UNTIL I FOUND YOU
Chapter Fifteen
Two days later, Jack started off
to his first day on the job at the factory. Rose planned to spend the day
reading a book in the parlor of the boarding house. Reading was an old love for
Rose, but since she had turned sixteen, she had no longer had time for it. Ruth
had kept her busy with all the social functions and shopping sprees. Finally,
Rose had the time to sit and enjoy a good book.
"Really, Rebecca, women
deserve to vote. Men shouldn’t have the only say in how this country’s
run." Alice Wells, one of the tenants, and her sister, Rebecca, entered
the parlor. Both women sat on the couch opposite Rose.
"But, Alice, it’s improper
for a woman to do something so brash. Women lack the skills and brainpower to
make such decisions." Rebecca sighed.
"Oh, that’s hogwash, and you
know it. We have the exact amount of brainpower and skills as men, if not
more!" Alice argued, then noticed Rose sitting across from them. She had
been observing the tenants. The couple seemed free-spirited and in love. Jack
didn’t seem to be the domineering type of man that was so common in today’s
society and didn’t hold Rose on a tight leash. In fact, he listened to her…even
took some of her advice. And Rose seemed to have a fiery spirit. She didn’t
seem to be one of those women satisfied with being a housewife or a debutante
stuck in her place. "Rose…what do you think?"
"What?" Rose glanced up
from her book. She was eavesdropping a little, but didn’t want to be obvious.
"Our discussion about
women’s suffrage. What’s your opinion?" Alice asked.
"Oh. Well…women should have
the right to vote. It’s only fair. Plus, I know from experience that men don’t
know everything. In fact, a lot of their decisions lead to disaster."
"See? She agrees with
me." Alice smiled in satisfaction. "Not all women are afraid to stand
up for what they believe in."
"Oh, really? Rose, dear,
would you be willing to march in that rally they’re having in Eau Claire next
weekend? Or do you believe in keeping such opinions to yourself?" Rebecca
looked at Rose. She, too, had been observing Rose, and thought her to be of
proper upbringing. Surely she wouldn't want to participate in such a crude
affair.
"I wouldn’t mind marching if
asked. Women’s opinions shouldn’t be silenced," Rose replied.
"But wouldn’t your husband
disapprove?"
"Jack? No. In fact, Jack
would support me. He always encourages me to do what I believe in and feel is
right."
"See? Told you." Alice
clapped. "Rose, how would you like to accompany me to the rally? It’d be
fun."
"I’d love to. But first let
me talk it over with Jack. I’m sure he’ll have no objections, though."
"Great!"
"Rose, there you are. Here’s
a note from Jack. He wants you to meet him at George and Cillie’s house."
Gladys came in.
"All right. Thank you."
Rose smiled. "Well, I’d better be going. Jack’s waiting. I’ll talk to him
about this today, and I’ll let you know tomorrow."
"Bye." Both women waved
as Rose exited to meet Jack.
*****
Jack, George, and Cillie were
standing on the front porch when Rose arrived, talking and laughing amongst
themselves. Jack got to his feet and pulled Rose into a warm embrace as she
came up on the porch.
"Mrs. Gladys said you wanted
to see me." Rose smiled.
"I thought you’d want to
join us." Jack grinned. "Besides, watching Cillie and George made me
think of you."
Rose just smiled sweetly, kissing
him lightly on the cheek. "I love you. Oh, Jack, I wanted to discuss
something with you. They’re having a rally over in Eau Claire next weekend for
women’s suffrage."
"You mean the women’s right
to vote?" Cillie asked, interested. She had heard rumors that the movement
would start up near Chippewa Falls, but she had no confirmation.
Rose nodded. "Jack, darling.
How would you feel if I went?"
"Do you want to go?"
Jack asked curiously. He, of course, thought women should have the right, but
he didn’t know how he felt about Rose getting involved with the movement. She,
after all, was a debutante, and wasn’t really used to confrontational
situations. Titanic had obviously been her first.
"Yes. I really do. In fact,
Alice Wells from the boarding house asked if I wanted to join her."
"If marching in that rally
is what you want to do, go for it. Make each day count, remember?" Jack
took her hand. "But be aware that there are going to be men there opposing
the issue, and they’re not going to be polite about their objections."
Rose smiled. Jack was always
worried about her welfare. "Jack, don’t worry. If I could handle Caledon
Hockley, I can surely handle a crowd of jeering men."
Jack had to laugh. His fiery Rose
sure would give those men a run for their money, but still…
"I just don’t want you to
get hurt."
"I won’t."
"I’d like to go, too,"
Cillie spoke up.
"Cillie, no." George
flat out refused.
"Why? Don’t you think I have
a right to voice my opinion?"
"If women were meant to
vote, they would have had it already. Women’s places are in the kitchens.
That’s all there is to it."
"George, don’t be so
barbaric." Cillie sighed. "We have as much right to our opinions as
you men do, and we do have a right to be heard! It’s not right that we can’t
vote, but someone with less capacity can do so just because they’re a
man!" Cillie got to her feet. "Rose, tell this Alice that I’ll be
joining you in Eau Claire to state my opinion." Cillie stormed into the
house.
"Well…I guess we’d better
go." Jack sighed uncomfortably. "Don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll get
over it."
"Of course she will, and she
will not be going to that rally. I’ll see you two later, I guess." George
waved, watching them disappear down the dirt road.
"George is really against
this, isn’t he?" Rose asked as Jack led the way back to the boarding
house.
Jack shrugged. "George was
raised differently than I was. His parents were kind of like Ruth and Cal. Both
women and men had their place, and neither strayed from it."
"How were you raised,
Jack?"
"Well, my dad always told me
that women were no different from men…in most areas, if you know what I
mean." Jack laughed. "He said that a woman could do anything a man
could, even better at times. But he never let me forget how to be a gentleman.
Women enter a room first, and you hold the door open, you never belch or curse
in a lady’s presence, you pull her chair out…"
"Wait a minute. You cursed
in front of me, remember? On the Titanic, and maybe a couple of times
after…"
"Well…Titanic was an extreme
circumstance, and afterwards…there’s no excuse. I’ll try not to do it again,
okay?"
Rose giggled. "Oh, Jack,
that’s perfectly all right. If you ever feel the need to curse in front of me,
please do so. I’m telling you, it got so boring when I was with Mother and Cal.
Everyone walked on eggshells around women. They never got truly angry in
public. Of course…anger was always reserved for the privacy of one’s
home." Rose rubbed her cheek at the memory of all the times Cal had
slapped her once they were in private.
Jack looked at his wife and
placed a protective arm around her. "Rose, I swear to you that no one will
ever lay a violent hand on you again. If they do, they’ll have me to contend
with."
Rose smiled at Jack’s
protectiveness. He always made her feel extra safe. "I love you,
Jack."
Jack grinned and kissed her nose.
"I love you more."
Hand-in-hand, they continued on
towards the boarding house, perfectly content to know that, from now on, they
had each other.