ALMOST TOO LATE
Chapter One
Jack Dawson was excited. He had managed to
win two extra tickets for the Titanic. He and his soon-to-be wife were going
back to the States to get married. Jack had met Jolie in Paris, where she
worked as dancer. Or she had tried to become a dancer. Jack wasn’t really in
love with her, but he had gotten her pregnant. He couldn’t even remember. He
had woken up in bed with her one morning after having gotten drunk. Now that
she was pregnant, he had to marry her. But he wanted to get married in the
States, and she was more than happy to live there. Since Jack had won the
tickets, his best friend in the whole world was going to be able to come with
him. Fabrizio and his cousin, Antonio, wanted to try a life in America. They
wanted to have a better life than what they would have in Italy. After boarding
the Titanic, Jolie had asked Jack to let her rest, and she had spent most of
the trip so far in her bunk. She was seasick.
Saturday afternoon Jack and Fabrizio decided
to go out on deck. Jack went to Jolie’s stateroom to see if she wanted to come
out with them. "Jolie, dear, I’d like to go out on deck," Jack said,
through her closed door.
"Go away, Jack. I don’t care what you
do. I’m too sick."
"I’ll be out there if you need me."
"Go away!"
Jack shook his head and left. He got Fabrizio
and they went out on deck. Jack was willing to let Jolie stay in her room as
much as she wanted to. "Let’s sit over here," Jack said. "I’d
like to try to draw that man and his daughter."
Jack and Fabrizio sat on a bench, and Jack
started drawing. Jack soon was lost in his drawing, and didn’t notice that
someone came up and started talking to Fabrizio. At one comment, Jack look up,
and said, "That’s so we know where we rank in the scheme of things."
After introducing himself, Jack started to look around the boat. He noticed a
very beautiful woman up in first class. He couldn’t help but stare. Tommy said
something, but Jack was mesmerized. She noticed his looking and looked away,
and then back. Suddenly, Jack was filled with a new feeling. The woman rested
there, and then an older lady came and got her. Jack almost cried out as the
lady was led away.
Later That Night
Jack was lying on a bench, staring at the
stars. His cigarette was his only company. He heard footsteps approaching, and
saw the lady from first class walk by. She seemed to be crying. He decided to
see if she would talk to him. He approached her where she was leaning against
the rail. He just went up and stood next to her, and joined her in looking down
at the water. He noticed her trying to hide her tears. He looked over at her,
and she looked at him at the same time. "Hello, Miss. I noticed you
crying."
She didn’t say anything at first, but just
looked at him like she was trying to judge him. "Leave me alone. You
couldn’t possibly understand."
"Maybe you should tell me what’s wrong,
and then we’ll see if I understand."
Rose looked at this scruffy-looking man, and
decided to trust him. Something about his eyes let her know that he really
might understand. At least he wouldn’t be able to tell anyone that mattered.
"My mother tells me that I am a failure. I haven’t managed to become
engaged yet, and she says I’m getting too old to be picky. She wants me married
before I am."
Jack looked at her. She looked so sad; so he
decided to try to lighten the mood "Can I ask why you are not engaged
yet?"
"Do you know what most men who have
money are like?"
"No. I have never had much. I’ve got ten
dollars in my pocket. That’s not much to offer."
"I feel so trapped by money, by my name,
by what my mother expects of me. I wish I were free to fall in love." But
as Rose looked at this young man, she felt that she could love him.
"Speaking of your name, what is it? I’m
Jack. Jack Dawson."
"Rose DeWitt Bukater."
"I’ll have to get you to write that one down."
They shared a small laugh.
Just then, Jolie came up and saw them.
"There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you. That Italian friend of
yours said you might be up here. I need you to come to bed, Jack. We need
you." Jolie did a good job of ignoring the woman that Jack was talking
with. He’s mine, she thought. She didn’t like the how close they were
standing. Jolie put a hand on her stomach. "The baby must be the reason
I’m so sick."
Jack looked at Rose, to try to let her know
how embarrassed he was, and turned to Jolie. "I’m coming. It was nice to
met you, Miss DeWitt Bukater."
"You also, Mister Dawson."
"Maybe I’ll see you again." Jack
turned and left with Jolie.
Oh, Rose, he was so handsome. You should
have known he was taken, Rose thought
to herself. She stayed there, at the stern rail, and continued to think of how
she could be happy and still satisfy her mother.