AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Rose walked down the main street of Chippewa
Falls. She had just arrived in town. What do I do now? she wondered. She
had a strong desire to see Jack’s family, but she had no idea what her excuse
would be for going to their door. Do they even know of Jack’s death? And
if they hadn't been informed of his death, should she be the one to tell them?
Rose continued to walk down the street. It was early in the morning; the sun
had just risen. Main Street was busy with people arriving to go into the shops
that were just opening.
Rose could feel her stomach grumbling. She
hadn't eaten in a while. She noticed a grocery store a few more steps ahead.
The letters on the windows read Farmer's Produce Company. Maybe I can find
something to eat in there, she thought as she hurried to the market. She
fought down a wave of nausea. Just the thought of food made her feel sick, but
she knew that she had to eat.
When she entered the shop, a young man
greeted her; he was about her age. His brown eyes lit up when he saw her.
"Well, hello, Miss. I don’t believe that I’ve seen you around here before.
Are you new in town?" he asked pleasantly.
Rose nodded. "Yes, I am, Mr..." She
trailed off when she realized that she didn’t know his name.
The young man smiled at her. "It’s
Baker. Jesse Baker," he said as he extended his hand to her.
She shook his hand. "It’s a pleasure to
meet you, Mr. Baker. I’m…Rose." She didn’t want to give out the name
Dawson. She was sure that someone would recognize it.
"So, what brings you to Chippewa
Falls?" he asked as she picked up a few items. She set them down on the
counter, once again joining him at the front.
His question startled her. What should I
say? She knew that she had to come up with something quick. He was gazing
at her, awaiting her answer. "I’m here to visit an old friend of
mine," she said at last. She hated to lie, but felt that she had no
choice. She couldn’t very well tell him the real reason. After paying for her
food, she left the store.
Jesse waved as she left. He couldn’t help but
notice how beautiful she was. He wondered where she had come from. She was
dressed as a lower class woman, but carried herself as if she had a high social
standing. Nevertheless, he was intrigued by her gentle smile. He hoped that he
would run into her again.
Rose sat on a bench across from the store
that she had just left. She watched as the town’s people walked by. She had no
idea what she was going to do. I need to ask someone where the Dawson home
is; I have to see the place where Jack spent his childhood. An older man
sat down next to her, a newspaper in his hands. The paper was named The
Pioneer; more news of the Titanic was plastered on the front page. Would she
ever get away from that disaster?
"Such a sad tragedy," the man said.
He looked at Rose as she finished her food. "Are you new in town? I don’t believe
that I have seen you around here before."
She nodded. "Yes. I just arrived in town
this morning."
He went back to reading the paper. She looked
at the man quizzically. Maybe he could tell her where she could find the Dawson
home.
"Sir, do you know where I could find the
Dawson residence?" she asked, hoping that he would not ask her why she
wanted to know.
He looked up from the paper. "Why, yes,
Miss. It’s not too far from here."
She listened closely as he gave her
directions. She was grateful that he did not ask her any questions. She thanked
the man before heading for the Dawson home.
What will I say when I show up at their
door? Is it too early to drop by? A
million questions ran through her mind. Before she knew it, she was standing
outside of Jack’s house. I miss you so much, Jack. I wish that you were here
with me now, she thought as she stared at the shabby house. It wasn’t in
the best shape, but she thought that it had a charm to it that no mansion could
have. What will my reason be for knocking on their door? A moment later,
an idea wedged its way into her mind. It wasn’t the best of plans, but it was
all that she could come up with. She started toward the door.