MY STORY AFTER TITANIC SANK
Chapter Seven
Later that evening, I heard Cal’s footsteps
coming up the stairs. He opened the door and came in.
"I see you’re feeling better,
Sweetpea."
"Leave me alone, Cal," I said
quietly but sternly. He turned to face me, his eyes showing anger. I was in so
much pain that I didn’t care how mad I made him. I just wanted him to leave.
Cal motioned for me to stand, but I didn’t move. He grabbed my arm roughly and
pulled me off the bed.
"Get undressed for bed, Rose," he
said in a stern, demanding voice. I looked at him and I did as I was told. I
didn’t need to end up in the hospital. Cal and I got into bed. I lay on my back
as Cal began to make love with me. I refused at first, thinking of a plan to
get me out of here again. Then it occurred to me! Cal liked my reactions the
last time he became intimate with me right, so why not pretend to enjoy him
making love with me? After all, if I kept it up, he might just let go of the
whole "You will not leave this house again, except for when I escort you,
until you are with child and I am certain that it’s mine!" That night I
acted as if I enjoyed having sex with him. After we finished, we went to sleep.
*****
In the weeks that passed, I slowly acted as
if I was beginning to love him. On a hot summer day, I started to feel a bit
ill. Cal called the doctor to look at me. The doctor said that it was morning
sickness and told us I was pregnant. Cal asked how far along I was, just to be
sure it was his.
"She’s two months along, if I’m correct.
Now, Mrs. Hockley, I’ll need you to come once a month for a checkup. Once
you’re six months along, you’ll need to come in once a week. If that’s all,
I’ll be on my way."
"Yes, that’s all, doctor. Thank
you." Cal looked at me, and a smile crossed his face. He came over to
where I was sitting and kissed me. I smiled.
"I see you’re thrilled about me bearing
your child, Cal," I stated plainly. He looked at me, raised his eyebrow,
and shook his head.
"And you’re not?"
"Of course I am. How could you think
otherwise?"
"For your information, Rose, knowing
your history with me, I think you’ll try to get rid of it, won’t you?"
"No! God, Cal--I’m not a murderer. I’m a
mother to be. And for your information, I do want this baby."
"I don’t like your tone of voice, Rose.
I trust you to calm down this instant," Cal said, towering over me. I
shrank down, knowing what he could do. I gently laid my hand on his arm.
"I’m sorry, Cal. I didn’t mean to raise
my voice," I said. He looked at me and left the room to calm himself down.
A few hours later, he came back in.
"In a few hours, I have to go on a
business trip. I expect you to behave while I’m gone. Understood?"
"Yes, dear."
"Good. Now, I need to get my things
packed, but first, how about…"
"No, Cal," I interrupted.
"What did you just say?"
"I said no. I’m feeling sick and I have
had a bad headache all day."
"All right. Fine. I will see you when I
get back, Sweetpea," he said. A few hours later, he left. He was leaving
for two weeks. I was glad that I could stop my act for a short time and
hopefully find Jack. I left the house thirty minutes later and headed towards
the park to find him. I finally found him drawing a mother and child. I smiled.
I waited until they left and tapped Jack on the shoulder. He turned around
quickly.
"Rose!" Jack sat me down next to
him and pulled me into an embrace.
"I came here to tell you Cal is going to
be gone for two weeks. I need your help. I have to get away from him, Jack. I
have to," I said, sobbing. Jack pulled me into another embrace.
"I’ll help you any way I can, Rose. I
promise."
"I know."
"What’s wrong, Rose?"
"It’s just…I don’t know how to say this,
but…I’m pregnant, Jack. It’s his."
"What?!"
"I’ll understand if you don’t want me
anymore, Jack. I just--"
"Rose, I was just shocked, that’s all.
I’ll help you. And I also still love you. No matter what. Okay?"
"Really?"
"Yeah, really," Jack said with a
smile. He kissed my cheek. I smiled at him lovingly. Why did this have to
happen to us? Why couldn’t I have checked for a pulse? Why, why, why? These
questions consumed me every day. I assumed these questions also consumed Jack
as well. I stayed at the park with him for hours and talked out a plan. Jack
had asked me if I would leave with him this instant, but I replied no. I knew
Cal might check up on me and want to speak with me on the phone. The time
wasn’t right then. It was dark and I knew somebody would be coming to look for
me soon. I told Jack good-bye and that I would come back tomorrow afternoon. On
my way back, I saw Mr. Hutchins, Cal’s valet. He had been looking for me. He
grabbed me by my arm and took me back to the mansion. He led me into the
parlor. The phone was unhooked…Cal was on the phone.
"He wants to speak with you." he
said as I took the phone in my hand.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Sweetpea. Did you have a nice
time leaving without any notice?" His voice sounded harsh.
"Cal…I didn’t do anything wrong. I just
went out to--"
"Don’t say you didn’t do anything wrong,
Rose. You did!"
"Cal--"
"For all I know, Rose…you were with
Dawson. Again!"
"I wasn’t, Cal. Honestly, I wasn’t.
Please believe me."
"Why should I, Rose? Tell me one good
reason I should. I’ll be home tomorrow afternoon due to your scandalous
behavior. Understood?"
"I understand, Cal."
"Also, Mr. Hutchins will watch your
every move until I get home. See you tomorrow, Sweetpea."
"All right."
"Also, when I get home, you will be
punished. Understood?"
"Yes. I understand, Cal."
"Good. Now put Mr. Hutchins on the
phone."
"All right," I said, handing the phone
back to him. He pointed upstairs and I headed up the stairs as ordered.