CHAPTER TWELVE
It was Saturday afternoon. The afternoon that Jack and Rose were
supposed to spend the day with Rose’s father.
Rose sat on the porch waiting for Jack to arrive. She still didn’t hold much hope on her
father showing, so she was really looking forward to it being just her and
Jack. Jack finally arrived five minutes
late.
“I’m sorry I’m late. Mom had me run to the store for her and it
threw me back.”
“That’s ok Jack. At least you’re here,” Rose sighed, glancing
at her watch. “Father is already a half
hour late. Still think he’s going to
show?”
“Rose!” Ruth called.
“Right on schedule,” Rose
muttered. “I’m not surprised. I’ll be right back.”
Five minutes later, Rose emerged
from the house, her face hiding her emotions well.
“So Jack are you still for the
Mummy Returns?”
“I guess. What happened?”
“Lindsey and her functions. Like always,” Rose shrugged. “I’m not surprised.”
Jack sighed, feeling sorry for
his girlfriend and determined to make today fun for her. “Ok Rosie.
Let’s go. The next show starts
in twenty minutes,” Jack ushered her down the stairs, his voice still holding it’s
optimism.
*
Two hours have passed and Rose
and Jack entered the café laughing and exclaiming what a good movie The Mummy
Returns was.
“I especially liked the women
fighting each other,” Jack sighed.
“Classic male,” Rose rolled her
eyes. “I myself liked how he scooped up
his son and ran for that pyramid.
“That was good,” Jack nodded.
“Jack! Rose!” Tommy and Sam waved them over. “Where are you coming from?”
“The mummy returns. It’s a must see,” Rose smiled, taking a seat
next to her friend.
“We can go see that,” Sam
hopefully looked at her boyfriend.
“We’ll see,” Tommy squeezed her
hand.
“So what are you guys doing?”
Jack asked, picking up a menu.
“Trying to figure out what we’re
going to do. This is one boring day,”
Tommy sighed.
“Boring is heaven after the past
couple of weeks we’ve been through,” Rose sighed.
“You can say that again,” Jack
agreed. “I’m definitely staying away from cruises for a while.”
“Oh Rose, did you tell Jack about
the contest that the art teacher at Preston is throwing?” Sam looked up at her
friend.
“What contest?”
“For local artists. Anyone who lives in New York are welcomed to
enter. The grand prize is an all
expense paid trip to Paris.” Sam explained.
“Wow. Jack you should enter,” Tommy urged. “Just think, you and Rose in the city of
love…Ohhh la la.”
“I
don’t know. I don’t think my drawings
are that good.”
“They’re
exceptional,” Rose took his hand.
“Listen, I’ll get the entry form and you can fill it out. What harm is it to submit anyway?”
Jack
sighed. “None of you are going to quit
until I say yes are you?”
“Nope,”
Tommy grinned.
“Ok
ok. I’ll enter. Just get the entry form,” Jack relented.
“Excuse
me, are you three the kids that were on that boat that turned over?” A lady with
a microphone got into Rose’s face.
“Excuse
me?” Rose stared at the woman.
“Oh I’m
sorry. My name is Margo Merryweather
from channel 12 news. We’re
interviewing survivors of the ill-fated cruise. In fact we’ve gotten two already from a Caledon Hockley and a
Katrina Cattrail.”
“Listen,
we’re not interested in talking about it ok.
We all lost a very dear friend and we’d like to just move on with our
lives,” Jack pulled Rose out of the way of the camera.
“But
this is big news. Just think of how
your story can affect so many others,” Margo persisted. “Youth, bravery…love.”
“Please
just go away! Can’t you see we don’t
want to talk about this,” Samantha spoke up.
“If you want to know what happened then read the newspaper.”
“Yeah. Just leave us alone,” Tommy crossed his
arms.
“But…”
“I
think the young man told you to leave them alone,” George Dewitt Bukater
appeared behind the newswoman. “I
recommend that you listen.”
“You
don’t understand. I’m just doing my job
here.”
“Harassing
my daughter and her friends is your job?
Madam, I recommend you get another profession. Now leave before I call my lawyer and file a suit of harassment
against you. Rose is still a minor as
well as the others here and I can do so,” George crossed his arms over his chest
and glared at the woman. “Do I need to
repeat myself?”
“No
sir. That won’t be necessary. Come on Rog. Let’s get out of here. We
have all we need anyway,” the newswoman sighed, leading her camera crew out of
the café.
“Daddy? I thought you went to a recital?” Rose
stared at her father in surprise.
“It was
canceled. Your mother said I could look
for you here. I’m glad I found you,”
George smiled. “I’m sorry honey for
the inconvenience.”
“That’s
ok. Jack and I went to a movie and were
just hanging out when we were so rudely interrupted."
“Oh
yes. Tell me, which one is the young
Jack Dawson that you’ve become so taken with?”
“Jack,
this is my father George Dewitt Bukater,” Rose took her boyfriend’s hand. “Daddy, this is Jack Dawson, the love of my
life.”
“It’s
nice to meet you sir,” Jack held out a hand.
“Nice
to meet you too Jack. You seem like a
fine young man. I hope you’re making
Rosie happy.”
“I try
my best.”
“And
daddy you know Samantha. This is Jack’s
friend Tommy Ryan,” Rose introduced.
“Hello,”
George nodded.
“Hi
ya,” Tommy shook the older man’s hand.
“So…Rose and Jack. I believe we have a date planned today. I’ve made us reservations at the Maisonota. I suggest we go and change then report back
at Rose’s,” George smiled at the way Jack’s eyes widened.
“The
Maisonota? That’s the most expensive
restaurant in New York City.”
“I
know. It’s also the best. So let’s go. We don’t want to lose our reservation,” George nodded, escorting
Rose out the door.
“Wow way
to go Jack,” Tommy grinned.
“I’ll call later,” Jack
disappeared out of the café, swallowing down his nervousness.