Two days later….
The doctor sat behind his desk as the three women entered, ready for the diagnosis. They had brought Rose to him the day before last and he had spent the past day researching Rose's condition and finally had a diagnosis. It was quite clear really, judging from what the girl had gone through. To be honest, it was no wonder that she had a mental break. He would have had one too.
Rose was the first to set down, in the middle chair, as her mother took the chair to the right and Molly Brown took the seat to the left.
The doctor opened the file on his desk and looked over his notes once more, making sure that everything was in order before clearing his throat.
"Ladies, I thank you for your prompt arrival. I definitely have a diagnosis for the young Rose. After taking into account all that you've told me and doing some extensive research, I believe I know what had happened," The doctor looked up from the folder, his expression neutral, but his voice grim.
"Well give it to us, doc," Molly urged him forward. "Tell us what's going on."
The doctor folded his hands on the desk and looked each woman in the eye, wanting his diagnosis understood. "Rose is in what we call a fuge state."
Ruth frowned, not liking the sound of that. "What?"
"It's a rare dissociative disorder. It's a form of reversible amnesia. It is by no means permanent. But in a fugue state, a person takes on a new identity and can wander away or travel to a different place. They simply forget about their normal life. Thankfully, it's reversable. Her memories will return."
"Thank the lord for that," Molly sat back in her seat. "So what do we do now, doc? How do we get Rose back to normal?"
"They'll come back on their own. What I suggest is returning her to her normal life. Get her memories back that way. Don't keep her away from family and friends. Reintroduce her back into her own life and her memories should start returning."
"Return her to...is that even possible?" Ruth glanced at Molly, remembering that she was still in touch with Jack.
"I...I don't know really. He hasn't remarried...we have to let him know anyway," Molly looked at Ruth, her own mind working over the solution to the problem.
Rose frowned, her heart in her stomach. She had no idea what the two women were talking about, but she did know that she wanted her memories back. She had no idea what kind of life she had been living when she had left that house, but according to Mrs. Brown, it had been a rather good one. Plus, she had a daughter...she wanted to see her. She still couldn't believe that she had just walked off without her like that. This Jack must hate her for what she had done.
"I'll send a telegram to Chippewa Falls. Let Jack know that we'll be coming for a visit. It's best to tell him about Rose in person," Molly nodded, getting to her feet, a plan beginning to form. She looked at Rose, who seemed rather worried about the state of affairs. The girl must be so frightened right now, finding out that she had a life that she couldn't remember and the possibility of returning to that life. It must be overwhelming.
"May I suggest that you keep Rose under a doctor's care so her condition can be monitored."
"We'll definitely be in touch, doc. Whether it's to set up another appointment or a transfer of files," Molly agreed. It had to be clear that Rose was trying to get help, to get better so she could go home to the people that needed her.
Five minutes later, the three of them walked out of the building, the diagnosis still on their minds. Ruth was still reluctant to contact Jack Dawson. She was so sure that her daughter would be better off without him and this may be their chance to find someone better...someone richer...then she remembered why Rose had faked her death and discarded any idea of getting between her daughter and Jack. It obviously wouldn't work anyway, not with Molly Brown around.
Molly was wondering how she was going to explain this to Jack. It took two years for him to heal from losing Rose. He was finally getting back to himself again. Would it be fair to put the girl back into his life, especially with all of her problems? After all, he had a small child to care for. Would he even be willing to help Rose? Oh, Jack was a kind, compassionate soul...but everyone had their limits.
As for Rose herself...she felt fear and anxiety. Soon, she'll be reintroduced to her life...or what had been her life. She would meet her husband….and her child. According to Molly, her husband had loved her more than anything. He would have done anything for her...but that had been before she had a mental breakdown. What made her think that he'd even want her now, after all that she had done? She wouldn't blame him a bit if he turned her away. After all, they had gone two years without her. Was there any reason why they'd want her with them now?
Arriving at the hotel, Molly turned to her companions, her eyes bright and determined. "Rest up, ladies. I'm sending word to Jack that I'm coming for a visit and then tomorrow we'll be off."
Ruth frowned. This was happening so fast. "We'll be off where?"
"Chippewa Falls Wisconsin, of course. It's past time for you to meet your granddaughter and it's definitely past time for Rose to go home. To her family."