DEAR DIARY
Chapter Four
April 25, 1912
Dear Diary,
I just about died yesterday when I was
getting ready to leave the diner. A man entered just as I put my coat on, and
at first, I thought I was losing my mind, as the man looked just like my Jack.
Same build, same blond hair, same soulful blue eyes. Upon further inspection, I
realized this man was a little older than Jack. Forcing myself to be civil--I
was staring, after all--I introduced myself. Turns out his name is Steven
Dawson, a relative of Jack's I would have to presume. I didn't divulge any of
the details that surround Jack and I, just casually mentioned I knew him.
Steven was surprised and suggested we get together today. He's very interested
in hearing about Jack. I have no idea how to go about telling this man Jack's
dead, but he has the right to know. Hopefully I'll only have to tell him about
Titanic and he'll take on the task of informing the rest of the town. I don't
think I could take explaining that to all those people. I'm sure they'd look
down on me, not understanding what Jack and I shared. They'd probably label me
a whore. Anyway, Steven will be here shortly and it would be rude of me to keep
him waiting, so I'll end here. Wish me luck.
Rose Dawson
*****
"Hey, Jules," Steven Dawson called,
coming into the Regency Hotel. Julie Larson glanced up from her spot behind the
main desk and smiled warmly.
"Stevie! What brings you here?" she
exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck.
Steven returned the hug with a grin.
"Meeting up with one of your guests. I see she's not down yet."
Julie's eyes narrowed. "And just who
might that be?"
"Her name's Rose and--oh, there she is!
Hey, Rose!" Steven said, noticing the auburn-haired beauty descending the
stairs.
Rose rewarded him with a smile as she joined
them. "Hello, Steven. Nice to see you again."
"You, too. Have you two met?"
Steven asked, motioning towards Julie.
Rose's smiled faded a bit, noticing the scowl
on the other girl's face. "Ah, we haven't been formally introduced, no.
I'm Rose," she said, extending her hand.
Julie stared at her for a moment, but
remembering her manners, took it. "Julie."
Steven flashed them both a smile and turned
to Rose. "Shall we go? We've got a lot to discuss."
Rose nodded and waved politely to Julie.
*****
"So, Rose, tell me, where'd you meet
Jack? I haven't heard a word from him since our parents died," Steven said
once they'd settled down on the banks of Lake Wissota.
Rose's green eyes clouded over, but she
managed to smile slightly. "So you're his brother?" At his nod, she
continued. "Jack and I...to be completely honest, didn't know each other
that long. We met coming back from Europe and hit it off almost
immediately."
"Europe?" Steven exclaimed.
"Wow, he did get around. Where is he now? I mean, if you know."
Rose choked back a sob and met his gaze. As
hard as this would be, she had to tell him Jack's fate. He was his brother; he
deserved to know. "He...he's dead," she said, her voice barely a
whisper.
Steven's face went white. "What?"
Unable to hold back to her tears any longer,
Rose began to cry. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have--" She choked out,
standing up.
Steven grabbed her arm, his blue eyes, so
much like Jack's, pleading with her. "Please. Tell me what happened."
Rose incoherently sat back down, her eyes
wandering over the water. Water that was so cold, so deadly... "We met on
Titanic," she finally said. And with those four words, everything was
clear. No other explanation was needed.
"Oh, God," Steven murmured, giving
in to the tears he was trying to hold back.