DO YOU ONLY WANNA DANCE?
Chapter Seven
Rose glanced over at Jack, with
the proposal of marriage still in the air. She smiled to herself, seeing him
asleep in bed. There was a knock on the door. Rose was startled. She got up and
opened the door. She was fully clothed, thank God. She would have hated to be
naked in front of his parents. She fixed her dress and then opened the door.
It was his mother, Martha.
"Hello, Rose. Where's Jack?"
"Asleep. After our dance
lessons, we fell asleep on his bed together," Rose said.
"Ah…well, the doctor must
sleep, then. Would you mind having a word with me over tea?" Martha asked,
curious about Rose.
"Sure, Mrs. Dawson."
Rose stepped outside, closing the door as she came out.
*****
Rose sat up straight, sitting in
the chair across from his mother. She looked like an easy lady to talk to.
"So, Rose, now that you are
dating my son, do you expect this relationship to go anywhere?" Martha
asked frankly.
Rose looked at her. "Yes, I
do. I love Jack. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Jack proposed to
me." Rose looked at Martha. She looked to be in shock.
"Marriage. My son wants to
marry you?" Martha asked.
"Yes, he does. We get along
so well, Mrs. Dawson." Rose smiled.
"Does Victoria know about this?"
Martha asked.
"Victoria? No, she doesn't
know. What makes you think she should know?" Rose hated to be rude.
"Victoria likes Jack. I
brought him here to marry a fine young lady like her. It would further his
father's career. They are to be betrothed, but Jack does not know this."
Martha confessed her evil plan.
"Excuse me for being rude,
but Jack doesn't like Vicky. He hates her. She's like the plague," Rose
told her.
"Rose, I know Jack likes
you. But you have to stay away from him. I cannot have my son marry a harlot
like you." Martha looked down on Rose.
"Harlot? I've never been
called a harlot in my life. Out of respect for Jack, I am going to leave before
this gets messy." Rose felt hurt.
She hurried out the door and
cried in the elevator. She didn't take the money that Jack had given her. She
just went home.
*****
Later that night, Jack woke up.
He felt around for Rose, but she was gone. Her bag still lay on his dresser. He
got up, stretched, and figured Rose had been hungry. He went out his door, but
it was quiet and dark.
He peeked inside his parents’
room. Nothing. They were asleep. Jack went back to his room and picked up the
phone to call Rose.
The phone rang. Rose picked up.
"Hello?"
"Rose, why did you leave
without saying good-bye?" Jack asked.
"I can't see you ever again,
Jack. Please, just leave me alone." She held back her tears.
"What did I do wrong,
Rose?" he asked.
"I can't say," Rose
said.
"Does this have something to
do with my mother? Did she tell you something?" Jack knew his mother had
meddled in his love life. She had told Rose something. "I know my mother
did this, Rose. I love you, and I am not leaving you alone. We're getting
married tonight. Meet me at the Rosa Negra. Will you be there, Rose?"
"Jack, I can't--" Rose
began to say.
"You have to. You left your
bag here. I'll bring it to you. If you’re not at the Rosa Negra, I will leave
you alone," Jack said, and hung up.
He got dressed and was out the
door in seconds. He wasn't going to let his mother ruin the best thing he ever had.
He walked to the Rosa Negra. Rose stood there, waiting.
He smiled when he saw her.
"Here's your bag."
She took it. Her eyes were red
from crying, and he could tell. He kissed her eyes. "Marry me tonight,
Rose."
"I..." Rose loved him
with all her heart.
"Sheesh. No ifs, ands, or
buts, Rose. Marry me." He got down on his knees and looked up at her. He
put a ring on her finger.
She cried out of happiness.
"I love you so much, Jack."
He scooped her up and kissed her
madly. He hailed a cab and told the cabbie to take them to the nearest all
night chapel. The driver sped down the roads fast. Before they knew it, they
were there.
Jack walked into the chapel, but
not before telling the cabbie to give him his card for pick-up tomorrow. Jack
handed the cabbie a tip, and the driver left soon afterwards.
Rose knew she loved him, and
marrying him like this was nothing like she had ever expected. He held her hand
and took her into the chapel. Tonight, they would be husband and wife. Rose
looked up to the stars. A shooting star passed. She made a wish, then looked at
Jack, who was smiling at her.
"What did you wish
for?" he asked.
"You'll find out soon
enough, Mr. Dawson." She smiled.
"Come on, Mrs. Dawson. Let's
make this official." He took her hand and led her into the chapel.
She smiled. She didn't even think
about what his mother had told her, and at that moment, she didn't care. She
loved Jack so much. It was like he was the air she needed to breathe, because
without it, she would die.