NOBODY SAID LOVE WAS GONNA BE EASY
Prologue
April 18, 1912
New York City Harbor
As the Carpathia docked, crowds of reporters
and family members gathered and awaited the Titanic survivors disembarking the ship
despite the rain. Once all the first class passengers were off and the
reporters surrounded them, the steerage passengers were able to get off. Jack
and Rose were the last ones to get off. They were already soaked and
desperately needed shelter. They walked around for about an hour and found a
sign that said Room Available For Rent.
"Come on, Rose. Let’s see if we afford
the place."
"We don’t have any money, Jack."
"I still have the ten dollars to my
name," he said, smiling at her and grabbing her hand. He pulled her inside
the boarding house.
"But how?" Rose asked, as they came
up to the front desk and Jack rang the bell.
"How may I help you two?" the old
lady asked, coming around the corner from the hall.
"We saw your sign out front and were
hoping to rent the room if we have enough for the night," Jack said,
shrugging his shoulders and squeezing Rose’s hand.
"It’s fifty cents a night, not including
meals, which you go and get yourselves. There’s one bed, a vanity, a desk, and
a bathroom down the hall. My name is Mrs. Conway," she said, showing them
the room. Jack and Rose walked in and looked around the small room. The bed was
just big enough for two people. Jack looked at Rose and saw her expression.
"I know it’s not what you’re used to,
but it’ll have to do for now."
"I know. I just have to get used to it
is all. As long as I have you, my life is perfect," she said, smiling.
Jack turned to Mrs. Conway.
"We’ll take it for the night."
"All right. Here’s the key. My room is
15A. If you need anything, just knock. Have a nice night," she said,
leaving the room to Jack and Rose.
"Where are we going to go next? We’re
only staying one night here."
"Don’t worry, Rose. We’ll find somewhere
else to stay tomorrow that’s cheaper, plus the White Star Line is giving free
tickets to all the survivors to get back home. I promise everything will be
okay. I love you, Rose."
"I love you, too, Jack."
"Where would you like to go when we get
the tickets?"
"I wouldn’t mind going to your
hometown."
"That sounds perfect. When do you want
to leave New York?"
"As soon as possible. The longer we stay
here, the better a chance Mother and Cal have to find me if he doesn’t already
think I’m dead."
"Okay. I’ll go down to the station to
see when we can leave. It’s late, so let’s get ready for bed," Jack said,
getting undressed. Rose did the same, and they climbed into bed together and
slept the night away.