Chapter 10 The maid cautiously looked him over before replying. "May I help you sir?" Jack smiled warmly and replied, "Yes, I'm here to see Rose." "Very well then. Won't you come in?" Jack nodded politely as the maid backed away and motioned him inside. Jack stood in the entryway gazing at some of the beautiful paintings that hung in the room. "Shall I show you to the parlor or do you prefer to wait here for her?" "No, I'll just stay here thank you." "As you wish. I'll go fetch her for ya then." "Thank you." The maid nodded and turned up the stairs. Jack could hear her mumbling to herself as she climbed the ornate hand-carved staircase. He smiled to himself and turned around to look at the paintings. They were absolutely magnificent. Jack could just picture the artist's roughened hands gracefully stroking the brush across the stretched canvas, his forehead wrinkled in concentration and his eyes shining pure joy. "They're wonderful aren't they?" Jack quickly twisted around to find Rose gazing down on him as she descended the stairs. Rose smiled warmly and Jack smiled back as he felt Rose's simple smile fill his entire soul. Jack turned back to the painting briefly before replying. "I think they're absolutely amazing. Their graceful yet wonderfully unique at the same time. Who's the artist?" Rose wrinkled her forehead in thought as she came up slightly behind Jack, just enough so their shoulders were touching. Even that slight touch instantly gave an electric warmth throughout both of their bodies. "You know, I'm not quite sure. I think it was… something Picasso. My mother absolutely detests them, but I love them. You see, my father brought them back from France for me…just weeks before he died. My father had placed them in this room the day he got back and they've never left the wall since. But let me assure you that it did take much persuasion on my part to keep them here. Mother would all but destroy them if she could. That's what she did with everything else that reminded her of my father…well, except for a few precious items that I managed to sneak into a safe place." Jack smiled sadly. "Well I think they're fascinating. It's almost like being in a dream or something. There's truth but no logic." Rose looked up at Jack, pure excitement shining through her eyes. "Exactly!" Jack grinned and chuckled lightly. "Well Rose, even though I could spend the whole day standing here, talking about artwork, which trust me I can, we have a schedule to keep." Rose looked at him somewhat impressed but with a slightly mischievous grin appearing on her face. "Oh we do, do we?" Jack smiled and nodded. "Well, what are we waiting for then?" "Actually, we're waiting for you to take these lovely roses off my hands." "Oh Jack, they're beautiful. Thank you." Rose brought them to her face so she could inhale their sweet and calming scent before walking them over to a vase. "But you know Rose, these roses are special." Rose smiled. "Oh?" "Yes, you see they were hand picked by yours truly from the lovely little park down on Elm Street. I actually found them right next to that little bench we were sitting on yesterday as we ate ice cream and watched the sunset." "Well then, I shall have to press them when they are wilted so I can enjoy them forever." Rose smiled and turned around to face Jack again. "Well, are you ready to go wherever we may be going?" "I certainly am." Jack offered her his arm and said in a mock arrogance tone, "Shall we, Miss Rose?" Rose giggled and took his arm, saying in the same tone of voice, "Why certainly Mr. Dawson." Both stepped through the doorway, laughing and joking with each other, unaware of the events that would enfold in the coming hours which would change their lives forever…for better or for worse…. Chapter 11 | Story Index | Post Your Review | Email Author | Home |
