Titanic -The Heart Never Lies HL Griffiths
New Beginings- Chapter Fourteen
Ruth
I hurried down the street carrying a small vanity case, my heart grieved as I thought of the lovely things I had left behind.
I had moved faster than I ever had in my life, grabbing under garments, dresses and most importantly my new jewellery. I was sure I could get money for it.
I could still hear Caledon's voice taunting me from the stairs "Come on Ruth five minutes to go, hurry up and get lost". I had walked down the stairs past him, freezing him out, walked out the door and never looked back. I was made of sterner stuff that he could ever think of.
My tears were long gone as I had packed my stuff. Caledon Hockley's revelations had turned my heart to stone and clarified my thoughts.
The cause of my and Roses troubles were all due to this corrupt family. The father apparently had swindled Daniel Dewitt Bukater my fool of a dead husband at cards whilst drunk and robbed him of the family fortune.
This made us easy prey and That Cad had his sights set on Rose and from the display of violence and madness I had just witnessed I didn't think he would ever quit seeking Rose.
I had to find her, I owed so many apologies Cal had seemed so real, so kind, all the time he had known we were penniless. I had been so blind. Rise had seen through him.
I walked breathlessly down the street. My head swimming. I had to be strong. Rose was strong, look at how she fought for her right to love and be loved by that young steerage boy. How I had denied her and conspired with Cal to frame the young man on the Ship for stealing the necklace. And still Rose had believed in him and stayed on the ship with him, to his death and nearly hers.
I loved my daughter, I did love my daughter, I always had, just like propriety get in the way. I would have to change all that.
I had to throw my pride aside now. I would call on the strength of my love for Rose and the need for justice
I asked a nearby police man where the Dorchester-Banks Hotel was. I walked the three blocks to it, my mind set. I knew what I was going to do
Arriving at the front desk I asked politely. "Is Mrs Molly Brown in Residence, I do believe she has a suite here?"
The desk clerk, took in my fur wrap and rich gown, "Is she expecting you?"
"Yes" I replied "Tell her Mrs Dewitt Bukater is here"
"Yes right away"
I stepped back from the desk, breathing heavily. Molly Brown was my last hope, I had heard her saying on the boat at an afternoon tea session that she kept rooms at the Dorchester. I prayed she would help me after the way I had shunned her and mocked her for being "New Money" . I didn't deserve help.
Jack
The doctor at St Jude's checked me over, took my temperature and examined me right before I would catch the train.
"Mr Dawson" he said "Mrs Brown has told me you are greatly improved, I am glad you have found out your identity and she tells me that you have a gift for art, you are an extremely lucky young man to have her as a friend"
"Yes I am" I replied picking up my rucksack loaded with all new clothes and supplies that Molly had purchased for me.
"Doctor will the rest of my memories come back?" I asked.
He frowned and folded down the sides of his white coat with his hands.
"I don't know however I do think that as you recuperate from your ordeal on Titanic that your memories will resurface."
"There was a young lady I was acquainted with on Titanic, I keep seeing her face and Molly tells me she was special to me but I cant remember her" I said
"You must have gone through a terrible time together it could be that your brain has shut off the bad things for your own protection, I am sure something will jolt your psyche in time" the Doctor replied.
"Thanks" I said and left the hospital jauntily and set off to the railway station to get a train. I had already said goodbye to Molly and would telegram her when I reached California.
Rose, I wish I could remember you, I am coming to the realisation that We must have loved each other very much for you to be haunting my dreams like this. I wish I could remember the feelings!
Rose
The train pulled into the station, I alighted slowly, weary from the hours of travelling, but every hour took me away from Caledon Damned Hockley and my money hungry mother.
I booked myself into the nearest guest house i could find and asked the landlady Mrs Jackson If I could read the local paper. I had paid her a months rent in advance, it was a small clapperboard house set in a small residential tree lined street in a small town called "Maren-Lamare", just miles from Santa Monica. Mrs Jackson was a buxom widowed middle class lady and my tale of me being widowed myself endeared me to her. I could explain the pregnancy later
The bright light skies and the lushness of the Californian countryside lifted my jaded senses.
"So Mrs Dawson" Mrs Jackson asked "Would you like me to cook for you too, "
"Yes please" I said. I had changed into a plain dress and let my hair down and was corset less. I felt free.
I looked through the paper looking for jobs. An ad caught my eye.
"Models wanted for Photographic studio, could lead to small acting opportunity" . It jumped off the page at me. In the morning I would enquire and also check in with a doctor.
"I think I am going to like California" I announced boldly. Mrs Jackson laughed.