2
The first class suite was empty when Rose returned for the portfolio. Not wasteing anytime, Rose quickly headed for Cal’s safe and used the combination. There it was. Jack’s portfolio. Grabbing the leather book, she closed the safe and turned to head for her mother’s room to leave a note she had written down in steerage. But she stopped in her tracks when she saw her maid Trudy in her suite, straightening up the covers on the already made bed.
"Trudy?"
The maid looked up and gasped with shock and relief. "Miss. Rose. We’ve been looking all over for you. Mrs. Ruth is so worried and Mr. Hockley…he’s beside himself as well. They’ll be so happy to find that you’ve returned."
"I haven’t returned Trudy. Not for good anyway. I just came to get this portfolio and leave a note for mother. Then I’m leaving, this time for good."
"W-what? I don’t understand," Trudy frowned.
"You don’t have to. I would explain, but I really don’t have the time. They’ll be back any time now and I want to be gone when they do return," Rose gave Trudy the letter, keeping her eye on the door leading out into the hall. "Give this to my mother. Two weeks after we dock."
"Yes mam," Trudy nodded, her voice sad. Rose had been her best friend since they were children and now her friend was leaving, and unlike they had planned, Rose would be going alone. What will she do now without her best friend?
Rose, sensing Trudy’s sadness, hugged her tightly. "Oh Trudy, you will be the only one here that I will truly miss. Maybe we’ll see each other again someday."
"I do hope so Miss," Trudy wiped at her tears. "I do hope you find what you’re looking for."
"Oh Trudy, I have. I truly have. I wish you could meet him."
"Maybe someday I will Miss. Rose."
"Maybe," Rose smiled sadly. "I better go now, before mother returns or that awful Lovejoy. Good-bye Trudy," she hugged her maid one last time before dashing out of the room, leaving the young woman alone, clutching the letter that was to be in her possession for two more weeks.
~*~
Jack was waiting for Rose down in the third class general area, listening to people talk of their dreams once they had reached America, the land of milk and honey. He sighed and shook his head at some of the descriptions of his homeland. If only they knew the truth. America was only the land of milk and honey if you were a member of the world that Rose had left behind. And even then, it could be a guilded cage.
"Jack!" Rose called, spotting him among the rest of the steerage passengers. She held up his portfolio and waved.
"You got it back!" Jack leapt up from his seat. "You didn’t have any problems did you?"
"No. Well…I did have a moment saying good-bye to Trudy. Oh Jack, it was so hard saying good-bye to her. She was my best friend. The only one I could tell anything to. I’m going to miss her."
"I wish you could take her with us…"
"I know, but it’s impossible," Rose sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck and laid her head against his shoulder. "Well at least I have you. Right?"
"Always," Jack kissed her forehead. "Hungry?"
"Starved," Rose giggled, pushing her good-bye to Trudy to the back of her mind. She was with Jack. That was all that mattered to her at the moment.
"Well come along milady. Let’s feast before dinner’s over," He led her to the third class dining hall.