FINDING LOVE ON THE TITANIC
Chapter Three
"Welcome to the Titanic. May
I check your boarding pass, please?" Sixth Officer Moody inquired.
"Of course, as soon as I
find it," Rachel replied while searching frantically through her bag.
"Where did I put it? Here it is, sir," Rachel informed the officer
while handing over the pass. Gazing around the reception room, Rachel noted
several stateroom attendants in white, cropped jackets standing around,
anxiously awaiting their passengers.
"Miss Green, your stateroom
is A11," Officer Moody informed her while motioning one of the room
stewardesses over to assist her.
"Miss Green, my name is
Violet Jessop, and I will be your room stewardess for the trip. Kindly follow
me, please." Rachel, following behind the stewardess, passed by the
opulent Grand Staircase. The beautifully crafted, four-deck, oak carved
staircase was made only of wood and rod iron. A magnificent dome of glass and
wrought iron crowned the staircase. A crystal light located in the center of
the dome brightly shown its light down all four decks of the staircase, further
illuminating the exquisite details.
Violet led Rachel down the
corridor and opened the door to her stateroom. "This is your stateroom,
Miss Green," Violet informed Rachel as she led her into the room. On one
side of the door stood a washbasin. Located directly on the other side stood a
small wardrobe. Rachel gazed around the room and noted a mahogany dressing
table topped with a rectangular mirror. Next to the mirror were built in
shelves. A carafe along with stacked water glasses lined the shelves. "The
water in your washbasin will be replenished daily. The ladies’ lavatory and
bathtubs are located at the end of the corridor. May I reserve a time for
you?"
"Yes. Reserve me a time
early tomorrow morning. The long train ride plus the excitement on the tender
has worn me out, plus I need to unpack my trunks. Just advise me of the
hour." Rachel dismissed the attendant while searching in her bag for the
keys to her trunks.
"Very good, Miss. I will
advise you of the exact time," Violet replied as she left the stateroom,
closing the door behind her.
Rachel, after unpacking her
trunks, decided she was too exhausted to dress for dinner in the dining saloon.
She lay down on the bed and stretched her arms and legs. Within a few minutes,
she was sound asleep. She awoke the next morning fully dressed.
April 11, 1912
Ross awoke early the next
morning. His first thoughts in the morning still included Carol. To relieve his
mind of his recent rejection, he decided to get dressed and investigate the gymnasium
located on the boat deck.
Ross stood in the gymnasium,
investigating the equipment. He noted the rowing machine. The exercise machine
would aid in strengthening his arm and leg muscles. He walked over to the gym
instructor and made an appointment for early afternoon.
Ross stepped out onto the boat
deck. A soft morning breeze was calmly washing over the new deck. The soft
breeze heightened the smell of the newly laid deck wood. He took in a deep
breath of the fresh, cool ocean air. The sun had just risen. Its rays,
reflecting off the calm ocean, took on the appearance of sparkling diamonds.
The fresh scenery, along with the calmness of the ocean, began to lift his
spirits. He took in another breath of the fresh ocean air. The new scent
included fresh biscuits and coffee. As he searched the deck, he soon spotted a
woman sitting in a deck chair. A steward was serving her hot biscuits and
coffee. She appeared to be attractive, in her early thirties, and even with the
green/red woolen blanket pulled tightly about her, appeared fashionably
attired. A strange new feeling suddenly developed inside of him. That strange,
unconscious feeling guided him closer to her. As he drew closer to her, his
memory suddenly reverted back to the past evening. She was the woman whose eyes
had mesmerized him the evening before on the gangplank. Suddenly, all of the
insecurities from his last rejection came bubbling to the surface. His
determination disappeared, reversing his path from her back to the deck
railing. A defeated Ross leaned on the deck railing, again questioning his
cowardice.
"Hi, Ross. I see you also
decided to take in the fresh morning air on deck," Colonel Archibald
Gracie said while taking his space on the deck railing next Ross. Colonel
Gracie was a friend of his parents in New York City. He was active in real
estate and was an amateur military historian. He was worldly and lived for
adventure.
"You travel quite
extensively. Do you know the woman sitting on the deck chair by the first class
entrance door?" Ross somewhat bashfully inquired of the Colonel.
"Yes, I know her. Her name
is Rachel Green. She is a new consultant for Women’s Wear. I got somewhat
acquainted with her during my brief stay in Paris. She is quite articulate and
adores anything that relates to fashion. If I were an available man, I would
not be wasting any time in getting to know her better. There appears to be an
empty chair next to her. Go over and take a chance."
With the Colonel's advice in
mind, Ross’s confidence began to resurface. So again, he made his way over to
her. This time he did not turn back.