STARTING ANEW
Chapter Nine
In her dream, Rose heard someone singing a
very off key rendition of "Come Josephine in My Flying Machine." Rose
slowly opened her eyes and what she saw did not surprise her.
There was the singer himself sitting on the
edge of the bed, smiling. "Rose," he said, "you better get up.
We have lots to do if we are going to get married on Saturday."
"Saturday?" gulped Rose. "This
Saturday? That's in two days."
"Yep," answered Jack. "What do
you think?"
"Well, I suppose so," responded
Rose cautiously. When she saw that Jack looked a little worried with her slow
reply she said, "Of course, I'll marry you Saturday. I love you." And
she threw her arms around him.
"That's the way I feel," agreed
Jack as he eagerly hugged her back. "Now come on and get up and have some
breakfast. You need to get your strength back."
Jack went ahead into the next room and Rose
put on her robe, her mind whirling. "Marry Jack on Saturday," she
repeated to herself. How on earth could they get ready for a wedding in two
days. Then Rose remembered that this would be very different from the event her
mother had been planning for her marriage to Cal. But still two days? She had
nothing suitable to wear. And where would they live? All these thoughts ran
through Rose's head as she walked through the doorway of her bedroom.
Jack was seated at a small table eating.
"Come on in, Rose," said Jack. "There is so much here to
eat."
"Alright Jack. Breakfast was never my
favorite meal. But I know you are right. I have to eat." She sat down and
took a piece of toast and started nibbling on it. "Where is Molly?"
Rose asked. She knew that these were Molly's rooms at the Waldorf, but since
they returned last night she had not yet seen her.
"She's visiting some friends,"
explained Jack. "You know her grandson was sick, that's why she was
hurrying home on the Titanic. But after we arrived in New York, she got a
telegram saying that he's improved. Since you are better, she took a few days
and headed out to Long Island to visit some friends. She'll be back in a little
while."
Rose digested this information with a nod of
her head. There was still much to talk about with Jack about their future.
"Jack, how are we going to get along in the world. We have no money, no
jobs. We can't live off of Molly's charity. What's going to happen to us?"
asked Rose. "I want to get married, but what about the future?"
"I knew you would be worried Rose,"
he began gently. "And I know you don't like taking charity anymore than I
do. But just this one time, I think we should accept the help that has been
offered. And then we can stand on our own. I'd like to try my hand at a job that's
available at the Denver Post. It's not the kind of art of I love, it's
illustrating ads, but it'll do for a start. And there is a small private school
that needs a French tutor. Maybe you'd like that Rose?" he asked.
"Molly told me there is even a little house she knows that we might rent.
It's a good opportunity."
Rose put her head down and tried to think
clearly. So much was happening to her all of a sudden. In a way it sounded as
if her life was being planned for her again. But then she realized that
everyone had to have some sort of plan to survive. Even if Jack had not been in
her future, she would have to do something. "I could do that job,"
she said to herself, determined to make a go of things. "Let's try it
Jack," she said. "My French is good. It will feel wonderful to do
something useful for a change." Jack grinned from ear to ear and Rose too
had a broad smile on her face. "I wonder what Mother would think of me as
a working girl," thought Rose to herself.
"It's good to see you smile Rose. Look
at us, we're in love and going to be married and we're so serious," said
Jack. "But I think it will take a long time to get over what happened to
us."
"I know Jack, but we are so lucky."
"Have you ever been to Denver?"
asked Jack, changing the subject.
"No."
"Well," Jack continued, "the
mountains are all around, the air is clear and at night you can reach out and
touch the stars. It's a beautiful place Rose, a good place for us to start
fresh." Jack stood up and took Rose's hand so she stood in front of him.
He put his arms around her and whispered, "I love you Rose. Are you ready
to go out there and start our life together?"
"What do you think Jack?" and
before he could answer her, she replied to his question with a kiss.
Jack groaned as he reluctantly moved apart
from Rose. "I better get going," said Jack. "I have a couple of
errands, but I'll be back to get you in about an hour."
"I'll be ready Jack," she answered.
But he was already dashing out the door.