5
It was the day of Jack’s memorial, and to Rose’s surprise, the whole town turned up. George was right when he had told her that Jack was going to be mourned by a great many people. It was going to be interesting and heartbreaking what those people had to say about her beloved Jack. She wondered if he knew he was so loved. She can almost feel a tinge of surprise that wasn’t her own. Jack was indeed with her.
"Oh Jack, they loved you so much," Rose thought to herself.
"Rosie darlin, are you sure you’re up to this?" Molly held the girl’s hand. "You can go back to the house and I can fill you in if you want."
"No Molly. I’m fine. This is something I have to do. I have to know who Jack was…what he was like…and this is the only way. It’s just so overwhelming to know that Jack was loved by all these people."
"Somehow, I’m not surprised," Molly slightly smiled. "It was hard not to like Jack. I wonder how your mother and Cal pulled it off."
Rose sadly smiled as she looked upon the podium. On the stand was a picture of Jack in his younger days. He couldn’t have been more than fourteen, maybe even thirteen in the picture. The picture was surrounded by roses. Rose had asked George where he had found the picture and he had told her a old friend of Jack’s had it. Rose was sure to meet her at the memorial. Gathering from the picture, Jack had been a carefree, mischievious boy with a heart of gold from ever present spark of kindness in his eyes and the warmth of his smile. In that picture Rose saw hints of the man she had come to love.
Silence filled the church as the Reverand stepped upon the podium, his face downcast. "Ladies and gentlemen. We are all here today to mourn and share our memories of a very special young man. A young man that’s held in the heart of each and everyone of us today. It’s been five years since Jack Dawson left us, and the recent news that he will not be coming back I know rips at our very hearts. We all know the boy Jack Dawson. But only one of us knew the man. I think we shall let her go first. Let her share her memories of Jack Dawson, taken from us so young. Mrs. Dawson, please, step upon the podium," The reverand beckoned for her.
Panic filled her as she glanced at Molly who
nodded encourageingly at her. "You can do it Rose. Talk
about Jack. Of what you know and seen of him."
Rose nodded and got up to go to the podium.
"Why are they doing this to her?" George leaned to his wife and whispered. "Can’t they see the very thought of Jack makes her want to break down into hysterics?"
"No they can’t honey. They only see a girl that can tell them what happened to Jack. It’s not that they don’t care…it’s that they can’t get past their own grief."
Rose cleared her throat, as she stood on the podium. She turned to glance at the picture of Jack, drawing strength from those eyes and that warm smile. It was like the picture was encouraging her. ‘Jack give me strength’ she thought to herself.
"Hello. I know that most of you don’t know me…and probably wonder what right I have to be up here, talking about a man that you’ve known longer than I. What can I possibly tell you about Jack Dawson that you don’t already know yourselves. You know he was an exquisite artist. He was kind and gentle. Maybe a bit mischievous. But he was also the man that saved my life and I’m not just talking about the cold atlantic waters after Titanic went down. When we met…I was ready to kill myself, but a kind young man with concerned blue eyes and a warm smile talked me out of it and from there, it was love at first sight. Jack taught me the joy of living. He taught me how to make each day count…as if it was the last. He unlocked my chains and set me free and no one else had ever cared for me like that before Jack came into my life. I hope to pass along his values to our unborn child and hope that our baby will have the same love of life as his father did. Jack was too young and wonderful to die the way he did. He should have had a long healthy and happy life. The only comfort I have is that our child will be born and through him, Jack will live again. Not only in our child, but in my heart as well. Jack, wherever you are, I’d like to say thank you for all the wonderful gifts you gave me and that I love you and promise to make each day count until the day when we’ll be together again." Beginning to sob, Rose stepped off the podium into George’s arms, who tried to comfort her the best way he knew how.
Five minutes past until Rose calmed herself, and a girl around Rose’s age steps upon the podium.
"Hello. You all know me as Mary Taylor. Jack’s best friend. What can I say about Jack. Well…he was my first kiss for one. It was quite comical. We were setting talking and I was wondering what it was going to be like when I found my first love. I was worried that I’d be too inexperienced. So I asked Jack to help me practice. So Jack took pity on me and kissed me. It was awkward, but wonderful at the same time. After that, and about the time for my first date with Bruce Johnson…I was ready. But I have to amit that no other kiss was as sweet and innocent as when my best friend kissed me."
Soft laughter lifted through the air as Mary stepped down and a older woman stepped on the podium. Thomas gasped in surprise. He leaned over to whisper in Rose’s ear.
"That’s Mrs. Scrowls. Jack and I’s third grade teacher. I’m surprised she’s up there. I thought she hated us."
"As you know I’m the third grade teacher of the local elementary school. I had Jack Dawson in my class so many years ago, but he was one of the few students I could never forget. He was a bit mischievous. I always had to give him and his friend Thomas detention daily. But no one’s smiled lighted up my day like Jack’s did. So bright and full of hope for the future. He always had a kind word for everyone and he was quite a charmer. Even I found it had to punish the boy when he misbehaved as he looked up at me with those big innocent blue eyes and a guilty smile. Jack Dawson will be sorely missed by all of us I’m sure," The woman stepped off the podium.
"Why I’ll be," Thomas shook his head.
Next was Fredrick Horn. A thin man with greasy brown hair and thick black glasses. By the look of him, even Rose could beat him up.
"Look, it’s four eyes," Someone whispered to Thomas who stiffled a snicker.
"Shhh. Believe it or not Horn-eyed was one of Jack’s friends too. He wouldn’t like it if we called him names now," Thomas whispered.
"Ahem…H-hi. I’m not used to getting up to talk in front of people and I don’t think I like it very much. But I’ll do it for the only person my age that treated me with an ounce of respect. Jack Dawson…well he was my only friend. I remember my first day of third grade. I started late in the year because I was so sickly and my mother didn’t want to let me out. Right from the start I got called names and picked on. That day at recess, a group of boys cornered me. I thought for sure I was going to get the tar beaten out of me. The boys was right up on me when suddenly a blond haired boy with friendly blue eyes stood between me and them. Somehow he had talked them into leaving me alone. From that day on we were inseparable. Jack would hang out with me at recess and lunch and study break. His other friends didn’t like me, but Jack didn’t care. He insisted that I set with him and that everyone treated me with respect. Jack was my only and best friend. I will really miss him," Fredrick steps down from the podium.
For a whole two hours people stepped up and shared their memories, bringing Rose to tears. She always knew Jack was special, but by what everyone said about him, he was extrodinary.
The memorial was now over. George and Thomas stirred Rose to the exit when Fredrick approached her.
"Uh…Mrs. Dawson…," Fredrick stammered.
"What is it Horn-eyed," Another man, Rose remembered as Bruce Fallen, another one of Jack’s friend approached. "Can’t you see the lady is trying to leave."
"Bruce can it," Thomas warned. "We know you like to get your kicks out of picking on Fredrick, but act your age today. Today is Jack’s day and Fredrick was his friend too. He can talk to Rose if he wants."
"I-I just wanted to say that Jack is missed. And if you ever need anything, like more stories of Jack…let me know. "
"Thank you," Rose nodded. "I"ll do that. Thank you," Rose sniffed and let Thomas and George lead her out of the Church into the bright sunlight. Rose shivered as she thought she heard a tiny voice telling her to take Fredrick up on his offer.
"Come on Rosie. Let’s get you home, you look tired," Molly patted her hand.