REUNION AND CONFRONTATION, 1925
Chapter Four
"Jack, Jack, I'm ready to go."
Jack turned around as Rose entered the room.
He looked at her admiringly. Even after thirteen years of marriage and four
children, she still looked as dazzling as the night he had first seen her.
"You look beautiful," he said.
"You look wonderful all the time, but especially tonight."
She came close to him and he caught the scent
of her perfume. He took her hand and drew her near him. There was something
about the dress that she was wearing tonight that brought to mind what she had
worn to dinner that night on Titanic, so long ago. Tonight she was wearing a
crimson flapper style dress, as was the fashion of the time. It was trimmed
with red and black bugle beads. Around her neck was the rope of pearls that he
had bought her for their tenth anniversary.
"Hmm," he murmured as he held her
close. "Too bad we have to go out. I'd like to keep you here all to myself."
She nestled her head closer to his neck.
"You know we have to go," she said.
"Fabrizio has gone to so much trouble."
"Yes, I know, but you can't blame me for
trying."
She smiled up at him.
"You never give up do you?" Then
more seriously she said, "You know last night was very painful. But I
think it was all for the best. Maybe now we really can put Titanic behind us.
Maybe there will be no more reminders. And we don't have to hide it from the
children anymore."
Jack thought for a minute before speaking. He
softly stroked her cheek.
"Rose, that night, when you got in the
boat, Cal stood next to me and told me he always wins. I wish in a way he could
see us now, to see who really won. You know, I've been thinking since yesterday
how much my life has been about winning and losing. I lost my parents, then won
my ticket on Titanic. Then I won your heart and we almost lost our lives. Even
now, it's still confusing to me. If my folks hadn’t died, I'd still be on that
farm in Wisconsin. It's frightening and confusing at the same time."
"Jack, I know. But only good things have
come out all of this. Us, our children, so much happiness. Let's put all that
behind us now," Rose said. She kissed him gently and then continued,
"Somehow, I think your parents and my father have always been watching
us."
Jack smiled wistfully. "Yes, you're
right as usual Rose. Well, we better get going. Come on. Maybe we'll still get
back in time," he said with a smoldering look.
"In time for what, Jack?" asked
Rose pretending innocence.
"You know what I mean," he said as
they collected their things and left the room.
* * * * * * * * * *
Fabrizio and Nora stood in front of their
restaurant, Di Rossi's Best Italian Restaurant, waiting for Jack and Rose and
their family to arrive. He and Nora had worked all day so that this evening
would be perfect. Upstairs, his mother, Maria had been cooking all kinds of
tempting goodies for the children. Everyone hoped it would be a memorable
evening.
At last a taxi pulled up and the entire Dawson
family got out. After a joyous welcome, Fabrizio escorted everyone inside. He
led them through the first floor dining room and up a wide stairway that led
upstairs. About halfway up was a large landing. It was decorated with several
chairs and small tables and was where the powder room and gentlemen's room was
located. The stairway narrowed and continued to the living quarters.
Fabrizio's mother greeted the children with
open arms. She had a basket of fried dough waiting and a huge pot of pasta sat
on the stove. Once Rose and Jack were satisfied that the children were settled
down with Maria and they had admonished them one last time to be on their best
behavior, the four adults headed back downstairs.
"I don't know what they thought was the
most exciting," said Rose. "The baby or all the food."
"Oh, they will have a wonderful
time," said Nora. "Maria loves children, we all do. I wish that...but
now, after what I heard last night, I should be so grateful for what I
have."
Rose looked at the delicate Nora and
understand her wish for a bigger family. She and Jack had been richly blessed.
"Nora, everyone wishes for something
they can't have. Jack and I are sorry all the time that his parents and my
family can't share in our happiness. And now, knowing you, I wish that I had a
wonderful friend like you living nearby all the time."
With that, Nora just beamed and she and Rose
hugged.
* * * * * * * * * *
Fabrizio and Nora had set a table for four in
the middle of the dining room, near the stairway. Fabrizio himself was going to
serve the food, since his headwaiter was busy working in the room next door
where there was a private party.
Before long, the table was filled with an
antipasto tray, fresh bread, homemade ravioli and veal scaloppini. During the
course of dinner, it became very apparent that not only was Fabrizio a fine
cook, but was a successful restaurateur. His customers ranged from New York
society, to the local beat cops and the neighborhood residents.
It was time for dessert, and before Nora brought
in the assortment of sweets she had prepared, she and Fabrizio cleared the
table.
Rose stood up and excused herself.
"I think I should go up and check on the
children. You know that sometimes Frank can be a handful," she said.
"I'll be right back."
Jack took her hand and kissed it. "Don't
be too long."
He took a sip of his coffee and watched her
as she approached the stairway. Before she went up, she glanced over her
shoulder and gave him a smile.
As Rose headed across the room, Jack was not
the only one giving her an admiring look. From the private dining room, one of
the guests glanced up. He studied the woman who was gracefully ascending the
stairs. He would have recognized that regal figure anywhere. But it had to be
someone who resembled her. It was thirteen years ago, that she had died. It was
impossible, wasn't it? He watched her disappear onto the landing. He had to be
sure.