7
It’s the day of the picnic and Jack and Rose are busy packing up their basket while Butch and Vic Dawson stand by with their arms crossed.
"I don’t know why you two want to go to that picnic with all the snob-nosed townspeople. You think they’re going to treat you like you’re on the same level? Think again," Butch grumbled.
"Why do you have to be so negative?" Lisa piped in. "Rose and Jack will be fine. Remember, Jack’s the good Dawson."
"Humph," Butch snorted.
"Jack where’s my sweater?" Lisa asked.
"You’re going to?" Rose was surprised. She had thought it would just be her and Jack today, but obviously that was going to change.
"Of course. Who else is going to reintroduce my cousin to the town? Don’t worry. Everything will be fine."
"Humph," Butch snorted again.
"Come on ladies, we’ll be late," Jack wrapped a arm around Lisa and took Rose’s hand in his. "We’ll see you tonight sometime Uncle Butch," He waved, leading the women to the carriage that was going to take them to the park that housed the infamous lake Wissota.
"Where to?" The driver asked.
"Lake Wissota park,"
Lisa nodded. "This is going to be fun."
When they arrive people are setting up the table for the food. "Come on Rose, we’ll help set up. Jack will get our place to set ready," Lisa grabbed Rose’s hand and dragged her over to the table where other young women were moving items around.
"Lisa Dawson," a soft, yet indignant voice spoke. "What are you doing here? This is a good, clean decent function. Nothing for the likes of you here."
"This is a free country Gloria. I can come here if I want."
"And I suppose your father and uncle have joined you?"
"Only my cousin and his wife Rose here. You do remember Jack don’t you? In fact, rumor has it that you two used to be a item," Lisa snorted.
The girl with light brown hair and brown eyes gasped indignantly. "If you are talking about Jack Dawson you are mistaken. I kissed him on a dare."
"A dare. Right," Lisa laughed.
Having had enough Rose
interrupted the girl’s baiting. "Hello, I’m Rose
Dawson. Jack’s wife."
"Oh!" Gloria’s cheeks got bright red in
embarrassment. "Oh hello, I’m Gloria Janson. A old
friend of Jack’s. Ignore that talk earlier. Lisa enjoys
insinuating situations that simply are not true."
"It’s perfectly alright," Rose nodded.
"In fact that kiss in question wasn’t actually a real kiss. The girls dared me to kiss the first boy that came in the door and it was Jack. We were children really."
Rose laughed at the flustered
girl. "It’s perfectly ok. I understand."
"Rose are you ready yet?" Jack asked, coming up behind
her .
Gloria’s eyes bugged out of her head. The man before her was the most handsome she’s seen. This couldn’t possibly be Jack Dawson, the skinny as a rail boy who was always getting into trouble.
"Not yet," Rose smiled up at him.
"Oh my God Jack Dawson? You look so different," Gloria gasped.
"Gloria Janson?" Jack smiled openly. "Wow, you look different."
"So do you. You’ve grown up since the last I saw you."
"I see you’ve met Rose," Jack squeezed Rose’s shoulder.
"Yes. When did you get
back in town?"
"A week ago. Rose wanted to see where I grew up, so this was
the first place we headed to."
"She’s lovely Jack, and it’s grand to see you again. Everyone is going to be ecstatic that you’ve returned home," Gloria beamed. "It’s about time."
Jack only laughed and took Rose’s hand in his. "Well it’s been an experience so far."
"Gloria!" A older woman called out and beckoned for the younger woman to join her.
"Coming Aunt Lily! You remember my aunt don’t you Jack?"
"Sure. The one who took a broom and threatened me with it if she ever caught me on her porch again," Jack laughed.
"What?" Rose looked at her husband curiously.
"My Aunt didn’t like Jack very much. Plus she didn’t approve of boys and girls playing together. Hey Jack come over and say hi. I want to see her face when she finds out you’ve returned," Gloria grabbed his hand and pulled both him and Rose over to where the woman beckoned.
"Gloria, who are you friends here?" The woman glanced curiously at Jack and Rose.
"Aunt Lily don’t you recognize Jack Dawson when you see him?" Gloria giggled.
"What?" The woman’s eyes widen in disbelief as she got to her feet. "Jack Dawson ? Why it is and look how you’ve grown. Just as tall as your father may he rest in peace."
"Hello Mrs. Jansen," Jack nodded.
"And who is this lovely young lady?"
"This is my wife Rose," Jack answered.
"They just got back into town Aunt Lily. They’re newlyweds," Gloria spoke up.
"Well I can see that," Lily glared at her niece. "Why Jack Dawson, married already. Gloria now it’s your turn. When are you going to accept Owen’s proposal?"
"Owen? You don’t mean Owen Townsend do you?" Jack had to laugh. The last time he remembered, Owen and Gloria hated one another.
"Surprised?" Gloria raised a eyebrow. "Owen and I have over come our differences and have fallen in love. In fact, we owe it all to you."
"Why is that?" Jack stiffled down his laughter.
"We bonded over the fact that we both lost a very good friend. That brought us together," Gloria smiled.
"There you are!" A tall man about Jack’s age, a little bit taller than Jack with black hair and warm brown eyes ran up behind Gloria and lifted her off her feet, twirling her in the air.
"Owen Townsend put me down right now!" Gloria laughed.
"Really Owen, what inappropriate behavior," Lily snorted.
"When has Owen ever been appropriate?" Jack laughed, watching as his friend put Gloria down and stared at Jack with a pale shocked face.
"…Jack? Is it really you? Have you finally come back?" Owen stared at his friend.
"I’ve finally returned Owen. This is Rose my wife. Rose, this is Owen Townsend, one of my best friends," Jack introduced.
"Pleased to meet you," Rose held out her hand.
"Why Jack she’s exquisite. If I wasn’t engaged, I’d have to take her from you," Owen grinned, kissing Rose’s hand. "Where ever did you two meet?"
"Long story," Jack simply replied. "So tell me, what’s been going on besides you two getting engaged. Where’s the old gang?"
"Hold on and we’ll get them for you. Everyone’s going to be thrown over a barrell when they see you. All married and everything."
"It’s going to be good to see everyone again," Jack sighed, his blue eyes glowing with happiness.
"Hey Witherspoon! Over here! Guess who’s back!" Owen called over to a young man with wavey brown hair and green eyes.
"Why isn’t it the Giantkiller!" The man waved running up to Rose and Jack.
"Giant killer?" Rose looked at Jack confused.
"It’s a nickname from grade school when we read the book Jack and the beanstalk," Jack blushed in embarrassment.
Rose giggled. "Don’t be embarrassed. I think it’s cute. Really, that story was my favorite."
"Really?"
"Hey Giant killer!"
The man came and slapped Jack on the back. "Long time no
see!"
"Hey Jon. It’s good to see you," Jack smiled.
"And who’s this
lovely creature?"
"Rose this is one of my friends Jon Witherspoon. Jon this is
my wife Rose Dawson."
"It’s a pleasure," Rose shook his hand. "So what’s your nickname?"
"Genie. That’s because I keep boasting I can do anything," Jon laughed. "Wow giant killer’s married now. What a surprise. I thought Owen and Gloria would be the first to marry."
"Jack beat me to the punch," Owen shrugged. "Where’s everyone else?"
"They’ll be here. For
now let’s get Jack and Rose reacquainted with the town. Come
Jack, I’m sure old man Fisher would want to say hi to you.
You left town without paying for that window remember?"
"What window?" Rose asked curiously.
"Oh we were playing
ragball near his house and Jack knocked out his window. Mr.
Dawson had agreed to make Jack pay for it, but as you already
know, his parents died that very week and Jack left just two days
later."
"Ah…maybe we can pass on that," Jack kind of
pulled back, but his two friends were insistent and soon Rose and
Jack were on their way to being introduced to the rest of the
town.
*
It’s been two hours since the start of the picnic. Rose yawns tiredly as she sets in the grass watching Jack play ragball with his friends. Every once in a while he’d stop and wave to her and she’d wave back. She looks back at the group of women gathered watching the game and giggling. Rolling her eyes she turned back to the game. She wondered if she’d ever fit in anywhere. She definitely didn’t fit in with the giggling women watching the game a little ways from here, yet she didn’t belong in the older married women at the farther end of the park either. Not for the first time she felt like a outsider. Everyone in their little cliques, leaving Rose to herself.
"So Jack’s finally left you alone huh?" Lisa sat next to her. "Never thought he would. You two are seriously attached at the hip."
"What can I say except we’re in love," Rose sighed.
"Love is for daydreamers like you and my cousin. Me…there’s no such thing really. No man in this town can ever really love me. They just love my body. It’s not the same. I would kill to have something like what you and Jack have. Someone that respects me and my opinion."
"Lisa…there’s someone out there for you. You just have to find him. Sometimes he’ll come unexpectantly. Like Jack. Do you honestly think I’d expect to find someone as wonderful as him?"
"Not with that handsome rich man you were engaged to," Lisa shook her head than gasped, realizing that she let slip that she had eavesdropped.
"What?"
"I accidentally heard your conversation with Mrs. Betsy and
saw the picture with you and Caledon Hockley. Tell me
Rose…why did you leave Caledon Hockley for my poorer than
dirt cousin? Sure Jack is one of the handsomest men around, but
he’s not half as rich as Caledon."
"Money’s not everything Lisa. Cal was a monster and I was miserable. If it wasn’t for Jack I’d be dead right now. Maybe not physically…but spiritually I would be."
"Whatever. I still say you made a big mistake. But it’s your mistake. I have no right to judge."
"That’s right. Just like I don’t have a right to judge you and your night escapades."
"Oooh, Jack wasn’t kidding when he said you had a firey spirit. Ok Rose. I’ll drop the thing about Caledon Hockley," Lisa laughed. "But you know, I bet the full story is captivating. I hope you and Jack tell it someday."
Rose shrugged. "Maybe we
will. It’s up to Jack."
"Yay we won!" Jack yelled excitedly. Rose looked up and
laughed to see him jumping up and down like a little kid.
"Rematch later today Dawson!" One of the men yelled as Jack came running up the women.
"We won," Jack smiled at his wife helping her to her feet and gave her a big hug.
"I see that," Rose giggled.
"Oh brother," Lisa rolled her eyes.
"What’s your problem?" Jack grinned at his cousin, releasing Rose.
"Oh nothing. It’s just that you two seem to always be at it no matter what," Lisa rolled her eyes.
"Well they’re newlyweds. They’re supposed to be," Gloria snorted following Owen to the small group.
"What do you two say to joining Gloria and I to dinner tomorrow evening? Celebrate our unexpected victory," Owen suggested.
"You’re on," Jack nodded.
"Ok. We’ll eat at Flannigans. You remember that place don’t you?"
"Of course. That was our
favorite hang out. Rose you’re going to love it there. Trust
me."
"I always do," Rose smiled, squeezing Jack’s hand.
"Rose it’s your turn to cook tomorrow," Lisa whined.
"Well you’ll just have to take her place. Think of it as pay back for that trick you pulled the other day, leaving Rose to deal with lunch on her own."
"Humph," Lisa snorted.
"Come on honey. Aunt Lily’s wanting us to join her," Gloria pulled Owen away from Jack. "We’ll see you tomorrow," she waved.
"Bye," Jack and Rose waved.
"Wow it was good seeing them again," Jack grinned. "Rose, I just can’t wait until you experience everything. Not just the town picnics but the dances and hay rides as well. You’re going to love it."
"I’m sure I will," Rose smiled lovingly up at her husband. There was no limit to her love for Jack. He was everything to her and as long as she was with him, she knew her life was going to be full of love and excitement.
"Well I’m tired. Let’s go home," Lisa began packing up their belongings. "It’s about to get dark anyway and Pa and Uncle Vic are going to want dinner soon."
"Come on Rosie," Jack picked up their basket and took Rose’s hand. Humming their song, they followed Lisa out of the park, certain that through better or worse their love will see them through it all.