Chapter 54

October 23, 1912

The telephone rings in Cal's apartment.

"Go ahead."

"Good news, sir. I found the girl from your description. She was at a local pub." the detective says.

"Excellent. Do you have her with you?" Cal asks, as he was ready to lean back in his chair.

"Unfortunately, no. She disappeared from my sights when a fight broke out. I'm using the telephone inside the bar."

Cal bangs his fist on the table. He brushes his hair from his forehead, then stands up.

"Where are you?"

"Downtown. Meet me back at the station."

"Good. I'll be there."

…

Cal arrives at the police station, multiple times now since he arrived at New York in the hopes of finding Rose. The place was a hubris of people, criminals being shuffled about by officers as they make their way through the circus of the station. He makes his way to the detective's office. Inside, the office was dark, with only a single bulb lighting the room, and the blinds were drawn closed, sunlight trying to make their way through the cracks of the blinds. The place was a cluttered mess, with papers flung about the room. On Cal's right was a picture wall, with strings attached to the people and their cases. He takes his seat in front of the investigator.

The detective stands up, holding something under his arm, then leans in closer to Cal. He tosses a dossier in front of him, kicking up a cloud of dust from his desk.

"Do you believe in ghosts?" he asks.

Cal tries to fan away the dust, but coughs, before he opens the file. "What does this have to do with the missing women? Besides, there's nothing in here to spark my interests."

"Oh really? Look harder."

Cal looks at the contents in the folder, then throws it back on the desk. He didn't believe his eyes what he had seen in front of him. It truly was like seeing a ghost.

"That was taken moments after he was released from the hospital. I knew that kid look familiar when he was in that bar with that young woman." The detective got up from his desk, walks to the window, then slips his fingers through the cracks in the blinds. "He may change his hair, but he can't change his identity."

Cal takes the photo with shaking hands. In front of him, taken in ¾ shot of the man's face and torso, was Jesse. His hair covering his left eye, as he left the hospital. He was dressed in suit and tie, which was a little large on the man, as he had lost quite a bit of weight since the sinking.

"I got that out of the newspaper. Most of the contents in that dossier were of the R.M.S. Titanic survivors, mostly from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, and a few taken from the St. Vincent Hospital, as patients were being discharged, like this young man, for example."

Cal begins to leaf through the contents, hoping to find the gutter rat as well. If Jesse was among the newspaper clippings, surely Jack would be in there as well. Unfortunately, he found none, but he was certain he was alive. But Jesse? He can't imagine seeing Jesse in the streets of New York, since Matthew even told him he was dead. Or was he telling the truth? He was now beginning to think Matthew had given him the good ol' wild goose chase. He looked at the photo one last time. All this time he was sure Jesse was dead; he'd seen someone being buried out at sea that morning, back on the Carpathia. But here he was, walking out of that hospital, as if ready to attend a business meeting rather than recover from the tragedy. He also ran into a dead end, as there was no information, and the detective had thrown the rest of the newspaper months ago. Cal wanted to take the clipping, but the detective declined. He took the picture from Cal's hands and tacked it on the wall, above all the cases.

"Thank you for your time." Cal says, getting up to leave.

"If anything comes up, you'll be the first to know." the detective says, as Cal leaves the office. The detective takes down the picture and studies it closely. Clearly, the man looked very feminine, he had soft features. He had full lips but small mouth, slender nose, and was nearly Asian in appearance. Even though his hair nearly obscured his face, he had perfect eyebrows for the time. Despite how thin he looked he still had some hints of muscle beneath the folds of his large suit. This young man was indeed very beautiful for the time, but he didn't want to admit it. He was soon drawn in by the man's looks until someone knocked at the door.

"You have a call, sir." the young woman says, peering behind the door.

"Right. Thank you." he says, clearing his throat as he picks up the telephone. Mrs. Bukater was on the other line.

"Did you find my daughter yet?" she asked, clearly flustered from the news Cal told her about her daughter's disappearance. Cal also gave Ruth the detective's number so she could be kept up to date on the things that were happening.

"I'm working on your case, ma'am. Just earlier Mr. Hockley came in my office asking the same question. So far, I'm running low on leads. If you have anything of assistance I'd be happy to take, like a recent photograph of your daughter." the detective says, as he puffs some smoke from his cigar. He takes his hat off and places it on his desk, covering the photo of Jesse. He gives her his direct address to the station, so he can receive it directly from her.

"Okay, ma'am. I'll do my best. But in the meantime, try to get some rest. I'll talk to you later." the detective says, then hangs up the receiver. He leans back in his chair, puffing more smoke, as he tries to get a lead of where he was going. He saw the young woman and was certain the young man was indeed this mysterious 'Jesse'. He had hoped there was a connection between the missing Rose and the young woman, connecting him to this young man. He tried to look for the photo, but fortunately, it was under his hat. He pulled it out, then studied it once more. He remembered he had this photo moments after he came back from the bar, as he seen the young man's side profile. What was he doing in New York? Did he have any family members in the city? Did he have any employment anywhere within New York? There were so many questions swirling in his head, that he decided once more he go out to get refreshed. It was quarter until five.

…

Jesse and Marion had run out of the bar when the fighting occurred. He was reminded of being back in Philadelphia, when the drunken bum was on top of him. He tried to get the image out of his head, the smell, and he almost retched at the thought. Marion looked at him with bewilderment.

He is sometimes bizarre, she thought. But nonetheless, she loved him. Jesse also had a strange feeling he was being followed, or watched, as he was careful not to look or become overly suspicious. Marion also knew, as she felt Jesse's muscles tense, and she knew she had to keep a low profile to avoid detection as well, since she was a former maid to the Bukater woman. They flagged a cab, where they decided Brooklyn would be the safest, and they continued to look for wedding dresses until the sun had set.

…

They arrived back at the house later that evening, thankful no one was following them. Jessica looked over her brother, a little worry on her face. Jesse took off his coat and hat, and places them on the tree. He adjusts his vest and shirt, before he met his sister.

"Is everything alright tonight? You seem a bit…edgy."

"Yeah. But it felt like were being followed, so we had to keep a low profile for the time being." Jesse says, tucking his loose folds of his shirt into his pants before he sits on the couch. Marion was also weary, not from looking for wedding dresses, but mainly from Cal as well.

"Where is Jack?" Jesse asked, leaning back into the couch, his chin showing a little.

"He's napping. So, how did the wedding dress search go?"

Jesse leaned forward. Both Jesse and Marion looked at each other, then back at Jessica.

"It's fruitless. Either they don't fit, the colors don't coordinate, or they're too expensive." Marion says, as she sighed deeply, her breath shaking, as if she might cry.

"I got a telegram from Rose and Jack earlier today." Jessica says, beaming with joy. She hands it to Jesse. He scans the telegram.

"Hey, look at this. They have also proposed as well, on the beach at Santa Monica. How great is that?" Jesse says, then continues. "I hope we get to check out that pier as well. I have heard they have just opened that amusement park there not too long ago. I hope it's as fun as Coney Island too."

"Let me see that." Marion excitedly grabs the telegram, leaving Jesse in a position as if he was still reading an invisible telegram, then leans in next to her, placing his head on her shoulder. "Aww. Look at this, it says here Rose is pregnant too. I hope that will be us too, Jess." She turns to kiss Jesse, and he turns too. They both exchange long kisses, before returning to the subject at hand.

"So, what made you think you were followed?" Jessica asks.

"I saw at the corner of my eye a person of sorts, covered in dark trench coat, and a little hat to go with it. Kind of reminds me of Sherlock, but I sort of knew this guy was up to no good. I had hoped to lose him in a bar of sorts, but he followed us there. Good thing that fight broke out, or we might have been discovered." Jesse says, relieved they weren't found. "We took a cab to Brooklyn, hoping there might be better dresses there, but we found none. So, we decided to call it a day there." Jesse gets up to prepare some tea, and Marion spoke out.

"What if I asked my grandmother she could make me the dress, and you the suit?" Marion says, as Jesse fills the kettle with water.

"Could be a long shot. Didn't you say she might still be alive?" Jesse places the kettle on the stove.

"I know my grandfather is, I might give him a call to find out."

Jesse comes back from the kitchen. "That's a wonderful idea. You go ahead and do that."

"The thing is, I don't know their numbers." Marion says, feeling the tears welling in her eyes. "Its been a long time since I heard from them..."

Jessica beams in. "I can call our grandparents out in the desert. My grandmother makes excellent dresses and clothes for people out there. Maybe she can help you out."

"Thank you." Marion sniffles, as Jesse brings her into a hug, then comforts her. Jessica gets up from her seat, then goes to the kitchen to an old candlestick-style telephone, where she begins dialing in the number. Jessica shakes her head, wondering why her father wouldn't want a telephone in his house, much less electricity, as the line buzzed and crackled on the other end.

With Jesse gently rocking Marion, they could overhear the conversations between Jessica and their grandparents about the upcoming plans. Jesse kissed Marion's head, while Marion looked up at the most beautiful man she had ever met. Jesse's soft hair hung over his right eye, as he gave her the most beautiful and dimpled smile. Marion slowly wrapped her hand around Jesse's slender, graceful neck as she brought him closer for a kiss, then leaned in on his chest. She could feel his adam's apple on her head as Jesse placed his chin on her head, and his gentle hand run through her hair, caressing every strand. Marion took ahold of Jesse's hand as she slowly places it to her chest, as her heart began beating. Jesse kissed Marion, then turned his attention towards the kitchen, where they could hear Jessica still holding a conversation about her brother's upcoming marriage before Christmas. They could hear Jessica breath a sigh of relief, as her grandmother was still able to makes dresses, but she needed Jesse's fiancé to be there for measurements. She was also glad her grandson had made it off the Titanic, as she had bad omens about travelling on water.

"Well, that's taken care of." Jessica says, entering the room, but they knew they still had some invitations to their wedding that needed to be sent out, and to find out if Rose and Jack are willing to make it out. They haven't decided on location, or church, or where their guests would be after it was over. And they knew November is right around the corner too. Jon soon entered his house, where his wife was waiting for him by the door. She gave him a kiss, and Jon lightly squeezed her, then saw the couple, who were still snuggled to each other. He was glad his vacation was coming up, and they all decided to take the train back to New Mexico the following week, as soon as Jon's vacation came up. Even though it was still early in the evening, both Jesse and Marion decided to call it a night, then walked up the stairs to their room.

…

October 24, 1912

Meanwhile back in Albuquerque Jack and Rose disembarked the train from their trip to Santa Monica. The newly engaged couple followed Mr. Williams back out to his awaiting car, driven by the same man they had met months prior, Tom. Mr. Williams puts the couple's luggage in the trunk, before helping them in the back seat. Both Henry and Tom listened to blissful couple snuggling each other in the back seat of Tom's car.

"Ah, young love." Tom says, as Henry gives a small chuckle. He looks over at the couple, both seemingly got some amazing sun from the California beach. Jack was noticeably darker than he was when he was working on the small farm house, and Rose as well, though she was bursting with freckles on her face and arms. They got back to the farm house, with Jack carrying Rose like they had just left the church. Mr. Williams carrying their luggage, bringing up the rear, and Tom wishing them luck, before leaving.

"Hey, bella Rose, Jack!" Fabrizio says, after everyone had walked in through the door. He hugs the couple, and congratulated them. Karl also hugs the couple, happy for them, and also gave his heartfelt wishes to the couple. The place was bursting with tears and laughter, as Jack told his story how he finally proposed to Rose, back in Santa Monica pier. They brought back shells, souvenirs and other trinkets from their trip, while they were laughing and giggling the entire time. They told of stories of the people they met, what they had done while on the pier and the amusement rides, and of their proposing. They had also wanted to know how life was like back here. They replied that it was slow, as always, but now the weather was turning cold. Karl goes outside to chop more wood for the potbellied stove. Fabrizio lights kerosene lamps as night began to fall, and Mr. Williams begins to prepare dinner atop the potbellied stove.

"I got hired somewhere in the north, as a person working for a mining company walked up to me and asked if I wanted a job, and I said 'sure'." Karl says, as he unloads the wood next to the stove.

"That's awesome." Jack was surprised, but he was happy for the young immigrant. Like Fabrizio.

"Yeah, it's awesome. I wanted to tell Jesse I'm leaving. But he hasn't returned yet, and I have until next week to be here."

"Where in the north?" Jack was curious.

"Wyoming or Washington, or even Utah or Colorado. The guy hasn't told me yet. But I'm here until next week, then I'm gone. I wanted to tell Jesse though." Karl says, beginning to tear up, and his throat began to form a lump. He had an amazing time being with Jesse; from Finland to France. His father hired Jesse after he spent a week in London, fixing fleet cars and horse wagons for the local taxi company. He brought Jesse and Eric to Helsinki, as he knew Jesse was very excellent with his hands. From there he came to the small hamlet located near the base of the mountains. He knew Jesse was different from his friends there, and that's where his friendship had begun. He and Jesse had done amazing things together. Laughing and giggling, throwing each other in the snow, hurling snowballs, and of course the memorable trip, until their car died halfway to France. Jesse tried his best to fix the thing, but it finally gave up a couple of kilometers outside a small hamlet in France. Karl sold the wretched thing to a local mechanic and got some small amount of money for it, enough for a train to take them the rest of the way to Paris. He wanted a better life in America, and had earned it at last. He met great people while on board the Titanic, until that fateful night. He sobbed softly for his Norwegian friend who was among the dead. He had memorable moments with Fabrizio, Rose, Jack, and everyone here in the desert southwest. Most of all, he had the most fun with Jesse, and he couldn't leave him without saying goodbye to him for the final time. He will keep Jesse close even as he was going far, working for a mining company. He will surely miss Jesse the most. Rose embraces him, then congratulates him on his new endeavor in his life. Jack shakes his hand before giving him a huge hug, while they both cried.

They all eventually settle down in the large room of the house, as Mr. Williams serves dinner of steak and beans to everyone in that giant room. When Jack had first arrived, he had thought he would be in a wild west of sorts, with Indians chasing them away with primitive weapons. Instead it brought new perspective; the wild west was tamed, although being on that train ride to a mining town of Flagstaff was purely the west. During their trip to Santa Monica he was worried the train might break down, in a completely open desert, and Jesse's father had told him they were entering Indian country, consisting of Navajo, Hopi to the north of the railroad, various Apache tribes throughout the railroad path, and other smaller tribes.

Compared to being back on Titanic and chased around by Cal's manservant, being stranded on an Indian tribe would be the scariest, but luckily, they made it to their destination without a hitch. Being in a mining town of Flagstaff almost reminded him of being back in Chippewa Falls, except Lake Wissota was nearby the town, and there were small hills, no mountains, and a lump formed in his throat. He longed to go back to his childhood home. He made that his promise to go back home and rebuild his house where his old one once stood. For now, he needed to propose to Rose and do all the things they talked about back on the ship, and he had accomplished it. Now comes the marriage, until there was a knock on the door. Fabrizio gets up to answer it. There were two elderly couple outside. The man was dressed in a Mexican poncho, or serape; underneath he wore a suit, like he was getting ready for a business meeting after he was done visiting. The woman wore a beautiful Indian shawl on her shoulders, but underneath she wore conventional clothes. They were carrying something large, as well as a large suitcase, and a trunk.

"Ah. Its my parents. It's been a long time. What brings you to town?" Henry was surprised to see his father and Indian mother arrive unannounced.

"We heard there was a marriage coming, so we came as quickly when we heard the news." the old man says, grunting, as Jack and Rose looked at each other, then they knew; Jesse and Marion were tying the knot. Fabrizio and Karl brought in the heavy items, then carefully lays the flat item on the floor. It has turned out the elderly woman had brought her sewing items with her, despite their difficulty with the bulky items. Henry was surprised they carried the items, much less bring on board the train with them. Despite the frail-like nature of the old man, he got down on his knees and began to set up the puzzle pieces of the sewing machine table, before going over to the trunk for the actual machine, then places it on the table. Jack and Rose peered into the trunk, and were amazed by the assortment of fabric needed to make dresses and clothes of sorts. The old man finishes setting up the belt for the wheel, before giving it a test run of the machine.

They finally introduced themselves to everyone in the room.

"Sorry for the unannounced visit. I'm Stanley Williams, and this is my wife Lucille. Ol' Henry there is my son." Stanley points to Henry. Lucille spoke in her native language that only her two grandchildren understood, then she greeted Jack and Rose, talking in her same language, then she greeted everyone in English. Everyone then sat at the table, as they talked about what they would do for their future.

"It's been a long time since I built this house. I really like what you have done to the house." Stanley says, tugging at his suit, looking at his now large home.

"It was Jesse and his friends. You should thank them." Henry gestured to Jack, Fabrizio and Karl.

"Where is that young whippersnapper?" Stanley asked, scratching his head, before adjusting his hat.

"They should be on their way back soon. Please, make yourselves comfortable." Henry gestured to his elderly parents, and were soon greeted to the last of the dinner. They were now ready for the bride and groom to be to arrive back at the farm house.