Chapter 25

April 18, 1912

"Here's your crutch, son." The doctor says, while a passenger of the Carpathia helps a limping Fabrizio to a bench.

"Grazie, signore." Fabrizio says as he tries to sit on the bench in the galley, wincing in pain when he does. Another one of the Carpathia's passengers comes to his aid, as they both help the young Titanic survivor sit on the bench. Soon, one left; the other stayed by Fabrizio's side, while the doctor continued to talk to Fabrizio.

"I have arranged for you to see a doctor in New York as soon as the ship docks, as I have prescribed painkillers for your knee. Now, do you have anyone meeting you at the docks?" Fabrizio isn't sure how to answer the question, as he is coming to America as an immigrant from Italy, and just like Jack he won his tickets to the Titanic. Tommy was gone, so was Jack; he would have been helpful right now, or Jesse. Instead he just lied.

"Sì. Yes, I do." was all he could muster without crying, even though he could feel his throat tighten a bit, and he felt his eyes watering.

"Good, because you will not be able to do anything for a while."

Eric looks over to a couple of men sitting on the bench, one of whom had a crutch next to him. A doctor was speaking to him; the same doctor he'd seen with Karl the day they were rescued. Eric watches the doctor leave, then he walks over to the men, and sits down next to them. Instantly he recognized the man.

"Fabrizio! I thought you died?!" Eric was shocked. Fabrizio was just as shocked, as the passenger stood up, ready to catch Fabrizio if he fell over, as he slowly stood up, along with Eric.

"Eric! Che sorpresa!" they embraced once more; the last time they seen each other was during the sinking, after they were awaken by the stewards.

"Where's Karl?"

"He's over there, sitting. He's slowly getting over the loss of Jesse, but it might take awhile, for they were very close..." Eric says, pointing to Karl, who was sitting on a nearby galley bench by himself, wiping his eyes and nose then rubbing them on his clothes, while he wept softly. He was sitting opposite of where they were sitting, near a wall, as people around them mingle about in the galley. Eric swallowed, then returned his attention to Fabrizio.

"You mean Jesse's…" it was too much for Fabrizio. First Tommy, then Jack, now Jesse. He put his head in his hands and silently wept for his three friends; three friends he's never going to see again. Both Eric and the Carpathia's passenger put a hand on the sobbing man's shoulders, comforting him during his extremely tough time. Eric knew he's going to have to break the news to his older sister-in-law; that her beloved little brother died on the Titanic, and he knew, deep down, he will regret it. One way or another, she will eventually find out.

"You both can stay over at my brother's place. Then, when you're ready, we'll go to the island for your immigration process. How does that sound?"

Fabrizio couldn't believe what he was hearing. Here, he could have a chance to rebuild his life, start anew in America, all the while to try to get back on his feet. "Le sono enormemente grato. (I am thankful for the help). Sei sicuro che non ci siano problemi? (Are you sure it's no trouble?)"

"No. Non è un problema. It's what I can do for friends of Jesse and Jack's. Besides, we're friends as well. And you need to recover as well." Eric points at his leg, then patted Fabrizio's back. The passenger got up from the bench, gave Eric a wave, and shook Fabrizio's hand for the final time, before he disappeared among the throngs of people, never to be seen again. Afterward, Eric sent an officer a telegram that was to be transmitted to his older brother, telling him he survived the sinking, and is returning back to New York, with two immigrants. He left out the part Jesse had not survived as it was too much for him. He also told his brother to inform his parents back in Pittsburgh he was okay, in case if they had to ask what happened to the ship. The officer quickly jotted down what Eric said, then handed the message to both Cottam and Bride in the wireless room, and it was relayed to New York, along with the survivors' names.

...

People were milling about in the galley, still trying to comprehend what had happened up to that point. Some were still angry, others cried over the loss of their loved ones who were trapped in the ship to meet their untimely deaths, while others stared off into space, forgetting where they were at times. To distract themselves, Eric helps Fabrizio up the flight of stairs to go to the deck, with Karl bringing up the rear. It was raining as the Carpathia slowed into New York harbor, with the Statue of Liberty now passing by overhead. Fabrizio remembered how tiny this statue was after leaving Ireland; now it had towered over them. He wanted to get into construction, but hasn't yet told Jack, or for that matter, Eric, of his plans, as right now he has yet to make his decision. The road to recovery, for him, was a long one, but he knows he will persevere, and move on from this tragedy. Same for Karl, as he knows he's not the only one immigrant to go it alone. Jack and Jesse may both be gone, but he must press on as they both stay with Eric and his family in New York.

They look over at the bow of the Carpathia, beyond the neatly stacked lifeboats and lifebelts of the Titanic. At the harbor, there was an immense crowd that had gathered to see the rescue ship carrying the passengers of the famed Titanic. Eric was surprised, not that this was anything new. The R.M.S. Olympic was a big deal last year; the Titanic gained fame mainly because of the massive size she had garnered over her sister ship, as well as the famous passengers she carried, but to top it off was the fact she went down on her maiden voyage, which would be big news globally. News of the sinking had spread almost soon after the Titanic struck a berg, when the press got ahold of the messages the ship has been transmitting, from a place called Cape Race. In all the chaos, Cape Race has been able to descramble the gibberish, and reporters have gotten their hands on a possible story, as well as nearby ships relaying the messages to New York that Titanic was in trouble and in need of assistance.

Soon, Eric, Karl, and Fabrizio saw boats sailing alongside the Carpathia, as the passengers and reporters tried their best to get a first glimpse of the survivors, and the lifeboats that were stacked on the Carpathia's decks. He knew right then and there that he needed to try his best to avoid being in the negative light as much as possible, as he wanted no part of the fame. He just wanted to mourn for his brother Jesse in peace, and to move on from this madness.

The Carpathia soon docked, and people were slowly beginning to disembark at the Cunard pier, after the crew stopped to drop off the remaining lifeboats over at White Star's port. Karl, Fabrizio, and Eric were slowly walking off the gangplank, with Fabrizio limping between, of the Carpathia when suddenly they were swamped by reporters, bright lights, and flashing cameras. It was a total catastrophe.

"Sir, can you give us a scoop?"

"Did it run aground into several icebergs?"

"Is it true some people jumped to their deaths?"

"Where was the captain in all this?"

"Is it true some of the officers shot themselves?"

"How many survived?"

One reporter even tried to get to Fabrizio, for his injury had caught their attention, but Eric shoves them out of the way, as the trio makes their way through the madness. Eric tries to cover his face in all this mess; some were even offering him money for his side of the story, even if they had to make one up. He couldn't believe these rumors these people were making. He has had enough problems as they are. They make it across the street, away from the docks and the craziness and begins searching for his brother; whom he had told to wait at the docks.

"Eric! Eric! Over here!" a voice called. He turns to see his brother running to him. He was fighting his way through the crowds as he made his way to his younger brother. They both embrace, then shakes hands with Fabrizio and Karl.

"Eric, I'm glad you're alright." Jon says.

"Thanks, it means a lot." Eric says, as a small smile plays on his face. He felt relieved to be back with the family once more. He felt even better being back on firm ground.

"Come on, let's get to the car, away from this craziness, and we'll talk, shall we?" Jon asks. They all agree. Jon helps Fabrizio limp to the car, which was parked in front of the many hotels, and helps him in the passenger seat, while Eric and Karl ride in the back seat. Some of the reporters had apparently followed them as they tried once more to engage with Fabrizio again, but Jon brushed them away. Once in the car, Eric was relieved to be away from the chaos, and sees Jon round his way to the drivers seat. He started the car and drove away. They introduced themselves finally.

"Hello, I'm Jon, Eric's eldest brother."

"Fabrizio"

"Karl"

"So, are you all friends of Jesse's?" Jon asks.

Fabrizio looks down, then answers, while trying to fight back his tears. "Sì. We were un uomo di nome Jack Dawson (with a man named Jack Dawson). So, we're amici with Jesse, too." Eric tries his best to translate what Fabrizio was saying, as his Italian was a bit rusty.

Jon then asks. "Where is Jesse? I thought he was supposed to be on this ship. Is he still back at Southampton?" All three began to shift uncomfortably in their seats, especially Eric. He reaches for his head, as if to straighten his hat, only to realize he'd lost it back at Southampton. Jon picked it up. "You know; Jessica will pick up on it when we get back to the house. One way or another, she will want to know what happened to her brother, and my little brother-in-law." They sat quietly the entire car trip, as they made their way to a small town of Flushing, New York.

They reached the house well into the darkness, as the rain began to subside. Jon parks the car next to the house, then gets out to help Fabrizio out of the car. They arrived at the house that Jesse and Jessica's older half-brother Matthew bought for them just a few years prior. They had moved to New York, fresh from the country side, to look for better opportunities. Now, Matthew lives further, in a place known as SoHo, New York, and he had a much longer commute to his work. The house was surrounded by a small picket fence in a quieter part of New York. It was indeed home, without the damper of Jesse not being there.

"Daddy! Daddy! Uncle 'Ewik'!" Jon's little rambunctious kid shouts excitedly, as he runs out of the house. Jon rolls his eyes, as he told the his son numerous times he needs to wear his jacket at a time like this. Eric scoops up his nephew, then looks at the child. The little kid had dark brown hair and eyes; it was like looking into Jesse's younger self. Eric tries to fight his tears, as his nephew wraps his little arms around his uncle's neck.

"Daddy, what's wrong with uncle Ewik?" as Eric slowly puts him down. Jon tries to comfort his younger brother, as his son runs around the small crowd, questioning everything around him now.

"Jack, run inside and go get Mommy, okay?" Jon says, as he helps Fabrizio up the stairs to their home. Eric gives a warning stare to Jon, to not to do this.

"She has to know, Eric." Jon says. Eric inhales sharply, knowing full well that Jessica was against her brother doing anything without anyone being behind his back, as he nervously scratches the back of his head. Jon helps Fabrizio sit on the couch, and Karl takes the chair next to the fireplace.

"Daddy, where's uncle 'Dessy?' What happened to that man's leg?" Jack then asks, pointing at Fabrizio's crutch and his leg. Jessica comes down the stairs, who was then shocked by the unexpected extra company.

Oh boy, thought Eric, as he takes another deep breath, then swallows hard. He nervously scratched the back of his head; something he'd picked up from Jesse.

"Something has happened Jesse, is it?" she asked very softly. Jon helps her down the last part of the stairs to a couch, then sits next to Fabrizio. Eric tries to ignore the glaring newspaper headlines on the table: Titanic Disaster; Great Loss of Life. He noticed another under that: Titanic sinks four hours after hitting iceberg; 886 rescued by Carpathia, probably 1250 perish; Ismay safe, Mrs. Astor maybe, noted names missing. He looks up as he sees Jessica getting up again and goes into the kitchen to prepare some tea. They sat in silence, the clock ticking away in the room they were sitting in. Eric couldn't help but look at the table once more, as he saw one newspaper that caught his eye. It had an absurd headline that said the Titanic was being towed to Halifax for repairs after the passengers had been rescued, and that everybody on board were safe and accounted for. He sighed, wishing that it was true, but it wasn't. Outside they heard a lone dog barking in the distance. They suddenly hear the kettle whistle, and moments later, Jessica comes in, with cups of steaming tea. Jon gets up then helps her serve to their new guests.

"What happened to the cookies?" Jon asks, as he took a peek inside the empty cookie jar. Jessica points to her mischievous son, as he tried his best at putting on a hangdog expression.

"Can I have some tea, Mommy?" Jack asks.

"Yes, sweetheart. You can have a little, then it's off to bed with you." His mother says.

"Okay." Jack smiles, then asks. "You okay, Uncle Ewik?" Eric looks over at his nephew and forces a weak smile.

"I could be better, Jack." He murmurs, as he takes a slow sip of his tea. He knew how much Jesse and his nephew were very close with each other, and loves to play with each other, even on some occasion he would tell him bedtime stories, mostly about pirates. He knew his younger brother-in-law would make a perfect father one day.

"Jack, what about you and Daddy read a bedtime story after you finish your tea?" His mother asks.

"Okay," Jack says, finishing his cup of tea, then going to the sink to put the cup in, before running upstairs, with his father following him.

"Getting big now, isn't he?" Eric asks quietly. Jessica smiles at her younger brother-in-law, then takes a sip from her tea. The room is suddenly quiet again, except for the sounds of Jon reading a story for his son. Karl has fallen asleep, his head tilted far back, and his mouth was open. Fabrizio begins nodding off, as he tries to hold his head up with his hand. Eric suddenly weeps. It was simply too much for him at this point. He puts his face in his hands, knowing he had lost the brother-in-law he had only known for a short time. Fabrizio snapped awake, now this time he was next to comfort his friend during this hardship, as he sat down next to Eric, and gently puts a hand on his back.

Unlike his older brother and Jessica, he and Jesse had just found out they were brothers-in-law when Jesse came to visit, as his father brought him to New York the second time, to see the Olympic complete her maiden voyage, on June 21, 1911. When they boarded the Olympic back in February, there were times he and Jesse didn't get along throughout the voyage. The worst was being down in third-class in Titanic, and if things were normal, he would've strangled Jesse for that, but he knew he would lose, as Jesse was much stronger, despite being slender. Nonetheless, he still loved him like a little brother. He watched him disappear when the boat was lowered, making that "V" sign. Jessica embraces Eric, as he cried even harder now. She knew her little brother; as he was known for being a risk taker, and getting himself in places he shouldn't be. Which was why Jessica thought her brother went down with the Titanic; as he had tried to become the hero of sorts and attempted the daring rescue of the passengers to a lifeboat as much as he can.

"You and I both know Jesse was crazy at times. Like that one time he caught himself in the fence, trying to wrangle that pony?" she says, between sobs and sniffles. Eric remembered Jesse being kicked by that pony once, in his back. Which is up until his death Jesse had been rubbing the small of his back once in a while. "Oh, my back," He would say. "That damn pony. It may be small, but that thing can kick!" Eric manages to wring out a smile, while tears came to his eyes.

Eric looks up, he knew, somewhere in heaven, Jesse's wrangling horses for God now.

Eric rubs his eyes, and sniffles. He smiled at his beautiful sister-in-law. She did indeed looked a lot like Jesse. Eric quickly turns away in embarrassment and shame, as his face grows red. Jessica had been relieved her brother-in-law made it out of the ship, despite how much he had seen in that short span of one night. She thought Eric had seen Jesse, playing hero on the massive ship as it was going down, putting his own life on the line to save those people. She was horrified one morning when the paper read Titanic Sunk on the front page. She had spent many sleepless nights and days worrying she might ever see them all again, until the telegram has been sent saying Eric was alright, and was bringing in immigrants. There was concern when Jesse wasn't mentioned in the telegram; and she had assumed the worst. Her suspicions had been confirmed when they arrived home, only to find Jesse was indeed missing from the group.

Though they may have only met for a short time, Eric wanted to remember Jesse, not because, to him, he was a thorn on his side at times, but to remember him as a younger brother he never had. This was just days after her father had stayed at the house, to prepare for his European trip and had boarded the Olympic, not knowing his son and Eric were coming back aboard the sister ship on her now ill-fated maiden voyage.

Jessica pours him more tea, then some for herself. Jon comes down the stairs, very slowly, clearly giving his wife and brother in the room the privacy, despite the immigrants in their seats, while Karl was now beginning to wake up.

"More tea, please." Eric says softly. Jessica reaches for the kettle before she pours him more. Jon takes his place between Fabrizio and Eric. All five of them sit there now, in complete silence, as the hours tick by. Somewhere, a dog barks in the dead of night. Their tea becomes cold in front of them, until Eric decides to speak once more.

"I'm really sure you want to know what happened…" he began, slowly.

"Eric, you don't have to share it right now..." Jessica begins.

Eric puts his hand up, then inhales deeply. "The thing is, I want to share it all with you, especially to our guests…" he looks at Fabrizio and Karl. "And to Mother and Father, who I know will want to know what happened, especially your Father, Jessica. I know if Jesse…" He sniffs, wipes his eyes, and inhales deep, then continues, "If Jesse were here, he'd want you to know the truth as well."

"You don't have to rush yourself, Kiddo." Jon says.

"I guess the best place is to start from the very beginning…" Eric began.