Chapter 3
"Dawson? Yes, I've heard about them. In fact, I know them. Well my parents did anyway."
"Tell us about them dear. " the matron said.
"They were a family of three. My dad used to sell his fish to them and then the son married and he himself had a son. But I guess three to four or five years ago, the last Dawson left."
"And why is that dear?"
"Well, grandpa Dawson as everyone called him eventually died with his wife and years past, his son and daughter in law also did. They left a young boy on his own having no relatives. The Dawsons were loved in town and there were people who offered to take care of the boy but of course, destiny is cruel and the boy went away on his own. No one knew where he went. He just left. No one brought them up in conversations. Until now, of course." Mr. Calvert grinned. Happy at himself for telling a wonderful story. "Tell us Rose, how did you know about them?"
"A family friend sir."
"they were indeed friendly. But I wonder where the boy is now. Handsome lad that boy was. He really was. Why! You could have married him!" Rose smiled the smile the young Dawson boy, her Jack, loved.
Mrs Calvert kicked her husband's familyman groaned.
"Excuse me, I have to get something." and he stood up.
A week silently passed and Rose felt she had to leave. She quietly packed the clothes Mrs Calvert gave her and the goodies little Caitlin gave her. Mrs. Calvert shouted in surprise.
"Rose! Where do you think you're going!"
"Mrs. Calvert. I, it's been a week almost. It's time I leave."
"Dont be silly dear. We all agreed you stay. You can continue sleeping here. Until you marry off or move out of town you're staying with us. You're family now." and Mrs Calvert enveloped her in a huge embrace.
The next day, The Calverts decided to go look for their son once again together. They wouldn't stop until the officers declared him dead and there was a body. Hope was fading for them but they didn't care. It
was Sunday and everyone didn't do anything so they all went looking for their beloved first born.
"Rose?" Mrs. Calvert called. "Would you like to go with us back to the dock? To see what has happened and who has survived? Your mother perhaps?"
Rose didn't want to go. If she went, people could recognize her and bring her back to Cal and to her mother.
"Sorry, Mrs Calvert. I'd want to but I can't. I can't for now. I know my mother is alright. I'd know if she wasn't." She was lying to herself she knew, but she just can't.
"Alright Rose. Caitlin's coming with us so you're just staying in the house?"
"I suppose so. I'll clean around."
"No need. It's Sunday! Have fun. Go out in the town. Chat with the townsfolk. Visit the sea!"
Rose chuckled. It was just a chuckle. The best form of laughter she could make. Nothing seemed to make her smile as bright as before anymore.
"Alright Mrs Calvert. After I wash the dishes."
"We'll be back late!"
Before the Calverts left, they told Rose to move her things to Caitlin's room because they would be entertaining a cousin for a short period of time. Without objections, Rose followed and the Calverts left.
-
A car came honking inside Caledon Hockley's large estate."Molly Brown, sir." the butler announced.
Before Cal could tell her to enter, Molly Brown popped in. "Hi, Cal." she grinned.
"Molly, what are you doing here?" Cal said. His lips in a curl.
"To pick up Ruth of course." Molly was ever cheerful. Picking up teacups and getting herself cookies.
Ruth went down with her bags almost immediately once she heard Molly's booming voice. The butler carried those into Molly's car.
"Well, I'll wait in the car Ruth." Molly said.
Cal grimaced. He was going to lose the only person who reminded him of her. But it didn't matter. She didn't need Rose to live. He had power and money. And that was the only thing that mattered. He never talked to Ruth of course, he couldn't afford the thought of people thinking him weak. To speak and foster the mother of the woman who betrayed Him. Of course, the first class people who knew about Rose with a third class boy shrinked in number. Most died in the sinking and the people who were lucky enough to survive either forgot about the scandal completely or forgot it for the meantime. Either way, it wouldn't make much news. Rose was dead and so was the boy. No one could prove anything. That piece of information was used for the sole purpose of discrediting Caledon or making fun of him. His father heard about it of course but he didn't believe it. And that was good enough for gazed up at Ruth who was looking at him pityingly.
"Caledon," she whispered. "I know you miss-"
"I don't." He cut. "And I dont care what you think." he added once he saw Ruth's face grimace.
"I'd just like to say thank you for allowing me to stay here for a while and taking care of both me and Rose."
"It was for me as well. I don't take care of anyone but myself."
"Till we meet again." Ruth said. Hoping this would have an effect on him.
"I doubt it. Have fun living your life as a peasant."
Cal stood and went up to his quarters. It wasn't his fault really, was it? Did he have to take care of Ruth? No. He did not. His answer
contented him and he gazed out his window to watch the car slowly disappear from his sight.
Ruth felt like her whole world was falling apart. She was leaving the last thing close to being a high society person. When she reaches Molly's home, she would just be a seamstress.
"Ruth, something wrong?" Molly asked
"No. It's just that I know I should be thankful that you're giving me a Job but instead i am resentful that im just going to be a seamstress in this new life."
"Who tells you, you are?"
Ruth looked at Molly in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Of course you can't be a seamstress you don't even know how to sew a sock. And I don't have a sewing factory so what would I need a seamstress for? I already have one."
"Molly, I'm confused. Where am I going to stay?"
"Well, with me of course. I know this is all sudden news but I hope
you understand."
Ruth remained silent."You're going to be a governess for my grandson and granddaughter!"
Ruth chuckled."you don't have one Molly."
"Well, my only son, I already told you has a son and then they're moving in with me once again and his wife is pregnant with a girl. "
"And then...?"
"Well, my son's going to be pretty busy with business and all and his wife really needs help because she isn't a first class person after all. She married my son way before I had all this money. And so I told them, I know this one person who would be helpful in training little Chester and soon to be little sister to fit in with the high society."
By this time, Ruth was losing her composture.
"Thank you, Molly! Thank you. I don't know what I would do without you. Thank you!"
"Dont mention it. Just get some sleep because it would be noisy back home." Molly said beforefalling asleep herself.
-
His phone rang. He picked it up."Sir," went the voice. "It's me-"
"I know who you are idiot. Just tell me have you news?"
"Sir, no. No deWitt Bukater got off the ship except Ruth. No sign of a Rose deWitt Bukater anywhere either. The last record of her was in boarding the ship."
"Well, find her."
"Sir, don't you think she's well-"
"No, she's not. And if you love your life you will find her."
"Sir, I'll try a different tactic. What was the name of the other one you were also looking for?"
"Dont make me say it once more. Jack Dawson. If you cant find her, find him, he's bound to be with her if he is still breathing." Cal chuckled at his little joke.
"Yes, sir. I'll keep you updated."
"Wait. If you can't find any record of Jack Dawson either try looking only with last names. Dawson or something stupid like that. I want less interruptions and more progress."
"Sir, I'm quite confused. Will I go looking for Rose or for this Jack?"
"Both." he said sharply. And he Put the phone down.
Caledon thought it wise for him to charm another girl while Rose has not yet been found. It would speed up the passing of his father's inheritance to him and it wouldn't hurt to marry off if Rose wasn't
here anyway. But why was he still looking for Rose if he would just marry again? Why did his heart cringe at the thought of forgetting about his disloyal fiancé? He shrugged at his own question. He picked
up the invitation to a first class ball and tried to grin. He was
going to get his inheritance just in time before he finds Rose.