Survivors

Chapter 3

A solid week and three trains later, Jack at last reached Chippewa Falls. He was amazed to find how little things had changed since he'd left for Europe. The same people still worked at the train depot, and Jack saw familiar faces at the general store when he went there for necessities. The owner spoke to him as if he'd just left town last week, though Jack had been gone for months.

"Jack, It's nice to see you home again! I hope you had nice travels. If you need a place to stay, Mr. Mueller has rooms open at the inn. Just stop in."

"I think I will, thanks." Jack picked up the parcel containing the items he'd just bought and headed for the door. The Mueller rooming house was just up at the next road, so Jack went straight there. Not fifteen minutes later he was checked in and in his room. It was strange being back, as this was the last place Jack had stayed before leaving for Europe. Everyone else seemed the same…. Jack felt like an entirely different person. Still, he was glad to be home, surrounded by familiar places and predictable people. Even though it was the middle of the day, Jack wanted nothing more than to sleep. He took off his overcoat and shoes and laid down. It took him a few minutes to relax, but he was soon asleep.

It was the end of May before Rose felt ready to travel again. She went to Penn Station to inquire as to which train would get her on her way to northern Wisconsin. Once she knew that all trains headed that way originated in Chicago, she bought two one-way tickets for the growing city. The train departed early the next morning, so Rose and Cora spent one last night at the Jane Hotel.

They both awakened the next morning before dawn, getting themselves ready and packing their few belongings quickly. Due to the early hour, they hailed a carriage to take them to the station rather than walking. Once their few pieces of luggage were left in the care of a porter, Rose and her small companion made their way inside and sat down to await their train being called. Cora clung tightly to Rose's hand as she gazed at their surroundings.

"I don't like this place, Rosie. It's too big."

"It is scary, isn't it?" Cora was surprised to see some fear in Rose's eyes as well. Then, Rose smiled and squeezed Cora's hand, "As long as we stay together, we'll be okay. Are you sleepy? You could take a little nap."

"No, I'm okay. I don't want to miss our train."

"Cora, I'll wake you up when it's our turn. Rest if you want. I'll be right here."

Cora curled up on the bench and laid her head in Rose's lap. "I want my Daddy," the little girl whispered.

"I know you do," Rose whispered back, tears springing instantly to her eyes. "I wish I could bring him back to you."

Cora made no reply, but the sound of weeping reached Rose's ears. She gently began to stroke the little girl's dark curls. After a short time, Cora settled down and nodded off to sleep.

By seven a.m., Cora and Rose were aboard the train to Chicago. They had several days of traveling ahead. It passed more quickly than it might have, as the pair of travelers passed most of the time in sleep. On May 31st, the train pulled into Dearborn Station. This station was smaller than the one in New York, which made the pair more comfortable. They were able to quickly discover that the next train they needed to board had its terminus in Milwaukee. From there, they'd have to take a smaller train all the way north to Chippewa Falls.

Rose sighed heavily, knowing they still had days of travel ahead. She was tired down to her bones, despite all the sleep she'd gotten over the past three days. Still, she made herself smile and sound cheerful, knowing it would help Cora get through the drawn-out voyage as much as herself.

"Milwaukee isn't far, Cora. Once we get there, we'll be over halfway. I bet we'll like Chippewa Falls. We'll meet some nice people."

"I hope so. Once we get there, can we send a letter to my Nana? Maybe she'll come visit us."

"Sure, if you'd like me to." Rose felt a touch of sadness, which was silly. Cora deserved to have contact with any blood relatives she had left. It wasn't as if Rose herself would have that opportunity. She owed it to Cora to help her keep any connection she could with family.

At last, on June 4th, Rose and Cora arrived in Chippewa Falls. Once they disembarked and fetched their luggage, the pair walked the dusty road for just moments before spotting a tiny cafe. They decided to enter after just a glance at each other. Once seated inside with glasses or fresh water before them, they each perked up just a little.

"I'm so glad we finally made it, Rose! I hope I don't have to ride a train again for a while."

"Me too. Once we have lunch, we'll ask around for a place to stay, then get cleaned up and change clothes. We'll feel much better."

Cora nodded. "I can rescue little Rosie from the suitcase. I shouldn't have packed my dolly in there. I could have let her look out the windows of the train!"

Rose smiled at Cora's statement, happy to see her childhood innocence shining through.

For his part, Jack spent his first few days back home resting and thinking. Once he felt recovered enough, he took to walking almost the entire town daily, starting at sunset and arriving back at the rooming house well after dark. In this way, he passed most of his walk in solitude, which brought peace to his heart. He began to miss Rose more keenly, but never spoke her name aloud. He made no lengthy conversation with anyone for many days.

Finally though, Jack knew it was time to get a job, as he was reaching the end of the limited funds he'd had when he arrived. He asked around all over town, and soon gained employment at the general store. This required Jack to rise early each day, thus ending his nightly wanderings. Surprisingly, Jack found that daily contact with customers did him good. Some people in town remembered him from his childhood and were happy to see Jack had returned home. Often the women in particular gave him tips, which he tucked away with the intention of buying new art supplies. This was the only thing that brought a genuine smile to Jack's face anymore.

Before Jack knew it, June had arrived. The store and other businesses in town began planning for the Fourth of July, which always brought tourists and their money to all towns in the area. The tourist season put Jack's boss, Mr. Sullivan, in a very good mood. He announced plans to have a Fourth of July party at his house on the eve of the holiday, after the store was closed. Jack and the few other employees were all given a verbal invitation.

"No thanks, Mr. Sullivan. I'll be tired after the long day, and I'm not much for parties. I hope that's okay."

Jack's boss nodded, but seemed disappointed. "My wife will be sorry to hear that too. We thought since you just got back to town, you'd like some social time away from work."

Jack replied only with a shrug and embarrassed smile. He then left the store, since the workday was already over. The boarding house wasn't far, and Jack made quick business of returning to his room, where he could be left in peace.

Rose and Cora took a room further from the center of town soon after their arrival. The inn was comfortable enough, but the owner and other guests were standoffish toward Rose and her young charge. Rose was sad that the townspeople weren't more welcoming. Their attitude made Rose more inclined to pass the days in her room, only venturing out when in need of food.

It took some investigating for Rose to find out the proper address where a letter could be sent to Cora's grandmother, Elaine. Together, Rose and Cora composed the letter, then set out for the post office. They were both hesitant to go to the center of town. Once the letter was posted, they decided to go to a nearby church, where they each sat quietly with their own thoughts of grief. Before leaving, they lit two candles, which would remain burning at the back of the church. Rose said her farewell to Jack silently withing her heart. Cora, on the other hand, spoke softly aloud.

"Goodbye, Daddy. I love you."