Thanks for all of the reviews I still appreciate them. Sorry I havent been updating much lately, I have yet to write the ending of this. For weeks I have had writers block not quite knowing how to write the ending even though I have a good idea, the words don't seem to come to me. Anyway here is this chapter and I hope the block clears up soon so I can actually write the next chapters...
Chapter 52 - Take The Money
Dearest Rose,
I cannot tell you how I happy I am to hear of the safe arrival of my second grandson although my happiness also comes with pain. Nathan passed away three days ago of a heart attack and also with this comes shock. My husband has left the art gallery which he ran for five years to Jack. I don't know how much it is worth at all but he would have liked Jack to have it, he can do what he likes with it but it now belongs to him. It has a wonderful collection of art from around the globe, Nathan travelled himself to select which art he showcased and took great pride in the building. The funeral is next weekend and I would like for you to attend if you could. It is a lot to ask of you after just having your second child but I would like to see the only family I have left.
Love,
Your mother.
'Oh my Lord.' Rose gasped, dropping the letter to the table. Jack's eyes darted to Rose wondering what was wrong.
'What is it?' He asked, looking at the letter wondering what on earth could have startled her so much. Rose handed the letter to Jack who skimmed over it quickly.
'Nathan Hockley has died and left the gallery to you. Mother doesn't know how much it is worth but its all yours.'
Jack thought he was hearing things. 'Why would he leave it to me? I'm nothing to him.'
'I don't know but its yours Jack. Do you want it?' She asked, taking the letter from him. Jack said nothing at all, just not understanding why it would be left to him. 'I think we should go see my mother to attend the funeral.'
Jack sighed standing from the table. 'I don't know the guy. We met twice.'
'No maybe not but he was my mothers husband. They were good to us, to me. When you were at war my mother stayed with me through my time of need so I think we should do the same for her. I have to go and I cant just leave the children here with you while I go…please Jack.' She pleaded with him and he shook his head not believing they had to go to Philadelphia to attend the funeral of a man they barely knew.
'All right, we'll go. I don't want the children at the funeral though it isn't right for them, they're too young.' Jack told her. 'And I don't have a suit to wear at all.'
'Jack don't try to riddle out of this. You are coming to the funeral with me, I cant go alone with my mother, she needs us right now. As for the children, I know Trudy would watch them for an hour or so.'
'Leave them with a maid? Rose I'm sorry but my children aren't getting left with any strangers. Either you go or don't but I'm not.' Rose sighed, hating the arguments she had with Jack.
'She's not a stranger I have known her since I was a little girl. She was my friend. Jack please stop been so difficult.' Just then loud cries from the bedroom sounded and Jack took a look at Rose before going to tend to him son. His cries grew louder until Jack scooped him up into his arms and they subsided, Rose watched Jack with his son and felt tears welling up in her eyes.
'Jack don't be difficult with me.' She said, almost whispering. Jack turned to her knowing that he had been a little rough with her. 'I just think I owe it to my mother. I don't want to go either, I gave birth four weeks ago and I feel tired and grumpy all of the time and don't get me started on how overweight I feel.'
Jack placed Harry back in the crib before shaking his head to Rose. 'I know how hard it is with two children. Harry's just born and we're up all hours to feed him but its what we have to do because we're parents.' He stroked her face. 'You are not overweight, or fat or anything. You're more beautiful now than ever, you've just had our son, your entitled to put on a little weight and I love you no matter what.' Rose felt tears come down her face and she leant on Jack's shoulder.
'I know I just feel huge.' Jack kissed her forehead.
'Don't worry. Soon Harry will be walking and we will be running around after him, you will lose some weight, if that's what you really want to do. Remember how much of a handful Will was? We have to do all that again.'
She laughed, remembering how much Will ran off as a child, once he discovered he had legs he was wondering off everywhere. 'And we have Will too. So its twice as much work.'
'Then we have the packing and shopping to do.' Jack told her, squeezing her hand. Rose lifted her head from Jack's shoulder and frowned, not understanding him. 'Well I need a suit for the funeral and we need to take clothes to your mothers.' He smiled to her.
'So you'll come?'
'Of course I'll come. Besides I want to see what this gallery is all about. If the old man left it for me then I will have to take a look.'
Mother,
On Friday we will arrive in Philadelphia in time for the funeral. I hope you are all right but I will be with you soon. We are bringing the children so you will be able to meet your new grandson. The train from Wisconsin to Philadelphia will take a few days but meet us at the station around noon on Friday, we will also need a car with the suitcases we have to bring we will certainly have our hands full. Jack is willing to accept the gallery if he likes what he sees but wont be running it from Philadelphia, there is so much to discuss but for now I send my love.
Rose.
Rain beat down heavily as mourners were just leaving the churchyard. Nathan Hockley had been laid to rest next to his son Caledon. Ruth kept her brave face in front of the other people of society who all attended the funeral. Rose held the black umbrella over her and her mothers head. Jack stood right at the back in his black suit, he had never been to a funeral but he knew that most of the people who had come here today weren't mourners, or lending support to Ruth, they simply wanted the gossip, to see how Ruth was so they could talk about it at their petty clubs. Ruth kept herself together in front of everybody, but it was Rose who knew that below the surface she was about to crack. Back at the house, members of the Hockley clan gathered around a large table in the dining room. The rest of the mourners were left in the living area to chatter and enjoy some refreshments whilst the will was read out to the family in private. Most of them simply came back to the house to see what the outcome of the will was, and if anything would be left to the Dawson's. Most of the chatter was about how tragic it was that Hockley had died, but as Jack walked through the crowds of people, he wondered if any of them cared at all. Hockley's attorney Jeff Guard sat everyone around the table in the dining area, present at the will reading was Ruth, Rose, Ethan and his wife Caitlin, also Nathan's half brother Jonathon and Jack joined them moments later.
'By my hand on this twenty fourth day of November in the year of 1919, Nathan Patrick Hockley.' Jeff glanced up from the will, to the members of the family around the table. 'Fifty eight million dollars.' Ruth clutched her hand to her chest, not having an idea just how much money her husband was worth. 'Mr Hockley leaves twenty million to his wife, Ruth Dewitt Hockley, twenty million to his only living son Ethan and also two million each for his sons Michael and George.' He continued to eye over the will. 'The half sibling Jonathon receives ten million also he leaves two million to the church, of which Mr Hockley supported. The remaining two million…' He wiped his head, hesitating his next words 'is left to Mrs Rose Dawson nee Dewitt Bukater and her husband Jack Dawson.' The whole table seemed to glance to each other silently, not exactly sure of what to say. Ethan stood from his chair and slammed his hand against the table, his wife Caitlin appeared frightened.
'This is bullshit!'
Jack felt sick as he felt Rose's eyes on him. Two million dollars? The attorney glanced to Jack in his not so fancy suit.
'So do you think you can handle that kind of money Mr Dawson?' He asked, you could almost hear the mocking in his voice.
Jack felt his fist clench and glanced to Rose, who said nothing. Ruth cleared her throat. 'It is my husbands money, he should be able to leave it to whoever he wishes.'
'But this is bullshit. These people don't even know my father, did nothing for him. Why would he leave that kind of money to strangers, the same amount which he left to both of my boys who are blood related.' He spat, and Caitlin stood placing her hand on his arm but he wafted her away.
'I don't want the money anyway.' Jack spoke out. 'Its his damn money. I have never took a penny from anyone in my life and I'm not about to start now, I support my wife and sons by working for a living. I mean, two millions dollars? I wouldn't even know what to do with that kind of money.'
'You don't understand Jack.' Ruth stood from the table. 'My husband wanted you to have that money. There are already hundreds of people employed to look after that kind of money for you.'
'What do you know Ruth. Because he's your son in law, you stick up his backside, look at him he looks like he hasn't had a decent meal in his life.' Ethan shook his head and Jack felt his fist clench, he quickly attempted to hit him but was dragged back by Jonathon.
'Look at you fighting over damned money. Ethan you should contest, I'll get you the finest lawyers and we'll fight it all the way if we have to.' Jeff told him.
'What do you think?' Ethan turned to his uncle Jonathon who simply shrugged.
'You will do no such thing. You can live here, have this house and the whole 20 acres.' Ruth told him, her voice sharp. 'You should be ashamed, fighting over money. My son in law will take the money.'
Rose stood from the chair next to her mother, having remained silent so far amongst the fighting. 'I don't want Nathan's 2 million dollars.' She glanced to Jack, her face like he had never seen it before.
'That settles it then.' Ethan smiled.
'No it doesn't.' The attorney continued. 'The steel business will be left to his only son Ethan. The house is left to his wife Ruth, and the gallery which he took so much pride in his later years if left to…Jack Dawson.'
A smile appeared on his face. 'I may not want the God damned money but the gallery is mine. The ideas were mine and I shall take pride in running the gallery.' Jack crossed his arms firmly, glad to wipe the smug look off their faces.
'I can contest. I can take you all the way to the cleaners.' Ethan threatened.
'Try me.' Jack said simply, glancing to Rose who held her mothers shaking hand.
'Oh for goodness sake, is that all you care about? The money? Your father is dead and you are fighting over money. Aren't you happy with what you have? You inherited the business what made your father the richest man in Philadelphia and your sons will inherit that too. So be happy.' Ruth snapped, and turned to leave the room.
'No mother. Don't leave. Don't be turned out of the room by these people. This is your house.'
Ruth didn't listen to her daughter instead she slid open the door and came face to face with the people of society all glancing at her with eyes of wonder. How much did she get from her husband? It was all about money. Tears obvious in her eyes, Ruth ignored the stares and headed for the outside veranda a place which Nathan had especially built for her, a place which he filled with roses just for her. Rose followed her mother whilst Jack came face to face with the looks of the people, he didn't have time for this. He walked straight through the crowd, not acknowledging anyone, he was going to find Trudy and his sons.
Outside Ruth felt tears come down her cheeks, not in years had she cried, nothing had ever pierced her heart to cause so much pain. Rose's heels clicked as she came down the stone steps to the veranda, she glanced around at the beautiful place and the scent of roses washed over her. 'Mother, what is it?' She came up behind her mother.
'They think they have won Rose. Ethan and his big mouth.' Ruth sobbed. 'His father dies and all he wants is a fight.'
Rose pulled her mother towards her. 'Let him have the money, Jack and I will never take it.'
'But then all of your life you'll never quite be up there with the Hockley's. You will be known as my daughter who didn't take the money when she had the choice to. You'll never quite be one of them ladies.'
'I don't want to be one of them. To be cruel and selfish like Caitlin how could you even think I'd want to be like that?'
Ruth touched her daughters face. 'I don't want you to be one of them Rose. I just want you to be happy. You have to make a life that you want with your husband and two sons.' Ruth wiped away her own tears. 'I want Jack to have the gallery, to make it his own and to keep Nathan's spirit alive around here somehow. I don't want it to fall into disrepair especially when he took so much pride in it later in his life.'
