JACK'S ROSE
Chapter Six
"Rose, are you absolutely sure you want
to do this?" Molly asked as she handed Rose the tickets.
Rose inhaled deeply, trying to gather her
wits about her. "Yes. I'm sure." She smiled.
Cora squeezed her hand excitedly as she
looked about the train station. "I've never been on a train before,
Rosie!" she exclaimed, smiling up at her.
"Well, then, this should be an adventure
for you," Rose said, smiling.
"What are you gonna do once you get to
Chippewa Falls, Rose?" Molly asked as Cora turned her head to look about
the train depot once more.
"I don't know. I'm sure the town has a
general store. I can work in there and rent a room above it. I'll find
something, Molly. All life is a game of luck, remember?"
"Luck, Rose?"
"Yes. I believe in that."
The train roared into the station. The
passengers disembarked, flooding the depot with people trying to find their
luggage, trying to get away to wherever they had to go. It took a while for the
train to load all the coal it needed to get to its next stop and for the
baggage to be collected, but finally, the time came for the passengers to
board.
Rose turned to Molly, tears now in her eyes.
"I love you, Molly. And I always will."
"I love you, too, Rose," she
whispered as they embraced in the last hug they would share for nearly eight
years. Molly turned to Cora. "And you, too, cutie."
Cora giggled and threw her arms about Molly
once more. "I love you, too, Molly!" the young girl exclaimed,
wrapping her legs around Molly's waist.
Molly sniffled, trying to hold back her
tears. "You two go. Write me as soon as you can, Rose. I'll be back in
Boulder by the time you get there. You have my address, right?"
Rose patted her handbag. "Thank you for
the tickets, the clothes, everything."
"Come here, Rose. Just for a
second," Molly said, signaling for Rose to step closer. With a quick
movement, Molly shoved a roll of money into Rose's handbag. "Don't argue.
Just take it. You're not ready to work yet, so use this to get whatever you
need. Ah, ah! Don't argue with me," she scolded as Rose opened her mouth
to protest.
Rose sighed deeply. "Thank you again,
Molly."
"Enough thank yous and good-byes, Rose.
Get on the train," Molly said, wiping another tear away.
Rose smiled again, then took Cora's hand and
rushed aboard the train. She sat by the window, pulling Cora onto her lap. She
quickly worked to push up the window, and as the train began to move, both Rose
and Cora leaned out the window, waving good-bye to one of the kindest people
either would ever meet.