Chapter 7 April 12th: Alex Johnson, 2nd class passenger

I woke up in the early afternoon. It felt wonderful, getting up so late. Since I missed breakfast, I had a late lunch in the dining saloon. Afterwards, I went to the second class smoke room where someone was singing a little ditty that I recognized as "A Bicycle Built for Two", AKA "Daisy", accompanied by someone else on the harmonica. There's a smattering of applause as the song ends. After that, my friend Seamus steps up and sings an old ballad called "Brennan on the Moor", a song about a real Irish highwayman who was basically Ireland's answer to Robin Hood.

After that, I spent a few hours in the library again. One book I've been reading "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo, a book about an ex-con named Jean Valjean who spends close to twenty years trying to run from a dogged police inspector, Inspector Javert. Trust me, I can't begin to express how heavy-handed the book is. It's a great book, if you can get through the political essays that pepper it. After a while, I grew tired of reading such drama, so I decided to go for a walk.

Unfortunately, there was little deck space to walk about on, so I toured the corridors, before deciding to head back to the smoke room 'till dinner. I see Ernie there, so we took out a deck of cards and played a few hands of rummy.

As I headed down to dinner, Charlene rushed past me, on the way to her stateroom. Instead of going to dinner, I turned around and followed her. Finally, she turned and disappeared behind a door.

"Charlene? Charlene, it's Alex. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, go away." she replied with a croak.

"If it's nothing, then why are you so upset?"

She opened the door.

"If you must know, my fiancee broke up with me."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. May I come in?"

"No, I wish to be alone."

"May I at least bring you something to eat?"

"Just bring me a couple rolls."

"Very well. My cabin's about three doors down on the left, and I'm the only occupant, should you decide you want some company tonight."

"We'll see."

Dinner was the same standard stuff as last night, nothing special.

As I was going to bed I heard a knock at the door. I opened it. Instantly, I recognized that heart shaped face, her cherry lips, that up-turned nose, those eyes, as deep and blue as the ocean itself. It was Charlene.

"To what do I owe the honor of your company?"

"I decided I wanted to take you up on your offer. I couldn't spend another night with him."

"Won't you come in?" I asked handing her some rolls I had taken from the breadbasket.

"I might as well."

"So, why don't we discuss our presence on this ship over some tea and crumpets." By which I meant bread and water.

"Well, I'm from London, originally. I met David, my fiancé, when I was working for my father's pastry shop. There was something…indescribable about him. He felt like someone I could trust. But my parents wouldn't have it. They're lower first class, and he's second class, so we decided to run away to a place were they wouldn't think of looking for us and elope. Well, I took out all my money out of my savings account, and we bought two one-way tickets to America as soon as we could, and on the first ship that would take us there. Now what about you?"

I told her all about my parents, their general store, why I went to England, things you already know.

"I supposed we'd better retire, it's getting late. I suppose you'll want separate bunks?" I asked

"Of course."