6th June, 1915
New York
Jack
Jack had spent the last few years in New York, working on the pier almost everyday. He had given up on travelling the world, more content with the financial stability of his job.
Around a year ago, he had met another man in a bar - Mark - who was also single and living alone. New York was an expensive place to live and so they decided to rent a flat together, and Jack was grateful for the company most of the time, seen as he had no one else to talk to.
—
"Why won't you go?!" Mark insisted on an answer. "I don't want to go on a date, Mark!" Jack replied as he threw himself on the sofa. "But she's my sister, and I basically promised her that I would get you to take her out…" he said awkwardly "well you shouldn't have, because I'm not. I don't want a girlfriend right now" Jack sighed. "Why? You've not had a girlfriend in the whole time I've known you. Come on, what's the real reason you don't want to go?" Mark asked. 'Because she's not Rose' Jack thought to himself, but couldn't tell Mark that, seen as he hadn't told him about Rose, or the sinking. "I'm happy without a girlfriend right now" Jack shrugged. "I will pay you 5 bucks to go out with my sister, she'll kill me otherwise- so will my mother! I'm begging you Jack" Mark pleaded. "Fine" Jack sighed "I'm only doing this to shut you up though" he continued. "Thank you!" Mark grinned, getting an eyeroll from Jack in response.
—
Jack entered the restaurant at 7pm to find Mark's sister - Elsie - sat at a table. He'd never met her before so was surprised that she had red hair, unlike Mark, whose hair was jet black. Elise had seen Jack in passing before, hence why she was so desperate to go out with him, but Jack had never noticed her.
"Jack?" Elsie asked as she saw him enter. "You must be Elsie?" Jack asked. "Yes, it's nice to meet you" she smiled. "You too" Jack smiled weakly as he sat down opposite her before the waiter came over to take their order.
Jack stayed quiet for the most part, in a world of his own and only speaking when responding to questions. He was too busy distracted by Elsie's hair to engage in conversation .
"Are you OK? You seem a million miles away…" Elsie frowned at him. "I'm sorry, I can't do this" Jack shook his head and stood up as he placed some money on the table "that should cover the bill… I'm sorry again" Jack sighed as he rushed out the restaurant, leaving Elsie sat alone and confused.
—
Jack rushed back home and in to the house, relieved that Mark wasn't in. He headed straight for his bedroom, wanting to be alone. Almost everything about Elsie had reminded him of Rose; the hair, her blue eyes, her mannerisms, and it just confirmed that he was far from ready to see anyone else. All he wanted was Rose.
—
"Jack!" Mark called out when he arrived home around an hour later. Jack sighed to himself but didn't respond as he finished drinking his glass of water in the kitchen. "Well?!" Mark said as he entered the kitchen. "Well what?" Jack asked passive aggressively "why did you do that to my sister?!" He asked. "I didn't do anything to her. I covered the bill" "what, and that's it?" Mark replied "Well what do you want me to say, Mark? I told you I didn't want to go on a date but you insisted, so I won't be made to feel bad when you made me go!" Jack tried to remain calm, but Mark just walked away, not having anything else to say to Jack.