A FIRE IN THE WIND
Chapter Eight
Rose woke more early then usual, still
clinging on to the magical sheet of paper, looking at it every once in a while
to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
After getting dressed, Rose headed down for
breakfast in an exceptionally cheery mood, confusing Ruth and Cal out of their
minds.
"Good morning, Rose," Cal said.
"I trust you enjoyed the gala last night."
Rose, a little composed but not hiding much,
stated, "Yes, especially near the end of the evening."
Ruth gave Rose a strange look. What had
happened to make her daughter so happy? It was so unlike Rose to be happy this
early in the morning, especially the morning after her wedding gala. Ruth knew
how much Rose didn't want to marry Cal. Had she dramatically changed her mind?
Something seemed significantly wrong.
Cal looked at his pocket watch and sighed.
"Well, my train leaves at ten, so I'd better be going. Good-bye ladies."
Rose smiled at Cal. "Good-bye,
Cal."
After finishing a silent breakfast with her
mother, Rose headed upstairs to her room, dancing around, grabbing the note on
her nightstand table. She had to think of a good enough excuse for running
across town today. Ruth was a hard person to persuade, but Rose knew her
mother's weaknesses. Unexpectedly there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Rose said recognizing
her mother's knock.
Ruth walked in, confused. "Rose, what's
wrong with you?"
Rose gave her mother a composed look in the
eye. "Nothing."
Ruth shook her head, taking a seat on her
daughter's bed. "How do you explain the sudden mood change?"
"Nothing happened. Does everything have
to have some secret meaning behind it?" Rose asked, lying under her teeth.
"Everything does," Ruth said
looking at a clock on the mantel. "Now hurry up. We mustn't be late for
church."
Church? Rose had completely forgotten it was
Sunday. Church ended at 11:30, but then came a probable luncheon afterwards. How
was she going to see Jack?
Rose nodded with a concerned look. How could
she get out of a luncheon? She could pretend she was ill after church, and run
to Jack's flat. If her mother came home before Rose did, Ruth would be furious.
Rose decided she was willing to take the risk, and planned to put her acting
skills to the test after church.
Church felt like an eternity to Rose. The
hour long service seemed to go on forever. Rose didn't want to be unfaithful to
God; especially after He had brought Jack back to her, but she had stopped
paying attention.
Everything around Rose reminded her of Jack.
The fateful white piece of paper was tucked a way in her purse, but suppose she
couldn't find Jack's flat? Or suppose Jack left, thinking Rose had forgotten,
stating the fact that the fastest time Rose could possibly meet Jack was an
hour after they had set up.
Ruth looked over at her daughter, mortified.
It was not only obvious that Rose wasn't paying attention to the service, but
Rose was frantically wiping sweat from her face, and seemed to be horribly
worried about something.
Rose sighed composedly in relief as the
service ended.
Outside, in the main lobby, groups were
gathered around, deep in conversation. Everyone around was a member of
Philadelphia high society. Ruth took Rose away from the crowd.
"Rose?" Ruth began in her usual
authoritative voice. "Whatever is the matter with you? You look positively
awful."
Rose looked down, and spoke low. "I'm
afraid I'm feeling a little ill."
Ruth looked at Rose, confused. "What
happened, dear? You were looking so alive earlier this morning. I don't
understand."
Inside, Rose was smiling and cheering herself
on, outside she was moaning softly, making sure not to overdo it. "Mother,
may I please stay home while you go to the luncheon?"
Ruth looked closely at her daughter's face to
see if she was actually sick, but Ruth's gullibility took over and she saw
truth in Rose. "All right. Will you be fine walking home by
yourself?"
Rose nodded. "I'll be fine."
"Good. Go home and rest. If you get
hungry, ask the cook to make you something. I'll be home around three."
Ruth gave her daughter a peck on the cheek and joined a nearby conversation.
Rose waited until she was a few hundred yards
a way from the church, and then exploded into happiness. Maybe there was a
chance of an acting career after all! She could not believe she had fooled her
own mother! In a frenzy, Rose took out the beautiful sheet of paper and began
searching for Jack's flat.