Ruth and Molly had indeed gotten a flat. Molly had actually wanted to return to Denver soon, when she had first been summoned here, but now she felt that she was needed here. So she had decided to stay in New York longer.
At least until Rose and Jack are better and we've found someone for Ruth.
Ruth was on one hand happy that Molly cared for her, but couldn't really understand what was important about finding someone for her. Rose was the main reason Molly was here for, not her. Ruth wished that Molly would just leave her alone with this.
"Why Ruth, I knew that this dress would fit you perfectly," Molly exclaimed.
It was one of the dresses Ruth had bought with Rose, shortly after they had met again. Rose had thought it very fittingly for her mother. But Ruth somehow still didn't think much of the latest fashion. She had grown up in a world of tight corsets and skirts that were as long that they would move the dust away on the floor.
But Rose had insisted that she buy at least some of the new fashion.
"I feel like I'm naked," she said. "This dress is so short. And are sure that no corset is needed?"
"I'm perfectly sure. No, you look great. Really this should've been hanging in your closet for another ten years?"
Rose had said something similar.
"Just your hair…"
"What's wrong with it?" Ruth wondered.
Of course her hair was up in a bundle still. It had taken Rose much convincing to get Ruth to try on that dress and even more for her to purchase it.
"Just it doesn't fit together your hair and that dress…"
Ruth could tell to where this would lead. Rose was now wearing her hair almost only open, having cut it a little bit.
Was this what Molly expected of her too?
"But for now I guess that's enough change for today," Molly grinned.
But we'll turn Ruth Dewitt Bukater into a fashion icon.
"Maybe we'll go out today," Molly suggested after a while.
"In this city, alone, when it's dark?" Ruth was shocked.
She had never done that. Well she had lived on the streets for years, but that was still something different. She had to survive somehow. But now she was back in her normal life and felt like she needed to life it a certain way. Her parents had installed in her how a lady was suspected to act.
Ruth refused to believe that times had changed.
"Yes, that's the general idea of going out, Ruth," Molly told smiling brightly.
Oh god, she really meant what she said.
Suddenly Ruth was feeling panic rising up inside her.
"Come on, Ruth, with your clothes you'll be the star of the evening," Molly laughed earning just another shocked look.
Instead of awaiting an answer Molly had already grabbed her coat and put it on, tossing Ruth hers.
"It'll be fun, you'll see."
It should be fun to go out alone, when it was starting to get cold, probably meeting some outrageous men with no manners?
"I don't want," she simply stated, hoping against hope that Molly would leave her alone, but of course not Molly Brown.
"Ruth, don't be so unexciting. I'm sure you'll like it."
Ruth sighed sensing that Molly wouldn't go until she said yes.
"Fine, but only for one night," she finally told Molly standing up.
Molly smiled vowing to herself that this one night would lead to many others.
…
Ruth had reluctantly agreed to Molly's plan and now they were sitting at a place that was half a restaurant and half a bar, with a stage singer even.
Ruth couldn't help, but feel uncomfortable again.
Since they had come here, she had gotten already for invitations for a drink and two more for a dance, but she had turned down every offer. The man had all been embarrassed telling her again and again how sorry they were.
Now Ruth was nipping on her orange juice, the only non-alcoholic drink that she had come across on the menu, her face clearly stating that she wanted to be somewhere else.
"This way you'll never find someone," Molly said.
Maybe, because I don't want anyone?
"I'm not interested."
"You say that now, but once you've lost your heart to someone…"
"Why should I lose my heart on someone? I'm not a dam teenager anymore and it isn't proper to go out alone like this. It isn't ladylike."
Molly just shook her head.
She had really thought that the years on the street had changed something in Ruth. In a way they did. She was accepting Jack now, but some things obviously were too deeply installed inside her.
"How man have there been in your life?" Molly asked her bluntly not at all surprised that she only received a sneer at first.
Ruth wasn't the ice-queen anymore, at least not in way she had been on the Titanic, but she was still hiding her emotions, which in Molly's opinion wasn't at all good.
"Molly…!" she spoke up the tone in voice clearly showing how appalled she was.
"I would say none aside from Rose's father?"
"Of course not, Molly…I'm no…"
She didn't add the word whore, but Molly still knew what she was thinking.
"Besides what kind of man should I find here?" she asked stretching out the last word.
I've a pretty good notion. Jack was also part of this people. So maybe there's an elder version of him?
"You never wanted anyone for yourself after his death?"
Ruth looked at her as if she had lost her mind. It was totally unthinkable in her society to remarry though some people did, but they were looked at badly by the others. Ruth had to be there for her daughter, finding a suitable husband for her. She didn't have time to think about herself.
"Alright Ruth, I guess I should leave it for today, but just think that many people would be glad to have you as a friend," Molly added, before returning to her drink.
Unlike Ruth Molly had ordered come whiskey.
Ruth had felt offended at first at Molly's words, but in fact she had to admit that Molly's wasn't completely wrong, no she was quite right, but Ruth was far from confessing that to herself and even less to Molly.
"Oh, Molly, I knew that it was you," a voice called making Molly turned around.
There were Patricia and husband standing in front of them.
Before Ruth was able to regret herself, they were already at their table.
"I told Brian that I had seen you."
"Well, why don't you sit down?" Molly recommended them.
Ruth had no intention to talk to them, but knew that it would be off no use to send them away. Molly had taken a liking in this woman, like everyone else had.
Patricia and Brian had taken a seat by now.
"You're Mrs. Dawson's mother, right?"
Ruth only nodded, faking a smile.
This woman was so…
Ruth didn't even know how to call her. She was a good doctor for sure and Rose liked her, Molly liked her, Jack liked her…yes everybody liked her and that was probably the main reason why Ruth found her strange.
Only people, who weren't telling the truth about themselves, who were in fact deceiving people were liked by everyone. At least Ruth was sure about this.
"What are you doing here?" Molly wanted to know from them.
They continued talked with each other, while Ruth wished that they would go.
Patricia and Molly were speaking about Rose and how hard she was taking it.
"I'm sure with your help she'll be better soon enough," Ruth heard Molly say feeling nauseous coming up.
In fact she wanted to throw up. Oh yes the holy Patricia Harrison, who was able to do everything.
I'm bowing my head against your highness.
Patricia Harrison was so…and now she was smiling again and of course everyone fell for it.
I would've hit you long ago, if we were both male.
But since they weren't, Ruth instead continued with her icy stares.
This of course didn't escape Patricia's attention.
"Is something wrong?" she wondered.
"I don't know, is there. You have to tell me?" Ruth snapped back.
Molly couldn't believe what had suddenly gotten into her. Patricia was helping her daughter and Jack in a most difficult time.
Why would Ruth act like this, treating her as an enemy?
"Excuse me, I need to powder my nose," Ruth was standing rising up, never giving Patricia the chance to answer anything.
"I'm sorry. I've to apologize for my friend. I really don't know what's gotten into her," Molly said after Ruth had left them.
Yes, really what was suddenly wrong?
"No need for that, Molly. I guessed she's only worried about her daughter."
Molly nodded slightly, wondering however why Ruth was seemingly disliking Patricia so much.