Chapter 3 : A morning in good company
Thursday, April 11
The next morning, a noise came to pull Jack from his sleep. Without even opening his eyes, he knew that it was someone, surely Miss Fleming, who was knocking on the door, waiting for permission to enter. Jack did not get up, burrowing deeper into his bed.
- Come in. He said, with a sleepy voice, muffled by the blanket that covered him, but loud enough for her to hear.
Seconds later, he heard the door leading to his parents' cabin open. It was either her mother or the latter's governess. He soon found out.
- Good morning Jack, get up it's 8am.
It was, of course, Miss Fleming. He didn't want to get up, the bed was so warm and comfortable. Maybe if he didn't move, she'd think he fell asleep again.
- Jack, I know you are awake. Don't be so childish ! Hurry up and get dressed. she threatened him.
Jack sighed. It was not for lack of trying. He slowly removed the blanket from his face and saw Miss Fleming enter the wardrobe. Suddenly he remembered that he had left his clothes on the floor as he changed the day before.
Jack waited a few seconds for Miss Fleming to swear or scold him, but he only heard an annoyed sigh.
- I... I was tired last night... He tried to justify himself, while avoiding her gaze when she returned into the room with his clothes from the day before.
- It does not matter Jack, I understand. She said to him in a softer tone. Now get dressed.
Jack was astonished. Usually, if he let his things lie around, he'd be in trouble.
He came out of his amazement and complied, went towards the closet. As usual, his clothes for the day had been chosen by the maid. Even his evening costume hung on the big mirror of the room. He closed the door of the room and changed, while taking care not to leave his pajamas on the floor. She was not going to let that pass twice. When he was finally ready, he came out of the closet, Miss Fleming was nowhere in sight. He went to the sink that was in the room and rinsed his face. He styled his hair himself and Miss Fleming came back when he put his comb down.
- Your parents ask if you would like to join them for breakfast in their cabin.
Honestly, Jack did not want to see them, at least not yet. But he knew that he would only delay the inevitable if he refused the invitation, or rather the request, of his parents.
- Tell them I'll meet them in a few minutes. Thank you. He replied.
She simply nodded and returned to her parents' cabin to let them know of their son's arrival.
Jack stayed still for a minute to fix his reflection in the mirror above the sink. He didn't know how this breakfast was going to go. Although the nightly conversation with Harry had reassured him, he did not want to face his parents. Unfortunately, he didn't really have a choice now. He pulled himself together and walked down the small hallway. Then, he took a deep breath before knocking on the door of his parents' cabin without hesitation.
He entered, not waiting for an answer. To his surprise, only his father was in the room, already sitting at the small table.
- Good morning, son. His father greeted him. How was your first night aboard the world's most luxurious ship ? He continued in a very playful voice.
Jack suddenly felt very shy in front of his father.
- Good morning, father. All right, thank you. What about you ?
- Very well. Now, sit down and keep me company until your mother finishes getting ready.
Jack did as he was told and an awkward silence set in, well, that is what Jack thought. A minute passed in silence, until knockings echoed in the room. Miss Fleming appeared from the wardrobe and opened the door. It was a stewardess bringing breakfast. She greeted them and laid a small, well-stocked cart near the table. Jack looked at all the food presented: the breakfast was going to be like dinner, very rich. The stewardess put a few dishes on the table.
- Good, thank you.
His father dismissed the stewardess. Miss Fleming was already back in the closet.
His father served himself a coffee while Jack took freshly squeezed orange juice. However, they were waiting for Marian Thayer to come out of the wardrobe to start eating. The latter soon came out of the small room, accompanied by her maid.
- Good morning, Jack, I hope you are less troubled than last night. She said as a greeting.
- Good morning, mother, I feel better, thank you. Did you sleep well ? He replied.
His mother nodded and settled next to his father. He obviously wanted to change the subject of the conversation, and if his parents had noticed, they didn't say a word about it. Miss Fleming poured tea into a cup for Marian. His father started his smoked salmon with its jacket potatoes while Jack ate his tomato omelette. Breakfast lasted a good half hour in a slightly more comfortable silence, no one dared mention the dinner of the previous day, but unfortunately for Jack, it was a subject to be discussed That's why he decided to talk.
- First, I would like to apologize for my behavior and for embarrassing you last night. I was... surprised. He apologized, while looking at his omelette; he only takes a few bites: the stress ruined his appetite.
- I think we also owe you an apology, my son. We should not have kept that from you. Your mother and I only want your happiness. Harry is a well-educated young man, endowed with a great intellectual culture and very respectable, which is why we decided this, together with our dear friends George and Eleanor. Said John. By the way, did Harry found you last night ?
His father seemed very sincere in his words; Jack did not even doubt about it for a second.
- I... Yes. We talked outside, on the deck. He answered, remembering Harry Widener's monologue.
- Good. Well, we have other news for you. Do not worry, this is not news on the same scale as last night. Reassured his father.
- We learned that Ruth DeWitt-Bukater was on board with Rose, and her fiancé Caledon Hockley. We thought you would be happy to see your friend again. Marian continued.
Jack felt better than when he woke up: his parents had reassured him about this marriage thing and now he was learning that he was going to spend time with Rose, a friend he known since childhood. They are the same age and apparently, she was getting married, too.
- I cannot wait to see her again, it has been almost six months since we last saw each other. He thought out aloud.
- I will ask Ruth if they want to join us for lunch in the dining room. Added his mother.
Knockings echoed again in the cabin; Miss Fleming went to open the door for the second time. It was the same stewardess, who came to collect the leftovers from the breakfast. So, the conversation ended there. Everyone would attend to their business during the morning: Mr. Thayer was going to make the most of the reception room or perhaps the smoking room with Mr. Widener and other businessmen. Mrs. Thayer, on the other hand, was surely going to take a walk in the lounge on A Deck, hoping to meet the Philadelphia socialite. So, Jack was going to be alone. His mother had offered him to accompany her, but he politely refused, not wanting to find himself alone surrounded by all these ladies.
It was agreed that the three family members would meet in the cabin at 11:30 a.m. to prepare themselves for lunch.
Jack returned to his cabin. After that, he retrieved his keys left on the table the day before and walked to the door leading to the large port corridor of the C Deck. He walked out of the room and closed the door then, carefully put away his key in his pocket. He looked briefly to the side where he saw Harry disappear last night, before looking at his pocket watch, it was a little over 9 a.m. He made his way in the direction of the Grand Staircase: he was going on an exploration !
When he reached the magnificent staircase, he looked around, wondering if he would first go up or down. After a few seconds of hesitation, he decided to get on the Boat Deck, he had heard about the gymnasium from his father, perhaps he could see people practiced. As he reached B Deck and was about to continue to A Deck, a feminine voice was heard.
- Jack ? She asked.
The boy turned around to face the person who talked. A big smile appeared on his face: this voice belonged to his dear friend Rose. She smiled the same way when she realized that she had not made a mistake. She was accompanied by her mother, Ruth.
- Good morning, ladies. It's a pleasure to see you, as always. He said, always with a smiling face.
He kissed both their hands, making the two ladies smile.
- Oh Jack, no need for these formalities between us. Said Rose, who gained a disapproving glance from her mother, whom she ignored.
- Rose ! He is a well-educated young man, of course he must politely greet a lady. She reprimanded her daughter. I am sorry, Jack. Because of all these wedding preparations, my daughter forgets her good manners. She apologized to the young man.
Jack felt a little embarrassed and had a nervous laugh, he did not want to be in the middle of a mother-daughter argument. He then tried to change the subject.
- Oh, I was almost going to forget: my parents want you to join us for lunch, if you wish. He said, trying to dispel the nascent tension between the two women.
- It will be with great pleasure. We will let Caledon know. Where can I find your mother ? The older woman asked.
- She said she wanted to go to the lounge. I think she is with Mrs. Widener. He politely replied.
- Very well, thank you. She turned to face her daughter. Are you coming, Rose?
It was not really a question, and clearly her daughter did not want to go there.
- I can stay with Jack, mother. We have not seen each other for so long. She told her mother.
- But maybe Jack has to go somewhere else. Do not assertive yourself on him like that. She answered dryly to her daughter.
- I have nothing planned, ma'am. I would be very happy if Rose would accompany me for a walk on the upper deck. Answered the young man with honesty.
He smiled at Mrs. DeWitt-Bukater. She finally gave in.
- Well, all right. But, Rose, I want you back to get ready at 11:15.
And without another word, the older woman walked away, leaving the two friends alone.
- Your mother looks different, compared to other occasions when I have seen her. Said Jack.
- Since my father's death, she has changed a lot. This… marriage does not help either. The young woman replied.
She said the word "marriage" so vehemently that it surprised Jack momentarily, but he doesn't say anything because, after all, it wasn't his concern. If Rose wanted to talk to him about it, she would do it on her own, he will not force her to say anything she doesn't want.
Rose then extended her arm so that he could take it, which he did.
"Come on, you promised me a walk outside, I'm counting on you to keep your word. She said with a laugh.
Thus, the two teenagers, almost young adults, headed to the Boat Deck.
When they went outside, there were not a lot of people. Jack noticed a man photographing a father playing spinning-top with his son. It made Jack smile because as he remembered playing with his father in his childhood.
The two friends walked calmly, exchanging banalities, until they decided to settle on deckchairs, it was from that moment that the conversation became more serious.
- You know, I envy you Jack. Said Rose, with a melancholy air.
- Why ? The young man hastened to ask.
- You will have the chance to choose the person you want to marry. She replied.
Jack was stunned at these words. Then, he remembered that she was not aware of her recent engagement.
- Well, you're wrong. My parents decided I'll get married too. He said, with a slight hint of bitterness in his voice.
This time it was Rose who was speechless.
- Who is the happy person ? She asked in a smaller and hesitant voice.
-You know him without a doubt. It's Harry Widener. My parents and his parents agreed to that recently, I didn't know until last night.
Jack looked slightly sullen, although he knew Harry was a good man, he had not yet quite thought he was going to get married soon.
- I see. She replied.
She didn't let anything appeared on her face. He didn't know what she was thinking.
- I don't think I should complain. Jack continued. He seems to be a very distinguished man. Moreover, he even came to find me and apologize last night when it was I who should have apologized after leaving the table by running away. I think... I could maybe learn to love him.
This last sentence was said more softly, as if he were realizing something.
Rose smiled, it was a real smile this time, but he was quickly replaced by a sad one.
- Cal is... I mean, I think you'll understand during lunch.
She got up.
- What time is it ?
Jack looked at his watch, it was already a little over 11a.m.
- It's time for me to take you back to your cabin. He replied.
He looked at the horizon, the land was very close. They were approaching the Irish coast.
The two young friends headed for the door leading to the Grand Staircase. Once inside, they headed to B Deck where Rose, her mother and her fiancé, stayed during the trip, in the famous "millionaire's suite". When they were at A Deck, Jack saw a very familiar figure emerge from the hallway leading to the lounge and reading room. It was Harry, a book in his hand. Jack blushed and looked down, pretending he hadn't seen him. He also hoped that the latter had not seen them.
Rose did not seem to have noticed her friend's behavior change.
However, he knew that Harry had noticed them when Rose stopped. He looked up and found himself face-to-face with the person who had been troubling his thoughts since the evening before.
- Good morning, Jack, miss. The newcomer greeted them.
- Good morning Harry. Jack greeted back, shyly.
He kissed Rose's hand, who gave him a big smile, and then he did the same with Jack, the latter could not help but blush.
- I apologize, I'll have to leave you, I have several things to deal with before lunch. Said Harry, to the two teenagers. Jack, my invitation is still valid for this afternoon, if you wish.
Without saying anything else, the young man waved his hand before heading towards the elevators. Rose broke the silence.
- So... Is he your famous fiancé ? He is very handsome.
- I... Yes, I suppose. Jack replied, his face still red. Come on, we should head for your cabin. Your mother would be angry if you aren't on time.
He started to go downstairs, not looking behind him if she was following. However, he heard her heels on the steps of the stairs. The rest of the small journey to Rose's suite was very brief. They greeted each other, knowing that they would meet again in less than an hour. He waited until she was in her cabin before heading for his, a deck below, continuing to think about a certain young bibliophile. He sighed, hoping that he would not meet the older man for lunch because he knows for sure he will blush again.