AFTER TITANIC
BOOK ONE
Chapter Seventeen
Ruth Dewitt Bukater is standing
outside Molly's mansion sitting on the doorstep when Molly
returns. The poor woman looked as if she's been through the
ringer and back. Molly's heart immediately goes out to her.
"Ruth darlin'. What are you doing here?" Molly asked
incredulousy.
"I have nowhere else to go. I could barely afford the train
ticket here. I was fired from my job and evicted from my
apartment," Ruth stands up, trying to stand straight and
proud. But it's of no use. Her composure finally crumbles and she
falls into Molly's arms weeping hysterically. "Oh Molly,
what am I going to do? How am I going to survive?"
"You'll survive Ruth. You just need the determination and
courage. That's all. Believe me, we all go through hard times
like these and we come out stronger for it," Molly comforts
the woman. "Now let's get you out of this nippy weather and
inside where it's warm. Don't worry about the luggage. I'll have
James take care of it."
"I don't know how I'm going to be able to repay you Molly
for all you've done for me....especially after how I treated you
on Titanic...I must say I'm surprised," Ruth accepts a cup
of hot tea that Molly had prepared after Ruth was settled.
"Don't you worry none about repaying me or about what
happened on Titanic," Molly sets a pot of tea on the table.
"That's the past and I plan to let it remain there. Plus, I
was never one for letting someone stay out on the street when
they had nowhere to go. Now Ruth, tell me how all this came
about. Why did you get fired and evicted?"
"My supervisor at the factory said that I was sloppy in my
sewing. He said that I was a waste of time and money. So in
losing my job, I could no longer make the rent payments. I tried
to find another job, but no one would hire me. So my landlord
evicted me. I tried to reason with him, but he would hear none of
it," Ruth sniffs, staring at the ground. The proud arrogant
upper-crust woman was gone. In her place was this sad pitiful
creature that no one wanted.
"Oh Ruth..."
"So I remembered you telling me that if I ever needed
anything to look you up, so that's what I did. I mean, I thought
you were just saying that to be polite, but I figured what else
did I have to lose by asking for your help. The worst you could
say was for me to get lost."
"Ruth...how about the Hockley's? Have you heard anything
from them any?"
Ruth just shakes her head. She still couldn't believe that she
had almost made Rose marry into such a harsh and heartless
family. Thank goodness Rose saw through the facade and escaped
from such an awful fate...even though her freedom was
short-lived. "The last I heard, Caledon married that French
heiress that had eyes for him a couple of years back. Can you
imagine that? Rose hasn't been gone for a full year yet."
"You're still mourning her aren't ya Ruth?"
"She was my only child. How could I not mourn her? Oh Molly,
I'd do anything to have another chance with her. I'd even accept
that Jack Dawson if that's what she wanted," Ruth couldn't
hold back the tears any longer. She began to cry again.
"Oh Ruth darlin'," Molly rubs the woman's back, her
heart going out to her. She wished there was a way for Ruth to
find out that Rose survived and was just a hop, skip, and a jump
away. She could throw out some hints, but what hints could there
be that she could give without coming out with the whole truth.
That's when she remembers the conversation she had with Mrs.
Hathaway just that morning.
"Molly, we'd love it if you could come to Eliza's
engagement dinner we're having Saturday. You can even bring a
guest. I just hope that girl doesn't go into labor or anything.
That'd ruin everything, " Marge Hathaway sighed.
Of course! She could take Ruth to the Hathaway dinner this
Saturday. Rose would surely be working that night. Sure it'll be
a surprise for both Ruth and Rose. Rose wouldn't be expecting to
see her mother so soon, and Ruth would be in shock at not only
seein her daughter alive and healthy, but also pregnant and
working as a maid. What a good idea.
"You know what you need Ruth? You need to have some
fun," Molly places a hand on her hip. Ruth just stares at
Molly as if she's gone completely mad. "Seriously. Staying
in and mourning Rose is not good for you. And you know Rose would
say the same thing if she was here now."
"So what do you suggest I do?" Ruth asked.
"I have a shindig to go to this coming Saturday, and I'm
aloud to have a guest. I'll take you along instead of my son like
I was going to. It'll do you good to get out among other people.
Plus, the hostess has asked about you, so this would be a chance
for her to find out first hand."
"Oh Molly no. I can't possibly go to a social event. I mean,
what am I going to wear? All my fine dresses have been
sold."
"Now don't you worry about that. We'll go shopping this week
for a suitable dress. Do don't even think about not going."
"Oh Molly...I don't know what to say...except are you sure
this is okay for you to bring me along?"
"Perfectly ok," Molly nods. "Now may I suggest we
turn in for the evening. We have a big day of shopping ahead of
us tomorrow," Molly stretches. It's definitely.
Time for her to turn in. "Come on Ruth. We can go up
together."
Both women go upstairs; Ruth is the only one unaware of the
surprise awaiting her at Molly's party Saturday. Molly just hopes
that Rose won't want to kill her by time it's all over.
Rose stretches an rubs the sleep out of her eyes as she sets up.
she winces as she feels the baby's hard kick to her abdomen.
"You're a strong one," She smiled, then glances over at
her sleeping husband. This was so strange, she still couldn't
believe that he was actually there with her.
"Rose?" Jack awakens to find his wife setting up with
her hand on her stomach and becomes disturbed. "Rose...Are
you okay? Is it the baby?"
"Oh Jack, it's kicking. Here, you want to feel?" She
turns to face her husband and places his hand on her abdomen. She
laughs when his eyes widen in surprise and wonder when he feels
the tiny foot send another kick.
"Wow...that's amazing. Does he do that often?"
"No...he just began doing it when you arrived. I think he
knows his father is here and wants to say hello," Rose
smiled, stroking a stray blond locke away from Jack's sparkling
eyes.
"Hello little Tommy," Jack whispered, moving a little
closer to her stomach.
Rose is taken aback by the name. What made him think that the
baby was a boy? "Jack...what makes you think that this baby
is a boy? It may very well be a girl."
Jack is speechless. He didn't really think about it when he said
the name. It just sort of came out. "I don't know Rose. But
I was thinking last night about names for the baby. We really
should talk about it."
"Well...I've already decided that if it was a girl, we'd
name her Molly Cora Dawson," Rose lovingly stokes her
stomach, wanting to loll the baby back to sleep. "And I
guess it's only fair to let you pick out the name if it's a
boy...and I think you've already done that."
"You don't mind Tommy Fabrizio Dawson do you?"
"Oh Jack! I think that's a wonderful name!" Rose hugs
him tightly and smiles as she thinks about the two young men lost
on Titanic smiling down on them right now. "I think they
would be honored if they could see us right now.
Oh Rose, they can see us right
now. I know they can," Jack squeezes her back just as
tightly. "I feel them everyday."
"Rose! Jack! Are you up!" Eliza calls up to them.
"I hate to disturb you on a Saturday, but mother wanted me
to remind you of that party tonight. Remember? You have to pull
double duty tonight!"
Jack sighed deeply. He hated the fact that Rose had to work for
Marge Hathaway and as a maid. she should be the one having a maid
waiting on her, not her being a maid herself. But Rose had
assured him that she didn't mind. That it wasn't really hard and
she enjoyed Eliza's company. So he had relented and stopped
insisting that she'd quit. But his worries have resurfaced when
Rose began coming home sweaty and dirty, as if Marge Hathaway was
trying to run her into the ground...and in Rose's condition that
wasn't good. If things didn't improve by the end of next week,
Jack would have to insist that Rose quit and stand his ground. He
wasn't going to let Marge Hathaway take her dislike of the
Dawson's out on Rose.
"I'll be right down," Rose called.
"Rose...I know I said I wouldn't interfere with your
decision to continue working for the Hathaway's...but I really do
think that they're pushing you past your limit...especially in
your condition," Jack voiced his concern. "I don't
think you should do this party tonight. I'm sure Eliza would
understand."
"But her mother won't and her mother's the boss. Besides,
I'll be fine. The only reason I worked so hard this week was
because Mrs. Hathaway wanted the house nice for the party. But
now that the party is here and everything, my workload will
lighten again. You'll see," Rose reassured Jack, giving him
a quick kiss. "I have to run. I'll see you at lunch?"
"Sure thing," Jack forces a smile, trying his best to
hide his displeasure.
Jack stands up from the bed and wistfully stares out the window
'til he spots his wife leaving the house with her new friend.
"I promise you Rose...it won't always be like this...you
won't have to be the Hathaway's maid forever."
Molly and Ruth arrive promptly at seven o'clock, ready for the
party. Molly can't help but be nervous. She sure hopes Rose isn't
the one who answers the door. Ruth really would have a heart
attack right on the spot if she did.
"Molly...are you sure this is okay with Marge Hathaway...I
mean she's worse than I was on Titanic. I'm quite surprised you
two are friends," Ruth fidgets at the door nervously. This
is her first social event since the Titanic disaster...since she
lost Rose.
"Acquaintances really," Molly snorts. "And yes I'm
sure this is okay. Besides Ruth, this party will life you out of
your depression about Rose's death. In fact, you might say it'll
be as if Rose never died on that ship."
"Molly!" Marge greets when she answers the knock and
then stops in total shock. "Ruth Dewitt Bukater...what a
surprise. Word on the street said that you was now a seamstress
after the death of your daughter."
"I was a seamstress, but that didn't quite pan out for
me," Ruth forces a smile and nods. "So Molly invited me
to this party you're having. She insists it'll do me good to get
out among among other people."
"Oh it is, it is. In fact, I can't wait to introduce you to
Eliza...she's my daughter of course, and I think the same age as
your Rose. Maybe spending time with her will help lessen your
pain."
Ruth just nods and follows the two women inside where the dinner
party is in full swing.
"Eliza!" Marge calls to her daughter, waving her over.
Ruth feels a pang of despair when she remembers summoning Rose
the same way. "Eliza, this is Mrs. Ruth Dewitt Bukater. We
went to finishing school together."
"It's nice to meet you," Eliza nods her greeting.
Ruth smiles. Eliza was a beautiful blond girl, and almost
reminded her of Rose, but she was lacking the fiery spirit and
strong will that Rose possessed. But still, the girl did remind
her of Rose's beauty and kindness.
"Let me show you to the dinner table and I'll have our maid
get you two a plate," Molly smiled, leading Molly and Ruth
into the the dining hall of the house. "Eliza, go have Rose
bring two more plates out will you?"
Moment of truth, Molly thought to herself. Ruth will soo know the
truth about her daughter and will be giver her wish...another
chance to make things right.
Rose has just gotten done taking the chess pie out of the oven
when Eliza enters.
"Rose...you're needed out there again. Two more guests have
just arrived," Eliza bites her lip. She hates it that Rose
is working instead of being a guest to her engagement dinner. She
was one of the bridesmaids for goodness sake.
"I'm coming," Rose takes two more plates out of the
china cabinet and began loading it with food. "I'm sorry I'm
so slow tonight. It's just that the baby here has gotten a little
bigger the past few days. Even Jack has noticed."
"Do not worry about all that Rose. Everyone
understands," Eliza smiled, taking one of the plates.
"Now come, I'll help you with these."
Ruth is laughing politely at the story Marge is telling about
finding a church for her daughter's wedding. Her laugh stops when
she glances at the kitchen door to see a ghost emerge from the
kitchen.
"Rose!" Ruth stands from her seat, shock and
indescribable joy.
In her surprise at seeing her mother, Rose accidentally lets the
plates of food fall to the ground and shatter.
"Rose!" Eliza exclaimed in shock. What had gotten into
her friend who's suddenly gone pale?
Rose doesn't answer. She quickly disappears into the kitchen.
"Rose!" Eliza calls again, following her friend into
the kitchen, where Rose seems to be heading for the back door
that leads to the back yard. "Rose Stop! Where are you
going?"
Rose turns to face Eliza, wanting to make her escape, but also
wanting to explain everything to her friend. "...I have to
get out of here," Rose stammered, looking towards the door.
"Rose, what is going on?"
"Rose!" Ruth cries, coming through the door, her eyes
full of tears of joy. "Rose! We thought you were dead!"
"Careful Ruth. Don't scare the poor girl off," Molly
warned, coming in behind Ruth.
"What's going on here?" Mrs. Hathaway demanded, coming
in behind Molly. "Mrs. Dawson, I hope you know that was a
valuable..."
"Dawson?" Ruth interrupts Mrs. Hathaway's lecture.
"What happened to Dewitt Bukater? And Rose...Are you
pregnant?"
Rose looks at Molly, a hint of betrayal showing in her eyes.
"...I got married mother...to Jack. And yes, we are
expecting a baby." Rose's voice is void of emotion, but her
eyes are shooting daggers through her mother. "So if you
plan for me to go back to Cal you can forget it."
Molly finally decides to step in. She didn't want this
confrontation to get out of control. "Now you two, be nice
to one another. You both have been through a lot in the past few
months."
"Will somebody please explain to me what's going on?"
Mrs. Hathaway places a hand on her hip.
"Isn't it obvious Marge? Rose is Ruth's daughter,"
Molly rolls her eyes. "That's the reason why I brought Ruth
here. So she can find out that her daughter is alive after all.
Rose...forcing you to go back
to Cal never crossed my mind. I'm just so happy to see that
you're alive and healthy...even if you are married to that boy
from steerage."
"Jack. His name is Jack."
"Even if you're married to Jack."
Rose is struck speechless. Here was her mother saying that she
was willing to accept Jack as her son in law. That she had no
intention of forcing her to go back to Cal. "What about
Cal...and the money. I know how important that money was to
you."
"Cal's gone darling. He married some French heiress. And as
for money...watching you walk away from me on Titanic, and
watching that big ship go down like that...and thinking you had
gone down on the ship...that taught me that there was more
important things than money," Ruth wipes away a tear
streaming from her eyes. "Please Rose...forgive me. Forgive
me for trying to force you to marry Caledon Hockley. I see now
that he's not the man for you...that you were right all along in
Choosing to be with Jack."
"Rose darlin...I think she means it," Molly speaks up
for Ruth. "She's the only mother you've got and the only
grandmother your baby will ever have. Don't deny your child a
grandparent."
Rose is speechless. What should she do? Does she dare trust her
mother to be in her baby's life? What would Jack think? She does
lover her mother and would like to have her to be a part of her
life, but she doesn't trust her, plain and simple. For all she
knew, Ruth could be lying about Cal.
"I'm sorry mother...but I don't think I can trust you that
much. I don't know if I even want you to be a part of my baby's
life. I don't want it growing up thinking everything it says and
does is improper like you did with me. I don't want it to grow up
in fear of you."
"Was I that terrible of a mother?" Ruth asked, stepping
closer to her trembling daughter. "Did I make you afraid of
me?"
Rose doesn't look at her mother, but just nods. "To be
honest mother, Molly's been more of a mother to me these past few
months than you've ever been in all these seventeen years."
Ruth is speechless. She had no idea that Rose felt this way. What
has she done to her relationship with her daughter and can it be
salvaged this late in life? Ruth didn't know, but she was at
least going to try.
"Rose...I'm sorry. I'm sorry that all your memories of me
are bad ones. But please darling...please give me another chance.
I promise I won't push you. We'll start slowly."
"I don't understand," Rose furrows her brow.
"...I say we call a truce...a weary one, but a truce all the
same. I'll stay at Molly's and when ever you need me for
anything...you can get in contact with me there. How does that
sound?"
The room falls silent. It's as if everyone is waiting for Rose's
answer. Rose stares into her mother's eyes and finds nothing but
sincerity. A truce? No contact until Rose was ready...did she
really mean it? Has she really changed that much? What did Rose
have to lose in trusing her mother this far? Nothing much...just
the thin thread of trust she had in her mother and that wasn't
much.
Rose nods in agreement, her face void of emotion. "Ok
mother. A truce. And when I'm ready to talk...I'll contact
you...not the other way around."
Ruth bursts into tears of happiness. This was her big chance to
get her daughter back. Maybe now they can build a relationship
into what it should have been from the start, one of trust and
love. "Oh Rose thank you! I promise, I won't disappoint
you," Ruth runs over to her daughter and hugs her tightly,
not ever wanting to let go, just in case she disappeared.
"I'm going to become the mother you've always wanted...the
mother you deserve."
"Careful Ruth. Don't push yourself on her," Molly
warned caustiously. She was happy to see the mother and daughter
call a truce. She just hoped it would last and grow into the type
of relationship both women craved. For Rose, a warm and careing
mother and for Ruth a daughter that she could love and a
grandchild she could spoil.
Rose is still weary. She hoped she doesn't regret this decision
to call a truce, and that her mother had indeed changed for the
better.