12
Jack and Rose returned to find Mrs. Gladys peeling potatoes for that nights dinner.
"So you two are back. How did you find your parents home Jack?"
"Very nice. My cousins staying there now and hes kept it in tip-top shape."
"So you and your lovely wife will be living there?"
"Uh no. Theres just too many memories and I cant deal with them right now. You can say my plate is full of painful memories right now," Jack sighed.
"Well you two are perfectly welcomed to stay here. So I take it youre allowing your cousin to remain at the house?"
"Yes mam. At least that way the house will be cared for and lived in," Jack explained.
"Jack, Im going to go lay down now," Rose replied, yawning tiredly. Its been a long week for Rose and she wanted nothing more than to lay down somewhere and sleep for a month.
"Are you feeling ok?"
"Yes. Im just tired. Its been an extremely long
week," Rose sighed. "You dont mind do you?"
"Of course not sweetie. Go on up. Ill be up soon," Jack let go of her hand and watched her disappear up the stairs.
"Shes a lovely girl Jack. Your ma and pa would have liked her if they were alive," Mrs. Gladys sadly smiled.
"I wish they could meet her. Rose is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Shes my other half. I think Ma especially would have liked her," Jack gazed at the carpeted floor.
Mrs. Gladys got up from her chair and embraced the young man. "We all miss them Jack. Youre not alone in your grief. Know that all of us are here with you."
"Thank you," Jack forced a smile, wiping a stray tear from his eye. "I guess I better go and make sure that Rose gets settled in ok. Well be back down for dinner."
"Ok dearie. Sweet dreams," Gladys waved
watching the young man disappear up the stairs.
*
Jack found Rose in the bed, staring out the far window onto the deserted streets below. For a couple of minutes he just stood and watched her. Soon he moved from the door and layed down behind her, wrapping his arms around her.
"Are you ok?" He asked.
"Its the sunset Jack. Some people will never see it again we almost never saw it again," Rose sighed.
"But we are seeing it again Rosie. Were safe now. No sinking boat, no ice cold water just a nice warm bed in a nice warm house safe and sound," Jack tightened his embrace.
"Fifteen hundred people lost their lives,
and the world is going on. How can that be?"
"Its the circle of life. We live, we die but the world
keeps turning. Thats why its so important to make
everyday count. We never know what the next day is going to
bring," Jack kissed her cheek.
Rose sighed and held Jacks hand tightly. "Im so thankful that you made it. I would have died if you hadnt."
"No you wouldnt have Rose. Youre strong. Stronger than you give yourself credit for. If you werent you never would have come back down for me wielding that ax," Jack smiled at the memory.
"I wasnt thinking when I did that. I think I was I shock during the entire sinking," Rose sighed.
"So was I and a whole lot of other people. Some unsinkable ship."
"But it did bring us together and for that Im grateful," Rose sighed, turning around to kiss her husband passionately.
"So whats in the works for tomorrow?" Rose asked.
"That my love is a surprise," Jack grinned, pulling Rose closer.