"1500 people went into the sea that night. Lovers said their last goodbyes, young children froze, and entire families perished, while the people in the life boats gazed upon them in all their agony."
At Sea... Night of April 14, 1912
"Eva hurry! We don't have time!" my father said sharply. Ruthie was in his arms, her eyes puffy, but alert and I could see the fright in them. "Papa what's going on? Where are we going?" she asked. I glanced at my father, he seemed to be pondering the way to answer her question best. "We're going on an adventure to the deck to see what's the matter with the boat." My father spoke kindly, forcing a smile onto his lips. I knew that it was a lot more serious than my father had just explained to Ruthie. We traveled yet again through the labyrinth of corridors and hallways, trying desperately to find the gates.
As we skidded down a passage, we found ourselves at the end of an extensive line. I recognized the corridor as the one that used to lead to the gateway. "What's going on?" I asked. My father didn't answer right away. Damn! He swore "They locked the gates!" Ruthie had a puzzled look on her face, she didn't understand the rules yet, but I did.
With a look of extreme distaste on my face I realized that hundreds of men, women, and children were now trapped, unable to cross the lines of class distinction.
"What do we do?" I asked, my voice was shaking, hundreds of thoughts were pouring through my mind. What if we didn't get out? Would we all die? What would happen to us? "Follow me." My father growled and he pushed us forward, through the crowd, to the top of the stairs.
Unknown faces swam in front of me. My eyes swept the crowd searching for someone familiar. Lo and behold there the Sages were, pleading with the grouchy looking officer to let them through.
"Go back to the main stairwell" The officer said in a demanding tone. "Please sir, please!" Mr. Sage begged. "Just let my family through!" "Go back around!" The officer yelled. "The ship is bloody sinking!" I recognized Fredrick's voice among the crowd. My face turned pale at these words. Ruthie stood there silently, but a look of terror was starting to spread across her young face. "It's no good." Said Mr. Sage to my father and his wife, "He's not going to let us through." The officer stood tall trying to look like he had the situation under control. "Damn you!" shouted my father lividly. Mr. Sage stood quietly for a moment than rattled the bars and bellowed "For god's sake man! There are woman and children down here! Let them out so they can have a chance!"
The officer stood there weakly as my father stared straight into his watery blue eyes. Never in all my life had I seen my father lose control like that. The power just radiated off of him. Ruthie stood by me, shaking, staring at my father like she had never seen anything like him. "Please." My father whispered,"Please. It seemed like a miracle had just occurred. The officer looked to my father, down to Ruthie and I, then over to Mr. Sage. Slowly he nodded. "Alright!" he barked, "Bring the women and children to the front!"
Mr. Sage had pulled his wife over. "Go Annie, Go" he pleaded. Mrs. Sage looked at him, in her arms was their littlest son. "Not without you." She whispered. Her eyes were full and the tears streamed down. "You have to, for the little ones." Said Mr. Sage his voice to, was breaking. Drawing her to him, he touched her cheek and kissed her right on the lips. Then Mr. Sage turned and started to say goodbye to his children.
My father stared over at the Sages, with a deep sadness in his eyes. "Eva, Ruthie, listen to me, go up and get yourselves into a lifeboat okay?" he said softly. "Papa I don't want to go with out you!" said Ruthie, her usually bright, happy, eyes were brimming with tears. Father swept her up in his arms, into a long hug. "I know baby, I know. I'll be along soon just go with Eva, she'll take care of you." Father set Ruthie down and she wrapped her arms around his neck. I suddenly realized my cheeks were wet. Father drew me into his arms and whispered in my ear, "Take care of Ruthie." I nodded sobbing, closing my eyes, laying my head on his shoulder. "Papa will I ever see you again?" I asked uncertain if I wanted to know the answer. He took my face in his hands, cupping my chin. "Of course you will. I love you both so very much never forget that." He pulled Ruthie in and held us close again. For a moment we stood there wetting each other with the other one's tears. Father turned us around "Now Go." He said strongly, although his voice brimmed with emotion. "Go."
I took Ruthie's little warm hand in mine, and not looking back, I followed Mrs. Sage and six of her nine children up onto the deck.