April 20, 1912
Fabrizio tossed and turned in his sleep as his breathing became hard and fast. He moaned painfully as he finally woke himself. His eyes were wide as cold sweat trickled down his face. He had just had a nightmare in which he and Helga, along with Jack and Rose and Tommy, were clinging to the back of the Titanic just as it was going down and he had watched as they all fell, one by one, from the railing and into the ocean. He knew it was only a dream but that didn't stop the tears that streamed down his face and mixed with the sweat.
He was breathing heavily as he placed a hand to his heart which was beating rather rapidly.
"Fabri?" Jack heard him and came to him.
"Did you have a nightmare?" asked Rose as she and Jack sat beside him.
"It was terrible... horrible..." Fabrizio said with a sob. "I couldn't save you, and I watched you fall."
"Everything is okay, Fabri. We're here for you," Jack whispered as he hugged him close.
Rose gave him a hug as well. "The night the Titanic sank will always be with us," said Rose. "It haunts me how I could have lost Jack that night."
Fabrizio sniffled. He found his handkerchief and wiped the sweat and tears from his face."There's no need to be afraid, bella Rosa," he said with his arm around her."We all safe and in America together." He smiled, and so did Rose.
Fabrizio was comforted by the fact he was with Jack and Rose, whom he loved and trusted. There was only one thing...
"I miss Helga," he said with a sniffle. "I know she is alive, I saw her in a lifeboat. I haven't found her though.."
"You'll find her someday," Jack said as wiped away Fabri's tears. "If she loves then she is sure to come back to you. Just like you told me, remember?"
Fabrizio smiled and tucked his handkerchief into his pocket again. He knew Helga wouldn't want him to be so sad over her. He remembered when she mentioned she saw the deepest secrets of hope, joy, trust, and love in his eyes, and he didn't want to let her down.
Suddenly, it occurred to him to look at the clock on the wall. He was stunned to see that it was already forty-five minutes after six 'o clock.
"Mama mia! I've got 'a to hurry or I'll be late!" he exclaimed with worry.
He dressed himself very quickly, and putting on his hat, he rushed down the steps and out of the apartment and began to run down the street to the market.
He began to panic as he continued to run and got closer. This was to be his very first day on the job and he had to make a good impression. He hoped that by a miracle he would be on time. He didn't know how Mr. Hooper would react if he didn't arrive at seven as he had promised he would. Though Mr. Hooper had seemed to be a very kind and reasonable man, and he hoped he had made a good enough impression in the job interview yesterday.
At last he reached the store, and was almost out of breath. He tried to open the door but it wouldn't, and his panic increased. After trying in vain for a few moments, Mr. Hooper came and unlocked it, Fabrizio noticed he was smiling.
Fabrizio went inside and removed his hat. He looked at the clock on the wall. "I am late," he said with regret.
Mr. Hooper nodded. "By about one minute," he said calmly.
"I'm 'a so sorry. I..." Fabrizio began as he clutched his hat in his hands.
"It's really all right," Mr. Hooper said kindly. "I realize you aren't perfect, and neither am I, indeed I forgot to unlock the door. It's only your first day and I mustn't make you feel bad for being just one minute late, after all, I'm sure you have a very good reason for it."
Fabrizio nodded, relieved by Mr. Hooper's understanding. "I awoke today from a bad dream," he explained. "I got really scared and cried, but my friends were there for me," he added with a smile.
"What was your nightmare about, if you don't mind my asking?" Mr. Hooper asked sympathetically.
Fabrizio felt somehow he could trust Mr. Hooper with that information. He sighed and said, "When I came to America I came with Jack and Rose, on the Titanic."
He could see that was all he needed to tell Mr. Hooper. "Oh my!" he said, seeming surprised. "I read all about the Titanic disaster. I would never have known you were a survivor."
"I nearly didn't survive," Fabrizio admitted. "I swam to a lifeboat, the water almost froze me. I saw a little of Heaven and my papa, who died years ago, he said I would live because I was still needed."
"I'm sure you are indeed needed," Mr. Hooper said smiling. "I may need you here."
For Fabrizio this felt good to hear. He smiled broadly as Mr. Hooper handed him an apron which he tied on, and then showed him the boxes that had just come containing sacks of flour and sugar, and instructed him on where to put them.
He kept on smiling as he went about his job, restocking the new items, and as the day wore on, he served the customers, showing them where to find the items they were looking for as they came and went.
As the afternoon approached, the customers became fewer. Fabrizio stood at the counter waiting patiently. He wondered if, at any moment, Helga might walk through the door. He loved to imagine. She'd come in looking like an angel as she had when first entered his life on the Titanic. He smiled as he imagined her expression when came in and found him there at the counter as was now...
Suddenly, Fabrizio sensed he was being watched. He blinked as he looked around him and discovered Mr. Hooper standing close behind him with a rather amused expression.
Mr. Hooper chuckled softly. "You were daydreaming, I see," he said warmly. "It happens to everyone.
Fabrizio felt slightly embarrassed, though he smiled. "Si, I was thinking of Helga, I met on the Titanic and I haven't found her yet," he said wistfully.
Mr. Hooper nodded understandingly. "I hope you find her soon, for I can she must mean a lot to you."
Fabrizio nodded.
"You may be able to find her as you deliver these groceries to this address," Mr. Hooper added as he handed Fabrizio a small note of paper.
Fabrizio found the items that were on the list and put them neatly into a large paper bag. He kept the address in his hand as he left the store.
As he walked down the street, he smiled and hummed a little just to entertain himself.
After a few blocks he reached his destination. He climbed the steps to the building and knocked gently upon the door.
Soon, an elderly woman opened the door. She had silvery hair and wore an old-fashioned blue dress with a high collar.
"Grocery delivery, Signora," Fabrizio said with a sweet smile as he handed her the bag.
The woman smiled and said in an English accent, "Of course. Thank you so much. You're very sweet."
She took the bag of groceries and then took a very small purse from her pocket and took a few small coins from it and handed them to him.
"Grazie," Fabrizio said as he accepted the tip which he truly hadn't expected.
As he left he felt warm inside for he successfully completed his first delivery and as he went back down the street he skipped in his steps.
He had only gone half a block when he discovered three men, who were all around his age, gathered close together on a corner, all playing a simple musical instrument. He noticed one of them was playing an accordion and was dressed similar to himself, with the same kind of vest and hat, he also had the same dark features. Another one was playing a harmonica, and had blonde hair that was hidden under a round black hat and he wore a matching black jacket which was unbuttoned and slightly long. Another one was playing a flute, and had dark skin and wore suspenders. Another one was playing a drum and sat down cross-legged, he seemed to be the oldest and had long dark brown hair and was unshaven.
The music they played so lively and delightful that Fabrizio went over to them and just stood and listened, smiling and tapping his foot. They all played their instruments in harmony and the tune they all made was fun to listen to.
After a few minutes they ended their song and he applauded them. "Bravo!" he said as he took the coins he had just been given from his pocket and dropped them into the can they set down beside them.
"Grazie," said the dark one with the same accent as Fabrizio had.
Fabrizio was just delighted to find a fellow Italian immigrant so soon. He began to speak in their own language. "I am Fabrizio. I've just come over and have a job in the market down the block."
The other man smiled as they shook hands. "I am Rafael Linzini," he said. "I came over a few months ago. I love America, though I cannot seem to find a real job. No one will hire me, so I play my accordion, which is all I brought with me. I stay with my friends who you see."
Fabrizio felt he wanted to do something more for them, for he felt he'd found a kindred spirit in Rafael. He thought for a moment and then said, "I know where you could find a better corner to play at, follow me."
Fabrizio led the band to a corner that was very close to the market. Here they would be sure to find a larger audience for the talent.
"Remember," he said to Rafael. "You and your friends will always be welcome at the market, or at my home."
He bade them goodbye and they began to play their instruments again as he hurried back to the store.
Later, as the day was ending, Fabrizio took a broom and swept around the floor of the store. Suddenly, he heard the door open, he looked and found Rose entering.
"Ciao, la bella Rosa," he greeted with a smile.
"Hello, Fabri. I just came by to get a few things for us," Rose smiled as she took a basket.
"You always welcome here," Fabrizio said as he continued sweeping a little more.
He watched as Rose found the groceries she was looking for and thought about how honored he felt to know her. The moment he had seen Jack and her together on the morning of the thirteenth of April he sensed they were destined to be together. He truly believed, as Jack's best friend, that Jack could only fall in love with the most courageous, ardent, and loving woman, for that was all that could suit him. And now Jack had that which he knew he must have desired in his heart all along. He was truly happy for them both.
Rose paid for the groceries and Fabrizio packed them skillfully into paper bags. "My work is nearly done for the day. I'll walk you home," he said.
They left the store and began the walk back to the apartment building.
"How was your first day in the market?" Rose asked as they walked along.
"It was 'a great," Fabrizio assured her with a smile. "Mr. Hooper is really kind. I think I am going to like it here in America. I am glad you and Jack are with me, I don't 'a know what I'd do if you weren't, I'd be all alone."
"If it wasn't for Jack, I'd be all alone," said Rose as they continued on. "I would be with my mother and Cal, but they couldn't give the love and freedom Jack has given me. I'm very glad you're his best friend, because I might never have found Jack again if you hadn't advised me to look for him at the bow on the Titanic."
"Jack came to me just 'a before," Fabrizio said, remembering. "He said you wanted him to leave you alone, he was sadder than I ever see him."
"I didn't mean it," Rose said reflectively. "I was engaged to Cal. I didn't love him, though I feared him."
Fabrizio nodded understandingly. "I see. Jack mentioned it. Why were you engaged to... Cal?"
"The marriage had been arranged," Rose explained. "Mother and I were about to lose everything due to my late father's debts, and she feared there was no other way out."
Fabrizio's heart filled with sympathy. He couldn't really understand the things Rose had been through, though he did understand why she had been unhappy.
"If Cal ever finds out where we are, I promise me and Jack will be here to protect you," Fabrizio promised.
"I'm sure he won't find us," said Rose. "I saw him on the Carpathia but he didn't find me. I stayed hidden. Believe me, I'd rather live like this with Jack than with Cal. "
"I never know much about the rich life, though I often dreamed about it," Fabrizio said.
"You'd be surprised at how it really is," Rose said with soft laugh. "I'm glad to be where I am now. No matter how much Cal could give me he couldn't give me the love Jack does," she added firmly.
After a moment, Rose said thoughtfully, "I realize you and I are both building a new life here, each in our own way."
Fabrizio agreed. "Si, and we both love Jack in each our own way," he added with a smile. "I'm 'a so glad Jack found you. You make him very happy. I've not ever seen him smile as he does when he looks at you."
Conversing pleasantly with each other, Rose and Fabrizio went back to their apartment.
Fabrizio held the door open as he and Rose entered and went into the kitchen where Rose set the grocery bags down and began taking the items out. She also took a pot out of the cupboard and placed it on the stove.
Fabrizio watched and said, "I can 'a teach you a little about cooking. My mama taught me some of 'a her recipes, I know them by heart," he said as he placed a hand over his heart. "I would 'a love to teach you, bella Rosa."
Rose smiled and said, "I'm sure I will love to learn from you, Fabri. I'm so glad you've survived. If there were more men like you and Jack the world would be a better place to live in."
Fabrizio only smiled and showed Rose how much water to fill into the pot and how to boil it just right.
He smiled as he watched Rose, a former aristocrat, learning domestic skills all because of her love for Jack.
As they were preparing dinner, they heard the door open and they both went into the living room and greeted Jack as he had just returned from his own first day.
"Buona sera," Fabrizio said as he gave Jack a quick hug. Jack gave Fabri a brotherly pat on the back.
Fabrizio then smiled as he watched Jack and Rose greet each other with a loving kiss.
Jack then leaned back and smiled as he looked into Rose's face and said, "Rose... I have something to say to you..."
Fabrizio had an inkling of what that something was. "I'll leave you two alone," he said politely with a little smile.
"No, Fabri. I'd like you to be here," Jack said quickly. "After all, if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be here."
Rose looked over at Fabrizio with a smile. Then Jack and Rose turned their attention to each other again. "Rose..." Jack began as he placed his left hand into his coat pocket. "My life wasn't complete until I met you, and..." Jack paused and then sighed. "Well, I just want to say... I love you." He then took from his pocket a small velvet box. He opened it and Rose gasped in delight as she saw the ring it contained.
"Rose," Jack said with a tender smile. "Will you marry me... and make life count?"
"Of course I will!" Rose said with tears in her eyes. "I love you, Jack!"
Jack slid the ring onto Rose's slender middle finger, and brought her into a passionate kiss.
Fabrizio stood by watching them with tears in his own sweet eyes. "Vero amore... true love. It does exist. "Jack, you very fortunato man," he muttered softly to himself. If Jack was happy, he was happy for him.