The Continuing Saga of Runaway Rose

Chapter 2 - Old Acquaintances & New Surprises

April 11, 1918 - Chicago, Illinois

The train pulled into the station, and there was to be a 30 minute layover, before heading back out again, this time to continue on until they reached Los Angeles, California.

Jack Dawson stepped down off the train, stretched, then turned and took the hand of a small child, who looked just like him, with beautiful blue eyes, gorgeous long blonde hair, and an adorable heart shaped face. Her lips were trembling, as she clung to the man's hand.

Finally, as she followed him along, she said in a childish voice, " I'm tired, daddy. When we gonna be there?"

Jack smiled softly at his beautiful little girl, and said tenderly, " Soon, precious."

And he led her inside the station, where they bought a light lunch, and he bought his darling daughter, a coloring book and some colors, to go along with the little, bedraggled teddy bear that she carried everywhere, a reminder of her lost mother.

April 11, 1918 - Hollywood, California

Rose sat up in bed, stretched and stared out at the gorgeous sunrise that was coming up over the wide, Pacific Ocean. She would hardly know what to do with herself, what with a week off. It was an absolute, positive luxury, and it was hard to believe, Rose thought to herself, that she used to live this lifestyle, where she would wake up in the mornings, and her days were filled with absolutely nothing, unless you counted all the society meetings, balls, parties, etc. that she was required to attend, as the daughter of a very wealthy man and his socialite wife.

To top it all off, however, she thought, her mother had been willing to barter her off, to the highest bidder, for after her father's death, he had left Rose and her mother in near poverty. Destitution was the day for them.

Rose, finally had begun to understand what had driven her mother to barter her off, to Caledon Hockley, and had recently forgiven her mother. And in fact, was longing to see her mother again, and had hired a private investigator to find her mother. And she was happy to hear that her mother was still alive, and living in Philadelphia, although alone and in genteel poverty. Somehow, Rose thought, she had to make up to her mother for leading her mother to believe that she was dead, all these years.

Finally, Rose got up, and went about getting dressed, for today, she thought, she would take a horse out on the beach and ride. She enjoyed horses, and riding along the beach was quiet, and peaceful.

April 11, 1918 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ruth Dewitt-Bukater sat in her chair, staring out the window, as the rain came down in sheets. It would be another long, lonely day for her. It had been many years now, since the death of her husband Joseph. For a long time, after the Titanic's sinking, Ruth had believed, to her sorrow, that her beloved daughter Rose was dead as well. Until October of 1913, a year and a half after the Titanic's sinking.

She had been working as a seamstress, and a friend had encouraged her to finally get out of the house, and attend a moving picture, the newest rage, and so Ruth had gone with Jillian, and had the shock of her life. For there, upon the screen, was her beloved daughter, Rose. She would have recognized her anywhere, what with the long, flaming red curls.

Ruth had murmured an apology to Jillian, saying that she wasn't feeling well and that she was going to go home. Jillian had understood, and said that she would see her soon. And with that, Ruth had fled the movie theater and back to the safety and comfort of her small home. It was only a rental, but it was still home to her.

Inside, she got into her nightdress, and then with a cup of hot tea, sat beside the small fire which she had started. It was amazing, she thought, how she had learned to be self-sufficient, in the years since she had lost her fortune, and social standing. And even more surprising was how much she really enjoyed doing for herself. If only she had her daughter Rose.

After finishing her tea, she put out the fire, and retired for the evening.

April 12, 1918 - Los Angeles, California

The train came into the station, chugging along gently as it slowed to a crawl, and then to a stop. The conductor moved along, letting passengers know that they could leave.

Jack stood up, and taking the hand of his small daughter, left the train, with his luggage in the other hand. He had learned to travel light, especially with his daughter along. Having Abigail in his life had made him complete, although there wasn't a day that didn't go by, in which he didn't think of his late wife, Erin. How he had loved her, and how much more he missed her every day.

Abby clung to her daddy's hand, watching with wide eyes, as the train's whistles emitted long blasts of steam. Jack noticed, and couldn't help but wonder what his little Abby might have thought, had she been around to see the Titanic. Oh she would have been in awe, of that much he was certain. And with that thought, his mind came back around to Miss Rose Baker, and wondered how she was, and was looking forward to meeting with her.

Well first things first, Dawson thought, he had to get them to their hotel, where they could rest, relax and have something to eat. It was nearly noon already, and he and his little girl would be hungry. As a three year old, Abby was always hungry, he thought with amusement.

April 12, 1918 - Hollywood, California

Rose had returned from the beach, feeling relaxed and exhilarated at the same time. Riding along the surf, the wind blowing her hair behind her, was a great way to unwind. Heaven knows, she certainly had needed this break. She hadn't realized how much, until she had actually taken the time off.

As she went inside, she decided that after much soul-searching, the time had come for her to try to reconcile with her mother, and so she sat down at her desk, pulled out her elegant stationery, and began to write...

Dearest Mother,

I am writing, in hopes that this finds you well mother. I'm sorry for the incidences that occurred at the time of the Titanic and my disappearance. I hope that you understand that I made a decision that I felt was right for me, and marrying Caledon Hockley was a big mistake. Mother, he wasn't the man that you thought he was, and he treated me horribly. Yes, I ran away, and yes I know that it frightened you, and I am so sorry for that.

I hope that you will find it in your heart to forgive me, mother, the way that I have finally forgiven you and let go of the past hurts and pains, from the loss of father, to the arranged engagement with Mr. Hockley. I was saddened to hear about his loss during the sinking.

I am now living in California, and have made quite a success in the show business, although I doubt that you would know or even approve, but I love you anyway mother. Please write when you can and let me know what you are up to. Someday soon, I should like to come to Philadelphia and visit. Or perhaps you could come out here to California; it would be a lovely change of pace from the Philadelphia environment.

Well mother, I am going to end this now, so that I can get it into the mail. Please believe me, I love you mother, and until we meet again, I remain...

Affectionately Yours,

Rose Baker

Then Rose sealed the letter, and decided she'd take a walk to the post office, which was only a few blocks from her house, and mail it out. The sooner she got it out, the sooner her mother would receive it.

As she walked towards the post office, her heart was beating fast, at the thought of seeing her mother once more. She knew that her mother had probably fell into poverty and on hard times, seeing as Rose's father hadn't left them well off, and the marriage with Mr. Hockley was to ensure their very survival. With the death of Caledon Hockley, there would be no marriage, and with Rose having run away, Ruth had been left to survive on her own.

Rose was feeling suddenly very sorry. But at the time, she just couldn't see herself being married to the overbearing, pompous, self-controlling Caledon Hockley. And she still wasn't sorry that she had run away, at least from the marriage.

Well no more thoughts, she chided herself mentally, because what was done, was done, and it was in the long ago past anyway, for it had been six years since the aforementioned events had taken place. Much had happened to Rose in the ensuing years, and she was pretty much happy with her life, at least professionally. Personally, well that was another matter, she thought ruefully.

April 11, 1918 - Hollywood, California - 5:00 P.M.

Jack had taken Abby and gone to find Rose's home. He knew that he should try to find out what her phone number was and ring first, but of course, being a celebrity, he should have known that her number would not be listed. As it should be, he thought, what with all the freaks and down right curious, who would love to call, or harass such a lovely celebrity as Rose Baker.

And so, he had just taken his daughter and went to the address that he had gotten, back when he had first written her in January. The letter had been returned, with the new address on it, and so he then knew that she had moved from Los Angeles, out to Hollywood.

5:30 P.M. - Rose's Cottage

Rose was listening to a radio program, and when the news came on, with more war announcements, she jumped out of her chair, and clicked it off, suddenly irritated. How was she going to stand another week, of doing nothing? Perhaps she should consider traveling, even if just to another part of the state? Perhaps a nice time to go up to Northern California, to Lake Tahoe, where she had heard that it was lovely, there was a new resort that had just opened, next to this gorgeous lake, nestled amongst pine trees.

It sounded peaceful, and she decided that it was just the thing to do. And she was going to start working on it right away, when there came a knock at her door.

She got up and moved across the room, wondering who in the world could it be, as she wasn't expecting anyone. Very few people had her address, much less her phone number, and she liked it that way; she liked the reclusive lifestyle that her celebrity status afforded her.

Rose opened the door, and when she did, her eyes popped open wide, in amazement and then after a moment, said enthusiastically, " Well hello, Mr. Dawson. I just received your letter yesterday, informing me of your impending arrival to California. It's so good to see you again, after so many years." At that moment, she caught sight of the little girl standing slightly behind Jack, and as the child peered around, Rose caught her breath. Why the child was just lovely; beautiful blonde hair, big blue eyes, and an adorable heart shaped face, with rosebud lips.

Rose knelt down to the child's level, then said, " Hello there, sweetie. What's your name?"

Abby hid her face behind her daddy, and clutched his leg tightly, as Jack brought her around, and said tenderly, " This is my daughter, Abigail Rose Dawson."

Rose caught that name, and stared at Jack and said shakily, " Rose?.. Abigail Rose.. well, well Mr. Dawson. She certainly is a beautiful child. How old is she?"

Jack sighed and clutched Abby's hand tightly in his, and said, " She's just turned three on March 13." Then he said to Abby, " Abby, sweetheart, this is Miss Rose Baker. She's the one that I talked to you about, from the letter." Abby nodded shyly, and a shy smile crossed the little girl's face as she said timidly, " You beewtiful, Miss Bakuh."

Rose could feel tears stinging, as she took the child's hands in hers and said, "Why thank you Miss Abigail. You're certainly a beauty yourself."

Then she said, " Oh my, where are my manners. Won't you please come inside? Make yourself at home. Perhaps you'd care for some refreshments, or even dinner? I haven't even started anything yet, but you're both most welcome to stay."

Jack nodded, and she led them inside, closing the door behind them.