Chapter
Three
April 10, 1908
Jack stands on the pier looking out over the ocean, his
portfolio tucked under his arm, the twenty dimes he had recieved
from today's drawings was enough to give him a decent meal and
maybe a shabby room to stay, maybe even not that much. He can't
help but wonder if maybe Leah was right. Maybe it would have been
better if he had stayed in Chippewa Falls where there was always
a hot meal and a warm bed to sleep in. But then he thought of
Santa Monica and moments like this where he could just look out
over the ocean and watch the sunset. If he had stayed in Chippewa
Falls, he would have missed out on this breathtaking experience.
In fact, he couldn't think of anything more beautiful than a
Santa Monica Sunset.
He's been here for almost a year this month and the sunsets still
took his breath away. The only thing missing was a special
someone to share these sunsets with. Someone like Leah...she
would have loved this. He knew she would. He promised himself
that he'll take her here someday so she could witness the
Californian sunsets herself...if he ever returned to Chippewa
Falls that is.
"Hi ya Jack!" a friendly voice interrupts his thoughts.
Jack turns and smiles at his best friend and roommate Andy
Calvert. The two had become great friends since the day arrived
in Santa Monica. This was the first time thought that Andy had
cared to join him in watching the sunset.
"Hey Andy."
"What are you thinking about standing here all by yourself?
The ladies are waiting," Andy refers to the dates he had
rustled up for Jack and himself. Dawson was going to be surprised
when he layed his eyes on the lovely blond bombshell he had
picked out. "They can't wait to meet ya. Her name's Lola.
They say she's on of those showgirls down at the joint."
"You got a date named Lola...and she's a showgirl?"
Jack turned to his friend, amusement shining in his eyes.
"I know the name needs to be worked on, but believe me Jack,
she's a knockout."
"A knockout huh? I don't know Andy...I'm not really sure
that I'd want to spend time with a showgirl named Lola. She
doesn't seem like..."
"Woah, hey Dawson lighten up. Spending time with the girl
doesn't mean you have to marry her. I know you're still looking
for that special someone...the girl that can look into your very
soul and grab your heart. Personally pal, I think you're
dreaming, but I'm not going to push my beliefs on you. You just
keep waiting for that Misses right, but in the mean time...have
fun with Lola."
Jack just smiled wistfully at his friend. "That's one of the
things I'll miss about you Andy. Your charm with the ladies and
how it seems to rub off on me at times."
Andy laughs. "Dawson you haven't looked in the mirror lately
have ya? Ladies don't come to see me Jack...well they do, but
most of them drop by to see you. You're a lady killer man and
don't even know it...don't even put it to good use," Andy's
eyes widen even more when he finally catches the drift of Jack's
first words. "Wait a minute Jack, what do you mean you're
going to miss me? Are you going somewhere?"
"The road is calling to me again Andy. It's time to leave
again. I'll be boarding the next ship to Europe tomorrow morning.
I somehow landed a job on a real ship if you can believe
it."
Andy is speechless. He didn't know what to say. His life had been
dull and hopeless before Jack appeared in his life with his sunny
attitude and bright smile. That was when his life turned around
and he found himself acting his age...a seventeen year old boy
with his whole life ahead of him. But now that his best friend in
the whole world was leaving...what was to become of him now? How
could he keep his spirits up without Jack around to brighten the
place? Who would he double date with or joke around with, or just
talk to when he need someone to just listen? Of course there will
be other best friends, but none of them will be like a brother to
him like Jack was. There would never be another Jack Dawson.
"Jack...I don't know what to say. Is there anyway to get you
to change your mind?"
Jack shakes his head. "None. I'm sorry to spring it on ya
like this Andy, but I didn't know I was ready to leave until this
morning and this was the only time we got to talk today."
"But Jack...you're needed here man. Sal said with the summer
fast approaching, it's going to be busy. Those portraits of yours
are a big part of our profits," Andy tries to plead with his
friend. "We need you Jack."
Jack sighed and looked at the man who had been his best friend
for the past year. He wished that he could stay here in Santa
Monica forever, but he wasn't done fulfilling his promise to his
parents yet. He had to live life for all it was worth and follow
his gut instincts. And his gut instinct was to pick up and head
off for Europe, because he may not get the chance again.
"I can't stay Andy. This is a big opportunity and it may not
come around again. Besides, with all the art museums and stuff
going on in Europe, my chance of becoming a famous artist is
greater there," Jack looks at the ground, reminded of the
last time he had made this famous artist speech. This one was so
much similiar to the one he gave Leah before he left Chippewa
Falls. And now here he was one year later telling the same thing
to another best friend that hated to see him go.
"Well then...I wish you the best Jack. I really do. Come
back and visit again if you ever get the chance," forcing a
smile, Andy shakes Jack's hand and turns to walk away, not daring
to look back out of fear that Jack would see the tears in his
eyes. He definately was going to miss Jack and hoped to see him
again someday.