TITANIC CONTINUED
Chapter Sixteen
Mrs. Brown,
In a few words, I'd like to
thank you. Your wise advice helped me to wake up. I'll never forget it. I wish
there were more I could do to let you know how much I appreciate what you've
done for me. You're one of the most considerate people I've ever met, and the
kindness you have shown me during this voyage I shall never forget. This isn't
much, but I owe you. I've arranged to speak to Rose tomorrow morning; I hope it
isn't too late for us. But whether it is or isn't, thank you. I hope you find
all the happiness you deserve.
Take care,
Jack Dawson
Jack wrote the letter as neatly
as he could. He took out his charcoals and some sketching paper. He began to
draw.
It was a field with a brilliant
sunset in the background. There was a pond nearby and a farmhouse in the
corner. Sitting on a knoll in the distance, enjoying the sunset, arms holding
each other, were two small people, a man and a woman.
The man and woman were in love, a
love so strong that they would be perfectly content to sit in front of that
sunset forever. Just looking at the picture, Jack could feel all that. He hoped
it touched Molly the way it touched him.
It took nearly two hours to
complete. Jack signed the picture and dated it.
Folding the letter, but making
sure not to bend the gift, Jack noted that this was probably one of his best
works.
Ten minutes later, he was back in
his room. After knocking and getting no answer at Molly's stateroom, he'd carefully
slipped the two items under the door.
Now all he had to do was wait
until eleven AM tomorrow.
*****
"Wake up."
It was a cold, hard voice that
pulled her back to the other side--out of sleepiness, and back to the things
she was trying to escape--and she was awake.
Rose squinted to see who stood at
the foot of her bed. How many times had she been awakened today?
It was Cal. Rubbing her eyes, she
threw her feet over the side of the bed and stood up, feeling slightly dizzy.
"Rose, I can't believe you've
been laying around all day. And in your clothes! My God, you're a mess!"
Rose scowled. "It's nice to
see you, too, Cal," she said sarcastically. "What do you want?"
Without giving him time to reply,
she said, "Would you mind leaving for a second? I have to change
clothes." She started to turn towards the closet.
Cal's hand slapped her squarely
in the face, knocking her over, her hand flying to the red handprint he'd made
on her cheek.
She screamed as he hit her again.
"You made a promise, Rose, and you broke it!" She was now huddled on
the floor, covering her head in case he decided to kick her. Instead, he helped
her up. "Look at me!" he screamed.
Rose slowly turned her aching,
stinging face towards him.
"Stay away from him! I will
make you understand if I have to beat you to do it!"
Rose looked at him angrily.
"I refuse to lose you to a
lowlife piece of filth! You will marry me, Rose. Oh, yes, you will."
"No, I won't!" Rose
screamed.
He hit her this time. It wasn't a
slap; his hand wasn't open, but making a tight fist. As it connected with her
jaw, she fell against the wall, sliding down it slowly.
Cal left. Rose was left on the
floor, unable to move her mouth to scream what she was thinking. You
bastard! You bastard! How dare you?