A LOVE NEVER FADING
Chapter Forty-Three
Erik smiled at Rose. She had come down to the
theater to visit everyone. She was watching the rehearsal. The actors agreed
they missed having Rose with them, but of course, since she pregnant, there was
nothing she could do. Erik watched her. He felt so sorry for her. She was all
alone. He knew it must have been killing her to see Maggie and Brian so happy
with their son.
Rehearsal was over, and Tim, Erik, and Rose were
having a friendly conversation. It somehow came up that Tim's apartment
building was being fumigated. He was going to stay in a hotel for the night.
"Tim, why don't you come stay with me
for the night?" Rose asked.
"Oh, no. I couldn't."
"No, you should. You can sleep on the
couch. It's a very comfortable couch. I've slept on it. Or you could take the
bed and I'll sleep on the couch."
"Rose, I really couldn't. It's too much
of a hassle. Especially with you in your state."
Rose really wanted him to come stay over. She
was very close to him. It would be nice to have someone to talk to. She had
Maggie and Brian, but she wanted to talk to someone else. And Tim had been so
kind to her all these months, she felt like she needed to pay him back.
"Tim, please come. It's only one night, and it wouldn't bother me at
all."
Tim sighed. "Okay. And you're right,
it's only for a night."
Rose smiled. "Good."
"How are you doing?" Erik asked
Rose.
"Fine. I'm doing good."
"Are you sure?"
Rose nodded. "Yes. Don't worry about me,
Erik. I'm all right. And soon the baby will be here, and I'll be even
better."
The three of them kept talking. Finally, Rose
and Tim decided to leave. Rose kissed Erik good-bye. Tim hailed a taxi. He
didn't think she should walk. When they arrived home, Maggie and Brian were
happy to see Tim.
"Tim! What brings you here?" Maggie
asked.
"My apartment is being fumigated. And
Rose insisted I stay with her for the night."
Brian smiled. "Lucky you. I'd pick her
apartment over a hotel any day. That couch is pretty comfortable."
"Oh, you've slept on it?" Tim asked
curiously.
"Maggie and I used to live up there. I
often found myself sleeping on it."
Tim laughed. "I see."
Rose smiled. "Well, I'm going to make
some dinner." She turned and headed up the stairs.
"I'll help." Tim followed her.
In the kitchen, Rose started to roast a
chicken. "Tim, can you get me that plate?"
"Sure." He picked up the plate and
bent down to give it to her. His face came close to his and a wave of heat came
over him. He quickly gave it to her and moved away. Tim sat down at the table.
This is exactly why he didn't want to stay over. How could he control himself?
*****
The next morning, Rose woke up. She saw Tim
was still sleeping on the couch, so she decided to make breakfast. She got out
eggs, bacon, and items to make pancakes.
Before Tim opened his eyes, he could smell
the rich odors of food being prepared. He sat up. From the couch, he could see
Rose if she was by the far cabinet. She would pass by every so often. He closed
his eyes. Last night he dreamed of her. He couldn't believe he was actually in
her apartment. They had stayed up late last night. He had told her stories of
his childhood in Cedar Rapids. She laughed and laughed at his jokes. Tim lay
down and stared blankly at the ceiling. His feelings were eating him up inside.
Jack was one of his best friends. But Rose...Rose was it. He wanted to be with
her. And now she was pregnant. That killed him. The worst thing was that no
matter how much he had cared about Jack, a part of him didn't want him to come
back from the war at all.
Tim walked into the kitchen. "That
smells delicious." He smiled charmingly.
"Hey! You woke up just in time. Sit
down, sit down." She set down a plate in front of him.
Tim smiled and took a bite. "Oh, this is
incredible. I haven't had a homemade breakfast since I moved to New York. This
is heaven."
She blushed. "Thank you. It's been so
long since I had to cook for anyone, I was wondering if I could still do
it." She looked down at her plate.
Tim was silent for a moment. "Have you
heard from Jack?"
"Yes, a few weeks ago. I wrote him back,
so I should get another letter soon."
"That's great." He tried to sound
as happy as possible.
"Tim, can I ask you a question?"
"Anything."
"How come you aren't fighting?"
"My leg. I hurt it in college. So I'm in
no condition to defend our country. I would have gladly gone, but they rejected
me." He shrugged.
"Oh. How did you hurt it?"
"You're going to laugh."
"No. I promise I won't." Rose
smiled.
"Okay, but it's silly...it was during a
rehearsal for Taming of the Shrew, and I was chasing the girl who played
Kate around the stage. And I don't know what happened, but I slipped and fell
into the orchestra pit, onto the instruments. I broke my leg, and it never
healed right."
Rose giggled. "Into the orchestra
pit?"
"Yep." He smiled. "I told you
it was silly. I usually lie and say it was a football injury."
Rose smiled. They ate breakfast, and then Tim
said he had to go. He thanked Rose for her generosity, and told her they should
get together sometime. She agreed. Tim left. As he walked towards the theater
he thought about Rose. "I can't go on like this," he muttered to
himself as he walked into rehearsal.
*****
"Rose, you got a letter from Jack."
Maggie knocked on her friend's door.
"Hold on." Rose opened the door.
She took the letter. "Do you want to come in?"
"No. I have to go give Andrew a
bath."
"Okay. Talk to you later." Rose
shut the door and began to read the letter.
My sweet Rose,
I wish I had happy news for you. But
things are just getting worse over here. A man died in my arms two days ago. I
never thought I would be experiencing the kind of horrific tragedy like the
kind Titanic caused. This is almost as bad...almost. I think Titanic was worse
because you were there. And you were in danger. I just wanted to keep you safe.
The only thing that gets me through the
day is the knowledge that I'll be coming home to you and our baby. I can't wait
to see you. I remember our wedding night. You were asleep and you looked so
beautiful and peaceful. I said to myself that image would keep me warm on a
cold night. It has. I think of that night and others like it constantly for
comfort.
Please, no matter how bad this letter
seems, remember I'm coming back. I know now more than ever that I am. I swear
it. I promise you. Remember that promise. I love you. I love you. I don't have
time to write more, but you know how deep my love for you is. Nothing will ever
come between us again. Not even another war. If there is another one--God
forbid--I won't go. When I come home, I'm taking you into my arms, and I'm
never letting go. My lips will never leave yours again. We're going to make
every day count. You, me, and the baby. I'll be home. I love you. Never let go.
Eternally yours,
Jack
Rose wiped tears from her eyes. Things didn't
sound good at all, but she believed him. He was going to come home.
"Please, please God. Let him come home to me and the baby. Please. We need
him. Please..."