NO MORE 'IF ONLY'S'
Chapter One
A Honeymoon Trip
Rose Calvert couldn’t believe what she was
about to do. She was actually going to go on another ship. And not just any
ship. The Olympic, Titanic’s sister ship! It had been almost ten
years since Rose had been on the Titanic. She would never forget it, but
she had learned to put the past behind her, and that was exactly what she was
going to do now. She hadn’t been to Europe in almost ten years, either, and she
was going to enjoy herself.
"Rose? Rose? Where are you?"
At the sound of her name, Rose turned around.
"Hello, James. I was just admiring the ship," she said to the
worried-looking man who came up.
"There you are. I was looking for you.
It’s almost time to board her." Not knowing that Rose had been on a ship
before, James continued, "She’s a real beauty, isn’t she? You’re going to
enjoy sailing, beautiful."
"Yes, I am. I think the second class
boarding ramp is this way, Jimmy." Rose was determined to have a good
time. After all, they had saved a long time to go to Europe. This was going to
be their honeymoon. They couldn’t afford one when they got married five years
ago. And Rose hoped she would never have to tell Jim about her being on the Titanic.
It was not something she wanted to talk about, ever again.
They decided to walk along the promenade
before settling into their room. The ship towered above New York City. They had
a wonderful view of the docks below. When the ship was ready to leave they
headed to their room on C Deck.
*****
Rose thought their rooms were beautiful. They
only had a bedroom, but it was enough. At least they didn’t have to share a
bathroom. As Rose got straightened up for their first dinner, Jim was dressing
in their room. He knocked at the bathroom door, with a surprised look on his
face and a note for Rose. "Rose, this just came for you. It says it’s from
a friend. But we don’t know anyone on the ship, do we?"
"I don’t think so, honey. Why don’t you
read it to me?"
"Okay…it says: Rose, I was surprised
to see you out on the promenade. Please join me for dinner in the first class
dining room. I’m looking forward to talking again after so long! Signed, Molly
Brown. Hon, is this from the Molly Brown? I didn’t think you knew
her."
As her husband read the note, fear came up
and seized Rose so that she barely heard his question. She didn’t want to tell
him about this, but how else could she explain? Maybe he wouldn’t ask.
"Well, Jim, I do know Molly," Rose started, gaining strength.
"Would you like to eat with her this evening?"
"Sure, if that’s what will make you
happy. I hadn’t planned on eating in first class. I wonder if they’ll let us
in."
"They will. First class isn’t a social
circle anymore. All it means now is that you have the money to spend. We’ll
just show them our invitation from Molly. And we’d better send her a note
telling her we accept. She’ll be looking for a response."
"Okay. I’ll take care of that, Rose. Why
don’t you finish getting ready?"