ALMOST TOO LATE
Chapter Six
Jack had to find Rose. She had mentioned
something to him about taking a tour of the ship. Jack looked in all the main
rooms. Stewards had stopped him in every one. But they had let him pass, as
long as he promised not to disturb the passengers. He had to find Rose and tell
her that he loved her. He didn’t know what to expect. He just had to find her.
Finally, he went out on deck and caught sight of her. He climbed up the rails,
not willing to take the time to look for stairs. He caught her arm and pulled her
into a nearby room.
"Jack, what’s the matter with you?"
"Rose, I had to talk to you."
"What is it?"
"I found out that Jolie isn’t pregnant.
I don’t have to marry her."
"Jack, that’s wonderful. I know you’ll
be happy now."
"I know, Rose. I feel so free."
"I’m happy for you!"
"I don’t dread going home so much
now." Jack thought about what he really wanted to say. He felt something
for Rose, much more than he had ever felt for anyone else. He didn’t know what
Rose felt for him, if anything. I need to take this slow, he thought.
Rose watched Jack’s face. I wonder what
he’s thinking. Besides obviously being happy, his face was hard to read.
"Well, I think I’ll go now," Jack
said, suddenly uncomfortable. He had never felt so unsure of himself. He wanted
to declare his love, but something held him back. The whole thing with Jolie
suddenly made him distrust his own feelings. He turned away from Rose and
walked out the door.
Rose watched him go so fast that she didn’t
even get a chance to say good-bye. She leaned against the window behind her.
Jack was the first person that had let Rose be herself. Sitting and listening
to him talk about his problems had made her feel useful. He had such soul and
depth to him. Rose had never encountered anyone quite like him. Certainly not
the moneybags her mother had wanted her to marry. Rose realized that, for the
first time in her life, she had made a difference in someone’s life, a real
difference. And it was something she hadn’t needed her money to do. Jack had helped
her, too. Rose had started to fall in love with him, listening to him talk.
That’s why she had invited him to dinner that night. She had known that it was
foolish. She had known his situation. But now he was free of that. It was too
soon to see if he cared for her. But she could at least let him know that she
cared.