Chapter 5 Rose slowly walked down the hard concrete sidewalk that lined each side of street. Tearstains were streaked across both of her cheeks. She had just had another argument with her mother. After ending the conversation, Rose had silently slipped out of the front door and into the street where she began walking aimlessly. She was now in a much lower class part of town, a place her mother would simply pass out if she knew where her daughter was. But Rose had continued on, not seeing any problem with walking in a lower class area. Rose silently watched as young children played all around her. They seemed so happy and carefree. Rose even saw some parents skipping rope with their children or playing baseball in the middle of the street with other youngsters. This carefree and lighthearted group of people seemed so different than the people Rose had been raised to become. Just watching them made Rose want to fall down in the middle of the sidewalk and cry her heart out. "Why can't I be just like them?", she thought "Why can't I just be myself? Just fly above all of my mother's expectations and soar like an eagle.". Rose was now passing by a group of girls playing hopscotch. She was in such a trance that she didn't even realize that she had bumped into someone. Surprised and a little embarrassed, Rose looked up. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't…see…you…there." Rose was completely shocked. Before her stood none other than Jack Dawson himself. "Rose? I'm so sorry I bumped into you. What's wrong?" Jack asked as he noticed Rose's tearstained cheeks and bloodshot eyes. As Rose contemplated what to answer him, she looked up into his concerned eyes and immediately knew that she could trust him. "Well Jack, I guess you might say that my mother and I don't always see eye to eye. We had another argument." Jack's worried eyes suddenly turned into sincere compassionate ones as he quietly replied, "Oh, I see. I'm sorry to hear that." He motioned for her to walk with him down the street. She complied. "Do you want to talk about it? I don't mean to sound nosy or anything, I just want to make sure that you're ok." Rose looked up at him, astonished to find that someone actually did care about her feelings. "Jack…thank you, but I really mustn't trouble you anymore than I already have." Jack stopped suddenly, placing his hand on Rose's arm. When he spoke, his voice was quiet and sincere. "Rose, don't ever think that you've troubled me. I don't want you to ever feel like that. You understand? I want you to consider me as your friend, not just another heir to some ridiculous fortune. Ok?" Rose was thoroughly touched by what Jack had just said. No one in her whole life had even showed her any understaning or acknowldegment, not even her own mother. Rose was so touched by the whole thing that she almost felt like she were about to cry again. She took a deep breath to try to steady her emotions. "Jack, I really must thank you for all that you've done." Jack looked somewhat confused. "What do you mean all that I've done?" "Jack, my whole life I was taught to hide my emotions because if I were to show any emotion anyway, nobody would care or want to help. People would think me a nuisance and unladylike. And throughout my childhood, it was proven true. I'm just not used to anyone actually caring about what happens to me." Rose tried to smile a nervous smile. Jack just looked at her dumbfounded. He almost felt like crying himself. He had never heard anything like this before. He had always been raised in a loving environment where if you ever needed a hug or reassurance, you could go to your parents at nearly any time of the day. "Rose…I don't really know what to say other than to tell you that not everyone is like that. I know this for a fact. I was born and raised in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. It's a real family kinda town where everyone knows each other and you always feel at home no matter where you go. My parents didn't always have enough money to get me and my brothers and sisters new stuff all the time or get us fancy tutors or anything, but they taught us much more than money could ever buy. After they died, I was sent to my Uncle's in New York where I was surrounded by lavish furnishings and maids serving my every command. I wasn't comfortable with it then and to tell you the truth I'm not now. I don't like how people here act so stiff. I don't like everyone being so formal and pretending to be someone their not. I feel that who you are is important, not how much money you have. Maybe I'm just some crazy mid-western farm kid in your eyes who has these silly notions, but it's just how I've always felt." Jack paused briefly to regain his thoughts. "Rose, I want you to know that I'm always here for you no matter what. I don't want you to feel like you're alone, because you're not." "I know Jack, thank you. And I respect you immensely for sticking up for what you believe in and not just conforming to what everyone else thinks. To tell you the truth, I've always felt the same way. I guess I've just never discussed it with anyone for fear that my mother would give me another lecture. You seem to be able to see people Jack, you really do." Jack smiled. "I see you." Rose cocked her head and smiled. "And what have you seen so far might I ask Mr. Dawson?" Jack's smile faded away as he searched Rose's soul. "I see a person who has their wings, but just needs to learn how to fly." |
