34
It was two days before Christmas and Jack and Rose stood at the train station waiting patiently for Ruth’s train to arrive. Nervous, Rose paced the pavement. This was the first time she’s seen her mother since that spring day when Ruth had showed up on the Dawson’s doorstep. Ruth had promised to change and Rose couldn’t help but wonder if she had kept that promise and how much did her mother fix. Was it enough to make Rose start a relationship with her?
"You’re going to wear a hole in the pavement if you don’t stop," Jack laughed.
"I’m just so nervous Jack. What if she hasn’t changed at all? What if she’s as snobby as ever? What if it’s impossible for us to ever have a real mother-daughter relationship?"
Jack laughed, and massaged Rose’s tense shoulders as she stood in front of him. "Rose, you’re worrying about nothing. I’m sure Ruth has made great progress. I mean she didn’t throw a fit about thanksgiving and she could have. She could have been really put out about coming back to Chippewa Falls for Christmas, but she was understanding about that too. I think she’s looking forward to it really."
Rose giggled. "You’re probably right. I’m worrying about nothing. Now where is that train? It’s supposed to be here by now."
The whistle of the arriving train blew throw the chilled December air. Rose rubbed her shoulders and leaned against Jack for warmth, watching the passengers disembark. Five minutes later, Rose was beginning to think that Ruth had changed her mind when she spotted her just stepping off the train, her face blank of emotion.
"Oh lord. Here we go," Rose took Jack’s hand and together they approached Ruth Dewitt Bukater. "Hello mother."
"Rose," Ruth turned around and critically looked her daughter up and down. "Married life seems to agree with you my dear. You’re as lovely as ever."
"You do too mother," the two women don’t make a move towards one another. The tension between the women was still there. Jack hopes that maybe this christmas they could break down some walls.
"Hello Ruth," Jack greeted. "We’re happy to have you join us this year. I’m sorry things didn’t work out for Philadelphia."
"That’s perfectly understandable Jack. We can’t always control our circumstances," Ruth nodded. , shocking Rose. Her mother had never been so…complacent. Things always had to be her way or no way.
"Mother, you will be sharing a room with Jack’s sister. The guest room is already taken. Jack’s Uncle has been staying with us," Rose sighed, trying not to think of Weaver Dawson’s blatant rudeness towards her. Lord knows how he was going to react to her mother.
"I guess that’ll have to do," was Ruth’s emotionless answer. Rose just frowned as Jack took Ruth’s bags and led them to the carriage that was waiting to take them back to town.
The Dawson house was a mass of activity as Jack and Rose arrived with Ruth in tow. Jacklyn and Richie were busy decorating the tree setting in the sitting room while Weaver and Jolene sat watching them. Nancy was in the kitchen preparing eggnog and Charles had gone down the road to help one of his old friends deliver a calf. Jacklyn’s eyes lit up when she noticed Jack and Rose’s arrival.
"I see you’re back! Do you have Rose’s mother with you?!" jacklyn turned away from the tree.
"In the flesh," Jack grinned, stepping aside to allow Ruth entrance into the house.
"Hello Mrs. Dewitt Bukater. It’s great to see you again," Jacklyn joined the threesome.
"It’s…interesting to be here," Ruth replied, looking around the room, her eyes taking everything in. "So Rose…this is what you left Caledon for?"
Rose narrowed her eyes, her cheeks becoming red with anger. Luckily Jack stepped in.
"Would you like some fresh Cider Ruth? Ma made some last night so it’s nice and chilled now."
"No thank you Mr. Dawson.
That will not be necessary. So pray tell, what’s going on in
here?"
"Tree decorating. A Dawson tradition," Richie
explained.
Ruth just nodded before stifling a yawn. "Rose…where is the wash room? That train ride was so long and tedious. I need to freshen up."
"Upstairs on the left. I’ll show you," Rose led her mother up the stairs.
"So that’s your mother in law," Weaver turned to his nephew. "Cold fish ain’t she?"
"She’s trying to change," Jack shrugged.
"One thing you should know kid, it’s almost impossible for high society girls to change. All of them."
Jack’s eyes narrowed. He
had noticed Weaver’s attitude towards his wife, and
didn’t like it, but for Rose’s sake, he had kept his
opinion and anger over the situation to himself and hoped things
would get better. That his uncle would warm up to Rose once he
got to know her. But so far Weaver had made no move to do no such
thing. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Ah Jack!" Richie interrupted before the situation got
out of hand. "Are you going to help us with the tree or
what?"
"I have to get my mother in law settled Richie. I don’t
dare let Rose do it by herself or Ruth will end up out the window
or something. I’ll be down in a few," Jack glanced at
his uncle one last time and disappeared up the stairs.
"What are we going to do about your brother," Weaver shook his head. "He’s not thinking with his head, that’s for sure."
"Leave Jack and Rose alone Uncle Weaver. You don’t know the story so just leave it."
"I have been," Weaver shrugged.
Jack found Rose setting in the rocking chair he had brought her two weeks ago while Ruth was in the washroom taking a shower. Rose was just gently rocking, her hand stroking her abdomen, as she sang Come Josephine.
"Our baby’s going to know that song by heart when you’re through," Jack laughed, walking deeper into the room until he’s in front of Rose.
"I thought you’d be downstairs helping with the tree," Rose glanced up.
"I thought you’d want to come down and join me," Jack knelt in front of her and took her hand.
Rose shook her head. Going downstairs just to feel Weaver’s distrustful glare on her was too much to deal with , with her mother here and all. It was best if she avoided all dawson traditions where that man was bound to be for a while. "I’m fine up here. Plus there’s mother to get settled."
"She’s in the shower.
The tree is almost done now and she’ll be done when
you’re finished."
Rose sighed. "Would you be mad if I still said no?"
"Of course not. If you really don’t want to, I
won’t force you."
"I really don’t want to."
"Ok then. But we are going ice-skating with the rest of the family tonight. You need some fresh air and fun for a change," Jack laughed. "You’ll love it Rose."
Rose smiled, "What if the
ice breaks with my humoungous body on it?"
"Well then I’ll just have to jump in after ya,"
Jack laughed. "Besides, you’re not all that
humoungous."
"You’re prejudice," Rose looked at him skeptically. "I’m getting so fat, I’m surprised you even look at me any more."
Jack pulled her up out of the chair. Taking her place, he pulled her down into his lap. "I can never stop looking at you. You’re so beautiful."
Rose blushed. "You are
such a charmer Mr. Dawson."
"Well Mrs. Dawson, you and your Philadelphian charms are
irresistable," He pulled her lips to his. They’re both
interrupted by a clearing of a throat. They pulled away to see
Ruth standing in the doorway.
"I hate to interrupt, but I need to know where my room is," the older woman replied, her cheeks a bit red from embarrassment.
Jack smiled and got up.
"Right this way." Jack led the way into Jacklyn’s
bedroom. "The bed on the left is yours."
"How…quaint," Ruth snorted. "Well I’ll
nap now. Rose, come and wake me when dinner is ready."
"Yes mother," Rose crossed her arms, trying not to roll her eyes. Sometimes her mother was so melodramatic.
"Come on Rosie. Let’s get ready for our outing later. We need to buy ourselves some iceskates," Jack took Rose’s hand and led her downstairs.