AN: Here's the second chapter! ;) It's a great event to see the biggest ship in the world set sail but it's not for everyone!
Chapter 2: Unhappy Outlook
At the end of March I had been to London to shop for the forthcoming engagement party and wedding, but then Cal, just in time, booked the journey home to America on the new ocean liner Titanic.
I spent the following days before the departure buying the last items for the voyage with mother and preparing the suitcases. All around I kept seeing newspaper headlines announcing the Titanic, everyone was enthusiastic.
The 10th of April arrived too early in my opinion. It was a nice day neither too cold, nor too warm with no clouds in the sky. I had just chosen an outfit to wear, a black one, for which Cal expressed his dislike: "Rose sweetpea, you cannot put on such a dress, black..." he whispered, "black brings bad luck on a maiden voyage".
Obviously it was pointless to reply, so in silence, I selected another one, white and purple with an enormous hat, but on my mind I was thinking: "I feel like black instead".
Cal spoke again: "You know Rose, I hope to have a bit of time to talk to you once we're on the Titanic" he smiled coldly.
I looked at him, into his eyes: "Of course. I can't wait." I replied with a slight sarcastic note. "Now you'd be better get out of the room, I have to dress myself and the Titanic's sail is in a few hours" said I politely.
"Certainly Rose, don't be long though".
Later we were all ready to leave: I, mother, Cal, the two maids and Cal's valet. When we reached the dock by car, all around was full of excitement. The dock as well as every street leading to the port was completely crowded with people of every age and social class.
As I got out of the Renault I looked at the huge steamship that towered above us: "I don't see the reason for all this fuss. She doesn't look any bigger than the Mauretania",
Cal who stood behind me smiled not understanding my indifference: "You can be blasè about some things Rose but not about the Titanic" he replied, adding "It's over a hundred feet longer than the Mauretania and far more luxurious. It has squash courts, a Parisian cafe... Even Turkish baths!".
Cal was disappointed because I wasn't as impressed as he expected but I have to admit that after a few minutes I realized how big the Titanic actually was.
The ship looked like a floating city, her hull was ebony black, while the upper wall was white. On the bow by the giant anchor there was engraved in golden letters the name "Titanic". She was 882 feet 9 inches long and her total height measured from the base of the keel to the top of the bridge 104 feet. She had ten decks, eight of which were for passengers and four large funnels, yellow with black on top. The no. 4 was there just for symmetry and aesthetics.
"So this is the ship they say is unsinkable", commented Ruth as she saw the ship.
"It is unsinkable. God himself could not sink this ship"Cal replied enthusiastically.
Passengers kept coming to the White Star Line pier, the first class people down to the third class ones. I still stared at that great vessel trying to learn the secrets of her soul... She sounded so amazing and unassailable but maybe inside she wasn't so happy and glorious.
In the meantime Cal was jostled by two yelling steerage boys who shoved past him.
"Honestly Cal" commented Ruth, "if you weren't forever booking everything so late, we could have gone through the terminal instead of running along the dock like some squalid immigrant family",
"All part of my charm" replied he, "Anyway it's Rose's fault, her beauty rituals take a lot of time",
I said coldly "You told me to change",
"I couldn't let you wear black on sailing day darling. It's bad luck."
I thought to myself "I really hate this senseless chatter."
Cal guided me, mother and the maids out of the path of a horse-drawn wagon loaded down with two tons of Oxford marmalade in wooden cases for Titanic's Victualling Department.
Eventually we got the entrance where a steward checked our tickets and politely said, "Welcome to the Titanic!".
Inside, the spacious reception room looked splendid, it was decorated in the Jacobean Style and had a white ceiling and a dark rusty coloured carpet. "It's brilliant!" commented Cal overwhelmed, "I'm so glad to be here, this is a real Ship Of Dreams. There's no ship on earth as palatial as Titanic is".
Once we got the upper deck we saw all of Southampton harbor and the people below who came to see their relatives and friends off or simply to witness this great event. Everything went on around me without I could really pay any attention.
But in just a few minutes a big accident was about to occur. The strong suction due to the Titanic's forward motion broke up the mooring of another ship berthed nearby, the New York. The situation was quite alarming. This ship crept towards us steadily, drawn by the great force of the water but fortunately the New York's captain was able to stop his ship just in time.
There was fuss and fear on the Titanic at first but soon all turned out fine and everyone's thoughts returned to the voyage.
"All this panic" Cal snorted, "I would say that this almost-accident has proved the unsinkability of the ship" crowed he gloriously.
It was time to go to the cabin but while we were on the way to the elevators we dropped in to see Thomas Andrews, the main designer of the Titanic, a 39 years old man. I had always thought of him as a goodhearted person.
"Oh Mr Hockley and Mrs DeWitt Bukater you are here!" he exclaimed with a nervous smile, obviously he couldn't hide the recent scare.
"Of course Sir, we couldn't miss the journey of the century, your ship is really well made" said Cal proudly.
Andrews replied with a smile "Thank you, but there are still many things to check, I want everything to run smoothly" . His fondness for this ship and his work was palpable.
"Oh, don't worry Mr Andrews" added my mother.
He grinned and then noticed me, "And this is your daugther if I'm not mistaken. We have already met, haven't we?",
I nodded graciously and my mother added, "Yes, she is. A beautiful flower with her gentlemen" glancing at Cal.
I really didn't know what to say, I just smiled sincerely at Mr Andrews, who looked at his watch and exclaimed " I have to go right now, it's been a pleasure to meet you, enjoy your trip!" He walked away and disappeared through the door.
Then came a steward to show us to our staterooms which were located on B-Deck next to funnel no.2. It is impossible to adequately describe the decorations in the passengers accommodation. The "millionaire suites" were probably the most luxurious accommodations of any liner. They were decorated opulently in various period styles and equipped with wardrobes rooms, private baths and in some cases a private promenade. In addition there were many modern electrical appliances, such as telephones, heaters, steward call bells, table fans and electrical blowers to provide fresh air.
I started to put out all the paintings I bought during my last trip in Paris and Trudy, my maid, assisted me. In the mean time Cal stood on the covered deck to sip a glass of champagne.
"We need a little colour in this room" I exclaimed "and these lovely paintings fit it perfectly". There were paintings by artists such as Picasso and Degas.
Naturally Cal frowned at them "It's a waste of money" he said through the doorway.
"You're wrong, they are fascinating. There's truth but not logic" I replied annoyed even though I was used to hearing my tastes criticized by him.
"There is? I mean, Picasso. He'll never amount to anything, trust me. At least, they were cheap", added Cal.
Without listening to him anymore I said softly to Trudy "I want to put the Degas in my bedroom" and so I did, I layed it by the mirror. It was one of my favorite paintings, it portrayed a young ballarina who danced free raising her arms in the air, like a butterfly.
"Dear Rose, don't pay too much attention to Cal's comments" Trudy gently said with a smile.
"Oh no, I don't..." I smiled back at her, she was always friendly to me.
"Anyway, it all looks fantastic in here" Trudy commented, "It smells so brand new. Like they built it all just for us. I mean... just to think that tonight, when I crawl between the sheets, I will be the first..."
But after a few minutes, Cal turned up in the doorway of the bedroom exclaiming "And when I crawl between the sheets tonight, I will still be the first".
Trudy was very embarassed and so she went away leaving me and Cal alone. I stood in front of the mirror without saying a word. An awkward silence fell between us.
Then he approached me and said "Rose, I really can't figure you out. I have pulled every string I could to book us on the grandest ship in history, in her most luxurious suites... And you act like you're going to your execution... But Rose!" he shook me,
I got frightened but stared at him firmly "Cal please, let me alone. I'm good and happy, what are you talking about?" I tried to smile and gave a fast and slight kiss on his cheek.
"Sweetpea" he placed his hands around my waist from behind and added with a cold grin, "You know, after all, I like the Degas painting".
I was feeling very apprehensive about this journey. I knew that when I returned home, my life would never be my own again.
And yes, I thought to myself, "Cal was right" I felt like a prisoner awaiting his execution.
Did I make the correct choice when I sad I would marry Cal? What lies in store for me I thought? Now I hadn't any options left, I just wanted to give up a cry.