21
It’s the night before Jack had to leave. Rose stood at the sink, silently washing dishes. Jack was finishing up his last day at the factory and would soon be home. She wanted to be done with all the housework, so she could spend Jack’s final night home with him, not having to worry about housework.
She’s drying off the last dish when he entered. She felt his eyes on her from the doorway.
"Are you going to say anything?" Rose turned around, trying not to burst into tears again. She’s been an overflowing well of tears for the past two weeks. Ever since Jack’s notice came in.
Recognizing her expression of coming tears, Jack ran to her and pulled her into his arms. "Shhh Rose. Don’t cry," He held her close as her body began to shake as she sobbed. "Come on Rose. This is a special night for you and I. Since it’s my last night home, I want to make it a good one."
"It’s killing me Jack. The very thought of being away from you…of not having you here…it’s tearing me apart," Rose buried her face in his chest, willing her tears to stop. She hated crying. It made him feel bad and she hated that.
"Oh Rose. I don’t like it either," He rubbed her arms, trying to calm her down. "Listen, I want you to go upstairs and put on something nice. I’m taking you out tonight. We’re going to have night of fun and romance Rose. I want a smile to take to Europe with me."
Rose wiped away her tears, trying to smile. Wanting to make him feel better. "You don’t have to do this."
"I want to. Now go on. We don’t want to be late for our reservation."
Rose stood there for one more minute, wiping away her tears and staring into his eyes. Amazing. Her love for him had grown twice as strong since that morning. How was he doing that? How was he making her fall deeper and deeper in love with him?
"Rose," he laughed, amusement shining in his eyes.
"Hmmm?"
"Go get ready."
She blinked a few times, then blushed. "I’ll be right back."
Jack stood there, watching her disappear into their room. His smile faded. This was the last romantic night they’ll have together. He sure did hope to make it wonderful. Especially for Rose. He closed his eyes and once again wished he wasn’t leaving. He didn’t even know nor cared about what the war was about. He just wanted to stay home with his wife and daughter. What was so hard about that? Sighing, he too headed for this room; more determined then ever to make things perfect for Rose on their last night together.
~*~
It had been a wonderful night of dinner and dancing. Rose had enjoyed the dark, intimate atmosphere of the restaurant and the lively dance hall they had gone to. For a moment she had thought that they had gone back in time. They were back on Titanic at the steerage party. Where everything bad that had ever happened to them was so far away. For that one night, they were two young lovers once again. Unaware of everything but each other.
They now walked hand in hand through one of the city parks, relishing each other’s company and gazing every now and then at the stars above.
"They sure are bright tonight," Jack sighed, pulling Rose close to his side as he wrapped a arm around her shoulders.
"Remember, what once told me? About shooting stars?"
He smiled at the memory. "They’re souls heading for heave. Do you ever think about it Rose? Titanic, I mean."
"Every once in a while," Rose shrugged. "I try to remember only the good things about it. Like meeting you, learning how to spit and how to fly. The car and the drawing."
"Don’t forget about running away from Lovejoy."
Rose giggled. "Yes. That too."
"Hey there’s a carriage heading back to Chippewa Falls," Jack pointed. "Are you ready to go?"
Rose frowned, hating to return back to real life. But there was no other choice. They had a child to take care of now. Plus they would have to return sometime anyway. "I guess." As they board the carriage, Rose wondered when they would be able to spend another evening like this…even if they’d be able to. There was a chance that Jack wouldn't make it back. One only had so much luck. It was sure to run out sooner or later. Setting down in the carriage, she banished all such thoughts from her mind. Jack would come back and he’ll never leave her side again. She was positive of it.
~*~
When they returned home, they headed straight for Josephine’s room. Jack wanted to spend the rest of the night with both his wife and his little girl. As he played and talked with the precocious little girl, Jack hoped that he’d be able to watch her grow. To do all the things a father did for his daughter. Take her to the circus. Meet the young men that were interesting in dating her. Walk her down the aisle. He wanted to all those things and more for Josephine, his perfect little girl.
Later, as the two girls in his life drifted off into a peaceful slumber, safely nestled in his arms, Jack made a silent promise to return. Nothing short of death could keep him away from his precious family. Soon, afterwards he drifted off into a dreamless sleep as well…knowing that it’d be his last good nights sleep for a while.
~*~
I.........
I.........
All my bags are packed
I'm ready to go
I'm standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin'
This early morn
The taxi's waitin'
He's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could cry
The train whistle blew, singling
that it was time for all passengers to board. The small Dawson
family embraced each other, trying not to cry. But it’s
nearly impossible.
Jack lifted hid daughter up into his arms and kissed her forehead. "You be good for mommy. Ok? She’s going to need your help while Daddy’s away."
The little girl just innocently nodded, hugging her father one last time.
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe I hate to go
"Jack," Rose held back her building sobs. Last night had been so wonderful, but now it was part of the past. Jack’s absence from her life was now the future. The future was too painful to even think about.
I.........
There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I tell you now
They don't mean a thing
Every place I go
I think of you
Every song I sing
I sing for you
When I come back
I'll wear your wedding ring
He hugged her tightly, never wanting to let go. But he knew that he had to. There was no other choice. Time was up and he had to go. "I’ll come back Rose. I promise I will. Nothing can keep me from coming home to you."
"I love you Jack," She stared up into his eyes one last time.
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe I hate to go
Now the time has come to leave
you
One more time
Let me kiss you
Close your eyes
I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the time when I don't have to say........
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe I hate to go
Smiling, he kissed her long and tenderly, savoring the warmth that flooded through him. Pulling away, he touched her cheek and sadly smiled. "I love you too sweetie. I’ll carry both you and Josephine right here," His hand covered his heart as the train whistle blew it’s final warning.
"Good-bye," She stepped away from him, her heart ripping apart. She wanted to fall to her knees and beat the ground. But she knew that would only upset both Jack and Josephine, so she controlled herself. Barely.
Leaving on a jet plane
Jack sighed, wanting to go to her. Take her in his arms and kiss away her tears. Just like he had done for the past two weeks. But there was no more time. He had to go. Not able to say good-bye, he held his hand up in a small wave and boarded the train, not daring to look back.
Rose stood and watched the train carry her husband out of her life. Once the train was out of sight, she headed for home, wondering if she’ll ever see Jack again.
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe I hate to go
Leaving on a Jet Plane- Chantal Kreviazuk