A FATHER'S RESCUE
Chapter Twenty-Five

Rose practically dragged her mother down to the parlor. Once they were seated, Ruth voiced her objections again.

"Rose, I can't just pick up and move. I have obligations here, things I have to do."

"Obligations to whom? All those stuck up people? Their own lives are so filled with teas and visits I'm sure they don't dwell on any one person very long. And does it make you happy, living like that?"

"Well, I wouldn't say happy...but Rose, I've never known anything else."

"Then come with us and discover something else. The sunshine will be good for Daddy, and you've never liked the winters here. We can get a place that will be small enough for us to take care of by ourselves. It will be cheaper, I hope. Plus, I don't want to have a maid. I can do things. I'll have to be at work sometimes, but other times we can spend together. I'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"Well...yes, I would. But I won't sell everything, if I decide to go. I have some things that are very personal that I won’t leave. All the furniture will have to go. That's too much bother. This house is rather large. But what on earth can I do out there, where I will only know you two?"

"Mother, you can make new friends. People will like you. Please, won't you come?"

Ruth pondered on this for a while without saying a word. Then they heard it--an approaching vehicle, and the slam of a door, followed by footsteps on the walk.

"That'll be your father," Ruth said, and there was some trepidation in her voice. "We'll need to continue our discussion later."

"Of course, but we do hope to be on our way within a few days," Rose warned. Her mother nodded as Michael entered the room. Without saying a word, he held out his arms, and Rose ran to him. Ruth looked on, hiding her discomfort with the open show of affection, and wondering how it could be possible that such an utterly outrageous young woman like Rose could be her daughter.

*****

Ruth had sent the cook home early--lately she had been taking her meals at odd hours, if she ate at all, and would simply go to bed when darkness fell. But that evening she sat in the kitchen and watched in amazement as Michael prepared a small feast of lamb stew that turned out to be delicious.

"I had to learn to cook for myself," he explained.

Rose later prepared a bed in one of the guest rooms, as she was too shaken to sleep in her own bed. Her mother was exhausted from the day's trauma and unable to keep her eyes open. She fell asleep in a comfortable chair in the guest room and Rose, unwilling to disturb her, covered her with a warm blanket. Only then did she ask Michael what happened after he left with Cal.

"Nathan came to the police station and took Cal home with him. The police were going to put him in a cell for the night, in hopes he would learn a lesson. But, Nathan gave me his promise that Cal won't be coming back here. I believe him, too. He'll be keeping an eye on that son of his."

"I hope so. That was very frightening today. I made up the bed in one of the spare rooms, for tonight. I hope that's all right. I don't even want to be in my room alone."

"I understand. You'll feel better soon. I'm sorry that happened, but at least you are all right, and that awful man will be leaving you alone. How did things go between you and your mother today?"

"All right. I asked her about coming with us to California. She hasn't decided yet. I hope she says yes. I'd really like her to be there. I know she has a hard time understanding me, and maybe if she spends more time with me she will start to."

"I hope so. You look tired, Rose. Are you ready to go to bed now? We can talk in the morning."

She nodded, and departed for the spare room. Exhaustion weighed her down and she had no trouble getting to sleep.

She awakened to the sound of whispers, and was startled to find two unfamiliar faces peering in the partially opened door at her. The women, both girls not much older than she, were dressed in maid's uniforms.

Rose sat straight up and stared haughtily at the two young women, who blushed and backed away, muttering apologies and closing the door behind them. Upon their departure, Rose fell backwards onto her pillow and let out a long sigh. Was that the way it was going to be in this house? She couldn't wait to be on her way.

That's when it hit her. Who were those two servants? Why had her mother--or Cal--hired new help? Had Ruth let Trudy go, believing there was no need with Rose gone, or was Trudy...

Rose shook her head to rid herself of those depressing thoughts. Trudy was traveling first class; of course she made it to a lifeboat. Mother just fired her. I'll have to find out where she is. Perhaps I can persuade her to accompany us; Mother won't travel without a servant along, and she was always such a faithful friend...

A gentle knock on the door disturbed her musings.

"Come in."

Ruth opened the door slowly. "Your father said you were probably awake. I wanted to say I'm sorry things were so tense yesterday, Rose. This is difficult for everyone."

"I know. I'm not angry anymore. It's a little odd being here, but I'm glad. I need to ask you...there were two maids that just came in here. Who are they, and where is Trudy?"

"Rose...after you left me, on the ship, I never saw her. I don't know what happened, but I can only suppose that she..."

Rose looked away, not wanting her mother to see the tears welling up in her eyes. "She was always so nice to me. I wish I could have gotten to say good-bye."

"I know. It seems horrible that I hired new maids, but this house is so big, and I was only left with one. One person can't take care of this big house. And I...I don't know how to do anything."

"I understand, Mother." Rose turned her head to one side and discreetly wiped away a tear. Part of her wanted to scream at her mother, who at times seemed only to care about her own comfort. She'd sent Trudy back to their suite to turn the heat on not long before finding a seat on a lifeboat. She probably didn't give her a second thought until she realized she needed the help, Rose thought bitterly.

For a moment, she wondered, What am I doing here?

And then her mother was saying, "I'm sorry, Rose. I didn't realize you and Trudy were so...close."

"It's all right, Mother." It wasn't, really, but she knew Ruth didn't--couldn't--comprehend a close relationship between a member of the family and one of the help, so she let the matter drop.

"I'd like to get dressed now, if I may."

"All right." Ruth appeared pleased with the change in subject. "I'll get one of the new girls to assist you with your corset."

Oh, no! "M-mother, I--" Rose stammered like a child about to tell a fib.

Ruth, already headed for the door, turned and looked at her expectantly.

"I'd like to dress myself, if you don't mind. And...I don't wear corsets anymore."

"You what?"

"I don't wear corsets anymore," she repeated, more calmly this time. "I'm much more comfortable without one."

"Rose, I can't even imagine what people think! How could you do that?"

"No one makes a big thing about it, Mother. You're the only one. But then, I didn't expect you to be pleased."

"No, I'm not. But, if it's really what you want, I won't make you wear one while you are here."

"Thank you. I'll be down in a few minutes, after I get dressed. Would it be all right if we did some shopping? There are a few things I need for when I go back to New York."

"Yes, we can go. Later on I think we need to talk about things some more. I don't understand why you are behaving this way, or how you have changed so much. Maybe if you explain it again I will understand it. But I'll leave you to get dressed now. Breakfast is already almost prepared."

Ruth left, closing the door behind her. Rose let out a heavy sigh, and went to take her small suitcase from the closet.

First would be a bath. She'd had to share a filthy tub in the boarding house, and hadn't had the opportunity to bathe with all the confusion of the day before. She felt as though the dust and grime from the train had settled into her skin.

Rose stepped into the adjoining bath and began running hot water in the sparkling tub. She removed her nightgown slowly, anticipating...

It was at that inopportune moment that there came another knock.

"Miss? Do you require any assistance?"

"No!" Rose cried, a bit harshly. She hastened to correct her rudeness. "I'm fine, thank you."

The bath water was scalding at first, but after submerging herself carefully, Rose found herself luxuriating in it. She'd discovered an unused cake of lye soap on a shelf and went to work. The water was lukewarm when she finally, reluctantly, lifted herself out.

She wrapped herself in a warm kimono and discovered that one of the maids had silently entered the room and laid out a clean outfit for her to wear. Rose stifled a twinge of anger and chose an alternative, more comfortable dress from her suitcase. Unsure of what her mother's opinion would be, but no longer concerned, she brushed her fiery curls and made her way downstairs to the breakfast table. She was late. It was a habit Ruth had repeatedly chastised her for.

Ruth did give Rose a look when she sat down to the table, but that was all. After they had eaten, Ruth spoke up.

"Rose, I think we need to discuss things further, like I said earlier. You are acting so unlike yourself. It's as if I can hardly recognize you."

"Mother, after what I went through, how did you expect me to be the same person? And when I was in the hospital I don't think the doctors expected me to pull through. I just was very fortunate. I have a difficult time listening to you telling me how much I have changed, while I think I'm fortunate to be here at all. I came here because I felt you deserved to know that I had indeed survived, and mostly what I have gotten in return is bitterness and anger. Though I suppose I should have been better prepared for such a negative reaction. You never were very good at listening to me."

Ruth opened her mouth as if to speak, closed it, opened it again, and closed it. Out of the corner of an eye, Rose glimpsed the new maids watching their interaction from a doorway.

"I'm--sorry," her mother said finally. "I did say I would try, didn't I? This fruit salad is absolutely delightful."

Rose took note of the rapid change in subject. Ruth did not want to discuss anything that would make her feel uncomfortable. That aspect of her personality hadn't changed, and most likely never would. Rose thought it was time to force the matter. She wouldn't be able to stand this house much longer, and she needed to know if her mother was really willing to change.

"You just proved my point," she said. "Have you been listening to me at all or have you been humoring me because you know it's the only way I would stay?"

"Rose," Michael warned, but only half-heartedly.

Ruth's eyes narrowed and a flush crept into her cheeks. Her temper was about to flare. Instead of backing down the way she usually did, however, Rose took the opposite route.

"You convinced me to stay, even after what Cal tried to do to me. You made me think you were interested in what happened to me on that ship, how it transformed me. But what's the first thing you do this morning? You pick out an outfit for me, as if I'm still a little girl!"

Chapter Twenty-Six
Stories