A FIRE IN THE WIND
Chapter Eighteen
"Her flu has gotten worse…"
Rose lay half-awake, trying to make out a
conversation between her doctor and her mother in the hallway.
"What do you mean? My daughter's wedding
is a week from today, and you--"
"Mrs. DeWitt Bukater, all we can do is
hope that she'll be well by that time. For now, don't disturb her. She needs
all the rest she can get, and you wouldn't want to catch the flu now, would
you? Please, just let her be."
Rose had only made out a few of the words in
the conversation, but she partly understood. It was true; she was feeling a lot
worse…what if something happened? What about Jack? Had Allison told him she was
sick? Had Allison visited Jack at all?
Rose's mind was blurry, and could not make
out thoughts properly. Almost the second her head hit the pillow, she fell back
to sleep.
*****
Sixteen-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater stood in
the large crowd of people, unsure of what to do next. It had been one of her
first formal parties as an adult, and she tried her best to play the part as
well as possible.
Her scarlet evening gown was tighter than
what she was used to, and she was almost certain someone would trip on its
long, elegant train.
At the beginning of the evening, everything
had seemed so alive and magical, but after Rose had sat through more then
enough conversations with her mother's friends, things started to get quite
dull.
"This is the perfect opportunity for you
to find a match," her mother had said before. "You've just gotten out
of school, and it's time you got married."
Rose had protested against it and even tried
to laugh it off. Married? Her? She was only sixteen, hardly considered an adult
at all. Rose also didn't feel ready to take on the responsibility, but her
mother insisted on getting the family fortune back as soon as possible.
Rose sighed as she thought of being sold off
to some arrogant man. Luckily, no one had come up to her yet. She had received
a few stares by a few gentlemen, but was relieved when they went back into
their conversations.
All of a sudden, the Hockley man joined Rose.
She was embarrassed to have forgotten his name. His smile bit into Rose. It was
so mysterious, as if he were trying to hide something. His black hair was slick
and dark, and it went along with his handsome face perfectly. By the looks of
him, Rose thought he looked about thirty. Fourteen years older then her.
"Miss Bukater," he started off
politely. "I haven't seen you since you were a little girl. You certainly
have grown. I'm Caledon Hockley. Cal for short."
Rose smiled at him. "Oh yes, Mr.
Hockley. It's lovely to see you."
*****
Rose woke up, sweating heavily again. Was
there ever a time that she had liked Caledon Hockley? Abruptly, Rose denied it.
The daylight poured into her room. Rose squinted, annoyed by the sunlight,
which was immensely bright after having spent hours sleeping. It seemed like a
beautiful day outside. Rose was feeling a little bit better, but not much. All
of a sudden hunger struck her. How long had it been since she had last eaten?
Three days?
Rose decided to go back to sleep and see how
she felt in a couple of hours. She prayed to God that she wouldn't have any
more horrible flashbacks.
"Rose?"
Rose was shocked to hear her father's voice.
"Daddy?" her voice let out softly.
The figure of Jon Bukater stood next to her.
Rose began to cry tears of joy.
"But--you're dead. What are you doing here?"
"Oh, my Rose, I have to tell you
something."
"I'm sorry!" Rose said, hugging her
tangible father. "I'm so sorry. I know you told me to obey Mother, but
I--"
"That's what I came to talk to you
about!" Jon replied with a grin from ear to ear. "Don't listen to
your mother. You remember the first part of my letter to you, but do you
remember the second? Your life doesn't have to turn out the way your mother
says it does. Please Rose, don't marry Caledon Hockley. I know you don't want
to. Life's a lot simpler then your mother thinks it is. Run off with Jack.
You're certainly right, he is a good man! Go to Santa Monica, become a film
actress. Do whatever your heart desires! Don't marry Hockley. Don't."
Rose shook her head. "God, I--I don't
know. The last thing I want to do is become Cal's wife. I just don't feel I
have a choice. The wedding is in one week, and I don't think I'll be able to
see Jack again!"
"Rose! You are quite capable of seeing
Jack again. Don't think you're not," Rose's father replied firmly.
"It's your lack of willpower that stopped you from running away with Jack
in the first place. Don't let it stop you again. Don't. It will all turn out
right in the end, if that's what you want. You've just have to make your own
decisions. Make your own life. Don't make your mother's."
Rose smiled at her father. "I will. But
how--why are you here?"
"You've just needed a little reassuring,
was all, so I helped out a little. I have to go now. Don't think I'm not there
for you. I am."
*****
Rose woke up once again from another very
realistic dream. It had lit up her heart with hope. She was confused. It was
the most realistic dream she had ever had in her life! What she didn't know,
though, was it wasn't one.