Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Rose was on a train to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Her grandmother lived there.
"Next stop, Cedar Rapids."
About ten minutes later, she exited the train.
She decided to walk to her grandmother's house.
She couldn't keep her mind off of Jack.
She missed him so much.
Rose wasn't concentrating on where she was going, and she bumped into a man.
"Excuse me, Miss," he said.
"No, sorry, sir. It was my fault."
"The name's Calvert. John Calvert."
She shook his hand.
"Rose Dawson. Nice meeting you, Mr. Calvert," she said.
"And you, too, Miss Dawson."
She was about to correct him, but she didn't.
"May I escort you to your destination, Miss Dawson?" he asked.
"Um...sure."
"Where are you headed?" he asked.
"My grandmother's house. Mrs. Mary Dewitt."
"Ah...all right."
They eventually arrived at Mary's house.
"Thank you for walking me to my grandmother's house, Mr. Calvert."
"My pleasure, Miss Dawson. And please, call me John."
"All right, John. Call me Rose, then."
"Okay, Rose. Have a good day. Bye."
"Bye."
Rose knocked on her grandmother's door.
The maid, Eleanor, answered.
"May I help you, Miss?" she asked.
"Yes, of course. I'm Rose Dawson. Is my grandmother here?"
"Yes, ma'am. Right this way."
Eleanor guided Rose into the sitting room.
About five minutes later, Mary walked into the room.
"Well, hello, dear!" Mary exclaimed.
"Hello, Grandmother."
"What's wrong, dearest?"
"Jack and I got into an argument and I left," Rose said, trying to fight back the tears.
"Oh, Rose!" Mary pulled her granddaughter into a hug, where Rose let the tears flow.
"And the worst thing is that I'm pregnant," Rose said.
"Oh, dear. Does he know?"
"No..."
"You need to call him, dear."
"No, I can't. I don't want to hear his voice," Rose said, knowing that it was a lie. She longed to hear his voice again.
"All right, dearest. I can't force you to."
Mary asked Eleanor to make up the guestroom for Rose.
Rose went to bed early with no dinner.
Two Weeks Later
John and Rose were now seeing each other almost every day.
Rose could somewhat tell that he had feelings for her, but she loved Jack.
Her only feelings for John were friendship.
*****
In the whole two weeks that Rose had been gone, Jack barely ate, slept, or did anything.
He was just wasting away.
The only three things that kept him going were his children.
Every day he'd ask God to bring Rose back.
She hadn't called like she said she would.
And Jack grew more worried every day.
*****
Late one evening, John took Rose out to dinner.
Rose asked him if he thought of it as a date.
He hesitated, and finally said no.
On the way back to Mary's house, there was silence.
Rose's mind was on Jack and the children, but John's mind was on her.
When they reached Mary's house, Rose said, "Good night, John. I had fun."
He suddenly got the urge to kiss her.
He did what his heart told him to.
She pushed him away.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"I don't know."
"I told you I was married!"
"I'm sorry."
She slapped him and walked into the house.
Rose ran upstairs, ignoring her grandmother.
Rose started to pack her belongings.
Mary walked into the room.
"Rose, are you leaving?" she asked.
"Yes...I have to see Jack and my children."
"All right...I'll get the chauffeur."
"Thank you, Grandmother," Rose said, hugging Mary.
Rose and Mary shared their good-byes, and Rose left for the train station.
Rose got on the next train to Chippewa Falls.
The Next Day
"Hello? Anyone home?" Rose called out.
Jack came running into the room, surprised to see Rose standing there.
"Rose? I thought you'd never be back," Jack said.
She looked down, and started to cry silently.
"What made you come back?" he asked.
"You jump, I jump. Right?" She looked up.
"Right!" He started to cry.
He walked over to her and hugged her.
"Oh, Rose, I've missed you so much."
"I'm so sorry, Jack."
"Oh, Rose."
"Jack...I have to tell you something," she said, once they were sitting down on the couch.
"Hmm?"
"I'm pregnant."
"Really?" His eyes lit up.
She nodded.
He kissed her all over her face.
"I went to the doctor while you were at work one week."
"Oh, Rose, this is amazing."
"I know! It is. Where are the children?"
"They're at Mom and Dad's house."
"So we have the house to ourselves?" she asked slyly.
"Oh, Rose, you amaze me," he said, grinning.
"I know. Don't ya love it?" she asked, pulling him up.
He let her lead him to the bedroom, where they made passionate love.