Dinner

Jack was in his stateroom. He had a feeling that Molly was up to something again. He had promised James to never see Rose again. After he had explained to James that he wanted Rose to stay with him, James acted much better. Jack was sure that Rose would be at this dinner, maybe even James. Jack could even have liked James, in other circumstances. But Jack was not about to ruin a marriage. He decided not to go to the dinner. Instead, he was going to eat a meal in his stateroom and pack. He would get off tomorrow in Ireland. He would like to see Ireland, anyway. He had to get away from Rose. He knew she was alive, and happy. It was time for him to find someone else. He felt, in his heart, that he should go to her. He hoped his note to her explained everything.

*****

Rose and James slowly approached Molly’s table. "Hello, Molly," James said.

"Hello, darling. Rose, James, please sit. A few more people will be joining us."

That was a clue to Rose that Jack had been found. Rose’s heart beat a little faster. She was going to see Jack! "Thank you for inviting us, Molly." Molly winked at Rose. Neither of them knew that Jack and James had already met.

"This ship is beautiful, isn’t it? I guess you two ladies have seen most of it before. Does this ship resemble Titanic?"

"Yes, but only in some places. The decorations are different," Molly said. Rose wasn’t paying any attention to the conversation. She was aware that James and Molly were talking of the differences between the two ships, but all she could do was look for Jack. Her emotions were so confusing; she couldn’t even describe them.

Molly was getting worried. Jack was taking too long. She couldn’t keep bantering with James all evening. Jack must have chickened out. "Excuse me, but I’m worried about my other guests. I’m going to go see what’s keeping them."

*****

Molly walked through third class to Jack’s room. She knocked loudly at his door. When Jack opened the door, Molly pushed into the small room. "I’m not used to getting stood up, Jack. I want to know why you haven’t come."

"Is Rose there?" Jack asked.

Molly decided to tell him the truth. "Yes, son, she is. She is sitting there waiting for you."

"Molly, I can’t see her. It’s too hard for me. You know I still love her."

"She loves you, too, son. That’s why you have to go to her."

"Molly, she’s already married this time. She doesn’t need to be rescued. James isn’t Cal, Molly."

"Jack, are all men idiots? She doesn’t love James. She only married him because she thought you were dead. Have you really listened to her? She was miserable without you. James was an escape. She showed more passion the night she told me about you dying than when she described her life with him. She needs you, Jack. So, she married the man. Forgive her."

"It’s not that, Molly. I promised him I wouldn’t see her again. And I won’t. He seems to think that they are happy."

"Of course he’s happy. I won’t argue with you all night. Rose needs you. You know where to find her. Good-bye, Jack. If you are so happy without her, why are you crying?"

*****

Molly walked back to her table. James and Rose were waiting for her. Molly couldn’t believe how stupid some people were. Jack fought so hard for Rose on the Titanic.

Why is he giving up? He has to have a better reason, she thought, as she smiled at James.

"I’m back. My other guest won’t be joining us."

Rose slumped in her seat. She had spent all this time waiting, and he wasn’t going to come.