A LOVE NEVER FADING
Chapter Two
Rose awoke briefly to see Officer Lowe waving
the flare. And then once again just as they rowed up to the Carpathia. But what
was the use of day without Jack?
When they reached the Carpathia both Rose and
Jack were asleep. The officers thought it best to leave them that way. Jack was
brought to the nurse's station because of the severely frozen state of his
body. Rose was laid on a bench in the steerage section.
When Rose awoke she was frightened for a
moment. Then she realized where she was. She sat up. Rose was freezing so she
pulled her blanket up around her head. That's when she saw him, Cal, walking
right behind her. Looking for her, no doubt. She pulled the blanket even
tighter around her and watched him search unsuccessfully for her. Finally he
gave up and walked back to his section of the ship. There was the most horrible
pain all over Rose's body now. She knew exactly where it was coming from. Jack.
The one person in her life who could really see her was gone. And the pain of
that crippled her.
*****
Jack's eyes slowly opened. His blurred view
could barely make out the shapes in the room. Gradually his vision cleared.
"Rose," he said, struggling. "Rose...Rose..." Jack was
speaking barely above a whisper.
"Is there something the matter,
son?" A woman in her mid thirties stood above Jack's cot.
"Rose," he said again.
"Not quite, dear. I'm Mary." She
assumed Rose was someone he had lost.
Jack finally realized what was happening. The
woman talking to him was a nurse.
Jack sat up. "Is Rose okay?"
Mary looked sadly at Jack. "I'm sorry,
son, but I'm afraid I can't help you with that question. They brought you in
here alone." She stopped and thought for a moment. "You'll have to go
look for her. But first you need your strength. Here." She handed Jack a
cup of soup she had just brought in for him.
"Thank you." Jack took the soup
even though he would rather go find Rose, but he knew Mary was right about him
needing strength. He was already feeling lightheaded.
"I'm sorry to leave you so soon, but I
have many people to see." Mary smiled. "I have a feeling you'll be
gone when I come back."
Jack nodded and replied, "Most
likely."
"Well, I hope you find your Rose."
Mary left the room and closed the door behind her. That left Jack alone with
his thoughts.