LOVE FOR LIFE AND BEYOND
Chapter Three
Jack turned to Rose. "Who’s going
first?"
"Um…Jack, I saw Cal come down to the
steerage section while you were still asleep. He didn’t see me, but I’m afraid
he might try to find us," said Rose.
"It’s going to be fine, Rose. He’s
probably off looking for his coat like Molly said, which is actually in the
same place as the other lost…um…er..."
"Object," finished Rose.
"That’s all I was to him. Another pretty plaything to show off. Not a
person at all. Wait. Now, why would he be looking for his coat?"
Something clicked in Rose’s mind. She reached
into the left pocket and drew out...a handful of chains and other jewelry. She reached
into the right pocket and plucked out the Heart of the Ocean. Jack’s eyes
almost fell out of his head in amazement.
"How did...what the...? Is that why he
wanted the coat?" asked Jack.
"Yes, there’s no doubt. The jewelry—my
jewelry—would have been emergency funds. The Heart of the Ocean—probably to
dazzle his new lady into marrying him," replied Rose, a hint of disgust in
her voice.
"Well, we’d better wash up first. We can
discuss this later," said Jack. "You go first."
Rose didn’t bother to argue. She took a quick
bath and wrapped herself in a robe she found hanging on the back of the
bathroom door, then sat down to sort out the jewelry. Three chains, a bracelet,
two rings, a brooch, a hair ornament—and her father’s pocket watch. She thanked
God it was all given to her by her father—she would not live off Cal’s money.
Jack came out of the bathroom and looked at
the assortment of jewelry spread out on the dresser table.
"So, these were gifts from Cal?"
Jack did his best to keep the resentment from his voice. He knew he would never
be able to give Rose gifts like these. Why had Rose chosen to come with him?
Maybe she didn’t care for him at all. Perhaps she was just too polite to say
so. Maybe—Rose interrupted his thoughts with a kiss. "These weren’t gifts
from Cal. They were gifts from my father. When he knew he was going to die, he
bought these pieces of jewelry and gave them to my mother, telling her they
were to be given to me as birthday presents in the following years. That way I
would still receive gifts from him, even though he was gone. He gave me his
watch the very last time I saw him alive." Her voice cracked here as she
remembered the look on Daddy's face when he told her he was going to die.
Jack kissed her gently, smoothing her hair
back from her face. "It’s all right. When my parents died, I found out
that a person is never truly dead until they’re forgotten. Your father will
always be alive in you heart."
Rose smiled to herself. Jack was right. Her
father would always be there in her heart.