THESE ARE THE TIMES
Chapter Two

It had been two weeks since the benefit, and Rose had not seen or heard from Jack. Today was the day her father was supposed to pick her up and take her out to a dinner and a play. Quality father and daughter time, he liked to call it. She was running a brush through her hair when the doorbell rang. It must be him. She raced downstairs and came to a stop when she saw her father standing beside his blonde wife and their daughter. This was strange, since Monica had never joined them before.

"Daddy?" Rose looked at her father questioningly.

"Hello, sweetpea. We’re here to tell you I have to cancel today. Lindsey is having a ballet recital, and she wants us both there. I know this is the thousandth time I’ve canceled, but I’ll make it up to you," George Bukater quickly explained, knowing his eldest daughter wasn’t going to be too happy. This wasn’t the first time he had cancelled on her. "I’ll keep in touch."

Rose stood stone-faced and just nodded, not wanting to show any of them how hurt she truly was. Once they were gone, she went up to her room and lay face down on the bed. Maybe her mother was right. Maybe her father did find her unbearable. Sighing, she sat up and looked through her purse for some spare change. She might as well go to a movie. She removed a five and a piece of paper. She instantly recognized Jack’s telephone number. She stared at it, wondering if she should call.

Of course not. He probably didn’t even remember her. But still…what could it hurt? Who knew? Maybe she’d end up with a new friend. Gathering up her courage, she dialed the number.

"Yeah? What do you want?" Heather Dawson answered the phone on her way upstairs.

"Uh…who is this?" Rose asked, wondering if she had gotten the wrong number.

"Heather Dawson. Who is this?"

Right number, wrong person. "Is Jack available?"

"Who, may I ask, is calling?"

"Just tell him it’s Rose," Rose answered, not wanting to give her full name. She remembered what Katrina and Samantha had told her about Heather Dawson. If she knew Rose went to Preston, she’d never get to talk to Jack.

"Jack! Telephone! Some girl named Rose!" Heather yelled in the background.

"Hello?" Jack asked, picking up the phone.

To her horror, all comprehensible thought left Rose. She was at a loss to what to say.

"Hello? Anyone there?" Jack asked again.

Taking a deep breath, she managed to reply. "Uh…hi, Jack. This is Rose. We met the other night, and you gave me your number."

"Oh, yeah, I remember you. The girl with the gorgeous green eyes. What can I do for you, Rose?" Jack’s voice brightened.

"Uh…I just came across your number and noticed it was almost lunch. I was just wondering…would you like to meet somewhere? We can have lunch together."

Jack laughed lightly. "That’d be great. I’ll meet you in Central Park in, say, another hour?"

"Sure." Rose eagerly nodded; her heart had begun to beat faster at the thought of seeing Jack again. "Bye, Jack."

"See ya, Rose." Jack hung up. He turned around to see his cousin glaring at him.

"Who’s this Rose?" she questioned, narrowing her eyes.

"A girl I met. We’ll talk later, Heather. I have to get ready to meet her." He smiled before darting upstairs.

*****

Rose entered the park to find Jack busy writing in some kind of leather book. He was so involved in what he was doing that he didn’t notice her. She couldn’t help but admire the way the sun shimmered on his blond hair, making it seem encased in a heavenly light, as if he were an angel. Sighing, she approached him, clearing her throat.

"Hello, Jack."

"Rose." He finally looked away from his work and immediately closed the book. "Hello. I must say I was surprised that you actually called."

"Why? You gave me your number." Rose smiled teasingly.

"I know. It’s just that…you never called in the first two weeks, so I figured you weren’t interested."

"I’m sorry, Jack. I would have called sooner, but things have been crazy for the past two weeks."

Jack laughed. "That’s okay. Come on. Sit down. Let’s get to know one another better."

Rose smiled, taken in by his outgoing and friendly personality. "You seemed engrossed in what you’re writing." Rose glanced at the large book, which now looked more like a folder that Jack was holding in his lap.

"I’m not writing. I’m drawing. I’m an artist. This portfolio holds all my finished works, as well. Would you like to take a look?" He held the portfolio out to Rose.

"Sure. I’d love to." She grinned happily, accepting the offer. "Oh, Jack…this is exquisite work. You’ve caught the very souls of these people." Rose opened the book to the first page and kept turning, totally amazed by Jack’s talent. "You have a gift, Jack. You do. You see people."

"Do you think it’s good enough to make it into the New York Art Academy?" Jack’s voice was both curious and serious.

"Most definitely. You should apply for admission when it’s time to choose a college."

"Which college are you going to go to, Rose?" Jack asked.

"NYU. I want to major in drama and minor in English. I love acting and writing."

Jack smiled. "I thought someone like you would want to go to Yale, or Harvard."

Rose rolled her eyes. "That’s what my mother wants me to do, and major in law or medicine. But I told her that it was my choice, since I was the one going to the school, and she wasn’t. If she wants to go to those schools, fine."

"That’s telling her." Jack laughed.

"So, Jack…you’re an artist, huh? How do your folks feel about that? Most parents want their kids to do something more stable. Like my mother."

"Well, my dad…before he died, that is, wanted me to follow my dreams and do whatever I wanted. To make each day count. But my mother, she wants me to major in engineering like my cousin Heather’s father. But she’s cool with my decision if I plan otherwise."

"Sounds like you have a pretty reasonable mother." Rose sighed. "I wish my mother could be like that."

"Mom’s the greatest." Jack nodded, getting to his feet. "So, you ready to go? I know this nice café up the street from here."

"Okay." Rose accepted his offer, letting him take her hand and lead her out of the park.

The café was full of Titan students when Jack and Rose arrived, but somehow Jack managed to find an empty table in a corner, where they could be alone.

"Wow, Jack. This is nice." She looked around. She had heard about the café, but had never been there, since none of her friends had a desire to go to the other side of town and she didn’t particularly want to go by herself.

"Me and my friends come here all the time. Whether it’s after a football game or a break from a study session."

"Hey, Jack! There you are!" A boy with curly red hair and a strange hat waved as he approached the table. "The fellas and me’s been looking all over for you. Where did you get off to?"

"Heather said you had a date." A dark-haired boy with an accent also approached.

"Rose these are my two best friends, Tommy Ryan and Fabrizio di Rossi," Jack introduced them. "Guys, this is Rose DeWitt Bukater. We met a couple of weeks ago."

"Nice to meet ya, lassie." Tommy held out a hand. "Never seen you around these parts before, though."

"Rose goes to Preston," Jack explained.

"Preston, eh? Impressive." Tommy nodded.

"It’s very nice to meet you." Rose smiled.

"Jack’s done well, yes?" Fabrizio looked Rose up and down.

"We’re just friends, Fabri." Jack laughed. "We’ve just met."

"You two have accents," Rose noticed. "Where are you from?"

Tommy grinned, happy to talk about Ireland. "Me myself from Ireland. Came here to America two years ago and have been here ever since. Don’t get me wrong, America is beautiful, but I can’t help but miss the rolling green hills of Ireland. Hills as green as your beautiful eyes, lassie."

Jack frowned at Tommy’s flirtation, but Rose blushed at the compliment.

"I’m from Italy. It, too, is very beautiful, but the Statue of Liberty is even moreso. I love it here, and can’t wait until I get full citizenship." Fabrizio smiled.

"Wow. I dream of seeing both Italy and Ireland someday." Rose smiled.

"Well, give us a call, lassie, and we’ll be happy to give you a tour." Tommy smiled again.

"Maybe some other time, guys, but right now, we’re kind of busy," Jack cut in, having had enough of Tommy’s flirtation.

"Oh, I see. Jack wants to be alone with his lady. Come along, Fabri. Let’s go see what the girls are doing," Tommy pulled on Fabrizio’s arm. "I hope we meet again, Rose."

Rose only smiled. "They seem friendly."

"They’re okay, I guess. But that Tommy, he likes his girls. If he sees a new, pretty face, he immediately goes on the prowl." Jack opened his menu, not meeting Rose’s amused gaze.

"Why, Mr. Dawson, I do believe you’re jealous." Rose giggled.

Jack looked at her, his eyes wide with denial. "Jealous? Of that curly-haired playboy? Don’t make me laugh."

"Then why were you frowning all through the conversation?" Rose smiled.

"Because Tommy’s a playboy, and I didn’t want him to get the idea that he can play with your feelings like he does with all the other girls."

Rose couldn’t help but feel giddy. Jack was looking out for her honor. How sweet. The more she got to know Jack, the more she liked him. "Don’t worry, Jack. Tommy Ryan doesn’t have a chance of playing with my feelings."

"And why do you say that?" Jack asked, looking up from the menu.

"Because…he doesn’t attract my attention the way a prospective boyfriend should. I mean, if he gave me his number, I wouldn’t pick up the phone to call him."

Jack arched his eyebrows curiously. What did she mean by that? Did she see him as a prospective boyfriend? "Excuse me?"

Rose just smiled. "So, how do we order? Does a waitress take it, or do we go up to the counter?"

"May I help you?" A waitress appeared. She eyed Jack and Rose curiously. "Jack, is this your new girlfriend? Well, it’s about time you stopped that moping and moved on. She’s a pretty one, too, Jack."

"Uh…Bernice, this is Rose DeWitt-Bukater. A friend," Jack introduced her.

"Only a friend! Why, the chemistry between you two is practically tangible. Uh-uh. You’re more than friends. Or you will be soon."

"Nope. We’re just friends," Jack reasserted. "Rose, what would you like?"

"Uh…the burger and fries sound nice, with a side of salad and a chocolate milkshake." Rose glanced at the menu.

"Burger and fries and a large coke," Jack ordered.

"Okay, you two crazy lovebirds, I’ll be right back with your orders." Bernice lightly patted both of their cheeks and left.

"I’m sorry about that." Jack again blushed.

"Don’t be sorry, Jack. I don’t mind if people think we’re together."

Jack’s eyes widened in amazement. "You don’t? Most girls would bristle at the thought of people assuming they’re involved with a guy who’s just a friend."

"Well, I’m not most girls." Rose smiled flirtatiously.

Jack laughed and shook his head. "No, you’re not, Rose. I think that’s one of the reasons I like you so much. I think you must have been mailed to the wrong address."

Rose laughed. "I was, wasn’t I? My mother would agree with you there."

Jack just shook his head and laughed.

Rose smiled, but her smile faded when she saw her father and his new family enter the restaurant. All the feelings of abandonment from earlier that morning reappeared. Jack noticed this change quickly.

"Hey, are you okay? You got awfully quiet." He took her hand.

"That’s my father over there with his new family. We were supposed to spend today together, but he backed out. He had more important things to do."

"Oh. I’m sure he didn’t mean to hurt you, Rose."

"But he did." Rose sighed dejectedly. "Look, I’m doing it again. Dumping my problems on you. You must be thinking I’m a crybaby."

"No. Not at all. I just think you’ve had it harder than anyone ever realizes. Even though you have tons of money and live on the rich side of the city, you feel just like the rest of us."

"Sometimes I wish I couldn’t, Jack. That I could be like some of the girls at Preston, and be hard and cool. Have no emotions at all. I could save a lot of pain that way."

"But you wouldn’t be the person that I like so much, Rose. You’re a warm, caring, sensitive girl. Yet you have this fire that I’ve never seen in anyone before. Rose, don’t ever wish you were different. You’re wonderful just the way you are."

Rose smiled. "Thank you, Jack. You always seem to know the right thing to say to make me feel better."

"That’s what friends are for, right?" Jack smiled.

Rose nodded. "Right. Well, where’s the waitress with our food? I’m starved."

"Rose?" She turned to see her father standing behind her.

"Oh, hello, Daddy. What are you doing here?"

"We’ve just gotten out of the recital and decided to grab a bite to eat. We noticed you over here with your young friend. I just want to say hi."

"Hi, Daddy. This is Jack Dawson. Jack, this is George Bukater, my father," Rose introduced him.

"Hello, sir. Nice to meet you." Jack smiled.

"Pleasure. Well, I’d better get back to the table. Just thought I’d stop by and say hello. Rose, I shall see you next week."

"Okay, Daddy." Rose watched her father return to his table.

"He doesn’t seem like such a bad guy." Jack followed her gaze.

"I guess he’s a lot easier than my mother…it just hurts sometimes. That’s all."

"I understand, Rose."

"Where is that waitress?" Rose wondered once more, picking up her menu.

*****

It was evening, and Rose had spent all day with Jack Dawson and loved every moment. They had walked through Times Square and even stood outside the MTV studio and got questioned by David Holmes, something that had excited Rose. She couldn’t wait to get back to school on Monday to see if anyone had seen her. They had gone to the Empire State Building and even eaten dinner at the Hard Rock Café. They took a nice stroll through Central Park, and it was there that Rose knew she was falling in love with Jack Dawson. He was the most handsome and interesting boy she’d ever known. Plus, he was so caring.

They stood outside her door, ready to say good night.

"I had fun tonight, Jack. Thank you." She smiled, not taking her hand out of his.

"Anytime, Rose. When do you think we can see each other again?" Jack asked.

"How about Friday at seven? We can go to a movie." Rose smiled, tingling all over at the thought of spending more time with the handsome artist.

"See you then." Jack let go of her hand and moved away.

"Jack, wait! Let me give you my number so you can call me this time." Rose laughed, reaching in her purse for a paper and pen.

"So, you’re an equal opportunity kind of girl, huh?" Jack laughed.

"You’ve got it." Rose smiled, handing him the paper with her number. "That’s my private line, so don’t worry about what to say to my mother or anything."

"Okay. Later, Rose." Jack waved, disappearing into the darkness.

"Night, Jack," she whispered before going inside.

Chapter Three
Stories