LET’S LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND
Chapter Thirty-Four
It was two days before Christmas
and Jack and Rose stood at the train station waiting patiently for Ruth’s train
to arrive. Nervous, Rose paced the pavement. This was the first time she’s seen
her mother since that spring day when Ruth had showed up on the Dawson’s
doorstep. Ruth had promised to change and Rose couldn’t help but wonder if she
had kept that promise and how much did her mother fix. Was it enough to make
Rose start a relationship with her?
"You’re going to wear a hole
in the pavement if you don’t stop." Jack laughed.
"I’m just so nervous Jack.
What if she hasn’t changed at all? What if she’s as snobby as ever? What if
it’s impossible for us to ever have a real mother-daughter relationship?"
Jack laughed, and massaged Rose’s
tense shoulders as she stood in front of him. "Rose, you’re worrying about
nothing. I’m sure Ruth has made great progress. I mean she didn’t throw a fit
about Thanksgiving and she could have. She could have been really put out about
coming back to Chippewa Falls for Christmas, but she was understanding about
that too. I think she’s looking forward to it really."
Rose giggled. "You’re
probably right. I’m worrying about nothing. Now where is that train? It’s
supposed to be here by now."
The whistle of the arriving train
blew throw the chilled December air. Rose rubbed her shoulders and leaned
against Jack for warmth, watching the passengers disembark. Five minutes later,
Rose was beginning to think that Ruth had changed her mind when she spotted her
just stepping off the train, her face blank of emotion.
"Oh lord. Here we go."
Rose took Jack’s hand and together they approached Ruth Dewitt Bukater.
"Hello mother."
"Rose." Ruth turned
around and critically looked her daughter up and down. "Married life seems
to agree with you my dear. You’re as lovely as ever."
"You do too mother."
the two women don’t make a move towards one another. The tension between the
women was still there. Jack hopes that maybe this Christmas they could break
down some walls.
"Hello Ruth." Jack
greeted. "We’re happy to have you join us this year. I’m sorry things
didn’t work out for Philadelphia."
"That’s perfectly
understandable Jack. We can’t always control our circumstances." Ruth
nodded, shocking Rose. Her mother had never been so…complacent. Things always
had to be her way or no way.
"Mother, you will be sharing
a room with Jack’s sister. The guest room is already taken. Jack’s Uncle has
been staying with us." Rose sighed, trying not to think of Weaver Dawson’s
blatant rudeness towards her. Lord knows how he was going to react to her
mother.
"I guess that’ll have to
do." was Ruth’s emotionless answer. Rose just frowned as Jack took Ruth’s
bags and led them to the carriage that was waiting to take them back to town.
The Dawson house was a mass of
activity as Jack and Rose arrived with Ruth in tow. Jacquelyn and Richie were
busy decorating the tree setting in the sitting room while Weaver and Jolene
sat watching them. Nancy was in the kitchen preparing eggnog and Charles had
gone down the road to help one of his old friends deliver a calf. Jacquelyn’s
eyes lit up when she noticed Jack and Rose’s arrival.
"I see you’re back! Do you
have Rose’s mother with you?!" Jacquelyn turned away from the tree.
"In the flesh." Jack
grinned, stepping aside to allow Ruth entrance into the house.
"Hello Mrs. Dewitt Bukater.
It’s great to see you again." Jacquelyn joined the threesome.
"It’s…interesting to be
here." Ruth replied, looking around the room, her eyes taking everything
in. "So Rose…this is what you left Caledon for?"
Rose narrowed her eyes, her
cheeks becoming red with anger. Luckily Jack stepped in.
"Would you like some fresh
Cider Ruth? Ma made some last night so it’s nice and chilled now."
"No thank you Mr. Dawson.
That will not be necessary. So pray tell, what’s going on in here?"
"Tree decorating. A Dawson
tradition." Richie explained.
Ruth just nodded before stifling
a yawn. "Rose…where is the wash room? That train ride was so long and
tedious. I need to freshen up."
"Upstairs on the left. I’ll
show you." Rose led her mother up the stairs.
"So that’s your mother in
law." Weaver turned to his nephew. "Cold fish ain’t she?"
"She’s trying to
change." Jack shrugged.
"One thing you should know
kid, it’s almost impossible for high society girls to change. All of
them."
Jack’s eyes narrowed. He had
noticed Weaver’s attitude towards his wife, and didn’t like it, but for Rose’s
sake, he had kept his opinion and anger over the situation to himself and hoped
things would get better. That his uncle would warm up to Rose once he got to
know her. But so far Weaver had made no move to do no such thing. "What is
that supposed to mean?"
"Ah Jack!" Richie
interrupted before the situation got out of hand. "Are you going to help
us with the tree or what?"
"I have to get my mother in
law settled Richie. I don’t dare let Rose do it by herself or Ruth will end up
out the window or something. I’ll be down in a few." Jack glanced at his
uncle one last time and disappeared up the stairs.
"What are we going to do
about your brother." Weaver shook his head. "He’s not thinking with
his head, that’s for sure."
"Leave Jack and Rose alone
Uncle Weaver. You don’t know the story so just leave it."
"I have been." Weaver
shrugged.
Jack found Rose setting in the
rocking chair he had brought her two weeks ago while Ruth was in the washroom
taking a shower. Rose was just gently rocking, her hand stroking her abdomen,
as she sang Come Josephine.
"Our baby’s going to know
that song by heart when you’re through." Jack laughed, walking deeper into
the room until he’s in front of Rose.
"I thought you’d be
downstairs helping with the tree." Rose glanced up.
"I thought you’d want to
come down and join me." Jack knelt in front of her and took her hand.
Rose shook her head. Going
downstairs just to feel Weaver’s distrustful glare on her was too much to deal
with, with her mother here and all. It was best if she avoided all Dawson
traditions where that man was bound to be for a while. "I’m fine up here.
Plus there’s mother to get settled."
"She’s in the bath. The tree
is almost done now and she’ll be done when you’re finished."
Rose sighed. "Would you be
mad if I still said no?"
"Of course not. If you
really don’t want to, I won’t force you."
"I really don’t want
to."
"Ok then. But we are going
ice-skating with the rest of the family tonight. You need some fresh air and
fun for a change." Jack laughed. "You’ll love it Rose."
Rose smiled, "What if the
ice breaks with my humongous body on it?"
"Well then I’ll just have to
jump in after ya." Jack laughed. "Besides, you’re not all that
humongous."
"You’re prejudice."
Rose looked at him skeptically. "I’m getting so fat, I’m surprised you
even look at me any more."
Jack pulled her up out of the
chair. Taking her place, he pulled her down into his lap. "I can never
stop looking at you. You’re so beautiful."
Rose blushed. "You are such
a charmer Mr. Dawson."
"Well Mrs. Dawson, you and
your Philadelphia charms are irresistible." He pulled her lips to his.
They’re both interrupted by a clearing of a throat. They pulled away to see
Ruth standing in the doorway.
"I hate to interrupt, but I
need to know where my room is." the older woman replied, her cheeks a bit
red from embarrassment.
Jack smiled and got up.
"Right this way." Jack led the way into Jacquelyn’s bedroom.
"The bed on the left is yours."
"How…quaint." Ruth
snorted. "Well I’ll nap now. Rose, come and wake me when dinner is
ready."
"Yes mother." Rose
crossed her arms, trying not to roll her eyes. Sometimes her mother was so
melodramatic.
"Come on Rosie. Let’s get
ready for our outing later. We need to buy ourselves some ice skates."
Jack took Rose’s hand and led her downstairs.