MY HEART WILL ACHE ON
Prologue: That Fateful Night
I sobbed as the tears froze on my face. I was deathly cold, as cold as if I were in the very iceberg that destroyed the ship. I was wet, cold, and miserable. I was probably going to die. None of that mattered to me.
I looked at the ruins of the ship. A few screams in the distance were heard. Thoughts raced in my head about what had occurred. Just an hour ago, I was on the unsinkable ship. Just an hour ago, I couldn't possibly imagine any of this. Just an hour ago, Jack was alive.
Yes I had been rescued. I guess some would say I should be grateful. Even though I tried, I just couldn't. I know that I promised Jack that I would go on, but I couldn't keep that promise. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I cried for not only those who died, but for those who lived. Many were now widows or orphans. Many others were sick from the cold air.
Through all of me tears, I didn't notice how the sun was almost rising. I had been on this lifeboat for a few hours crying.
"I see a boat! I see a boat!" One man on my boat called out.
"Rose! Rose, did you hear me? Rose, there- there's a lifeboat! Rose?" The same man yelled. I managed a faint smile.
We were rescued on a ship, where I spent the entire time sitting at a table wondering who else had been rescued from the waters and how many had perished. "I'd like another scotch, please." There I was drinking my heart out, my broken heart.
Three days later, our ship was greeted by many people in New York harbor. I'd say mostly relatives and news people. Among the crowd was my Aunt Lily, my grouchy, old, rich aunt who lived in New York.
I pushed through crowds of reporters as I headed to Aunt Lily.
I hugged her, but she pulled away. "I'm glad that you survived, but you look terrible." She said plainly. I could hardly walk strait, being that I was still in a hangover. Aunt Lily and I boarded a train.
"I can't believe that I'm being seen with you. You're hair and dress are an embarrassment." My head was already filled with too many emotions to be mad at her. Instead, I sighed again thinking of Jack.
"So, this is our stop. My chauffer is picking me up." We walked off the train and found my aunt's chauffer.
I climbed into the Model-T automobile. It moved about as fast as a horse and buggy, but was much bumpier, and much smellier. "So, how did you know that I'd be on the boat?" I asked making conversation.
"The news said that the Jones Star picked up many survivors and that it was docking in New York. Every time the paper will report of survivors I'd come to see if one of them was you. Now, did your fiancé, Caledon survive?"
"I'm not sure."
"If he did survive, I'm sure that we can find him so you two will get married. Come on, Rider we don't have all day!" Aunt Lily shouted to the driver.
"Actually, I theoretically called the engagement off before the ship sank." I said bracing myself for Aunt Lily's response. She stared at me.
"You called it off? But we planned the most elegant wedding here for you. It cost us a pretty penny. Now for what reason did you call it off? Did you wish for someone better than you? Did you, Rose?" She persisted.
"No, I didn't need to wish for someone better because I had found him. His name is Jack. Jack Dawson. For the weeks that I was with him, I was happy. Much happier than Cal could ever make me." Tears rolled down my cheeks.
"Control yourself young lady! Now, did this gentleman as you describe him survive?" I started sobbing uncontrollably.
"No. He did not, but he did survive in my heart. I knew that he loved me. We both loved each other unconditionally."
"Well, that's good news. If Caledon did survive, you can marry him." I looked my Aunt Lily strait in the eye.
"No. I will not marry him. Cal made me miserable. Jack taught me true love and happiness. If he did survive I will see him only to spit in his face. If I marry him Jack's death would have been in vain." Aunt Lily pursed her lips.
"Do you not love Caledon?" She asked.
"Yes!" Aunt Lily raised her eyebrows.
"I mean yes, ma'am. I do not under any circumstances love him. That will never change. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to finish this conversation." I wiped the tears from my eyes.
"You don't have to love him. I'll be checking the paper and I will look for him. I personally hope he survives. He'll make you forget about this- this Jake man you talk about."
"Jack." I interrupted.
"Yes, this Jack. But this Jack obviously is not a good man. He taught you disrespect and disobedience. I believe that the Lord did the right thing taking him from us." I bit my tongue. How dare she! As we arrived in at her countryside Victorian Mansion I was certain about one thing: I had dislike Aunt Lily in the pass, but now I hated her. No, not hated, loathed her.
"Ladies." The chauffeur opened the door and tipped his hat. Aunt Lily shoved a quarter in his face.
"Here's your pay. What are you waiting for? You have your pay. Leave. Leave! Leave, Rider." Aunt Lily barked nastilly. I glared at Aunt Lily. It was apparent we weren't going to get along, that was a fact.
