SWING
Chapter Two
Rose Dewitt Bukater sat at the dinner table
as bored as can be listening to Caledon Hockley go on and on about his
accomplishments as a Hitler youth. She tried not to yawn as he went into a
rendition of how many swimming contests he had won.
"That’s very nice Mr. Hockley,"
Ruth, Rose’s mother nodded. "Isn’t that nice Rose?"
"Oh yes," Rose snapped back to
attention. "I’m sure you’re very proud of yourself."
"Not to be bragging, but I’m up for the
Olympic team," Cal grinned.
Rose had to stop herself from rolling her
eyes. Caledon Hockley was so stuck on himself, she hated him already, even
though today was his first day of courting her.
"Rose here has always followed the
Olympics," Ruth nodded proudly. "In fact she once told me that she
wished to be courted by an Olympic athlete."
"Mother that was when I was a
child," Rose sighed. "I have no such intentions now."
"Oh Rose," Ruth laughed.
"Well some dreams do come true,"
Caledon grinned, looking at his watch. "Why look at the time. I must go.
The youth are having a meeting in another hour. I must be going. I hope you do
forgive me dear Rose," Cal took her hand and kissed it.
"Oh the pity," Rose sighed, trying
to hide the relief she felt. One more hour in the company of Caledon Hockley
she would have fallen asleep.
"I hope I can call on you later this
week," Cal arched his eyebrow questionably.
"Oh of course you can Mr. Hockley. Rose
is looking forward to it," Ruth spoke up before Rose could answer.
"I will send a telegram then. Good-bye
ladies."
"Good bye Mr. Hockley," Rose forced
a smile, watching the older man leave.
She got up to start for her room when her
mother’s stern voice stopped her in her tracks. "What has gotten into you
Rose? This is a fine match with Hockley. It will ensure both of our
survival."
"Mother…I don’t like him. He’s an
arrogant nazi for goodness sake! What would papa say?"
"It was your papa that got us in this mess. Hiding the fact that he was a
Jew until it was too late and then dying, leaving us with nothing! If it wasn’t
for him, then I wouldn’t have to force this thing with Hockley, but I have no
choice. We have to survive somehow Rose. Without this match, you’ll have to
give up this life of luxury you’re so accustomed to. Plus you’ll be sent away
to those camps as well. Is that what you want? To see our fine things sold
off…our memories scattered to the wind? Do you want to be sent to a
concentration camp where God knows what could happen to you?"
"No mother. That’s not what I want. It’s just that…this all so
unfair."
Ruth looked at her daughter, her eyes shining
with a certain knowledge. "We’re women Rose. Nothing is ever easy. And if
you’re smart you’ll forget about your father and concentrate on hiding your
true heritage. No one must know that you have Jewish blood or it’s off to the
camps you go. Is this in anyway unclear?"
Rose sighed. "No mother. Everything is very clear."
"Then you know what you have to
do?"
Rose sadly nodded. "Marry Caledon Hockley or else."
Ruth smiled and kissed her daughter.
"This is for you as well as me Rose. You know that."
Rose only nodded as her mother glided out of the room.
Rose sighed as she entered the living room
and stared out of the window, watching the people and soldiers go by. She
looked up at the sun in the sky and closed her eyes in a silent prayer.
"Oh papa…please…send someone down to help me. I don’t want to marry
Hockley…please help me."
Opening her eyes, Rose felt some better. It
was like she had reassurance that everything was going to be all right now.
That she won’t have to marry Hockley and she won’t be sent to a camp neither.
Her father was going to take care of everything.