TITANIC: A STORY TOLD
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Ruth was dressed for the day, and was in the
middle of helping Rose with her corset. The task did not inhibit Ruth’s fury at
all.
"You are not to see that boy again, do
you understand me Rose? I forbid it!"
Ruth had her knee at the base of her
daughter’s back and was pulling the corset strings with both hands.
Rose sighed. "Oh, stop it, Mother.
You’ll give yourself a nosebleed."
Ruth pulled away from her, and walked to the
door, locking it with a clack.
She wheeled on Rose. "Rose, this is not
a game! Our situation is precarious. You know the money’s gone!"
"Of course I know it’s gone. You remind
me every day!"
"Your father left us nothing but a
legacy of bad debts hidden by a good name. And that name is the only card we
have to play."
Ruth turned Rose around and grabbed the
corset strings again. Rose sucked in her waist and Ruth pulled.
"I don’t understand you. It is a fine
match with Hockley, and it will insure our survival."
Rose looked at her mother, hurt and lost.
"How can you put this on my shoulders?"
Ruth turned to her, and Rose saw the naked
fear in her mother’s eyes.
"Do you want to see me working as a
seamstress? Is that what you want? Do you want to see our fine things sold at
auction, our memories scattered to the winds? My God, Rose, how can you be so
selfish?"
"It’s so unfair."
"Of course it’s unfair! We’re women. Our
choices are never easy."
Ruth pulled the corset tighter.