14
The Dawson residence stood silent and still in the late evening hours. Silent, yet inviting. That was Maria De Rossi’s first thought as she stood in the path leading up to the house. She looked at the paper in her hand, given to her almost a year ago . She remembered that day so clearly.
"If you need anything, come here. I’ll be at this address."
"But Fabri, how will I get there?"
"You’ll make it Maria. You always do," was his answer.
And she did make it and she was in America, standing in front of a strange house; nervous about not only seeing her brother again, but his handsome friend Jack as well. She blushed at the very thought of Jack. They had only shared a few kisses once or twice. But then Fabrizio had gotten overly protective and Jack had kept his distance ever since, not wanting to ruin his friendship with her brother. Well, she was hoping to change that. She was going to have a long talk with Fabri, and then see where things went with Jack.
Clutching her bags tightly, Maria rang the bell. A cry rang throughout the house, followed by another one. The sound of hurried footsteps approached the door. Maria opened her mouth, expecting to see Fabrizio, but instead came face to face with a woman with red hair and tired green eyes.
"May I help you?" The girl asked.
"Yes. Is this the Dawson residence?" Maria asked, feeling like she had gotten the wrong address. "I’m looking for a Jack Dawson…"
"Maria?" a familiar voice spoke up from behind the girl. A relieved smile stretched Maria’s lips as she saw Jack. He looked just as tired as the girl, but just as handsome as the last time she saw him.
"Jack? Who is this?" the red-haired girl asked curiously.
Jack’s smile was a mixture of sadness and joy. Maria frowned, wondering why he looked so sad and why Fabrizio hadn’t came down yet. Surely he must have heard her voice or Jack say her name.
"This is my wife Rose Maria. Rose, this is Fabrizio’s sister. Come in Maria. You must have had a long trip," he took her hand and led her inside.
"Where is Fabrizio? Is he not living here with you in America?" Maria frowned, getting a cold chill.
"Uh…Maria set down," Jack’s voice was soft and gentle. His heart went out to the young woman in front of him. She had adored Fabrizio and now she was telling her that Fabri was dead. "We have to talk about Fabri."
She frowned, not liking the sound of this. Where was Fabrizio anyway? Why was Jack looking sad? "Where is he Jack? Why has he not written us before now? Why isn’t he here with you?"
Jack sighed, tightly holding onto Rose’s hand. He looked Maria squarely in the eyes, knowing that what he was about to say was going to be devastating.
"Maria…about Fabrizio…we won some tickets in England. Tickets that should have gotten us to America. But…sadly that never happened."
"Jack, you’re confusing me. What’s going on?"
"Oh dear," Jack sighed,
releasing Rose’s hand and taking Maria’s.
"Maria…I don’t know how to tell you this. The ship
we were on…it was the Titanic. "
She gasped in horror. "No…no. Not…"
"I’m sorry Maria. But he didn’t make it," he looked away from her, the guilt of having survived without his best friend returning
"He’s dead? H-how? I don’t understand."
He was crushed by a smoke stack. Jack had gone to Halifax and found his body," Rose explained.
"I would have brought him back here, but I didn’t have any money."
Tears overtook the petite girl right then. What was to become of her now? Fabrizio was supposed to take care of her when she arrived. That was why her mother had let her come to America in the first place. But now to find that her brother was dead and she was all alone in a strange country. Nowhere to go, no one to take care of her. "What’s to become of me now?"
Rose pushed down a surge of jealousy as Jack embraced the young girl on their sofa. He was comforting her. That’s all. She had just found out that her brother had died. Of course, she was going to be upset and Jack was going to comfort her. He wouldn’t be her Jack if he didn’t.
"It’ll be ok Maria. You can stay here with Rose and me for a while. At least until you get on your feet."
"I’ll prepare the guest room," Rose headed upstairs, leaving Jack alone with Maria. She frowned as she noticed that he was still holding her.
"Jack," Maria’s sobs slowed as she leaned against him. "I thank you for your kindness. Fabri was right. Your soul is generous. He loved you Jack. You were the brother he never had."
"Are you hungry Maria? I can heat you up a plate," Jack offered.
"No. I’m just tired and confused. I have to decide what I’m going to do now," She bit her lips. "I don’t want to go back home."
Jack took her hand in his and looked deeply into her eyes. "You won’t have to. I promise, we’ll think of something."
Rose frowned as she came down and saw Jack holding Maria’s hand. "Ahem," she cleared her throat. "Her room is ready."
"Great," Jack got to his feet and gathered up Maria’s bags. "Follow me Milady."
Maria giggled as she followed him, a blush painting her cheeks. Rose was left on the steps, feeling alone and extremely jealous.
~*~
Jack and Rose laid awake that night, their minds filled with different things. Jack’s mind was of course on Fabrizio. His best friend. His brother. He still couldn’t believe that he was gone. And now here his sister was. Lost, confused, and grieving. Poor Maria. Poor, beautiful Maria with the warmest brown eyes…wait! Stop! What was he thinking?!
Yes Maria was beautiful with big brown eyes and soft ebony hair, but he shouldn’t be thinking that way about her. He was married and deeply in love with his wife.
"Rose," he reached for her, needing to feel her in his arms. Warm and full of love and tenderness. She went to him eagerly, accepting each kiss and caress. But she had to stop when she felt his hands lifting her nightgown. She remembered what the doctor had said about intimacy. Reluctantly, she pushed him away. "Jack, we can’t. Remember what the doctor said…"
"Oh yeah. I forgot," He hid the hurt in his voice. The moment he really needed Rose and they couldn’t do anything. "I think I better go take a cold bath before I go to sleep," He got to his feet and headed for the door.
"Jack…are you mad?" Rose bit her lip, not wanting him to be angry with her.
Jack’s smile was warm and guilty. He shouldn’t have put this kind of pressure on her. She didn’t deserve that. "No sweetie. I’m not mad. In fact, I’m the one that’s sorry. I shouldn’t be pressuring you like that. Especially after you’ve just had my baby."
"I wanted to Jack, I really did."
"I know," he kissed her hand, his eyes meeting hers. "We’ll be together again Rose. Soon."
Kissing her once again, Jack headed for the door, determined not to let a wall come between himself and Rose. Rose watched him leave, wondering what had caused Jack’s recent bout of passion. Did Maria have anything to do with this? Banishing that thought from her mind, Rose drifted off to sleep, at peace with her life at that moment.