CHAPTER EIGHT
Two weeks later…
Molly and Rose step off the train in Eau Claire and sighs deeply. About ten miles away was Chippewa Falls, Jack’s hometown and his history. The people that knew and loved him. Rose tries to stop the trembling of her hands. She didn’t know how she was going to tell these people that Jack was dead or that she was carrying his child. But of course, Molly takes care of this detail for her.
"Now remember Rose, you’re the young widow of Jack Dawson who perished aboard the Titanic. Jack never talked much about his past and you’re here to find out more about your young husband so you can share it with your child when the time’s right," Molly explains. "Of course they’ll know who I am and it’ll become obvious where we met. I’ll go get a car and we’ll head out to Chippewa Falls."
"Yes Molly," Rose smiles and nods, fighting back her tears. She hoped she was strong enough to do this, to hear the details of her poor Jack’s life here. She hoped it was a happy one, that he knew no pain here.
"Ready Rose? I found us a driver. This is George Dawson. He was heading to Chippewa Falls and will be happy to drop us off at the local inn there," Molly comes up with a young man with blond hair and gray eyes..
"Dawson?" Rose asked, shaking the man’s hand.
"Later Rose," Molly whispered to her. "Let’s get some rest first."
"Follow me ladies," The man smiled, taking Rose’s bags.
It was a hour trip but they had finally reached the town of Chippewa Falls. It was quaint and modest. There were more horses than cars, but that was okay for both Molly and Rose. It was a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the city.
"Here you go. Just go on in and talk to Mrs. Cleary inside. She’ll be happy to put you up."
"Thank you Mr. Dawson. I hope we see you again. Come along Rosie," Molly is about to help her out when George insists on doing so. It was the gentlemanly thing to do he insisted.
"Thank you Mr. Dawson," Rose smiled nervously, wondering if he was any relation to Jack. But she guessed she’d have plenty of time to find that out.
"I see you’re in the family way mam. Would it be rude asking if your husband will be joining you soon?"
"Her husband’s deceased sadly. It’s a long story," Molly spoke up for Rose who had gone pale. "Poor dear is still mourning."
"Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t know," George bowed his head.
"Oh that’s alright. There’s no way you could have known," Rose cleared her throat. "Molly shall we be going?"
"Of course. Thank you Mr. Dawson for the drive."
"Here let me help you with the bags," George smiled, taking their luggage out of the car, following the two women into the inn.
"Why George Dawson what are you doing out so late when you know that young wife of yours is at that big house by her lonesome?" A woman about Molly’s age places her hands on her hips. Your aunt and uncle are rolling in their graves if they knew.
"I was just heading back Mrs. Cleary. Was just helping these two ladies in with their luggage.
Mrs. Cleary turns her gaze on the two women and gasps. "Oh my God it’s you! George don’t you know who this is?! Don’t you read the papers?"
"Huh?" George is confused. He made it a point not to read the paper anymore. With all the Titanic stuff, it was just plain depressing.
"George Dawson! I can’t believe you don’t recognize the Unsinkable Molly Brown! She’s been in all the papers!" Mrs. Cleary gasps happily. "Oh my. Mrs. Brown this is a pleasure to have you here in our small town! I never dreamed…"
"Calm down sugar. There’s no need to work yourself up into a ruckus. I’m just a normal woman like you and George here. I’d appreciate it if you treat me as such."
"Oh yes Mrs. Brown. Of course. What may I do for you this afternoon?" Mrs. Cleary nods readily, controlling herself from jumping up and down and asking for a autograph.
"Well, my companion and I are in need of some rooms. Two would be nice. We’ll be staying for quite a while," Mrs. Brown nods.
"Your names please?" Mrs. Cleary asked.
"Molly Brown and Rose Dawson," Molly clears her throat noticing the curiousity in both George and Mrs. Cleary’s eyes.
"Okay. You have adjoining rooms right at the top of the stairs there," Mrs. Cleary nods.
"Come along Rose," Molly grabs all the bags before George can offer and leads Rose up to the rooms.
When the two women are out of earshot, Mrs. Cleary looks at George. "Do you know that young lady?"
"No mam. Never set eyes on her before today. All I know is that she’s a widow."
"Well your family is the only Dawson’s around these parts. I wonder what the story is. You know George, you’re a strong young man and it was right decent of you to come to town and preserve your family’s land. It’s such a shame what happened."
"Yes it is. But I think Aunt Sarah and Uncle Matthew would have wanted it this way. Well I better be on my way. Samantha is waiting and with the baby due any day I don’t want to leave her alone. I’ll drop by again tomorrow Mrs. Cleary. I don’t know, but something’s telling me that I should stop by and check on your new tenent. Good night."
"Night George," Mrs. Cleary watches the young man leave and she glances up at the closed door of Rose’s room. She indeed was curious about the young pregnant widow upstairs and wondered what business she could have in Chippewa Falls.
***
Rose layed in her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her thoughts full of Jack. She sighed. "Well here I am Jack. In Chippewa Falls to get information for our child. It’s so strange to be here and you’re not with me. Jack we should be doing this together! I shouldn’t have to get information from strangers to tell our child about her father! Oh why Jack? Why did you leave me? Why couldn’t you have tried harder to get on the board? Why couldn’t you have tried harder to stay awake knowing that you would freeze? All you had to do was wait for a little while Jack, only a little while and then we would have been rescued. Why Jack why!" Rose bursts into tears, her sobs bursting from her, her sobs shaking her shoulders. She didn’t notice Molly racing into her room and til she felt the woman’s arms around her.
"Shhh, it’s ok Rose. It’s ok. Everything will be fine"
"No it won’t Molly. Jack’s gone and he won’t be back. He’s gone."
"Shhh Rose. Shhh," Molly rubs her back, rocking her back and forth. "Crying like this won’t bring him back."
"I want Jack back Molly. I’d do anything just to have him back to hear his voice…to look into his beautiful eyes."
"I know Rosie. Get some sleep darling. We’ll do our searching tomorrow. Just go to sleep and dream of your baby."
Rose nods and pulls away from Molly, laying back into the bed. "Thank you Molly."
"No problem darling. Now get some sleep," Molly leaves the room, turning the light out. She leaves the door open just in case Rose needed her again. Molly looks up at the sky and sighed. "That girl of yours need you Jack. I hope you’re looking out for her, for the both of them."
Molly closes her eyes and almost swore she heard a voice whisper in her ear "I am Molly. I am."