NO MORE 'IF ONLY'S'
Chapter Five
Catching Up With Molly
Molly was amazed at the story that Jack told
her. He had spent most of the past nine years looking for Rose. He never found
her. That he had spent so long looking, without giving up, made Molly sad. The
whole time Jack had been looking for Rose, she had been in California. He must
have missed her several times. Because they both spoke of the roller coaster,
and Molly knew now that had both been there.
Jack could hardly believe he was once again
in Molly’s stateroom. She was so sympathetic, he wondered why he never looked
her up before now. And then he remembered that he would have to tell her that
Rose died. "I tried everything to make sure Rose lived, Molly. But I
failed. I stopped blaming myself and looked for her. For a long time I wasn’t
ready to believe. After nine years, I think it’s time for me to go on. Rose
would understand. After I lost her hand in the water, I searched for her until
I was almost dead myself. I’ve spent long enough looking for her. I must
believe that she knows that." Jack was crying, but he wasn’t ashamed of
it. He hadn’t cried for Rose since those horrible days on the Carpathia.
"Jack, I don’t know what to say. I’m
glad to see that you don’t blame yourself, and I think it’s wonderful that you
looked for her. Rose would be proud that you didn’t give up. You could have
anytime. I just don’t know what to say." Molly was trying to be
supportive, but at the same time, she wondered if she should tell him. She had
spent last night with Rose and knew that she was still in love with Jack. She
was married now, because she had thought Jack lost to her. How would Jack react
to that news? Molly decided to try, to let them know the other was here, to see
what the fates had in store for them.
"Jack, I’ve had a wonderful time talking
to you, and I’m glad that you were on this ship. I think, though, that I need a
nap. Why don’t we meet again later? Like tonight, after we both have had
dinner. I’ll meet you at the bow of the ship." At the look on Jack’s face,
Molly said, "I won’t take no for an answer. Now leave an old lady to her
rest. Scoot."
Jack got up to leave. He looked down at
Molly, and smiled. "Of course, Molly. I’ll be there at eight."
As soon as the door shut behind him, Molly
was pulling the rope to summon the steward.
*****
Jack was really confused about running into
Molly. She hadn’t reacted the way he had thought. Maybe he should have gone to
see her years ago. She was always in the paper nowadays. She was a leading
figure in the fight for women’s suffrage. Jack slowly made his way to the third
class common room. He sat, and started to sketch a young couple. They were
obviously new to sailing and were talking about the ship. He was able to catch
their excitement in his drawing. You see people, Jack. Jack shook his
head. He wanted to stop hearing her voice. But at the same time, he thought
that was all he had left of her.
Jack finished the drawing and got up. He decided
to take a stroll along the promenade. Dinner wouldn’t start for an hour, and he
knew he had spent enough time in his stateroom.