Chapter three:
''Some things just don't work out, right?'' Rose told him, flatly, without an ounce of emotion within her voice, or so it seemed.
''Sure.'' Jack nodded, in agreement but then he hesitated his next words. ''That is true. But I have the feeling that there's more to it than that.'' Rose drew a deep breath. He sensed her discomfort and immediately felt guilty. ''I'm sorry I-''
''He hit me,'' she closed her eyes as the words came out. The first time that she had uttered them aloud, and yet there was some sort of relief which followed as she revealed the truth. As though he was therapy.
Jack's stomach jerked downward, as though he had fallen without an aid from a great height. He hadn't expected her to say anything of the sorts. He thought he would be the type of guy who just couldn't keep out of other girls' panties, maybe even had the biggest ego but then there was what Rose had just said-
''He, what?''
''Don't make me repeat anything.'' Rose whispered, her face downwards like an ashamed child. Jack had heard her as though she had screamed the words at him.
The guy had hurt her. He had hit her. Jack felt his jaw tense. He concentrated more on the road than anything, his knuckles turning white as he grasped onto the wheel as tightly as he possibly could. ''I promise, you will never have to say anything about it again.''
Rose was silent, as if she was reliving something as her eyes flickered open, Jack noticed just how much that icy exterior had dissolved and now, she was so vulnerable. Without even thinking he reached over to place his right hand in her left. He stroked his thumb over her palm and she was surprised just by how much he comforted her. How was his touch so gentle? How did it ease her physical aches so easily?
''The job at the Grill is just money. I much prefer working outdoors.'' Jack changed the subject quickly and answered her earlier question about why he had taken a job at the Grill. ''The reason I came out here is because back home it was just so damned cold. The truth is my father died when I was just eight and he never left the town which he was born in. There was no reason to. He had work, his wife and his family.''
Rose was fascinated by how open about his life he was. She had started to become intrigued. It propelled her to push away her own misery to the back of her mind for now, even just for a time, it would help to ease the memories away. It was something else to engross herself into and forget the controversy of her own meaningless life so easily. It was like how one felt when reading a great novel, but this was real life. It required interactions with another human being and that was a rarity these days. Didn't her own mother always harp on about how Rose would need to leave the house more, gain and further her social acquaintances? Perhaps this was the one chance.
''I am sorry for your loss of both parents so young.''
''Thank you, but it's all right.''
He was silent. Rose realised that his hand was still in hers and truth be told, she didn't want to move in case he removed it, so she simply stared ahead out of the windscreen until the ocean was in full view. The view was spectacular. The sun had started to set in the distance and she didn't realise just how beautiful it was. It was like something which would have been painted in a wonderful gallery. The feel of his hand within hers seemed to be her only grasp onto reality as the rest of her mind seemed to slip into a dreamlike state. Everything about her seemed to feel hazy, dizzy and gorgeous. The breeze from the open window sent her curls tumbling about and it was freeing, to not have a care in the world about her appearance for once.
It was only as Jack was about to park the Dodge just next to the ballroom that Jack hesitantly removed his hand from within her own. At some point, her right hand had landed atop his and so as she let go, she blushed having not noticed how she had held him with both of her hands in his. He glanced about for any sign of the black car but it was nowhere to be seen.
''Here we are,'' Jack opened the door, kicking it open as though he had no care of whether or not it fell off and then walked around to the passenger side before opening the door for Rose. Slightly impressed by his manners, she smiled curiously.
''Come on.'' He held his hand out to her. She glanced at it for just a second before watching the pier before them. The ballroom was in full swing and the music could be heard blaring out. Just beyond that the beach sat, extending a warm welcome for her to experience the sand and waves for the first time in her life.
It was like something Rose had once dreamt of. The beach was a gorgeous golden brown, clean and the water was right there, causing an ache for her to dip her toes in it right there and then. The promenade ran right across, adjacent to them and then the pier entrance loomed lit up with neon lights. Lights and a small crowd gathered outside the nightlife at the ballroom, but with a crowd of smoke they retreated inside, leaving just them; parked alone.
''Are we supposed to be here this late?''
''Sure,'' with his hand still extended to her, he raised his brow in a silent bid to entice her out of the car. She placed her hand within his, for the third time just that day. Gracefully, Rose stood, shaking her hair as she went and straightening out her dress which had creased from the journey. Once standing, it was even more breath-taking.
''Wow, have you ever seen such-'' she trailed off, and Jack locked the car, before joining her there. With the wind hitting her face, the sea breeze seemed to wash away the contents of that day and left a more refreshed take on how to face the end of the day. Why would you want to spend the evening looking at anything other than the brilliance of nature?
''It is wonderful.''
It would be dark soon. It was a Thursday night; a school night. The kids wouldn't be out and those at the ballroom would be too drunk to even notice anyone else out here.
''Do you want to see?''
''Yes.''
Jack started just ahead of her, the way he walked with such purpose caused her to almost need to break out into a run as she followed him, with her skirts billowing about her legs. It wasn't cold, but the sun had cooled down. The salty air washed across both of their faces, and as it caught her, Jack twisted to see how she laughed when it whipped her hair about her face so that she was unable to see straight.
''Are you all right?''
''Yes!'' She laughed, parting her hair and tucking it behind her ears.
As they approached the pier, past the neon lights, Rose's heels clacked upon the wood of the decks. Jack went slightly ahead, and she followed with such trust that she was surprised by herself. The pier was surrounded by a wooden balustrade, rising as she walked further towards the edge, and into a darkness in which the fading sun was the only light. The ballroom music was reduced to a slight noise now, and only the wind and the waves could be heard. All five of her senses came fully alive at that point, for the first time in her life and mingled together they seemed to have put her under some kind of docile spell which ensured she had limited use of her body. It was frightening and heavenly all at once.
Beneath the orange glow of the sky, the sea was spread out, all across as far as the eye could see. The blue of it matched the gaze of Jack, as he turned to marvel at how she witnessed the beauty of the scenery.
''Do you like it?''
Her mouth curved into a slight smile, then a splitting grin. ''Yes!'' She cried, incredulously. ''I have never seen anything like it.''
Her heels clacked softly as she went to the wooden rail, at the place where it met the other side in a corner almost like the bow of a ship. At the edge right there, she felt as though she was floating above the ocean, far ahead and out on endlessly. Her breathing kept ceasing, from wonder and then, as she felt Jack join her there at the rail.
''You know years ago; you could fish from here. People say it was the most beautiful catch this side of the Coast.''
''Is that right?''
''Yes. The rollercoaster too, apparently is over fifty years old. Imagine been here so long ago when all of this was so new?''
Rose listened to him talk. He made everything so beautiful, everything came alive. His eyes were so bright, sparkling with sincerity and then the scent of him washed over her from the breeze; the same which filled his car. It was intense, sending her stomach into a tumbling wave of something. Perhaps, it was the thought of been so high above the ocean, with nothing below but the water if she fell...
''I would love to have seen it.'' She whispered. ''I feel that I was there, sometimes, years ago at the ocean. When I read about it in books, I just feel, some connection.''
Rose turned her attention to the waves which crashed up against the pier, the sky which seemed to meet the end of the ocean and how the breeze seemed to tickle every sense, making her feel so alive, so young and as though this was all a dream. She had never come here to this place after living her for quite a number of months. It had never been a place her family would allow her to associate. This must have been Heaven on earth. One could imagine coming here to write an epic novel, paint a beautiful picture or just become lost in the world and the wonderful view before them which had to be a rarity to witness.
''But it is still so alive out here. I mean, people come here to get away from their lives, for a vacation and we live here. We are so lucky to wake up to this every morning.''
Rose smiled at his optimistic outlook on his life, wishing that she could have the same feeling and express herself the way he did but instead all one felt was that same continued emptiness. She couldn't express anything after been suppressed for so long. But something was stirring...something mysterious.
''It is lovely.'' She said simply.
''Well, the best view is from up there.'' Jack placed his hands upon her elbow, to gently turn her to face the huge spiralling machine just situated in the distant light. Like a postcard, the Santa Monica rollercoaster sat, sprawled out before her like a giant invitation.
''That's Ocean Park right there.'' Jack pointed ahead, clutching her right hand within his own suddenly, as though he was about to run, ''this is the North Bay. See down that pier ahead just how crowded it could get this time of year?''
The casino and band stand stood at the edge of the pier. The two-story brick building was at the centre. It had a wooden ramp leading up from the sandy beach to the entryway at centre. The roof of the building was flat and had an open observation deck. Four towers were visible, one on each corner, and a sign over the arched entryway identified he building as a casino. A man was standing near the entrance, and another was visible in the foreground at right. Several benches were in the sand in front of the casino, and American flags flew from the top of the building.
''What's over there?''
Rose asked, pointing to the Ferris Wheel at the edge of the Park.
''That's the wheel,'' Jack narrowed his gaze at the huge spiral of the coaster with a smaller wheel in comparison, but still, big enough to make he and Rose look like ants. ''It looks ancient, doesn't it?'' Jack sensed her interest. "Do you want to ride it?"
With a slight look of nervousness, Rose pressed her lips together to suppress the grin that she did when one was up to mischief. ''I couldn't possibly. It is closed.''
''Yes, and...'' Jack raised his brow, waiting for her response when he smiled. ''Come on!''
She frowned. ''Where are we going?''
Jack led her back down the pier, almost in a run. Her feet ached, as her heels clacked upon the decks. The only feeling she had within her entire body was Jack's clasp of her hand, and she followed him, thoroughly trusting him. Adrenaline coursed through her entire body, as he led her through a large locked gate which he happened to have the key for.
''H-how do you have that?''
''Shh.'' He placed a single finger to his lips as he placed the key into a metal lock and surprisingly it opened with such an ease. Rose felt alive, suddenly. This was trespassing. With his hand leading her, she willingly went into a spiral of almost darkness inside the park.
''Where are we?''
''Shh, you will see.''
Trusting him was all that she could do as they threaded through closed rides, tents and food vendors. A place which in daylight was alive with screams of both pleasure and terror but now was like a derelict, forbidden ground.
The Ferris wheel loomed spookily; it was silent almost like a lost ghost town except for the faint music playing from the ballroom. She wondered if anyone else would come here as night was falling. No one else in their sound mind would.
''Are we allowed here?''
''I won't tell if you won't.'' Rose saw him grin, baring his white teeth and excitement lingered in her stomach.
''Do you trust me?''
His eyes glimmered in the dim light.
''Yes.''
Jack led her forward passed the different amusements, tents, buildings, café. They passed several closed stalls and the hotdog machine. His hand was rough but gentle too, when he had driven them down here, she had noticed the many callouses across his fingers and then when his hand had curled around hers in the car, noted just how tender he was, too. She followed him carefully treading her heels.
''Here we are.''
The massive wheel towered overhead, Jack sensed her apprehensiveness for just a second, until he took her hand in his own again.
''Are you nervous?''
''A little.''
''Don't be.''
Rose felt her stomach flip. ''Do you know how to work it?''
''I have an idea.''
Dropping her hand for a moment, he went to a control panel, which lit up and beeped suddenly, until Jack quickly pressed another button to stop it and then, he pointed to the first open car.
''After you?''
''No, you first.''
Jack held the car steady before he climbed into it as fast as he could.
''You have to be quick or-''
Suddenly, the churn started, and half way through helping Rose up into the seat to join him, Jack pulled her arm fast and sharply causing her to stammer and fell diagonally across his lap as the wheel started to rise, slowly. She had wanted to scream but instead it had come out as a giggle, and as she landed in a pile, she broke down into such hilarious giggles, that she clutched onto her stomach for just a second until realisation dawned-
As the car began to rise up in the air, her face turned pale.
''Are we-''
''Yes, we are moving.''
The car door remained open, and her heart went into her stomach and then came flying out of her mouth. But she peered over the side at the view across the ocean, encircled along the western rim by high rises.
Still half sprawled across his knee, Jack settled Rose into her own seat beside him but she never loosened her grip on his hand; her reality. The car rocked a little as the wheel stopped and started, as it would to allow more people on. Rose jumped, grabbing his thigh. Her fingernails dig into his flesh even through his trouser but Jack put his hand on top of hers and massaged gently until she relaxed.
To distract her, Jack started to speak, "You know the first Ferris Wheel in the world was built in Chicago?''
"It was?"
"Yeah, for the World Exposition in... I'm gonna say ... 1893? They were trying to show up the Eiffel Tower."
Rose raised an eyebrow. "The Eiffel Tower is hard to beat.''
"Yeah." Jack grinned. "But it doesn't move."
They were almost at the peak and the motion stopped once more, and they looked out over the water. The sun was sinking down. The whole sky was turning orange, the clouds grey as smoke and the sun like a burning brand above the water. The waves lapping the shore were deep indigo, tipped with peaks of white. It looks so unearthly that they were both silent, just staring across the view
"Look," Rose jumped, pointing. "A star."
The star was faint, just glimmering into being in the darkest strip of sky.
Jack turned to Rose. The sunset glow was burning on her skin, painting it gold. Her eyes looked lighter than usual-pale as green could be, and gleaming beneath her dark lashes.
''This is the best view up here.''
Rose's hair blew backwards and it took her breath away. She looked straight ahead and then it clicked what Jack had meant. The skyline was almost adjacent. There were thousands of lights and it seemed to meet the sky. She tipped her head all the way back to see the moon as she shakily reached up her left arm and then her right, stretching them far above her head and moved them about in mid-air. This is what freedom felt like.
Jack gazed at the sky then back to Rose as she brought her arms over her chest. She noticed his arm was casually draped around her shoulders; it caused that bubbling of nerves to stir within her belly once more.
''I told you I knew of these places.''
Jack took a deep breath, he gazed back at the sky but Rose's eyes remained on him.
''Yes, you did.''
As both of them felt something, present, something particular; the power was almost too much to bear, as they both glanced away, quickly. Both too weak to acknowledge anything in that second.
''I guess I trusted you.''
Something had shifted between them. It was stronger, drawing her to him. She felt so tight and breathless. As though he robbed her plainly of the ability to even breathe.
Jack began to move closer to her, the scent washed over her again, and then as he grew closer, she had to close her eyes; the moment was too much for her to bare. His hands fumbled with something, then it clicked...
''I'll get us down.'' Jack whispered closely to her ear
Rose's racing heart calmed. In the moment, she believed he would kiss her. She cursed herself for even allowing herself to be carried away in such a moment.
Cursed herself for naively wishing.