THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HEAVEN
Chapter Nine
Home at Last
When the plane landed everything seemed fine.
Rose and Jack had a limo waiting for them at the front door. Their luggage was
put in the trunk. The car started to roll down a road, a road Jack traveled
down all the time to pick up art supplies at the corner store. When the car
came to a stop Jack got out and helped Rose out of the car.
The house still looked the same as he
remembered. Although his parents would not be there. They look at it for a
while and decided to get their bags. The house was white with a picket fence.
Flowers had bloomed like Jack had said. A little garden was off to the left
side with a medium size tree. Everything seemed in its place. When Jack opened
the door Rose could smell fresh apple pie.
Jack remembered his mother's favorite
dessert. He thought he must have been dreaming. He walked further into the
house to the kitchen to see what the smell was. A small thin brunette was at
the stove taking out a freshly baked apple pie. Jack could have sworn he was
seeing a ghost.
Violet felt she was being watched. When she
turned around, she saw Jack. "Oh, Jack, you're finally home," Violet
said. She ran to him. Tears were pouring from her eyes and she placed kisses on
his cheek.
Rose followed Jack and wondered what was
taking him so long. Jack was still hugging his mother when Rose approached the
kitchen. His mother let go.
"Jack, who is this?" Violet asked.
"Mother, this is my wife. Rose."
"Nice to meet you, Rose. I'm Violet
Dawson, Jack's mom. And my husband, Frank, should be in in a while."
Rose was confused. "But, Jack I thought
they were dead," Rose said out loud.
"Honey, in Heaven anything is
possible," Violet pointed out.
They all started to laugh. Frank was working
on his old model T when he heard laughter from the house. He decided to check
out what was going on.
"So what's funny?" Frank said as he
entered.
"Dad!"
"Jack!"
Jack ran to his father. Hugging him like he
hadn't seen him in years. Frank hugged his son. His only son. Jack had no
brothers or sisters so his parents were more than glad he was home. Rose was
caught up with so much emotion she started to cry.
Violet interrupted their moment and told
Frank to clean up. Jack and Rose sat down at the little dining table. When
everyone was seated his mother laid out the dinner rolls, fresh turkey, and
mashed potatoes along with Jack's favorite apple pie.
When his parents started to ask questions
about how he and Rose met. Rose and Jack explained their tragic experience on
Titanic. Frank and Violet knew that Rose had loved Jack more than words could
say. They knew she was the one for Jack because she saved him without anyone's
help.
The mood had changed when Violet asked,
"So when is my grandchild due?"
"November eleventh," Rose said.
"Oh, on Jack's birthday," Violet
said.
"Really? Jack, you never told me."
Rose looked at Jack.
"I totally forgot, Rose. I just cared
about you and the little one."
"Well, Jack, your room is still the
same. You and Rose can stay in there."
"Are you sure, Mom?"
"Yes, Jack."
"Mom, tomorrow I want to take you
shopping. Whatever you need, I'll buy it for you."
"Jack, what are you saying?"
"Mom, have you ever heard of the
Chippewa Falls Dawsons Art Gallery in New York?"
"No, sorry to say I haven't, Jack."
"Well, it's mine, Mom. The gallery is
mine. When you died I went off to England to become an artist and...well...I
made it. I have lots of money so whatever you or dad need I'll get it for
you."
"Oh, Jack, I'm so happy for you."
Later that night, Jack and Rose went upstairs
to his bedroom. They were both happy, although Rose now wondered about her
father. He must be alive. She knew right then that after the baby was born she
would have to take a trip to Philadelphia.