IF
Chapter Four
Cora was more than thrilled to
find out that she had a baby sister. Maria was a huge help. Jack and Rose
decided to open Burt’s for breakfast and lunch every day, adding even more
hours of work on to their schedules, but it was well worth it. Everyone at the
pub immediately fell in love with the new addition to the family. She had
vibrant red hair like Rose and stunning blue eyes like Jack. She also seemed to
be just as stubborn as the both of them, too. Marly grew up so fast. Soon, the
anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking was approaching. Late one night, Rose woke
up and rolled over to talk to Jack.
"Do you realize what day it
is today?" she whispered in his ear.
"The tenth of April,"
Jack mumbled, still half-asleep.
Rose kissed his cheek.
"Anything particularly special about that date?"
Jack rolled over. He knew the
answer. "We’ve known each other for exactly one year," he replied.
"Tell me, Rose Dawson, when you first met me, did you think that a year
later that we’d be married with a child, and jobs?"
Rose smiled and shook her head.
"No. I thought I would be married to Cal. You saved me, Jack, more than
you’ll ever be able to understand." Rose rested her head on Jack’s chest
and they fell asleep again.
*****
It was the anniversary of the
sinking, and Cora wasn’t feeling well. She came downstairs a few minutes before
she had to leave for school, still in her pajamas.
"Good morning, Miss Cora.
Are you going to take my order today?" Charles, one of the regulars, asked
cheerfully.
Cora shook her head and went
behind the bar. "Mama," she said, tugging at Rose’s dress. Rose knew
immediately that something was wrong. Cora never called her Mama. "I don’t
feel well; I don’t want to go to school today."
Rose gently kissed the top of
Cora’s head. "Why don’t you go back to sleep today? I’m sure Sister
Maratha will understand. I’ll write you a note." Cora gave her mom a hug
and went back upstairs.
"Is Cora all right?"
Charles asked Rose with a concerned look on his face.
Rose nodded. "She’s fine.
Today’s a difficult day," she replied.
Next to Charles, a man by the
name of Robert was reading the newspaper. "Can you believe it’s been one
year since the Titanic sank?" he asked. Charles shook his head.
"Has it been that long,
really?" Rose asked quietly. "Seems like a lifetime."
Charles and Robert looked at her.
"You were on the ship, weren’t you?"
Rose nodded solemnly before
leaving to go to get something from the kitchen. She didn’t want to talk about
it--not today, at least. Maria was upstairs, taking care of Marly; maybe she
should go to check on them. Today was one of those days where all she wanted to
do was curl up in bed.
*****
That evening, there was a huge
party at Burt’s for no reason whatsoever. Rose, Jack, and Cora hadn’t had so
much fun in ages.
"Come on, Rose! Dance with
me!" Charles called out, grabbing Rose’s hand.
"Oh, no, no, no. I don’t
dance," she said, trying to break free from his grip.
"Sure you do! Now, come on!
When’s the last time you just had a good time? When’s the last time you had a
night to celebrate nothing in particular?"
"A year ago yesterday,"
she replied simply.
"So, now you’re Miss Smarty
Pants? Well, Mrs. Dawson, that act won’t work on me! Let’s go!"
A familiar song came on. It was
one of the songs that she and Jack had danced to while belowdecks a year ago.
She felt the amazing sensation of being picked up in the air and set back down
on the ground. Charles twirled her around the pub. All the tables and chairs
had been moved to the side to make room for dancing. Pretty soon, a large smile
was spread across Rose’s face. She had forgotten how much fun this was.
After a few more songs, Rose went
into the kitchen to get some tea to drink. She got together a whole platter of
drinks, but froze in the doorway behind the bar when she saw a very familiar
person sitting at the bar.
"Miss Rose? Miss Rose, are
you all right?" Maria asked. Rose would have dropped the tray she was
carrying if Maria hadn’t taken it. "Maybe you should sit down. Are you
feeling all right?"
Rose nodded briefly and sat down
on a stool. "Go get Jack," she said quietly.