Rated PG
© 1999 Tracy Boardman @ daz@scuby.freeserve.co.uk
based on some characters
and situations originated by James Cameron
Jack peered through Stacey's window looking for
Rose. He'd never been inside the place before. It wasn't the kind of place where
Rose would normally go but it was still up market for him. A loaf of bread and
a chunk of cheese or ham were cheap. He couldn't afford to eat out. But he had
heard tales of Stacey's sandwiches and of their famous chocolate cake.
He guessed Rose was inside at the back. He took
a chance and walked in. A smartly dressed waitress approached him and he nervously
looked round, not knowing what to say. Rose saved him by standing up and waving
to him from the back.
"I'm with her, er, over there" he explained
to the waitress and went and sat with Rose.
"Where's Trudy?" he asked.
"She's going to visit her mother tomorrow.
I sent her to get a present." Smiled Rose, a lot more relaxed now they
were alone and away from prying eyes.
"So Rose," Jack looked round. "It's
nice here." All the tables were neatly laid out, a good distance from each
other and interspersed with large pot plants. The table Rose had chosen was
in the corner and discreet.
"Yes, it seems suitable" Jack suddenly
became painfully aware of how Rose spoke, a reminder that they were classes
apart.
"You said there were reasons that you couldn't
explain?" asked Jack
Rose looked uncomfortable. She was struggling
with what to say.
"Well, someone saw me out in the park when
I shouldn't have been and told Cal." Rose smiled and tried to hide her
despair. Jack noticed she was wringing her hands again. Rose continued. "He's
a little jealous sometimes and it caused a little friction. I just wanted to
avoid any similar situation by being a little careful coming here"
The waitress came over and Rose ordered some
sandwiches and tea. Jack watched the way she communicated with her, the way
she moved and spoke. She really is something thought Jack. But something was
bothering him.
Rose untied the ribbon and removed her hat. Jack
couldn't stop staring at the bruise. A notion had entered his head. It was that
notion that was troubling him.
"Rose, forgive me for asking. Did Cal do
that to you?"
Rose looked very uncomfortable and felt it. "Why
Jack, what an absurd notion." She'd taken her hat off, as it was awkward
to wear inside. She had hoped Jack wouldn't draw attention to it again, she
was wrong.
"Now we are here, why don't you tell about
your Fabrizio and his fiancée?" Rose tried to change the subject.
Jack wasn't very at ease. The notion was gnawing
way at him. He tried to relax and to tell Rose all about his best friend.
"Maria is really nice. Typical Italian girl,
all dark hair and eyes. We went into her Dad's bakery one day and that was it.
Love at first site. I couldn't believe it."
"So you don't believe in love at first sight
then Jack?"
I do now, thought Jack.
"No it's not that. I just never figured
Fabri would fall in love so easy. There had been other girls but nothing serious
then wham. Wherever we go, Maria comes too. To the Nickelodeon, to the pier,
everywhere! Mind you, it got us cheap food. Her mom is really nice. Loves to
cook. Treated us like the family. Then it was time to move on. So I said to
Fabri, if you want to stay here, that's fine. I'll go on alone. I didn't want
to stay in New York you see. So Maria's father gave him a job at the bakery
and a roof over his head. I kinda think the Italians stick together." Jack
laughed.
The waitress brought over the sandwiches and
tea. Rose, without thinking, removed her gloves. Jack felt sick to his stomach
and almost jumped up when he saw Roses arm.
"Jesus Rose! Did he do that to you too?"
Rose went red with embarrassment. But it was
too late. Jack had seen her arm and there was nothing she could do to hide it
now. She said nothing but looked down.
Jack gently took her arm and brought it closer
for him to see.
"Rose", he said gently. "Why did
he do this? Because someone saw you out in the park?"
Rose looked at Jack with her eyes wet with tears.
"Leave it Jack, please." She pleaded.
"I can't Rose. I'm your friend. I can't
believe he did this to you. I can't" Jack shook his head in disbelief.
It was like a nightmare. Not only was the girl he only just come to love married,
but married to man who raised his hand to her.
"You don't understand." Rose pleaded
again.
Jack was still holding her arm and shaking his
head. He felt so angry yet so sad at the same time.
"Too right I don't understand. How someone
who promised to look after you and love you could ever, ever do that. My Ma
and Pa taught me always, never lay a hand on a lady. Don't they teach the same
to gentlemen?"
"I disobeyed Cal." Rose said weakly.
"You aren't a child or some dog, Rose. You
are a grown woman and there is no excuse, ever for doing that to you. Can't
you go to the police?"
"And tell them what exactly? " Rose
laughed bitterly. "Jack, no policeman in the world would arrest Caledon
Hockley for taking his wife into hand."
Jack slipped his hand into Rose's. He could see
the pain in her eyes now. The touch of his hand reminded Rose of how she clung
onto the vision of Jack that night she so nearly took her own life.
"Jack, please. You really must leave it.
It is my problem, my life." She pulled her hand away. "I must also
remind you that." She paused for breath, trying to control her emotions
that were screaming at her inside. "that I am another man's wife."
"A man that doesn't deserve you." Jack
hadn't meant to blurt this out.
Rose looked at him still with pain in her eyes,
but a different pain. It wasn't the physical or the mental pain that hurt now.
It was the realization that not all men were like Cal, but it was too late to
do anything about it.
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