JOHN AND MIRIAM
Chapter Eleven
Late that afternoon, Miriam was walking near
the stern with Mary and Nadia. John was inside, playing poker out of sight of
the stewards, while Kiran had taken advantage of the opportunity to take a nap.
Mary and Nadia ran ahead of Miriam, giggling
in delight. Miriam hurried to catch up, grabbing Nadia just as she attempted to
climb the railing.
Holding one child in each arm, Miriam held
them up so that they could look out over the ocean. The sun was setting, and
the water reflected the brilliant colors.
Miriam set the girls down. They scurried over
to a bench and began playing. Miriam stared down at the water.
The sunset on the water was a beautiful
sight, but Miriam could not shake her worry. More rumors of icebergs had been
reported that afternoon. A steward had assured her that the rumors were only
that--rumors, but Miriam wasn't so sure. She had been on ships before, in
iceberg-infested waters before, and it seemed to her to be perfect conditions
for icebergs--cold, early spring weather.
Miriam was wrested from her contemplation by
the sound of approaching footsteps. She turned to see Rose Dewitt Bukater
coming toward her.
Rose looked rather nervous, and Miriam was
about to ask her what was wrong when Rose spoke.
"Have you seen Jack Dawson?"
Miriam thought for a moment, then remembered
that Jack had left the poker game shortly after John had joined it, saying
something about the bow.
"He said something about the bow. He
might be there," Miriam suggested.
"Thank you," Rose replied, turning
to leave. She stopped, turning back around to face Miriam. "How did you
wind up in steerage?"
Miriam would have snapped back a reply to
most people asking that question, but Rose seemed genuinely curious. "I
got married shortly before my parents sent for me to come back to the United
States. They only sent enough money for one first-class ticket. I wasn't about
to leave my husband or step-daughter behind, so I bought three steerage
tickets." She grinned. "Besides, steerage is more fun anyway."
Rose smiled. "After experiencing both
first class and steerage, I have to agree with you." She glanced in the
direction of the bow. "It was good seeing you again, Miriam. Perhaps you
can come to call sometime after we get back to America."
"Perhaps," Miriam agreed.
Rose nodded, then, glancing towards the bow
again, she turned and hurried away.
Miriam watched her go, then turned to watch
the two children playing beside the bench. She thought about Rose for a moment,
and then smiled. Hockley would have his hands full with her--if the marriage
ever actually happened. From the way Rose spoke of Jack, Miriam felt that it
was quite possible that Caledon Hockley would soon be losing another
girlfriend.
Taking the two little girls by the hands,
Miriam headed back inside. The weather had grown considerably colder, and as
they reached the door, Miriam turned back once more to look at the ocean. She
saw no icebergs, but the calm, flat sea seemed to her to be waiting.