CHAPTER SIX

The next day Rose woke up in the best mood she’s been in for ages. Life was too good to her. Today was Sunday and her father was taking her down to where he went to collage so she could look around. Then he was going to take her to lunch. After that they were to spend the day together and have dinner. Then there was Jack…her new boyfriend. She sighed contently. Jack. He was so good for her, not to mention he was drop dead gorgeous. So what he wasn’t rich. He treated her like a person not a trophy and that was exactly the type of guys she wanted.

She gasped in surprise when her phone ranged. She smiled. That must be Jack. She was going to talk to him for a good long time since they won’t be seeing each other today. She missed him already.

“Hello?” Rose picked up the phone.

“Sweet pea, this is dad. I’m going to have to cancel today. Your sister is having another recital. You know how these things are,” George Dewitt Bukater sighed. “I’m really sorry about this Rosie. But your sister needs me. Maybe we’ll do something next week.”

“Yeah dad, that’s what you said last weekend.”

“Rose…”

“Don’t worry about it. I was going to cancel anyway. I have a new boyfriend now and I was wanting to spend the day with him anyway.”

“Oh. Well that’s good. Do I know him?”
“You met him last week dad. Don’t you remember the blond boy with the blue eyes that I was setting at a table with.”
“Oh yes. Seemed like a nice young fellow. Well I’m glad you have other plans dear. I’ll call again. Bye,” George hung up.

Her good mood dampened, Rose sighed and went downstairs to find her mother sipping on coffee and eating scones. “Mother.”

“Rose aren’t you getting ready to go upstate?” Ruth arched a eyebrow.

“He’s not coming. Little Lindsey is having another recital and he just has to be there.”

“Oh. Just as well anyway. I hear the weather is going to be horrendous down there today. So you will be here for the rest of the day?”
“If no one calls me I guess I will.”
“Well if you get bored, you can come with me to the yacht function Gloria Winshell is throwing. Maybe you’ll meet some people your own age there.”
Rose rolled her eyes. She can think of better things to do than spend the day at one of her mother’s boring friend’s boring functions. “That’s ok mother. I’ll think of something to do,” Rose grabbed a muffin and headed back upstairs just as the phone ranged.

“Hello?”

“Hey sweetie. What’s going on?” Jack greeted. Rose’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Good morning Jack.”

“Morning. I just wanted to call to say good morning to you. Did you sleep well?”

“Better than I did in a long time. So what do you have planned for the day?” Rose asked.

“Nothing. Just hanging out. Why?”
“How would you like to spend the day here? My house is big enough. I have a pool, a game room, and a entertainment room with dozens of movies. Plus no one else will be here but me. My mother is going to one of her functions. Come on Jack. Say you’ll come over.”

Jack laughed. “Ok ok. You don’t have to beg, I’ll come. What time do you want me there?”

“Noon?” Rose asked, her mother will be gone by then. Not that she was trying to hide anything; she just wasn’t ready for her mother to meet her boyfriend yet. Plus she wanted Jack to herself for as long as possible.

“Noon is fine. I’ll see you then Rose,” Jack smiled.

“Can’t wait. Oh Jack?”
“Yeah?”

“I….nothing. I’ll see you when you get here,” Rose sighed.

“Ok. Bye.”

“Bye,” Rose fell against her pillow and smiled with glee. A whole day alone with Jack. She couldn’t ask for more. She’s about to drift off into a light nap when her phone rang again. “Hello?”

“Rose you’ll never guess who asked me out!” Kat’s excited voice blasted through the phone. “Caledon Hockley! Can you believe it?!”

“How did that happen?” Rose asked, now wide-awake.

“Last night he walked up to me. He said me you Monday night movie. Then he left. Argghhhhh!” Kat squealed with joy.

“Wow. Well congratulations Kat. This is what you’ve been waiting for.”

“You don’t mind do you? I mean…you were interested in him for some time and now that he asked me out and not…”

Rose laughed. “Katrina you know I don’t mind. My interest in Cal has been so over. In fact…you might as well be the first to know. Jack and I are now official.”

“Huh?”

“Jack and I are now boyfriend and girlfriend. Can you believe it? This is exactly what I wanted. Kat he is so wonderful. Everything I ever wanted in a boyfriend.”

Kat giggled. “Well congratulations Rose. I should have known, you always get your man.”

“Ha ha,” Rose shook her head.

“Wait ‘til Sam hears. She’s going to be so jealous. Now both me and you have boyfriends and she has no one.”

“Well…Jack does have a friend that’s single, plus he’s pretty cute. Maybe…”

“Does he look anything like Jack?”

“Of course not. But he is tall and he has blond hair and blue eyes and he’s from Ireland. Maybe Jack and I can fix them up or something,” Rose grinned.

“Oh I know who you’re talking about. The cute Irish guy from the other day. Sam does think he’s cute. Listen we’ll discuss this later. I have to go shopping for a outfit.”

“Ok. Have fun Kat. See you at school,” Rose smiled, hanging up the phone. Now to get ready for Jack.

*

12:00 p.m.

Ruth stood at the door, pulling on her coat. “Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

“Positive mother. Besides, a friend is coming over and we’re spending the day together,” Rose waved. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Very well then. Good-bye,” Ruth walked out the door.

Glancing at the clock, Rose walked around; making sure everything was in order. She wanted everything perfect for when Jack arrived. She practically jumped out of her skin at the ring of the doorbell.

“That’s him,” Rose grinned, glancing in a nearby mirror one last time to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be. She opened the door and smiled at Jack who was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt that showed off his physique. Rose had to keep her mouth up off the floor. He looked great.

“You look nice,” Jack looked at her; appreciating how she looked in the blue jeans she had pulled up over her swim suit, which showed off her curves.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” Rose grinned, stepping aside. “Come in. What do you want to do first?”

Jack shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Let’s set by the pool. I ordered a pizza. Can you believe it’s here already?”

“Rose. There’s no need to be nervous around me you know,” Jack noticed the nervous rush in her voice.

“What makes you think I’m nervous?” Rose arched a eyebrow.

“You’re talking too fast for one and you’re avoiding looking at me. Clear signs of nervousness,” Jack smiled.

“Mr. smart guy now aren’t we?” Rose playfully slapped his arm. “But that’s ok. I like you anyway.”

“Good. Because I definitely like you,” Jack pulled her into a passionate kiss, taking Rose’s breath away. “Uh…sorry,” Jack blushed after releasing her. He hadn’t meant to kiss her so deeply, but once he started, he couldn’t stop.

“Don’t be sorry Jack. I liked it,” Rose smiled.

“Good. Come on. I want to check out that pool,” Jack grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the living room.

For two hours straight, Jack and Rose talked and ate pizza as they got to know each other better. Rose took a dip into the pool and pulled Jack in as well when he showed no intention of joining her. Feeling guilty, she loaned him some old clothes of her father’s and placed his clothes in the dryer.

“What movies do you like Jack? We’ll watch something while your clothes dry,” Rose pulled him into the TV room.

“I always wanted to see What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, I haven’t had time to rent it,” Jack shrugged.

“Well you’re in luck. We have it right here,” Rose grinned, holding up the tape. She glanced at the cover and giggled. “I bet if you combed your hair a certain way and lost a little more weight you could pass for Ernie.”

“Hey!” Jack grabbed the cover and looked at the younger actor. “He looks nothing like me.”

“What’s wrong with Ernie? I think he’s cute,” Rose laughed at Jack’s reaction.

“He’s…I don’t know. I just don’t think he looks like me,” Jack handed the tape back to Rose.

“Like I said, lose some weight and comb your hair maybe trim it and you two can pass for twins.”

“Ha ha. Just put in the movie,” Jack laughed, shaking his head.

“Ok, my darling,” Rose smiled at him. “Do we have the snacks?”

“Popcorn and Cokes right here,” Jack held up a bowl of popcorn and a six-pack of cokes.

“Ok. Here we go,” Rose sighed, settling down next to Jack and turning on the movie.

“I felt kind of sorry for Ernie,” Jack sighed as Rose switched the tape off two hours later. “I have a cousin like that. My aunt has her hands full with him.”

“I felt sorry for their mother. She was so big and eventually it killed her…right after her son’s birthday,” Rose sighed. “I have a cousin like that, but she refuses to go on a diet. I’m so scared for her.”

“Have you told her your feelings?” Jack asked.

Rose shook her head. “I’m afraid I’ll hurt her feelings.”
“Sometimes it’s best to hurt someone’s feelings rather than watching them slowly kill themselves,” Jack solemnly replied. “Take my cousin Richard. He travels around the world a lot and brings us back gifts and everything. But one day I came in and saw him smoking some marijuana and told him about himself. He left the next day…and we haven’t heard from him since. I wonder if he’s still alive…”

“He’s probably alright Jack. He’s probably somewhere where they don’t have a postal service or phone or computers. He’ll show up,” Rose squeezed his hand reassuringly, noticing the sad gleam in his eyes.

“I hope you’re right. I’d hate to think of anything bad happening to him,” Jack sighed.

Rose touched his cheek and turned his head to face her. “He’s fine,” Rose tenderly kissed him, just as the front door upstairs bangs close.

“Rose I’m home!” her mother announced. “What a waste of a afternoon! It’s a good thing you stayed home!”
“Oh great. My mother’s home,” Rose sighed. It was such a nice afternoon and now that her mother was home, it might as well be over.

“Rose are you down here?” Ruth appeared at the top of the stairs. “Oh you have company.”

Rose and Jack get to their feet. “Mother may I introduce Jack Dawson. Jack this is my mother Ruth Dewitt Bukater.”

“It’s nice to meet you mam,” Jack smiled charmily. “Now I see where Rose gets her beauty from.”

“Oh…why thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you too,” Ruth blushed. “Rose…did you have Sylvia start dinner?”

“Oh no…I forgot,” Rose gasped.

“Really Rose,” Ruth sighed impatiently. “Well I guess I’ll have her start it now. Will you be joining us Jack?”

“I can’t. My mother is expecting me back,” Jack regretfully replied. “Maybe some other time.”

“I’ll walk you to the door I guess,” Rose’s voice is tinted with disappointment. She was hoping for a couple of more hours with Jack.

Ruth just nodded and disappeared back upstairs.

“Jack, must you go?” Rose turned to him.

“Gotta go roll with the other slaves,” Jack smiled regretfully at her. “But I’ll call you later tonight ok?”

“Sure,” Rose sighed, taking his hand and leading him to the front door.

“I’ll see you soon sweetie. Thanks for a great day,” Jack hugged her.

“Anytime Jack. Thank you for coming over and keeping me company,” Rose sighed, enjoying the feel of his arms around her.

“Night sweetie,” Jack pulled away and kissed her once more before heading for his car.

“Night Jack,” Rose sighed, watching him drive away.

“Miss. Rose, the young man’s clothes are done,” Trudy, Sylvia’s daughter came up behind her.

“Oh no!” Rose gasped. “We completely forgot. Just fold them Trudy and lay them on my dresser. I’ll return them to him later. Thank you.”

Trudy nods and headed back to the laundry room, walking pass Ruth.

“A charming young man,” Ruth nodded. “I hope you don’t screw this relationship up like you’ve done all the others.”

“Don’t worry mother. I have no intention of letting this one go,” Rose sighed, heading for the dining room for dinner.

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