Chapter 3 – Reaction

Disclaimer:

Still the same, they won't change anytime soon…

A/N:

What did I wanted to say… Please review! And sorry it took so long, but my PC did some strange things…


"I have one question left, Rose. What will you do?"

"I don't know, Capricia. I just know that I want to do something, so I should write a letter, I suppose. The next question is: What shall I write?" Rose mused. She was glad that Capricia had helped her to make a decision, but her friend obviously couldn't tell her what to write.

"I don't know what you want to write," was the other woman's answer. "But if you want an advice…"

"That would be wonderful," Rose interrupted.

"Wouldn't it be better to listen first and then tell me your answer? In my opinion, you should tell him with your letter how you feel about his apology and everything else he wrote. He was honest to you – at least it seems so – so he deserves an honest answer from you."

"That sounds fair…"


Many miles away from where Rose sat with her friends, making her decision, a tall man stood in front of a mansion, obviously waiting for something. He had dark brown, almost black hair which was neither short nor very long. Because of the sun, his brown eyes were only opened the slightest bit. The handsome man was dressed in an expensive looking suit indicating that he belonged to the upper class.

All of a sudden, a small boy came pelting towards the man. Caledon Hockley smiled brightly and embraced his six year old son Joshua. Several feet behind the boy was an old woman with grey hair and blue eyes. She sighed in exhaustion as she approached her employer.

"I don't know how you manage to keep up with your son, Mr. Hockley. This boy is the most exhausting I've ever met."

Cal chuckled slightly, then he set Joshua back down on the floor.

"He isn't always as bad as it seems, Charlotte," he said encouragingly, then looked down at his son. "So what did you do this time, little one?"

"Nothin', daddy."

"Really?"

"Well… just thought a game of hide and seek with Miss Charlotte would be fun…" Joshua grinned sheepishly.

"I suppose it was funny… For you, but probably not for Miss Charlotte. The next time you want to play something like that, ask her if she wants to participate or wait until I'm home, alright?" Cal told his son, trying to sound serious despite his amusement.

"Alright, daddy," was the abashed answer.

"So what do you want to do now, Josh? Play a little bit more outside with one of your friends or come inside with your… boring dad?"

The boy laughed.

"Sorry daddy, but I guess that I will be playin' with Sammy. When do I have to be home?"

"Thought so… Return at six o'clock, Josh. And don't do anything… stupid," Cal smiled.

"Bye dad, bye Miss Charlotte," Joshua shouted while he was already heading to his friend's house.

Ten minutes later, after telling the nanny when he would need her again, Cal arrived at his mansion. When he unlocked the door and opened it, he was greeted by the sight of one of his maids. The girl had wanted to make it to the door to open it before he did that job. Now she was obviously embarrassed that he had had to take care of it alone.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hockley. I was busy in…"

"Don't worry about it, I have a key and two hands, so I suppose I'm able to open a door on my own, Martha," Cal answered. Then he handed the girl his coat and his hat and walked towards his office.

"There was a letter for you, Mr. Hockley," Martha called after him. "It was brought while you were working, Sir."

"Thank you!"

And there was it. On a small table next to the huge door made of dark wood, a tiny envelope was waiting to be opened. Hesitantly, Cal took the letter into his hand. When he turned it, his heart skipped a beat. Rose had reacted to his apology.

He sat down onto one of the expensive-looking sofa and finally opened the envelope. Cal was indeed glad that Josh had chosen to play with his friend because he didn't think he would have managed to wait to read it until Josh went to bed.

Smiling in a mixture of trepidation and anticipation, Cal began to read the letter.


3rd February 1929

Dear Cal

Well… where should I start? I suppose I will totally make a hash of this, but I'll try. Since I've been poring about what to write for almost an hour, now, I should better start.

Just to answer your first question, I am doing quite good. I lived in New York for two years after the Titanic's sinking. Then, in 1914, I got to know a girl – she was only seventeen back then – called Felicita. She was about to move to Boston because someone offered her a role in a movie. We became friends, and in June in the same year, she convinced me to follow her to that town.

I became an actress and am now living about two miles away from Boston. Felicita married in 1920, I don't know exactly where she is now, her husband came from Ireland, so perhaps they went back there.

I met Felicita's sister Capricia five years ago, when we worked on the same project. Somehow, we became friends. Capricia moved to an house near mine, so we kept in touch. She was the one who gave me the advice to write this letter.

And that's where I originally wanted to start. You really surprised me by writing me. At first, I was shocked and scared. T o be honest, I even considered moving somewhere else because you knew my address. But then I read more of what you wrote.

What I read, especially your apology, were the most surprising things that happened to me in ages. Of course I wondered if you wanted something, because when I'd last seen you, you were only nice if you wanted somebody to do something for you. But now it seems like you have indeed changed…

I still don't know exactly what to think of your letter. Perhaps that will take some time. If you like, you can of course answer my letter, I would like to know a bit more about your son, how and where you are living, what you are doing and so on. I know this was short, but since I didn't know what to write… I'm looking forward to your next letter, Cal. I'm currently not in need for anything, but I will let you know if there's something. Thank you for your offer.

Have a good time,

Rose Dawson


Cal smiled as he let Rose's letter drop to the floor. He really hadn't thought he would hear from her again, or at least not so soon. He made an internal note to write her a letter the same evening.

Just as Cal had finished that thought, he heard someone running down the hallway towards his office. Seconds later, the door was wrenched open by a certain young boy.

"Josh! Was Samuel not at home?" Cal asked, but when his son shut the (very expensive) door with a loud thud, he frowned. "How often do I have to remember you to close doors using the handle? That is what a handle is for, you know."

"Sorry, dad. But it's important," Joshua answered while he entered the room fully and sat down beside his father.

"So what happened? Where is Samuel?" Cal asked with a smile.

"Sammy is waiting at the door."

"Which door?"

"The front door, o'course."

"Why does he have to wait there? It's cold outside and knowing you boys, he doesn't wear a jacket. He will surely catch a cold if he has to wait outside this long, little one. Why don't you ask him to come inside? I think what you have to discuss with me concerns him, too."

"Yes, daddy. Wait a minute, I'll go and take him inside with me."

Joshua ran outside. Luckily for him, he remembered to carefully open and close the door. Then he continued at maximum speed down the corridor, not stopping until he had reached the front door.

About one minute later, two boys entered Cal's office. Joshua pulled his friend inside as he wanted to protest.

"It's okay, Sammy. Daddy allowed it."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Hockley," Samuel said lowly.

"Good afternoon, Samuel. Now… Sit down, you two."

When the two boys had done as they had been told – Josh with a small smile and Samuel only after Josh had encouraged him – Cal smiled at his son.

"What happened, Josh? Why did you return so soon? Normally you are late if I let you play with a friend."

"Well, daddy… It's just… Sammy and I… We already asked his parents… well…" the boy stuttered.

"What is it?" Cal asked.

"Well… Sammy and I thought that maybe… maybe I could sleep at his place tonight. His parents already allowed it. I'll behave good, daddy, they won't have any problems with me. I…" Joshua said in a rush.

"Would you please give me some time to answer?" Cal chuckled.

"O'course, daddy. Please…"

"And you promise you won't cause any problems?"

"Sure, do I ever do that?" was the innocent answer.

"No… of course not…" Cal mused ironically. "But I suppose you will manage to behave for one day. You may go and ask Martha to pack your things. But you will have to wait until she's finished with that. Alright?"

"Alright, daddy. Sammy and I will wait in my room. Where can I find Martha?"

"I don't know. But you know where to look for her, I suppose."

"Of course I do, daddy. Thank you!"

When the two boys headed for the door, Cal stopped them.

"Tell me when you go, Josh."

"Sure."

Then, the boys went outside and closed the door behind them. Cal sighed, it was obvious that his son was growing up. That was the first time he had ever asked to stay at a friend's at night. With another sigh Cal told himself that this was normal and went to get some things done. After all, Rose's letter wasn't the only one he had received – although the others were all business letters…


To be continued