CALIFORNIA PARADISE
Chapter Thirteen
On Sunday morning, Jack’s eyes snapped
opened. This was it. His beautiful Rose was coming to California. To be with
him. He had begged to meet her at the train station, but she had refused.
"This is the first time we’ve been apart
since--well, you know. I don’t want your first look of me to be when I’m sleep
deprived, hungry, and a complete mess."
"But--"
"No buts about it. And I’m not telling
you when the train gets in, either. I’ll surprise you."
So now he was waiting. To see her face again.
Hear her laughter. Feel her soft lips on his. He jumped out of bed to get
ready.
Three Hours Later
There was still no sign of Rose as Jack
blankly stared around his office. All plans had been canceled for the next
three days, and he was unconditionally bored. He was startled back into reality
when the telephone rang.
"Hello?"
No answer. He didn’t have time for this.
"Hello?"
Finally. "Hi."
"Rose! Where are you? Are you all
right?"
She laughed. "Of course! Jack, you worry
too much. I’m just calling to say that I won’t be able to get home for at least
another half hour."
"What? Why not?"
"Well, I’ll be home sooner than that,
but I don’t want you to see me in such a miserable state, so..."
"Rose, this is ridiculous. Come home
and--"
"You’re not listening to me. I know you,
Jack, and I’m willing to bet everything I own that you’ve been sitting around
waiting for me this entire time, probably failing to eat or take any form of
rest. Now, I want you to go out and get a bite to eat. I’ll come home and look
as fresh as a May flower by the time you get back."
"But--"
"No isn’t an option."
"Okay, but hurry!"
*****
Jack had a chauffeur drive him to a restaurant,
ordered, ate the food, had the chauffeur drive him back, and sailed through the
front door faster than he ever had before in his entire life.
When he walked through his glorious mansion,
Jack made a note of all the differences. All signs of immaturity had been taken
out. Every door and window was open to let in a light breeze. And last but not
least, the air held a teeny hint of Rose’s perfume, jasmine.
Jack walked to the doorway leading out to the
backyard and went through the garden slowly, pacing each step. Rounding a bend
into a sort of clearing with radiant flowers making a semi-circular wall, he
spotted her. In a simple but picturesque white dress, her hair billowing to the
side and behind her, she looked like an angel straight from heaven. Running
towards each other, they embraced and a deep warmth filled both of them through
and through. In his arms again, Rose felt peaceful and grateful. Jack, holding
his beloved close, was filled with an unimaginable delight.
*****
"There are just so many loose
ends," Rose said in bed that night.
"Mmm? Like what?" Jack asked.
"For one thing, Rich knew my last name
was Dawson. Wouldn’t he have made any sort of connection?"
"Dawson just happens to be a pretty
common name. And anyway, we were seven or eight when we knew each other. Last
names were never one of our main subjects. I doubt he knew what my last name
was."
"Okay, then answer this: what are the
chance of two lovers meeting, the unimaginable happening, they get separated
from each other, and a year later the girl’s boyfriend turns out to be the
boy’s old playmate?"
"What are the odds of us meeting in the
first place? What are the odds of us falling in love? What are the odds of the
Titanic sinking? Things just happen, Rose. Fate knew that we were meant to be
together, and it just wouldn’t rest until we lived happily ever after."
"It was something more than fate."
"You’re right. True love can beat down
on any obstacle that comes its way." Jack held Rose closer to him and they
fell asleep in each others’ arms.