Over the next year, Rose and Molly grew quite close, even closer than Rose had been to her own mother. They did practically everything together. They had stayed in New York the entire time, not wanting to leave the memories. Of course they were sad, but at the same time it had been a happy time on the ship, as well.
Rose had begun to take acting classes at a local theater a few months earlier. The owner was surprised at what a natural Rose was on the stage. She had been in a few plays, always getting the lead female part because of her acting ability and her way of winning over a crowd.
She had also started working, as well. Unfortunately, there wasn't too much available for a woman who had no experience, but she was able to find a job as a receptionist at an art gallery.
She was sitting at the front desk and had just organized a field trip for a local school's art students when she finally had a little time to just reminisce. It seemed like just yesterday when she had applied for the job.
Rose had just finished auditioning for Romeo and Juliet and decided to take the long way back to Molly's place so she could have some fresh air. She hadn't really spent any time out of the hotel, but finally she was starting to feel normal. Molly told her to get out and start making friends, but Rose just didn't feel comfortable speaking to anyone. She was still overwhelmed by the sinking and Jack being gone.
"Maybe she's right..." Rose muttered to herself.
She didn't even realize where she had been going when she suddenly stopped and looked up. She was staring at herself in a mirrored window. Some men were putting up letters atop the building...New York City Art Gallery. There was a banner in front of the window that read Grand Opening Coming Soon.
Rose smiled to herself.
Of course, out of everywhere in New York City...she had stopped in front of an art gallery. She also noticed that they were hiring, as well.
"Well...here goes nothing. Molly said I should get out more so what better way than to have a job?"
She opened the door. A bell rang, notifying employees that a customer was present. Suddenly, a short, stout man with gray hair as well as a gray mustache that was twirled up at the ends came out from a back room.
He seemed like a very nice old man and smiled at Rose. He was wearing a collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up and some dress slacks. His face was a bit red and sweaty from, what Rose guessed, moving things around.
"Well, hello, there! I'm Mr. Jones!" The man smiled at her and extended his hand.
"Hello, sir." She shook his hand.
"How may I help you today, miss?"
"Well, I was just walking by and realized that your art gallery will be opening soon and that you are looking to hire people. I'd like to apply for a job."
"Well...what is your experience?"
Uh-oh...here comes the part where he tells me they don't want anybody that hasn't had prior experience...
"Well, sir, I've dealt with all sorts of people, from high class society to the working class. I haven't actually had any job experience, but...my husband was an artist, you see. I've been around art practically all my life, as well."
Mr. Jones eyed Rose carefully as he twisted one end of his gray mustache.
"Well, as I see it, everyone has to start somewhere. As long as you're open to learning your way around here, I think you would do wonderful as my receptionist. Your husband is an artist? Maybe I would be able to feature some of his work here; I'm always looking for new talent."
Rose's smile started to fade.
"Oh...I'm sorry, sir, but that won't be possible. He passed away not too long ago."
"I'm truly sorry for your loss..."
"Thank you."
"By the way, I never did catch your name, Mrs..."
"Dawson. Rose Dawson."
"Well, Mrs. Rose Dawson, I would be pleased if you would be our new receptionist. We are open Monday through Friday and sometimes also have evening showings, as well."
Rose nodded.
"That sounds wonderful, sir!"
"Well, then, I will see you here starting Monday at ten AM."
They shook hands. Rose went on her way back to Molly's room at the hotel to tell her the great news.
As she turned around to leave, the strong scent of charcoal filled her nostrils. The same smell as Jack. She breathed it in and sighed. Oh, how she wished Jack was here. She looked up towards the sky.
Thank you, Jack...
Now it nearing the anniversary of the sinking and Rose was sitting at her desk. She was amazed that so much had happened in so little time.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Jones.
"Rosie?"
"Oh…yes, Mr. Jones? What can I do for you today?"
"I need to discuss some matters with you, nothing bad, but something important."
"Of course, Mr. Jones."
"Meet me in the conference room in a half hour after you've closed up."
"All right, sir."
Mr. Jones smiled and walked back into his office to finish up some paperwork on a couple of new artists he would be featuring.
A half hour passed and the gallery was closed for night. It had been a long day. It was right in the middle of the season for them and they had many people coming through their doors. They were mostly high society people, but thankfully none of them were people Rose knew from her old life. Most of them had gone back to their own homes or had traveled back to Europe or wherever they were from.
Rose locked the door and flipped their open sign to closed. She turned off the front light and closed the blue curtains as well. She made sure all the files were organized and headed towards the conference room. No lights were on except for a glow coming from the conference room. She walked into the room and was greeted by Mr. Jones and another man. She had always had a good report with the customers and many of them came in just to see how she was doing, so she was unsure of what was going on. She started to wonder if she had done something wrong.
"Rosie, please sit down. This is an associate of mine, Mr. Jenkins."
They shook hands and sat down around the rectangular table.
"Rosie, the business has been doing very well and I'm looking to expand into other states."
Rose nodded.
What does this have to do with me? I'm only a receptionist.
“The past six months have been a wonderful time with you, and I value your work very much. I honestly don't think we would be doing as well without you. Mr. Jenkins will be taking care of one of our other galleries and will be training management for the other store, as well."
Rose nodded.
"Anyway…what I'm trying to say is…I need a supervisor for both of the stores who will take care of the handling of the artwork, filing, and monitor transactions. We're looking to open a store in Washington, D.C. and another in California, near Santa Monica. I think you would do wonderfully…and I'm letting you choose where you would like to go."
Rose gulped. She was unsure of what to do. She hadn't even thought about leaving New York yet. She and Jack had talked about going to Santa Monica, and it was what Rose had always dreamt about. But now that Jack was gone, she didn't want to go there. Not just yet.
"Well then…this is quite a decision I have to make."
The two men just stared at her, waiting for an answer.
I guess they're expecting me to make my decision right now…
Rose gulped.
"I choose…Washington D.C."
The two men shook hands and proceeded to shake Rose's hand as well.
"Good choice, Rosie. You'll do wonderfully. As a supervisor, you will have plenty of vacation time as well. Sometimes you will have to do some traveling to find artists, too. I hope that won't be a problem for you?"
"Not at all, Mr. Jones!"
Rose was a bit scared, but excited as well. She had been wanting to travel and see the world. It was what she had promised Jack, and now she would be doing it. Rose started to walk out the door when the smell of charcoal hit her. She closed her eyes and an image of she and Jack looking at his portfolio filled her head. She smiled lightly and looked around to see if Mr. Jones or Mr. Jenkins had noticed the odor, but it seemed that she had been the only one. Rose locked up the store and headed towards Molly's place to tell her the news.