HOPE
Chapter Two
A New Wardrobe
2:00 PM
Molly had decided that she wanted to go
shopping for Rose. Rose had told her that she would be fine, but Molly simply
refused to believe that. "Darlin’, even the strongest of us all need help
at one time or another," is what she told Rose. "Besides, I want to
help, and I just love shopping."
It was silly to try to stop her. After all,
she did need clothes. So she said the only thing she could think of.
"Whatever you think is best, Molly." So she went.
Rose heard familiar voices outside in the
hallway...it was her mother and Cal. Ruth seemed to be disturbed that Cal had
not stayed with Rose. Cal was, after all, Ruth’s financial security. Now that
Rose was gone, who knew what would become of her? But Rose couldn’t go back. If
perhaps she had never met Jack, things might have been different. Maybe the
worst in Cal would never have shown up. Sooner or later, she said to
herself, Cal’s true colors would have shown. I guess I should be thankful
that it was now, and not after our marriage was final.
The voices diminished down the hall. Rose
realized that her heart was pounding. If her mother and Cal were staying in the
same hotel, she would have to be extra careful for a while. She had broken away
from her old life once. She wasn’t sure if she would be strong enough to do it
again. And she didn’t want to test it.
Her mother would want to be returning to
Philadelphia soon. As for Cal, he might either want to stay here, or his pride
would take him to Philadelphia to be with her mother. It would only be proper
to mourn her death. Cal might even feel obligated to support her mother. But
Rose didn’t want to think about such things. I’m no longer a part of their
world. What they do is their business. I left that world when I met Jack. I am
now Rose Dawson. I’m no longer in the high circle of society. And these
thoughts, for once, made Rose feel free. Like she could fly...
She closed her eyes, and suddenly there was
no ground beneath her, just the beautiful splashing sounds of the ocean. Jack
started singing Come Josephine In My Flying Machine softly in her ear.
He had such a beautiful voice. Rose wished that she could have heard more of
it.
"Are you awake, darlin’?" she heard
Molly ask.
"Hmm? Oh, yes. I was just
thinking."
"Good thoughts, I hope?" she asked.
"Actually, they were, for a
change," Rose said with a smile.
"Well, that’s good. No use in dwelling
on past events that we can’t change."
"I wish I had your outlook on life. It
would make this whole ordeal a lot easier." She looked down at the ground.
"But I’m getting through this one day at a time. I know Jack will guide me
through it." She whispered to herself, "I’ll always love you, Jack.
Always and forever."
"I think he knows that, Rose,"
Molly said.
Obviously Rose had said it louder than she
had thought. Sometimes, when she was deep in thought, she didn’t pay much
attention to her surroundings. "I hope so, Molly. I really do."
"Oh...try this on." Molly handed
her a box. "I hope it’s the right size, and I’m hoping all the rest are,
too." Rose hadn’t realized it, but Molly had at least ten other boxes
sitting on her bed. And many hat and shoe boxes, also.
"Oh, Molly. You honestly shouldn’t
have." She was only expecting a couple of dresses and maybe a pair of
shoes. But never would she have expected this...
"Nonsense," Molly said. "I
told you I love to shop. Since my children have all grown up, I haven’t shopped
for them in years. So, I had fun today! Now, go on. Try one on."
She took the box that Molly had handed her
and stepped into the bathroom. She opened the box to reveal a simple but
beautiful yellow day dress. Rose had been wearing a hotel robe for the past few
days; the sight of the new dress made her heart melt. When she tried it on, it
fit perfectly. How did Molly know my size? Wearing a dress without a
corset felt strange to her, but much more comfortable. A corset was just
one more pleasure of being in so-called high society. She stepped out of the
bathroom, and Molly was seated in a large chair in a corner of the room.
"Well, what do you think?" She twirled around.
"I’d say I did a fine job of finding
your size, don’t you think?" She seemed to be pleased with herself.
"I was just thinking the same
thing." They both couldn’t help but giggle. Rose couldn’t think of a
single time when she and her mother had laughed together like that. It was a
new but comforting feeling. Somehow, Rose had always felt that she had missed
out on those mother-daughter moments. Her mother had always been concerned
about keeping her feelings inside. Rose was now seventeen, and as far as her
mother knew, she was dead. Unfortunately, both of them had missed out on many
childhood events. But there was nothing they could do about it now.
"Well, come on, darlin’. There’s plenty
more to try on." She gestured to the pile of boxes on her bed. "Try
this one..." She handed Rose another box, and she again headed to the
bathroom.
After Rose had tried everything on, she said,
"They’re all wonderful. Thank you." Molly seemed to enjoy having Rose
model for her. All the dresses seemed to fit perfectly. They were even good
colors for her.
"Well, Rose. It’s only three, and it
would be a shame to waste a wonderful day like this. If you’re feeling better,
is there anything you’d like to do on this fine day?"
"I don’t know if I’m up to doing much at
all. I am still feeling rather exhausted. I just don’t feel right." It
hadn’t really occurred to her until this morning.
"Are you going to be all right? Do you
need a doctor?"
"No, no. I just don’t feel all that
good. Nothing serious."
"You know you can tell me anything if
there is a problem," Molly said honestly.
"Yes, I know. And I thank you for that.
I just need a couple more days of rest. Besides, I saw the doctor on the
Carpathia. He says I should just rest and I’ll be fine. If you don’t mind, I
think I’ll do just that, now."
"Very well, darlin’. You have yourself a
good long nap. Would you like me to wake you for dinner?"
"Hmm…I guess it would be best if I ate
something. Yes, would you?" She hadn’t eaten very much in the last few
days. She thought it might have been due to her tears. When she cried, she
seemed to lose her appetite.
"Of course. Now, you rest up. I’m going
to be out taking care of some business. So, if you wake up and I’m not here,
don’t be surprised." She grabbed her coat and headed for the door.
"I’ll be back before five o’clock. Sleep tight, Rose." With that
said, she left. All of a sudden, Rose felt light and dizzy. Then, suddenly,
blackness came over her.