A FAMILY AFFAIR
Chapter Two
As Thomas hung up the phone, he
leaned back in his father’s soft leather chair. He was indeed disturbed by the
news he had just received. For a time now, Uncle Pierre was not a well man.
There were many times when he could see his uncle falter. He sometimes would
not be himself sitting in meetings with the heads of the departments at the
firm. Thomas could not help but wonder how much more illness his uncle could
endure before his body gave out on him completely. A voice called him back from
his thoughts.
"Thomas, is everything all
right?" Mrs. Greer asked him, coming back into the study.
"I’m afraid the doctor is
very stubborn in not permitting Uncle Pierre to accompany the Titanic on her
maiden voyage. The doctor is worried that the sea travel is not suitable for
him at this time," Thomas replied.
"Your uncle will be so
distraught," Mrs. Greer said.
"Uncle Pierre is not an easy
man to reason with, especially when he is determined to do something,"
Thomas replied.
"So, who will accompany the
Titanic on her maiden voyage if your uncle is not able?" Mrs. Greer
questioned.
"I have agreed to go in my
uncle’s place. Mr. Ismay was breathing down Mr. Harland’s neck to find someone
to stand in my uncle’s stead. When it was suggested that the maiden voyage
should be postponed, Mr. Ismay refused to back down on the scheduled sailing
date. He told Mr. Harland that too many millionaires had already booked
passage, and canceling would be a total disgrace, not only to him, but to
society’s well off."
"Isn’t he the least bit
concerned about your uncle?" Mrs. Greer asked him.
"When it comes down to a
choice of money over heart, money is always the dominating factor when matters
concern Mr. Ismay. It’s just the way of things with him," Thomas stated.
"But the family…won’t they
be..." Mrs. Greer started.
"Distraught," Thomas
answered. "Yes, I know they will be, but the Titanic needs someone to fine
tune her, to make sure that nothing is the matter with her. She relies on her
designers to make sure that she is perfect in every way possible." Thomas
rose from the chair and made his way past Mrs. Greer to the door of the study.
*****
"You’re what?" John
exclaimed as Thomas informed the family of the present situation.
"Who else will go if not
I?" Thomas asked his brother.
"That bastard! You’d think
he’d be at least concerned for Uncle Pierre’s heath. That damned ship wouldn’t
be there if not for him!" John retorted.
"John, your tongue!"
Mrs. Andrews snapped.
"Is it really necessary that
someone go with the Titanic?" Eliza questioned.
"I wouldn’t be going if it
wasn’t necessary," Thomas replied. He looked over at Helen and Elizabeth.
As hard as it would be to leave his family, leaving his wife and beloved
daughter would be the hardest.
"If that is what you have to
do, then you must fulfill that commitment that you agreed to carry out,"
Mr. Andrews said as he looked at his son.
"How could you break your
promise to me, Daddy? You said that you would only be going with the Titanic
for sea trials, and now this!" Elizabeth said as she abruptly stood and
fled from the parlor. Helen looked at her husband. Concern was already forming
in his eyes. She knew that he was just as concerned as the entire family for
the improvement of Uncle Pierre’s heath. But Helen also knew the concern he
held for the uncertainty of the journey that had been placed before him.