Chapter 2 You can go.

I ran into the living room. " Mam you wont believe this" , I cried.

Mam stood up. She smiled as she saw her daughter walk in. Her hair was wrapped neatly into a tight bun , and her face was soft and kind. She wore a white blouse and a pale green skirt.

" I heard it all " she said sadly. I wish I could say , I heard nothing. But alas it is not so."

" How rude of me Mam , I should have told you and Dad first. I wont go Mam. If you need me here at home. Home is where I shall stay.

Mam smiled as she lifted the kettle of the stove. Her walk looked slow and painfull. But her silence frightened me even more.

" Life is short Lisa my girl. You have two choices. You can take every chance life throws at you , or you can lie down and wonder what could have happened".

Dad strolled in his head was red from the sun as he worked on the land. His boots were caked in dry mud. He placed his hand on the table.

"Any chance of a drop of tea Mary" , he asked his wife. " Whats wrong" he asked. " You all look like you'v seen the banshee or something".

" Lisa is going to America , Patrick. Lady Georgina has offered her a place on the Titanic".

" Mam , I told you already. I dont have to go. Lady Georgina is a very wealthy woman. She can afford to pay any amount. Many girls would jump at the chance to go"

" Yes said Mam , but she has always favoured you Lisa. Her children have taken very well to your kind and generous personality. She knows this could transform your life , perhaps for the best".

" Which is why she should go"said Dad.

" Patrick " cried Mam , this is...

" Really I cried. You would allow me to go".

" Provided , we are guaranteed of your safety at all times" replied Dad.

" Oh yes , I said. Lady Georgina has always treated me well , concidering we aren't wealthy".

Mam inhaled deeply as a tear rolled down her cheek. " I have a bad feeling about this. I dont agree at all".

" I promise I will be safe. I will write every week. Mam , I cried desperetly. I will write every day if you want me to.

" People never come back cried Mam. Some do , but most decide not to return. I will not leave home Lisa. It is up to you to come back".

I nodded and tried to hold back my tears. How could Mam do this to me. I wasn,t abandoning the family. Mam hugged me , and kissed me goodbye.

" My dear child , I fear this journey you are taking is dangerous. Please take care".

I nodded again and ran upstairs to pack. I decided to tell my sister later. For I had a lot of thinking to do. Tonight I would be leaving home , leaving Galway and leaving Ireland. It was a big step to take. I took a deep breath , am I ready for this , I asked myself. Who knows I , only time would tell.