Chapter 53

October 22, 1912

Cal sits at his desk, knocking on the elaborate hardwood as thoughts continue to race through his head. Snow was coming in early, and he knew the city would be filled with holiday shoppers after the upcoming Halloween, but he wasn't in any mood to shop. Since the disappearance of Rose he was wondering where she could possibly be. A few months prior he had seen his former maid, but had no clue where she was staying, much less what she was doing in New York. He even asked Margaret Brown if she had seen any signs of Rose, but had heard nothing from her. He had forgotten to tell Ruth about the whereabouts of her daughter, and he wasn't ready to tell her, but he knew he needed to, or this might get out, one way or another. He hated to break the news now, but has decided he now has no choice.

He picks up the receiver and dials the number to the Bukater residence. He sits back, and anxiously taps his fingers on the edge of his desk as the phone rings on the other side. The line interrupts, then Ruth answers. "Hello?"

"Hello, Mrs. Dewitt Bukater."

"Caledon, what a pleasant surprise. I haven't heard from you in a while. Tell me, how is Rose doing? Is she behaving herself? Is the wedding plans still going as planned?"

Cal swallows hard, as his throat became dry. He hated to be the bearer of bad news, as he knew that would destroy Ruth's ego even more.

"Everything's fine. We had a time of our lives. That is…until Rose is missing." Cal braced himself, as he didn't expect what would come. There was a long pause on the other end.

"MISSING?" Ruth screams into the earpiece. Cal jerks the phone from his ear, then rubs his finger into his ear. He slowly places the receiver back to his ear, and hears Ruth sobbing uncontrollably on the other end, while he could hear the housemaid doing her best to console and comfort the distraught Ruth.

"Tell Mrs. Bukater I have informed the police and there are searches being organized for Rose. I will be keeping tabs in the meantime, and give her updates during this time." Cal says.

"Very good, sir. I will tell her. Have a great day." The maid said, then hangs up. Cal places the receiver back, then places his face in his hands. He couldn't believe he did that, not even all these months have passed he decided to call Ruth and tell her the bad news Rose had ran away. He looks up, then slams his fist on the desk. He knew that gutter rat was alive. But why? How? He didn't see his name on the survivor's list, and he was sure he was buried at sea. Then a thought crossed his mind. What if that wild kid was still alive? It could be possible, but then again, he had seen two men being buried at sea, and was certain Jesse was among them. But then that thought came crawling back to his mind again, like someone crawling out of a grave that didn't yet die. Matthew did tell him Jesse was pretty much a pretty boy. He still had thoughts as to why Jesse was in third class. Nothing seemed to make any lick of sense. He began to think harder, going back to the year prior, when they were on the Mauretania.

He, Rose, Ruth and Trudy were boarding the ship on their way to Europe. Jesse was also on board, but as far as he knew, he was traveling with his father, as a first-class passenger. Cal drinks his coffee as he reels in what Jesse was like. Was he playing a prank? No, he was just merely a passenger, until he seen Rose with him. Rose tried to stop Cal from advancing on to Jesse, but he calmly set her aside, when the ugly encounter ensued. If Lovejoy was with him, they would have him dragged off the ship, and none of this would have happened. But of course Rose had tried to commit suicide back on the Titanic, and that's when that gutter rat came into the picture. Jesse was also a passenger, but this time he was a third class. Maybe that gutter rat also convinced him to board the ship as a third class, just like he did to Rose. Cal was also starting to think Jesse might have an influence on Rose as well, that he helped her escape his clutches so she can be with that gutter rat. The burning question still lingers with him; why was Jesse in Southampton in the first place? And why did he board the Titanic on its maiden voyage? By himself? He tried to get Matthew to answer those questions, but he was called back into the shop before he finished his sentences. He had the detective, but he was seriously lacking in leads, and he had nothing else to go by, as he ran cold. Cal needed to find that maid on the whereabouts of Rose, and possibly lead him to that gutter rat as well. He decided to leave the office early to start his search for Rose, and to bring her back, for his father's sake and Ruth's reputation.

…

Marion had a dream, where she and Jesse were on board a ship of some sort. They had just gotten married and starting out their honeymoon. She didn't see Jack nor Rose, but they were both alone, on the deck, when suddenly the iceberg loomed from the darkness. It makes a terrible crashing noise, as the sounds of metal tearing and grinding away from the hull of the ship. The ship suddenly lurches violently, throwing them both off the deck and into the freezing water. There are distant cracking and rumbling sounds as the ship begins to sink, the electricity had failed, bathing everyone and everything in complete darkness. The sounds of people screaming mixed in with the sounds of the ship was all she could hear. She tries desperately to swim to Jesse, but was paralyzed from the cold water. Even though it was dark, she could see the ship slip beneath the waves, along with the terrible groaning sounds it emitted as the hull underwent stress. Finally, the ship disappeared, as it slid sideways into the darkness of the water. She tried to call for Jesse, but he was nowhere to be found. All around her, people were slowly dying from the hypothermia and shock of being exposed in the freezing water. She felt herself die, until finally, she sunk to the bottom, her body meeting with the ship at the bottom, which was laying on its side as it left the surface.

Marion sat up in bed, panting and sweating. She turns to her side and her heart and breathing begins to slow down. Jesse lays next to her, sleeping as peacefully as he can be. He was warm and comforting, as he was all snuggled under the covers. She had also been crying as she wipes her tears from her eyes. The blankets were rumpled, despite the fact Jesse had slept through it all, and he probably didn't feel anything she was doing next to him.

She couldn't sleep anymore. That dream looked so real! It was too much for her, as she gets out of bed and makes her way down to the kitchen, to make herself some warm milk. She looked over the clock in the living room; 4:30 in the morning. She knew it was a couple more hours before anyone would be awake then. She continually sips her milk as she sits at the table. It was still dark out, the gentle breeze blowing against the house. She tried to think happy thoughts. Proposing to Jesse was the best thing she had done. She knew he would protect her, much like Jack would protect Rose, from the man she was trying to escape. Marion missed him dearly when he wasn't at the house. All she did to pass the time was play with little Jack, then do some house chores. The house wasn't the same after everyone had gone. It was quiet, now that Jesse and his friends were gone. Little Jack kept asking when his uncle would be coming to see him again. She was glad he was coming back to New York, and she counted down the days until he arrived.

She heard footsteps coming down the stairs. It was Jessica, who was startled to see Marion sitting at the table this early in the morning.

"Couldn't sleep, huh?" she asked. Marion shook her head, as she drank her now cold milk.

"I had this bad nightmare. The ship hitting the iceberg, with Jesse and I on it. The ship threw us off, into the freezing water. It laid on its side as it started to sink. People around us, screaming as they cried for help that never came. The ship and the people soon disappeared, leaving only me on the surface, never finding Jesse, until I died and met the ship on the floor, which was laying on its side." Marion sobs quietly, and Jessica comforts her.

"I wish I could tell you it was all a dream, but then I would be lying to myself that it did actually happen." Jessica says.

"What do you mean?" Marion asks, still sipping her cold milk.

"When Jesse boarded that ship, I had terrible nightmares. That Jesse would get himself into some sorts of trouble and eventually, the ship would claim him." Jessica says. "I always have nightmares when Jesse leaves land, since last year when he first boarded the Mauretania. My nightmares almost came true when Jesse didn't come home, just Eric and his friends. But then we found out a month later he woke up in a hospital, alive and well. My husband kept insisting we check the hospital, even just for a sign that my baby brother was still alive. Thank God for that phone call. And I want to thank you for being there for Jesse, even if it was just only for a few days."

"Actually, it was Rose for telling me how Jesse was very handsome. But I found him beyond handsome. I knew he would be caring, fun, passionate, as I describe him from what Rose was telling me. He was also brave, as he took on a man that had abused her back on the ship." Jessica gasps, as Marion continues. "Please don't tell her that I told you that. But like I said, he's fun, caring, and I hope to marry him soon." Marion beams.

"What's going on here?" Jesse asks, as he rubs his eyes. "It's only five in the morning. I better make something, as Jon might be getting ready for work." Jesse grabs a pan and places it on the stove. He grabs some eggs and bacon from a nearby pantry, and carefully uncovers them before putting them in the pan.

"You better not burn the food like you did last time." Marion laughs. Jesse shakes his head as he smiles, his hair covering both his eyes. Marion had always adored his soft hair. He even had unique highlights when the sun shone in the right places. When she brushes them away from his eyes, she can see his intense brown eyes, eyes that can see right through almost anything. Jesse leans down, then gives her a kiss, while Marion brushes his hair from his eyes, then turns his attention to cooking his eggs. Jessica decided to take over his cooking, then tells the couple to enjoy themselves. Jesse ran upstairs, back to his room, to retrieve his newsboy-style hat he hardly wore, then fixed his hair before he put it on, then lead Marion to the front porch, as the sun begins to crest over the buildings. She leans on Jesse, as he looks over the horizon, as factories begin pouring smoke, beginning the work day. Jon comes out, then hugs the couple at the same time, before getting in his car to go to work. Jesse looks over his brother-in-law as he drives away, toward the rising sun.

"Jesse, what do you imagine New York will be like in the future?"

"I imagine it will be bigger than today. Probably more robust, and more buildings, and more cars than horse carriages." Jesse kisses her, when the sun finally peaks over the industrial building in front of the house. He had imagined what Rose and Jack were doing, back in Santa Monica now. Someday, he and Marion decided to check out the place themselves. For now, they needed to get their future in order, the marriage, where they were going to live, and if they wanted any children in their lives. Jesse already had a steady job, and that was already taken care of, as was the living arrangements. Marion removed his hat, then brushing Jesse's hair, as they both looked into each other's eyes, as if determining what their next plan of actions will be.

"Jesse, I want to get married. Before Christmas." Marion says, still holding Jesse's hair away from his eyes. She pushed his hair back as she put on Jesse's hat, in a way that it allowed his forehead to show from his hat, while she felt tears come, and a lump formed in her throat. Jesse swallows hard. He had also wanted to marry the girl standing in front of him. It felt like being in a dream, and felt as if everything was rushing, but he didn't care. He hugged her, the feeling coming back like it did when they were back at Coney Island days prior, but they didn't take young Jack; they wanted to be by themselves and have a great time together.

They decided to go out on the town together to look for wedding dresses. Jesse calls for a cab that will take them to the downtown part of New York. He wasn't familiar with the entire city, but he thought there were specialty and wedding boutiques in that part of town. He told his sister they were leaving for the downtown area, and hoped to be back soon later in the day. Jessica smiles, knowing her brother would be preparing to marry the girl he had just barely met when he was in Philadelphia rescuing Rose.

...

It was middle of the day when the couple arrived in central New York. The streets were teeming with cars, horse carriages, and pedestrians like ants going into the ground. They decided to walk the town instead of driving or taking the cab, as they wanted to visit the various stores to look at wedding dresses. They wanted something simple, nothing extravagant, and of course Marion invited her family when she was at the house. Her family hailed from upstate Vermont, and she too was to be thrust into the rich lifestyle her mother wanted her to be in, but thankfully she had an understanding father, whom she confided with that she was marrying someone of lower status than her. Her father kept insisting that was nothing to be worried of, before she was hired at the Dewitt Bukater residence in Philadelphia. She knew her mother would be in disagreement about the wedding, but her father insists she should marry someone true to her heart. He even told her he'll help her out with the wedding plans and anything related. She had learned enough to read and write, and practiced some more when she was back at the Almstead home, reading their meager collections of books they had in the living room. Marion had even copied down some of the telegrams Jesse had been sending her from this small town called Albuquerque, mostly describing how hot and arid the place was. She had also gotten telegrams from Rose and Jack, telling her they had a baby coming, and she gushed with excitement for them as well. She hasn't told them about the wedding she and Jesse were engaging in, for she might wait until they got back to the house.

They walked in a boutique, as the owner was looking towards the couple with a slight disdain, but Jesse ignored them. Marion simply passed as if she were really from Brooklyn, but Jesse resembled that of a mid- to late-19th century farmer from the Midwest. They strolled throughout the boutique, looking at housewares, to decor, and dresses, but most of the dresses were either too big, too tight, and one of the dresses had the waist which was too small for her. Another shop carried the dress she liked, but it wasn't in the color she wanted. Another was too expensive, and from that boutique the clientele there frowned upon them, as if they were being of the "working class" people, especially at Jesse, and his 19th century style.

"There's nothing here that I like." Marion says, shaking her head sadly. She had hoped her grandmother was still alive so she can make her a dress she will be proud to be married in. Jesse comforts her, as they continue down the sidewalks. Even Jesse couldn't find a suit that fit perfect without looking bulky. No matter how much he ate, he was still slim, but in better shape than he was after leaving the hospital after the sinking.

…

The detective was wandering outside, trying to find leads that took him literally nowhere at this point. He was in the same position months now without a single clue as to the whereabouts of Rose or her maid. Something catches his eye at the front of a wedding boutique; a couple strolling nonchalantly; a particular male holding his hair while the other was wrapped around the girl's shoulder. He knew there were couples, but this one seemed to be of his interest, and decided to follow them. He kept a considerable distance from the couple, as he didn't want his potential lead to get lost, but at a point where he could keep a constant eye on them. The couple in front of him kept on walking, as if nothing was amiss, until they got to a tavern. The detective stopped, then scratched his head. Now why would a young couple as these walk into a bar? He thought, then walked in, being careful as to not been seen by the young couple. There were all sorts of patrons in that bar, some drunk more than others, others smoking as they were playing cards of sort, and the place was a hubbub. The detective finally notices the couple sitting at the window seat, as he takes the booth counter, where he could still maintain eye contact with the young couple. He orders a small shot of beer, then turns to look over to the couple, who were still sitting at the booth. They had ordered a glass of root beer, its thick froth spilling over the rim of the glass, and next to the glass sat a newsboy hat. The couple were sipping at the froth, with the young man smearing the froth around his mouth, and acting like he was rabid, and the young girl was giggling at his silliness. He turns his attention back to his business, just as his shot of beer came. Rose was missing; so was the maid. He was given a description of what the young maid would look like by Cal. He takes a look back at the couple. The girl had short, shoulder-length brunette hair, and was darker than the young boy in front of her. She was also slender, and he tries to take a quick glance at her face. All the detective saw was a small, upturned nose on the girl's face, then turned his attention to the young boy. The young boy's dark hair was longer in the front, while it was short at the back, with a slight taper. His hair was constantly covering his eyes, as tried to brush it away from his face. Every time the detective wanted to look at the boy's face his hair always fell, covering both his eyes, and his nose peeked through the fringes. He noticed the boy's hair was well maintained for the time, despite being messy and thick, and had a nice body and shine to it. He flicked his head, brushed it away from his eyes, then smiled, as the remaining froth dripped from his mouth, like some kind of rabid animal. The girl laughed, clearly amused of this boy's silliness, then reached forward to wipe the boy's mouth, before they leaned for a kiss...

The bar suddenly erupted in a fight. Patrons were throwing beer glasses, bar stools, whatever they could get their hands on that wasn't securely fastened to the floor of the building, at one another. The detective ducked in time when someone threw a billiard ball, knocking over glasses of beer and spirits from the shelf behind the barkeeper, as he also ducked in time. The detective turned to where the young couple had sat moments earlier, but had disappeared during the commotion. The root beer glass was broken, and its contents spilled onto the table and floor...