PHILADELPHIA IN SPRING
Chapter Nine

Cal jumped hastily from the car, tripping slightly, but regaining his posture. Jack and Rose remained oblivious to his presence, as they strolled down the street. Cal picked up speed, walking briskly, pushing through the hoards of people, his eyes and mouth contorted into a tight, dark expression.

The wind blew his coat tail up behind him, making him appear almost as a giant bird of prey, hungrily seeking his victims. His black hair fell in his face, and he reached up, smoothing it intently as he stared at them. They were turning the corner now, and Jack had his hand on the small of her back. Cal saw this immediately, his eyes clouding as he began a slight jog.

As he turned the corner, he skidded straight into an older lady, carrying several large packages. The boxes went flying, landing several feet away from each other. The woman appeared shocked. "Sir..."

Cal glanced down at the scattered items, then back down the street, where he could just make out Rose's form, turning yet another corner. He hesitated, before quickly bending down to pick up the packages.

"Here you go, ma'am." He practically shoved the boxes into her hands before wordlessly resuming his chase. The woman stood rooted, looking back at him disapprovingly as he began to run across the street, toward the corner he'd last seen them turn unto.

"Are you sure you want to do this now, Rose?" Jack asked as they strolled down the sidewalk. His eyes studied her face. It appeared as though she were contemplating something. She turned her head to the side, adjusting her hat.

"I'm sure Jack- if I don't do this now, I...I have to do this now." She nodded her head once, signifying a definite conclusion. Jack smiled at her in wonder, impressed with her determination and courage.

They turned another corner, heading towards Rose's house. The buildings and stores were slowly melting into houses and lawns, trees and fields.

Still oblivious to Cal's presence, Rose reached over, slipping her hand gently into Jack's. He gripped her hand tightly in his own, suddenly realizing how sincerely nervous he was. Everything he'd said in the warehouse had come so naturally, as if it had flowed freely from his heart, word by word. But now, that was over, and Rose knew his feelings. And she had returned them. But what happened next was a mystery to both of them. Jack gave Rose's hand a reassuring squeeze as he took several deep breaths, trying to compose himself and his racing pulse. He smiled at Rose, catching her eye. She grinned nervously back at him.

Cal watched this with angry eyes, several yards behind them, hidden by the shadows from the trees around him. He clinched his hands into tight fists, fighting the urge to run up to them right away. Instead, he realized that he needed a plan. A good one. Cal's eyes focused on their intertwined hands, his disgust rising in his throat. They were obviously heading to the house. Why?

Cal stopped, placing his hands in his coat pockets. He'd cut them off. Careful not to make too much noise, he waited until they were significantly ahead, then took off behind one of the houses lining the street, intent on reaching the Dewitt Bukater house before they did.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rose took a very deep breath before looking back at Jack, who was following her up the long driveway. He smiled nervously at her. She lead the way to the iron steps, taking them one by one. She placed her hand on her chest and felt her pounding heart, racing so quickly, she was sure it would burst open.

She stood in front of the door, and she could sense Jack behind her. Taking her silver key from her bag, she took one more look over her shoulder towards him, then slid it into the lock. She heard the metal click noisily and turned the handle slowly, apprehensively.

The door edged open, and Rose stepped inside, and motioned for Jack to come in.

She'd decided in the warehouse that she wanted to do this now, end this right away. And she wanted Jack with her, for support. He should have returned to work by now, but he was convinced Mr. James would understand. At least, he hoped so.

Rose took her hat and gloves off, placing them on the bench, while Jack stood nervously by the door, so obviously out of place. Rose breathed deeply and took a few steps towards the hall- and saw that the light was on in one of the sitting rooms. She could hear whispering voices coming from inside. She caught Jack's eye and nodded, taking his hand once more.

Jack followed her down the grand hallway, closing and reopening his eyes several times. Several large paintings lining the walls stared back at him, and his heart skipped a beat. The voices were growing louder now, rising in anger, he guessed. Rose put her ear to the door, listening to what was being said, obviously about her.

"Cal, I don't know what to say...I can't..."

"Ruth, we have got to extinguish this problem right away. This is ridiculous!" Cal boomed, his voice shaking the door. Rose shuddered, and Jack squeezed her hand tightly.

"You let this happen Ruth, you let this happen!"

"Mr. Hockley, I did nothing of the sort!" Ruth voice began to rise as well. "Rose did this...I tried, I tried, God knows I tried!"

"They're on their way here, Ruth- here. Her and that gutter rat! What are you going to do? Tell me that. Because you have to do something, or..." He was threatening her now.

"Or what, Mr.. Hockley, or what? What am I supposed to do? Rose refuses to listen- I cannot monitor her 24 hours a day."

"Ruth, this marriage is Sunday, and I will not be made a fool any longer! No telling who saw them together today, or any day. My fiancée with third class filth- a waiter, by God!"

Ruth's eyes glazed over, as she stared at Cal's neck. His veins were throbbing, and she could see the anger rising in him. Evelyn's words came back to her, over and over...

She put her face in her hands, speaking through them.

"Cal, I'm beginning to think...I'm beginning to think that maybe this isn't right for Rose..."

Cal's eyes opened wide, his rage transporting to them.

He walked over to Ruth, grabbing her arm violently, shaking it.

"What, Ruth, what? Of course this is right! You will make it right!"

"No, Cal, no, I don't think..." Ruth shook with sobs.

Rose had heard enough, and Jack was twitching nervously. She squeezed his hand once more before abruptly opening the door. She walked inside, still grasping Jack's hand, and crossed the room. Cal, his grip fastened to Ruth's arm, was staring at the two over his shoulder, his face filled with utter disgust.

Ruth opened her eyes and saw her daughter.

"Rose..." She whispered.

Cal dropped Ruth's arm, turning and walking towards Jack. Jack looked nervously at Rose, then towards Cal, whose eyes were set firmly on his own face. Cal stood before him, stepping closer, until his face was only inches from Jack's.

Jack's scared blue eyes studied Cal's angry ones. He tried to pull his head back, but Cal only stepped closer to him.

"What do you think you're doing, you little good for nothing?" Cal demanded, placing one of his feet on top of Jack's. Jack winced through the pain of the heavy shoe, struggling to word an answer.

Ruth was still standing on the other side of the room, her face both confused and disoriented. Rose stared at her for a minute, searching her mother's eyes for an ounce of hope, a sign that she understood.

"Cal, stop." Rose demanded, once she saw what he was doing.

Cal turned his face towards Rose's, momentarily distracted from his confrontation with Jack.

He walked over to her, looking down, and placed his hand tightly on her cheek. Rose's nervous eyes were darting toward Jack, pleading for help.

"Oh, Rose, darling, why?" Cal asked sarcastically.

Rose attempted to step back, but Cal grabbed her shoulder. Jack took one step forward, placing his hand on Cal's chest.

"Cal, let go of her." He said, his eyes set in a firm expression, his teeth gritted.

"And what makes you think you can tell me how to handle my fiancée?"

Jack had had enough, and applied force to his hand, knocking Cal off balance and freeing Rose from his grasp. She stepped close to Jack, placing her hand on his chest.

Cal appeared ready to strike back at the younger man, but Ruth walked forward, stepping in front of them. Rose looked up at Jack, and the two shared a confused glance, wondering what Ruth was about to do.

Ruth put her hand in front of Cal's face, and weakly cleared her throat.

"Rose, is there something you wanted to tell us?"

Rose's eyes opened wide, and Jack's arm squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.

She had to do this now.

"Actually, mother- yes." Rose stepped away from Jack, and towards Cal.

"Cal, the wedding is off." She said triumphantly, taking the diamond band off her finger and offering it to him.

Cal stared at her for a moment, his eyes narrowing. His gaze moved quickly to Jack, whose own eyes were fixed on him. He grabbed the ring angrily from Rose's outstretched hand, then gripped it tightly in his own palm. Rose felt Cal's eyes boring into her once more.

Ruth sighed and let her hand down, looking at Rose, then Jack.

"Cal, please leave." She said.

Cal put his hands in his pockets, and opened his mouth one last time.

"You're precious to me Rose."

"Jewels are precious, Mr. Hockley. Goodbye."

Cal nodded sadly, dejectedly, then took several steps forward. Just before he reached the door, he turned to look over his shoulder. The expression on his face was brutal and mean, but at the same time, defeated.

The room remained silent for several seconds after he'd left, before Rose began to speak.

"Mother, I don't believe you've been properly introduced. This is Jack Dawson."

Ruth looked him over critically. He still wore his waiter's uniform. His hair was in a terrible tangle from the wind, and his eyes were searching hers, like someone begging for acceptance.

"Nice to meet you Mister Dawson." She offered her hand hesitantly. Jack looked hopeful and took her hand, shaking it gently.

"Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Dewitt Bukater."

Ruth nodded. "Rose, I believe we need to have a talk."

Chapter Ten
Stories