22
Dear Jack,
This is just the first letter of many, I suppose. Things have not been the same since you left. Josephine keeps asking me when you’re coming home and I don’t know what to tell her. So I use my mother’s tactic whenever an uncomfortable subject came up in polite conversation. I changed the subject. Don’t look so disappointed. What would you have me tell her? She doesn’t understand the concept of war, and really Jack, she’s too young to know of such things. We’re all too young, really. Why is there a need for war anyway? Why can’t the government just solve things by talking to one another? Why is it necessary for them to take the love of my life away from me?
Well enough with my whining about how unfair this war is. I should ask you about yourself. How are you darling? How was your journey across the sea? I kept thinking of you on that ship. Your first since Titanic. I wish I were there with you Jack. Holding your hand…hearing your voice. To be honest, I don’t know how I’m making it without you right now.
Oh, by the way. You’ve received a letter from Maria. One of many it seems. Why didn’t you tell me you were in contact with her, Jack? I’m not angry. Just…concerned. You could have told me. I’m completely over what had happened all those years ago.
Well anyway, I opened it, knowing that you would probably want to know what she said. She’s fallen in love Jack. With Molly’s nephew! Can you believe it? It’s so wonderful that she’s found someone who can love her back. I truly am happy for her.
Well my darling Jack. It’s getting late and I need to feed our daughter. She sends hugs and kisses and so do I. We love you Jack. Please hurry home soon.
Love Rose
~*~
Dearest Rose,
I’ve just received your letter. I can’t tell you how good it is to hear from you. I miss you and Josephine so much. I wish I could be there with you right now. Hearing your voice, touching you…maybe even singing Josephine to sleep.
My dear sweet daughter. Tell her that Daddy is on a quest for the perfect gift to give his little girl and that he won’t return until he’s found the perfect present. That should satisfy her. You’re right. She’s much too young to learn about the war.
This war doesn’t make sense Rose. None of it does. I can’t understand why it’s necessary for me to be away from you and our daughter. I miss you so much Rose.
I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Maria’s letters. I didn’t want you to be upset. But I’m happy for her. Finally she can be happy.
I’ll leave off here Rose. We’ll be moving into France tomorrow and they want to give us another drill. Remember that I love you and tell Josephine that I’m thinking of her everyday. Write again.
Love Jack
~*~
It was a Monday, when my lover told
me,
"never pay the reaper with love only."
what could I say to you, except, "I love you."
and "I’d give my life for yours."
I know we are we are the lucky ones.
I know we are we are the lucky ones.
I know we are we are the lucky ones, dear.
The first time we made love, I I wasn't sober.
(And you told me you loved me over and over!)
How could I ever love another, when I miss you every day
remembers the time we made love in the roses?
(And you took my picture in all sorts of poses!)
How could I ever get over you, when I’d give my life for
yours.
One month. One full month since Rose had last laid eyes on her husband. Rose sighed as she sat on her porch in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, braiding her daughters hair. She couldn’t keep her thoughts of Jack away as her mind played back memories of their time together.
It was a Monday when Ruth Dewitt Bukater called her newly discovered alive daughter. She had somehow found the Dawson phone number and called. Unfortunately, Rose had answered the phone and Ruth had lit into her. Ruth had went about yelling at Rose; telling her daughter that she was selfish and that she wished that Rose had went ahead and died on that ship. By time Ruth had hung up, Rose was a quivering mess.
Jack had came home early that day. He tried to get Rose to talk to him, but she was still too upset, so he went upstairs and ran a bath of warm water. He got some candles and sat them up around the tub. Quickly, he went back downstairs and scooped Rose up into his arms and carried her into the bathroom. He had undressed both her and himself and lowered both of their bodies into the soothing water. After an half hour, Rose had relaxed enough to tell him what had happened.
At first he had been angry with Ruth. He had wanted to punish the woman for hurting his wife. But then they had both decided to cut the woman completely out of their lives. She’ll never see her grandchildren. That was punishment enough. So they had enjoyed the rest of the night in each other’s arms.
Rose sighed as the memory faded. Jack had made a beautiful memory out of something awful. That was one of the many things she loved about him. One of the many things she missed.
"Hurry home Jack," She whispered, closing her eyes. "We need you."
I know we are... we are the lucky
ones.
I know we are... we are the lucky ones.
I know we are... we are the lucky ones.
I know we are we are the lucky ones, dear.
~*~
Rose and Josephine sat on the porch, their eyes sparkling with happiness. He looked up every now and then as he sketched their portrait.
"Can we move now?" Josephine asked, looking up at her mother.
"Not yet sweetie. Daddy’s not finished," Rose kissed the top of their daughter’s head.
"Just a minute," Jack grinned, signing the picture. "There. All done."
"Let me see!" Josephine ran up to her father. She grinned widely as she saw the drawing. "Can I draw like you Daddy?"
"Maybe. We’ll find out when you’re older," Jack patted her head lightly. He looked up into Rose’s eyes and smiled. He was truly thankful for his family. It all seemed like a dream that they were in his life.
Rose got up to walk towards him when gunfire erupted out of nowhere…
My dear, It's time to say I thank god
for you.
I thank god for you in each and every single way.
And, I know... I know.. I know. I know...
it's time to let you know. Time to let you know.
Time to let you know. Time to sit here and say:
Jack bolted awake to gunfire and yells for action. He groaned, realizing what had happened. He had fallen asleep in the trench, while awaiting the enemy’s arrival. All that about Rose and Josephine had been just a dream. One beautiful dream that he had to wake up from.
"Get it together Dawson! We’re fighting a war here!" An older soldier yelled at him.
Putting the dream behind him, he picked up his gun and began to shoot. Fighting to keep his one promise to Rose. To come back alive.
I know we are... we are the lucky
ones.
I know we are... we are the lucky ones.
I know we are... we are the lucky ones.
I know we are we are the lucky ones, dear.
We are the lucky ones, dear...
Lucky-Bif Naked