NO MORE 'IF ONLY'S'
Chapter Seven
A Second Meeting
Jack leaned against the rail. He was at the
bow of the ship. He remembered the last time, when he did this so long ago. He
was hurt then, and now he was sad. This time Rose wouldn’t come for him. The
memories of her were very strong. He had come up here before time to meet
Molly. He wanted to remember, alone. Tears rolled slowly down Jack’s face. His
only thoughts were of Rose. He tried to remember coming up here with Fabrizio.
But Rose consumed all his thoughts. He had never even told her that he loved her.
Jack was starting to wonder where Molly was.
It wasn’t like her to be late. He decided to wait, even if she didn’t show up.
He felt like he was supposed to be here. He couldn’t have left, even if he
wanted to. He felt like he was attached to the bow.
Jack was so lost in his memories, he didn’t
hear the footsteps come up behind him. Suddenly, he was tapped on the shoulder.
It was a ship’s officer. "Passengers are no longer allowed here, sir.
You’ll have to leave."
"I’m meeting someone here. Please. When
she comes, I promise we’ll leave."
The officer looked at him, and saw the tears.
"I can allow that, since you promised."
"Thank you."
Jack turned back to the sea. Suddenly,
another memory came to him, and he began to sing softly. It seemed like the
singing was out of his control, like someone else was using his body. "Come
Josephine in my flying machine…"
*****
Rose was finally on her way to the bow. She
was late. James had tried to talk her out of going. He had never tried to stop
her before. He can sense something, Rose thought. For some reason,
Rose’s heart was racing. She couldn’t understand why she was so nervous. She
was only going to meet Molly. Her thoughts returned to that Sunday years ago
when she went looking for Jack. Her steps became automatic. She felt like she
had gone back in time. As she approached the bow, she noticed the figure
leaning on the rail. Rose stopped. He looks just like Jack did. The
resemblance to Jack was unmistakable. He was even leaning the same way. But it
couldn’t be Jack. He was dead. Rose stood, unable to move. The figure started
to sing, and Rose’s heart broke. It was clear from his voice that the man was
crying. What is he singing? Rose thought. That sounds like…Rose’s
knees felt weak. She grabbed a rail that was close, to keep from fainting.
"Jack?" she asked, softly. She spoke too softly for the man to hear
her. "Jack?" she asked more loudly, and watched as the man turned.
She made herself stay standing. It is Jack. Rose was trying to convince
herself.
Jack turned around at the sound of his name.
A lady stood there, gripping the rail tightly. Jack looked up at her face, and
was utterly shocked. "Rose? Rose? Is it really you?" He took the few
steps towards her, and stopped right in front of her.
Rose looked into his eyes, and she knew she
wasn’t dreaming. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "It’s me, Jack. It really
is." She reached out and touched his cheek. At the contact, they both
froze. They stood there, looking into eyes they had thought they would never
see again.