6
It’s two days later. Rose is walking along the shelfs of the Lavery’s general store trying to find supplies for stitching when she hears two women up near the counter, talking lowly to themselves and taking quick glances in her direction. Furrowing her brow, she slips up closer and listens.
"Are you telling me that that girl is a Dawson?" The oldest woman with chestnut hair and brown eyes hissed to her friend.
"Yep," her companion nods.
"But she don’t look like a Dawson. I mean look at her red hair and those green eyes. Everyone notices that the Dawsons have blond hair and blue eyes. Plus she doesn’t hold herself like a Dawson. She reminds me of a sophisticated society girl. Her head up high, her posture straight. There’s no way. The Dawson’s are not that classy and have no manners."
Rose could laugh outloud. These women most obviously didn’t know Jack. Not even Cal had as much manners as Jack had. Sure Jack didn’t set up straight, or say may I often. But he always put her first and treated her like a real lady. Something Cal never did. He had treated her like a pet or a possession.
"And you know how that Dawson girl carries herself. There’s no way the girl can be a Dawson," The woman continues.
"Maybe by marriage. Word has it that Vic’s been looking for a wife."
Rose grimaced at the thought. She would rather have married Cal. No she was happy with the Dawson she had chosen.
"That young thing? Married to that uncouth…unwashed…Victor Dawson? Wash your mouth out."
‘Please,’ Rose thought to herself, rolling her eyes and shaking her head.
"Well it’s possible."
"Rose?" Mrs. Lavery walks up behind Rose who jumps startled.
"Mrs. Lavery hello," Rose smiles. "I was just looking at some of your sewing supplies. I’m wanting to take up crocheting again. Keep myself preoccupied while Jack helps his uncles."
"Betsy!" One of the women waves. "We need you!"
"Come Rose. Let me introduce you to some of the women in town. True they’re twice your age, but they do have daughters your age," Betsy grabs Rose’s hand and leads her over to the counter. "Constance! Mildred! Hello!"
"Yes, how much is this material," Mildred lays the fabric on the counter, eyeing Rose curiously.
"For you twelve dollars," Betsy squatches her chin, then looks at rose who fidgets uncomfortably under the women’s gaze. "Girls, I’d like to introduce you to Rose Dawson. She’s Jack’s wife."
"Jack?"
"Oh you two remember don’t you? Before Butch and Victor Dawson came to town their brother Hank and his wife Sarah lived there. They had a delightful son named Jack."
"Oh yes, poor Hank and Sarah that perished in that awful fire. Wait a minute, they did have a son didn’t they? Fifteen years old if I remember. Poor dear was devastated and lit out of town like there was no tomorrow. That was when Butch, Vic and that Lisa showed up. Glad I was that young Jack had left when he did," Mildred nods.
"Yes. Well this is Jack’s wife Rose. They arrived in town a few days ago."
"What! You mean little Jackie is married! He can’t be more than twenty years old now can he?"
"Rose this is Mildred Simmons and Constance Lanstone. They were both close friends of Jack’s parents."
"It’s a pleasure to meet you," Rose nods.
"The pleasure’s all ours Rose. To think Sarah’s son is back in town and married. To a pretty little lady by the looks of it," Mildred grins. "Tell us Rose, where is young Jack? The last time we saw him he was as skinny as a rail."
Before Rose could answer he enters the store looking for his wife. His eyes lit up when he saw her. "There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you," Jack took Rose in his arms and swung her around making her laugh.
"Jack stop! Put me down!" Rose laughed.
"Why? You love it when I do that?"
"Jack Dawson?" Constance steps closer to the young couple and eyes the boy curiously. She nods with a wide grin. "Why you’re the very image of Sarah. You’ve inherited her spirit as well I see."
"But of course he has Hank’s blond hair and blue eyes," Mildred nods. "Hank’s build as well."
Jack begins feeling a little uncomfortable. "Uh…do I know you ladies?" He politely asked.
"Why of course. We used to babyset you when your parents needed time to themselves," Mildred crossed her arms. "Why Jack Dawson don’t you remember your Aunt Millie and Aunt Connie? We used to take you out for ice cream whenever we could."
"And look at you, you grew up into a quite nice looking young man. Sarah and Hank would have been so proud," Constance sighed. "God rest their souls."
Jack could only smile, still having no clue of who the two ladies were.
Betsy laughed. "You two that’s been so long ago of course he doesn’t remember. Jack these were the two ladies that left that casserole at the house after the word of your parents deaths reached everyone."
"Oh! Now I remember. I’m sorry, it’s been a long time since I’ve even been in town. I’m kind of getting reacquainted," Jack apologized.
"And of course we’re getting acquainted with your pretty wife here. Just think, our little Jackie has gotten married. If only Hank and Sarah could have been here to meet her too…they would have been so happy," Millie sighed.
"They would have adored your wife," Constance nodded in agreement.
"So where are you two staying?" Mildred was curious. Surely Jack would want to keep his wife away from the rest of the Dawson clan.
"At the house. We’re staying there until we get a place of our own or enough money to head out for the horizon. Whichever one comes first," Jack shrugged.
"Rose, how are you finding chippewa Falls so far?" Constance turned to the young woman.
"Oh it’s lovely. It’s so different from Philadelphia. I love it here," Rose leaned into Jack’s embrace, sighing happily.
"Well we’re happy to have you and if you need anything at all just let us know. That’s both of you," Mildred nods. "Come Connie. We have to get back to prepare for the town picnic."
"Bye girls," Betsy waved. "Seeing you again brightened those women’s day Jack."
"I didn’t know they cared," Jack laughed.
"Jack a lot of people cared. You were just too full of your own grief to notice. Now tell me, what can I help you and your beautiful wife with today?"
"Well…actually I came for beer. They’re running out," Jack nervously cleared his voice. He wasn’t used to running errands for his Uncles and wasn’t sure he liked it.
"Those two drink why too much," Betsy shook her head in disapproval. "But that’s ok, just as long as they treat Rose with the proper respect."
"They know not to step out of line," Jack’s eyes are stern at this statement.
"Jack is very protective when it comes to my honor," Rose giggled, squeezing her husband’s hand.
"As well he should be," Betsy nodded.
"So when is this year’s picnic?" Jack asked, changing the subject.
"Why it’s this Saturday. You are planning to attend aren’t you Jack? It’ll be a great way to reintroduce yourself to the town and for Rose to meet other girls her age."
Jack shrugged. "I don’t know Mrs. Betsy. I guess it’ll all depend on if my Uncles need me around the house."
"Oh Jack let’s go, please. We have done nothing but stay in that house since we’ve arrived. It’d be fun to go to the picnic and perhaps get to learn what you were like as a boy. Plus make new friends…as you could probably tell Lisa and I don’t have anything in common and I think she rather I wasn’t around so much. Please Jack, please say we can go to the picnic,"Rose begged. She was desparate to do something fun for a while. Fun was something she haven’t had since the last night on the Titanic when Jack and Rose dodged the valets that were searching the cargo hold after they had made love in the Renault.
"You won’t let up will you?" Jack sighed, already knowing that he’ll give in. He could never say no to Rose when she really wanted to do something.
"No," She grinned.
"Ok fine. We’ll go to
the picnic," Jack laughed. "I’ll get Lisa to make
something for us to take."
"Hey I can cook now," Rose pouted.
"But not good enough for a picnic my dear," Jack laughed as Rose playfully punched his arm.
"It does my heart good to be around two young people in love," Betsy sighed. Remembering her first year with Kyle. There was nothing more magical than her first year with the man she loved.
"We better get back. I’ll have to really work now since I’ll be taking Saturday off," Jack wrapped a arm around his wife.
"Bye Mrs. Betsy," Rose waved as Jack led her out of the store.
Mrs. Betsy just smiled and shook her head. Jack and Rose was something special alright. She was sure that they will have a full happy and long life together.