Chapter Ten

The butterflies began fluttering in Rose's stomach the moment she awoke. As she opened her eyes, she was barely able to suppress the delighted grin creeping across her face. "This is it..." she whispered to herself, glancing at the train ticket by her bedside table. She picked it up, clutching it fiercely, thinking of all it represented, all that it promised. She could barely wait for the day to truly begin.

Unable to contain her excitement much longer, she jumped out of bed and threw open the curtains. The sun was shining brightly; the whole world seemed to be sparkling, mirroring the joy and anticipation Rose felt in her heart. "Of course," Rose thought delightedly. "Today is the beginning... of everything! Why wouldn't it be perfect?" She laughed at her own silliness, still revelling in the excitement and joy that seemed to touch everything today. This feeling of truly being alive was new to Rose, something her cloistered world had never allowed her to experience. Watching the passers by on the street below, Rose suddenly felt like waving to them, to calling good morning as they passed by; to share some of the excitement that was flooding through her. As she reluctantly turned her back on the window to continue her packing, Rose's thoughts raced, her mind miles away. In so many ways, even as she stood here packing to leave, everything that had happened seemed impossible.. like something she had read in a novel, or dreamed up during one of those lonely times when her ability to imagine something better seemed the only salvation. Her sentiments of a few moments before came back to her... the beginning. In so many ways, today was a new beginning, a chance to finally escape the prisons that had bound her mercilessly since childhood. A quick glance around the room confirmed how far she had come. Could she have survived like this a year ago? Alone, with only a few possessions to her name, living in a small room in the poorer parts of New York. She had never possessed the courage, the willpower to finally break free, to survive by herself. At least, not until she had met Jack.

A soft smile spread across her face as she thought of Jack. Never had she imagined that one person, one chance encounter at the worst moment of her life, could change everything so completely. She had dreamed of escape, of salvation, for so many years, yet it was Jack who had made it possible. He had given her so much, without even realising it; given her the ability to become the person she longed to be. Could she possibly mean as much to him? As this thought crossed her mind, she suddenly remembered the expression on Jack's face that night as she had walked towards him at the bow. The love and delight that lit up his eyes answered every question she would ever have. Gently picking up the portrait he had drawn, she felt suddenly close to him again, and longed to be near him. "Where are you now, Jack?" she wondered. "What are you doing?" A cold shiver ran through her as she suddenly realised that he must think that she was dead. After all, what else would he think? Unconsciously, Rose began to move more quickly, throwing things carelessly in her small bag, anxious to reach Jack as soon as possible.


Jack's mind was a million miles away as he sat on yet another railway platform. Why were they always the same; no matter where he went, railways stations seemed cold, grey, devoid of life, full of depressing memories and very little promise of anything better. His whole life, it seemed, had been a series of early goodbyes, of running away and searching for new beginnings that never worked out in the end. This was just another.

He was lucky in at least one respect. Pete had been horrified by his sudden departure, and had insisted that he take the money for a train fare. At this point, Jack was beyond pride; at least this way he wouldn't have to worry about catching a free ride; wouldn't have to spend the journey huddled in cold and smelly luggage compartments. Thinking of this reminded him of Fabrizio, of the journeys they had made around Europe. He remembered that poker game in Southampton suddenly. At that moment the power of his good fortune seemed limitless. It seemed anything could happen; that life and everything that it offered was there to be taken, to be enjoyed. Jack smiled grimly at his naivety. To making it count?! That sentiment had brought him nothing but another series of goodbyes and heartbreak. Those days in Europe, before Titanic... even the days he and Rose had spent together.. they all seemed so long ago now, almost as though it had happened to someone else, in a world far removed from this one. In fact, Jack decided, none of that was worth thinking about anymore. What difference did it make to reality, dwelling on happy memories of people who were gone forever. This was his life now, such as it was, he thought despondently.

The train arrived, blowing its whistle insistently. Jack gathered up his things quickly, rushing to join the throngs gathering at the doors. It seemed remarkable that he was headed to California again: a place that he could never have imagined returning to a few months earlier. Yet, still, in many ways it was the perfect place for him. He could find somewhere cheap to live, survive on drawing a couple of portraits a day, and slowly blend into the crowds. There would be no well meaning friends trying to 'cheer him up', no curious eyes and best of all, no memories to haunt him around every corner. Finding a seat, Jack settled down to watch the miles fly away.


The train had sat at Chippewa Falls station by the time Rose began to compose herself. As they had pulled into the small station, her pent up emotions suddenly overcame her, and she couldn't help it as she started to sob. All the heartbreak, the fear, the loneliness of the past month- all of a sudden, the nightmare was drawing to a close. As she wiped her eyes, a little embarrassed by her outburst, Rose felt a hand gently come to rest on her shoulder. Spinning around in surprise, she found herself staring straight into a pair of warm, brown eyes. The old man's face was kind and friendly looking, a wise face that wrinkled and creased as he smiled at her. "Excuse me, Miss, but are you all right? The train is about to turn around... this was the last stop. Can I be of any assistance with your bags?"

Rose smiled gratefully at him, trying to convey how much she appreciated the gentle interference. Her voice trembled a little as she replied "Thank you, you are very kind. My name is Rose" Smiling back at her, the elderly man tipped his hat gallantly. "And I, young lady, am Joseph," he replied as he picked up one of her small bags.

Stepping out onto the platform, Rose couldn't help gasping aloud. She was finally here. Looking around at the small town, a smile lit up her face. She could imagine Jack here; could see the lake he had spoken of, could picture him as a small boy playing in the dusty streets, or poring over his choice at the sweet shop next to the station. She hugged herself with joy. She had finally made it. Trying to keep her voice casual, Rose turned to Joseph. "I don't suppose you know Jack Dawson," she asked.

Joseph looked at her quizzically. "Dawson?" he sounded genuinely puzzled. "Haven't been any Dawsons around here in a long time," he said gently "although of course I remember young Jack. Tragic business, that was- what happened to his parents, I mean." Joseph must have noticed Rose's face fall, because he continued "Of course, I've been away these past few months. Perhaps young Jack has returned in the meantime- had enough of his adventuring and decided to settle down perhaps?"

The relief that flooded Rose's face was palpable and Joseph smiled knowingly. "Yes!" she cried, "he would have only returned within the past few weeks, of course you wouldn't know. How silly of me!" She laughed with relief.

"Well, Miss, if you are looking for someone in this town, there's only one person to ask, and that's Mrs. Anderson in the grocers over there." He pointed to a small store on the far side of the road. "Biggest gossip in the town," he continued, winking at Rose. "If there's anything going on, anyone coming or going, Gracie will know all the details."


The door creaked on its hinges as Rose's eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness of the store. Slowly, she made out the form of a solid looking woman in a flowered apron, sitting behind the counter. Joseph strode ahead of her, shaking the woman's hand vigorously. "Good morning, Gracie" he cried. "I'd like you to meet Rose. She's looking for young Jack Dawson. I don't suppose you've seen him around these parts lately?"

Gracie's face narrowed into a frown, her lips pursed disapprovingly. "Jack Dawson?" she spoke sourly. "Well, I can't imagine why you would want to find him!" she cried, full of self importance. "The Townsend's were good enough to take him in after he waltzes back here from the good Lord only knows where, and what do you think he did!" Gracie paused for effect. "Why, he stole from them! Right out from under their noses, took young Eliza's diamond necklace, no less!" Gracie Anderson nearly choked on her outrage.

Joseph didn't miss the look of horror and despair that flashed across Rose's face. "Can you tell me where he is now?" he asked insistently, one eye still on Rose. Gracie sniffed. "I can't imagine," she replied. "He left town this morning."

To be continued!