Rose got home around four PM. She set everything down and started sprucing up the apartment. It really wasn't much, but it was enough for her. It was their home.
She went into the bedroom and set down the new portfolio that she had bought for Jack.
After everything was done, it was time to cook dinner. Jack would be coming home soon and he would probably be hungry. She looked at her groceries. She had bought chicken, canned tomatoes, pickles, and potatoes.
It doesn't look too hard.
Rose wasn't sure what to do, so she turned the oven on, put the chicken in it, and shut the door.
See? You can do it. You can do this housewife work.
She started to boil the potatoes on top of the stove. As the potatoes were cooking, she started chopping the canned tomatoes and pickles for a nice little dish.
After all that was done, all she had to do was wait for the chicken to be cooked.
*****
Jack packed up his things and started walking towards home. He had made thirty-five cents today. Hopefully this would keep up so that they could get out of New York.
After walking a bit, he noticed that there was a man selling flowers on the corner. He went over to him.
"How much for the roses?"
"Those are ten cents apiece, young man."
"All right. Here's ten cents. Thank you, sir!"
He smiled. A rose for his Rose. She would love it.
When he got home, he went inside. Rose was sitting in a chair, silently crying with her head in her hands.
The apartment smelled of burned meat. Jack went over to Rose.
"What are you crying about, Rose?"
"I…I…tried to…cook…chicken. But I've never…cooked in my…life!" she said between sobs. "I just wanted to be a good housewife, but I can't even cook you a nice dinner."
Jacked took her head out of her hands and pulled her face towards him.
"Look at me, Rose. I didn't want to be with you for the rest of our lives because of your cooking," he calmly said to her.
Rose sniffled a bit.
"Really? You're all right with me learning all this housewife stuff?"
Jacked wiped her tears away.
"Of course, sweetheart. It's a learning experience for us both. I love you no matter what. Even if you burn dinner."
Rose felt relieved. She didn't know why she got so upset. Jack wasn't like Cal. Jack wouldn't belittle her if she made a mistake.
She sighed and smiled at him.
"You are too good to me, Mr. Dawson."
"And you're too good for me, Rose. So, I guess that makes us even, doesn't it?"
The couple had the rest of the meal that Rose had prepared.
Jack looked around while they were eating.
"Rose, it does look amazing in here."
"Well, when you've grown up with maids, nannies, and interior decorators…you learn a few things." She smiled. "So, Jack…after my shopping experience today, I went to a small café to have a little something to eat and saw a Help Wanted sign. I spoke to the manager and I start tomorrow. I've never had a job, but I think it will be good for me. Plus, it will give us extra money for our future."
Jack was a little nervous. He was unsure of leaving Rose to the real world, but he knew that this was what she really wanted, and he wouldn't stop her. He would support her no matter what. If this was what made his Rose happy, it made him happy, too.
"If this is what you want, Rose, I support you one hundred percent." He smiled at her.
"Oh, Jack, this is what I want. I want to help."
"Then that's what we'll do."
Jack and Rose kissed.
"I made thirty-five cents today with my drawings."
"Jack, that's wonderful! I told you that your drawings would be popular…Monsieur Artiste."
Jack blushed, remembering when she had said that to him on the Titanic.
Rose unexpectedly yawned.
"Oh, Jack, I'm sorry. It's just been a long day."
Jack smiled at her.