Oh….My…God…I AM SO SORRY! No, really. I am. I can't believe I haven't updated this long. If you want to see my excuses, see the last chapter. I'm sorry—again.
Thanks to Ally babyy3, limegreenlilli, EternalSerenityGallaghergirl, Elphaba-Eponine-Rose-1297, llAmerican Honeyll, Racheldaninja, Sash-1984, missytheraccon123, and Lyssa630. I'd also like to thank those who alerted/favorited.
"Thank you, Mr. Campbell, for walking me home," I said as we arrived on the doorstep.
"Call me Anthony," he said.
"Alright then, Anthony, I'll see you on Monday?"
He nodded and took my hand and softly kissed my gloved fingers. Jack then opened the door, upon hearing our conversation. I slipped my hand out of Anthony's. "Jack, this is Anthony. He received a role in the play, also. Anthony, this is Jack, my—"
"Your boyfriend," he interrupted. (I'm not even sure if they called somebody their boyfriend/girlfriend back then. But just pretend.) "You talked about him at the rehearsal."
"Yes…well…" I glanced at the grandfather clock inside the house over Jack's shoulder. "It's getting late. Shouldn't you be getting home to your family?"
"I live alone."
"Oh, then I should be getting back to mine. Good night, Anthony." With that, I turned and entered the house. I heard Jack and Anthony share their goodbyes. I felt Jack's hand on my back after I entered our bedroom. Turning, he pressed his lips against mine.
"How was the rehearsal?" Jack inquired and handed Josephine a bottle.
"It was great! I made a few new friends and this seems like an interesting play. I'm excited to be a part of it. How was your night?"
"Me and Josie had a lot of fun. We played peek-a-boo, posed for a picture, Josie rolled over—"
"Josephine learned how to roll over? That's fantastic!" I smiled brightly, causing Jack to beam in return. I picked up Josie and spun her around. Kissing her on the cheek, I set her back down in the crib and returned the bottle to her. "And you said you drew a picture? Can I see it?"
"Of course, m'lady." I giggled as he walked to the dresser and retrieved his drawing. He handed it to me.
"I love it, Jack!" The picture was of Josephine, smiling in a bed of blankets.
"I was thinking of selling it, making some money."
My smile softened, but didn't disappear, as I thought of selling the thing. It's too lovely to give away, I thought. But if it's needed…
The weekend came and passed. Now it was time for the second rehearsal. Jack, Josie, and I had just finished eating dinner when there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it!" Jack said as he jumped out of his chair, reminding me of an overexcited child. I wiped Josephine's hands and mouth off with a wet wash rag and then joined Jack at the front door, Josie on my hip.
"Oh, hello, Anthony," I said. "What brings you here?"
"I thought I might walk you to the theater, if you'd allow me to," he replied.
"No, really, you don't have to. I'm sure I can make it there myself, but since you're already here…Just let me grab my things." I handed Josephine to Jack and retreated into the house. I grabbed my script, my bag, and my jacket. Walking out the door, I pecked Jack on the lips. "I'll be home soon," I said to him. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Jack responded.
One week passed, then two. Anthony walked me home every single night. I wasn't sure whether to be flattered or annoyed. I mean, I guess I enjoyed the company…but I don't know what to think about this. I especially didn't know what to think when he asked me to dinner.
"Hey, Rose," he said as I gathered my few belongings before leaving. "Would you like to go to dinner Friday night? It'd be as friends…of course…but my cousin's opening this great new restaurant and he needs the business…"
"What time?" I replied. I can't believe I'm agreeing to this… I thought.
"…Seven?" he asked hesitantly.
"Sounds great. I'll see you then. Good night."
"Good night," I heard him say as I as walked up the drive to the house.
It was Friday evening. I helped Jack make dinner for him and Josephine before I left. Jack probably wasn't particularly thrilled about this, but he didn't say anything to me besides "I love you" and "Stay safe."
I met Anthony at the restaurant instead of him walking with me. Anthony was just a few minutes late.
"Sorry," he said, sliding into the chair on the other side of the table. "I had to stop by the post office to send a letter to a great friend of mine, Cal Hockley." I almost choked on the water I was sipping. "Are you alright, Rose?" he asked after my coughing fit had ended.
"Yes, I'm fine," I responded, wiping my lip off with my napkin.
The waiter came and took our orders, then left with our drinks to refill them. "But you know, it's funny…," Anthony mused. "Cal keeps talking about a Rose…his fiancé, who got lost on the Titanic."
"What a coincidence!"
"Do you happen to know him?"
"I know of him," I said after a moment's hesitation.
Anthony smiled. "I thought you might have been the Rose, the one he's talking about."
"Nope, I've been with Jack for several years now and I've never met Mr. Hockley before." I hoped my cheeks weren't turning red.
The waiter returned and placed our glasses on the table. "Your food will be served shortly," he said and quickly turned to wait on more customers.
When our food arrived, our conversation died down as we began to eat. We ordered dessert when our plates were empty and made some more small talk. The bill arrived soon after and Anthony paid it all, including the tip, even though I offered to pay my half. I had brought part of my paycheck along specifically for this purpose.
"Thank you, Anthony," I told him as we exited the restaurant.
"It's my pleasure," he replied, holding my arm so it was laced through his. I didn't pull away for fear it would be rude.
He made a detour through the park. The stars could be seen clearly, shining brightly through the trees. I looked over at a star near the Big Dipper constellation that I had picked several years ago to represent my father's soul after he died. More stars could be seen here, since we were basically almost in the middle of nowhere. Each new star I saw equaled someone who died in the sinking. And there were a lot more stars.
We stopped at the gate at the exit to the park. Anthony held my elbow and I had to turn to face him.
"Rose—," he began to say, but broke off.
"Yes?" I asked, looking into his brown eyes that were staring intently into my blue ones.
"Rose, I—," he began again. He seemed at a loss for words. He started leaning towards me. His eyes slid shut. I was confused. I couldn't do anything except stare at him. I was frozen.
Until his lips finally touched mine, that is.
I quickly stepped back, gasping. "Anthony!"
"Rose, I'm sorry! I don't know what came—"
I didn't listen to the rest of what he had to say. I spun on my heel and hurried home.
"He knows Cal," I said as I brushed my hair at the vanity.
"Who?" Jack asked.
"Anthony—he's friends with Cal."
"What do you mean, 'friends'?"
"They're correspondences."
Jack sat heavily on the bed. He seemed to begin ranting to himself. "How does a guy like Anthony—from Chippewa Falls, no less—know a fella like Cal?"
"Their fathers," I said, but Jack kept on talking.
"I knew I didn't trust that guy. We should leave, before he tells Cal—"
I walked over to the bed and pushed Jack down so he was lying on his back. I curled up beside of him. "We'll leave as soon as this play's business is over. We'll go to Santa Monica, just like you've told me about… Besides, I don't think he'll make the connection…" I trailed off and soon fell asleep.
The next day, I didn't have rehearsal or anything to do, really, so Jack and I decided to have a day out. We walked to town, not having a motorcar or any other mode of transportation. We passed through the center of the small town and to the park. There were four swings and a slide. I sat on the swing with Josie while Jack pushed us both. Eventually we moved to the slide. When we got hungry, we set up our picnic. Jack got his sketchbook out and began drawing the park scenery. I laid down with Josie and played peek-a-boo with her.
Dear Cal,
With my work at the theater, I have encountered a Rose of my own. She is a beauty. I asked her if she knew you, but she declined. It would have been a long shot, however, if the Rose I am speaking of is your fiancé. And how would she have made her way all the way here? And, besides, she's been courting this Dawson for quite some time.
Well, I thought I'd eliminate this Rose in Chippewa Falls from your search for your love. Forgive me, but are your positive your Rose did not sink with the Titanic? You must realize that when your search goes cold. Consider it a possibility for now.
I am sorry this letter is not at its greatest length, but I have rehearsals to attend to which will keep me busy for the next few days, as the grand opening is next Friday.
Sincerely,
Anthony Campbell
Sorry for the long wait for this chapter. And its shortness. It's about as long as the others, but not long enough to make up for the wait. I'm going to work on the next chapter now or tomorrow on the way home from the cabin.
