Chapter Eleven

Joseph's warm brown eyes were filled with concern as he gazed into Rose's distraught face. No tears fell from her eyes, but she shook her head slowly as she numbly mumbled "He couldn't have. Not Jack. I know he couldn't have." Suddenly remembering Joseph's presence for the first time, she clutched his arm, staring into his eyes with an unusual intensity. "Joseph, you know Jack. You know he wouldn't do this."

Realising that no reply was expected, or really necessary, Joseph talk Rose's arm and gently ushered her outside. The day was growing older, and already the twilight was approaching, the shadows becoming longer with ever passing second. Suddenly, Rose realised that after travelling so far, she had forgotten to arrange any accommodation for the night. She had assumed that she would find Jack straight away; that everything would happen to plan. Suddenly overcome by an utter sense of hopelessness, she burst into tears.  "Come on," Joseph spoke calmly, but his tone was warm and comforting.   "Things are never as bad they may seem on the surface. You've had a long day, and a shock. I think you need to rest- things will seem clearer in the morning. I don't suppose you have anywhere to stay?"

Wordlessly, Rose shook her head, biting her lip to stop the tears spilling to the surface again. "Well, then" Joseph continued "I would be delighted if you would stay with my wife and I until you decide what you'd like to do next."

"Oh... Joseph, that's very kind of you.. but I couldn't possibly impose on you like that." Rose stammered. Joseph chuckled ruefully. "Oh, it's no problem. My wife is well known as the hostess of the town. She'd be delighted to see you. In fact, I think she'd be horrified if I didn't invite you to stay with us."

For the first time in what seemed like hours, a genuine smile filled Rose's face. "In that case, I would be delighted to accept your kind invitation." Rose spoke formally, but the mischievous sparkle in her eyes gave her away. Joseph, picking up on her mood, gallantly tipped his hat to her as he shouldered her bag. "Follow me, my lady" he chuckled.


Rose's shoulders sagged with exhaustion by the time they reached the doorstep of a pretty brick house surrounded by an obviously well-loved garden. Somehow, it seemed the perfect house for Joseph; warm, friendly and welcoming. "Joseph, you have a lovely home." A tired smile spread across Rose's face, her voice barely above a whisper.

Returning the smile, Joseph held the door open for her. "Thank you," he chuckled. "All my wife's doing, I'm afraid, but you are very welcome here."  The house was warm and tidy, filled with everything that makes a house a home. As Rose stepped over the doorstep she felt an overwhelming rush of gratitude and belonging. How kind of these people to take her, a total stranger, into their home and make her feel so welcome. Their hospitality and kindness wrapped itself around her like a warm blanket and for the first time in weeks she remembered how it felt to be safe and secure.

Joseph hurried ahead of Rose, walking purposively to the kitchen. "Elsie! Elsie!" he cried. A kindly looking woman poked her head from behind the door, an expression of fond exasperation flitting across her face as she recognized her husband's excited tone of voice. "What have you done now" she chuckled, well used to his flights of sudden inspiration and generosity.  "I've brought someone home for you to meet,' he replied, ushering Rose forward. "This is Rose," he continued. "She needed a place to stay tonight..." he trailed of, a slightly sheepish grin dancing at the corners of his mouth. 

The smile that spread across Elsie's face was genuine and friendly and directed straight at Rose. Stepping towards her, she hugged her warmly. "You're very welcome in our home, Rose." she said. "Now, why don't we get my husband here to look after you while I finish preparing dinner. Oh, and Joseph," she continued, glancing towards her husband, "Caroline dropped in tonight. She's passing through town with that... " Elsie paused, searching for the right expression "theatre troupe of hers, so I invited her to stay a while. Why don't you introduce her to Rose?"


"Caroline is our granddaughter," Joseph explained as he lead Rose up the stairs. "She joined some sort of... travelling theatre group" he continued in a bemused tone. "They traipse around the country, performing anywhere they can. Her mother keeps hoping that she'll grow out of it, but I don't know. She always had a rebellious streak, our Carrie. If nothing else, she's following her dreams- and that's the most important thing in life, right Miss Rose?" he chuckled, as he opened the door to  a cheerful room. Furnished in yellow, and with the last of the afternoon sun streaming through the windows, Rose couldn't have imagined anything better, and a lump rose in her throat as she was again reminded of their kindness.

"Now, I'll leave you alone to settle in, if you like. I'll just be downstairs in the sitting room- first door on the right  at the bottom of the stairs. Join us whenever you're ready." With a kind smile, he turned to the door. "Joseph," Rose spoke suddenly, softly. "Thank you so much. If you hadn't come along.." Rose hesitated. "Well, I don't know what I would have done without you," she finished simply.


Rose stood hesitantly outside the sitting room door, trying to collect her thoughts. Inside, she could hear voices and laughter, but she needed a moment to be alone.  Everything was changing so fast- only this morning she had dreamed that she would be with Jack tonight. Her gratitude to Elsie and Joseph was unending- but it couldn't completely remove the disappointment that flooded her. She smiled sadly at the thought, but somehow she felt calmer now. "You will find him," she promised herself silently. "It just might take a little longer than you expected."

"Rose!" a voice cried behind her, making her jump in surprise. Elsie's kind face looked puzzled. "What are you doing, alone in this cold hallway? Why don't you come and sit with us?" Still startled, Rose smiled weakly at Elsie, her thoughts elsewhere. "Yes, of course, I would love to," she replied vaguely. "I was just.. thinking." Elsie's sharp eyes didn't miss the slightly sad expression which flitted across Rose's face.

The door creaked slightly as Elsie pushed it open, to reveal Joseph in an animated conversation with a tall girl with curly blonde hair. She was waving her hands theatrically, laughing as she recounted a story. "Now, you two," Elsie admonished them fondly. "Do you think you could stop your chattering for a minute so Joseph can introduce Caroline to our guest?"

Joseph laughed warmly as the Caroline turned to Rose, her face animated. "I guess you must be Rose," she said, a smile spreading across her face. "It's great to meet you- Joseph has been telling us a little about you. So, what on this earth brings you to a sleepy little place like Chippewa Falls?" Caroline laughed carelessly.

Rose exchanged a silent glance with Joseph, wordlessly thanking him for not sharing the whole story. "Well," Rose began slowly, framing her words carefully. "I was looking for someone, but it turns out that he isn't here after all." Rose marvelled that such an innocuous explanation could cover so much heartbreak and despair. The last thing Rose intended was to repeat the hurtful accusations she had heard that day, or recount the still painful tale of all that had happened on that cold April night. 

"Looking for someone?!" The knowing smile on Caroline's face was unmistakable. "I would guess that it would be a rather special someone that would bring you all the way to Chippewa Falls. You don't exactly appear to have grown up in these parts." Although the observation was made wryly, Caroline's face was kind, and Rose warmed to her immediately. Smiling shyly, Rose nodded. "Yes, you're right on both counts. I grew up in Philadelphia," she paused, "and Jack- well, he is special enough to travel anywhere. He's.." suddenly realising that she was the centre of an undivided attention, Rose broke off, blushing slightly. "Well, it's just that things are a little... difficult." She glanced down at the sofa, a tear forming in the corner of her eye as suddenly she longed for Jack's presence, longed for him to know that she was alive and well, searching for him. She felt a gentle arm around her shoulder as Elsie gave her a comforting hug. "Really.. it's alright." Rose's voice was stronger now, the moment of sadness having passed. Rose saw the sympathy and understanding in Elsie's eyes and again marvelled that these people could be so kind and caring despite only having known her a few hours. 

Turning to Joseph sitting beside her, Rose searched for a way to change the topic.   Joseph seemed to recognize this, and turned to Caroline. In a casual voice, he said "Caroline, why don't you tell Rose here about your theatre group. She seemed to be very interested by it when I spoke of it earlier." Joseph laughed as Rose's eyes lit up- obviously he had chosen the right topic. "Oh, yes!" she cried, unable to hide her sudden excitement. Joseph was telling me that you are an actress! I've always wanted to act!" she continued, her voice sparkling. "It's been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, to be on stage, to see the audience, hear their applause.." Rose laughed suddenly, aware that Elsie and Joseph each wearing an amused expression as they listened to her. 

Caroline laughed too, glad to see someone else shared her passion for the stage. "Well, what are your plans after you leave here? If you're planning on travelling, you can always tag along with us. We're always on the look out for new people. And it's nothing fancy, you know.. we just perform in local church halls, that kind of thing. That's...If you'd like to..." she stopped, uncertain of the reception her idea might receive. . "It's just that, if you were planning on travelling anyway.. looking, you know.. it might be nice for you to have a little company."

Rose's face was alive with excitement now, her blue eyes sparkling. "Oh, yes! I'd love to.. I mean, if you think I could," she finished shyly. "Where are you travelling to next?"

Caroline considered the question for a minute before replying. "Well... we'll be here for a week or so, but after that I believe that we have a series of shows booked in Santa Monica."