone
who lives in New York is welcome to enter. The grand prize is an all expense
paid trip to Paris," Sam explained.
"Wow. Jack, you should
enter," Tommy urged. "Just think, you and Rose in the city of
love…ooh la la."
"I don’t know. I don’t think
my drawings are that good."
"They’re exceptional."
Rose took his hand. "Listen, I’ll get the entry form and you can fill it
out. What harm is it to submit it, anyway?"
Jack sighed. "None of you
are going to quit until I say yes, are you?"
"Nope." Tommy grinned.
"Okay. Okay. I’ll enter.
Just get the entry form," Jack relented.
"Excuse me. Are you three
the kids that were on that ship that turned over?" A lady with a
microphone got into Rose’s face.
"Excuse me?" Rose
stared at the woman.
"Oh, I’m sorry. My name is
Margo Meriwether from Channel 12 news. We’re interviewing survivors of the
ill-fated cruise. In fact, we’ve gotten two already, from a Caledon Hockley and
a Katrina Cattrail."
"Listen, we’re not
interested in talking about it, okay? We all lost a very dear friend, and we’d
like to just move on with our lives." Jack pulled Rose out of the way of
the camera.
"But this is big news. Just
think of how your story can affect so many others," Margo persisted.
"Youth, bravery…love."
"Please, just go away! Can’t
you see we don’t want to talk about this?" Samantha spoke up. "If you
want to know what happened, then read the newspaper."
"Yeah. Just leave us
alone." Tommy crossed his arms.
"But…"
"I think the young man told
you to leave them alone." George Bukater appeared behind the newswoman.
"I recommend that you listen."
"You don’t understand. I’m
just doing my job here."
"Harassing my daughter and
her friends is your job? Madame, I recommend you get another profession. Now,
leave before I call my lawyer and file a suit of harassment against you. Rose
is still a minor, as well as the others here, and I can do so." George
crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the woman. "Do I need to
repeat myself?"
"No, sir. That won’t be
necessary. Come on, Roger. Let’s get out of here. We have all we need
anyway." The newswoman sighed, leading her camera crew out of the café.
"Daddy? I thought you went
to a recital." Rose stared at her father in surprise.
"It was canceled. Your
mother said I could look for you here. I’m glad I found you." George
smiled. "I’m sorry, honey, for the inconvenience."
"That’s okay. Jack and I
went to a movie and were just hanging out when we were so rudely
interrupted."
"Oh, yes. Tell me, which one
is the young Jack Dawson that you’ve become so taken with?"
"Jack, this is my father,
George Bukater." Rose took her boyfriend’s hand. "Daddy, this is Jack
Dawson, the love of my life."
"It’s nice to meet you,
sir." Jack held out a hand.
"Nice to meet you, too,
Jack. You seem like a fine young man. I hope you’re making Rosie happy."
"I try my best."
"And Daddy, you know
Samantha. This is Jack’s friend, Tommy Ryan," Rose introduced him.
"Hello." George nodded.
"Hiya." Tommy shook the
older man’s hand.
"So…Rose and Jack, I believe
we have a date planned today. I’ve made us reservations at the Maisonota. I
suggest we go and change, then report back at Rose’s." George smiled at
the way Jack’s eyes widened.
"The Maisonota? That’s the
most expensive restaurant in New York City."
"I know. It’s also the best.
So, let’s go. We don’t want to lose our reservation." George nodded,
escorting Rose out the door.
"Wow…way to go, Jack."
Tommy grinned.
"I’ll call later." Jack
disappeared out of the café, swallowing down his nervousness.