The Unsinkable Disaster-Chapter Two

Chapter Two

The Titanic was the biggest and best ship I had ever seen. The paint was an onyx black that shone. It glided across the water as smoothly as a swan. Smokestacks bellowed smoke into the evening sky. I smelled the rich smell of the smoke, thick, and reminding me of the fires we used to have in the hearth at home. I marveled at the ship’s height and length. How could a ship so big stay floating in the water?

I could only guess. Charles put a hand on my shoulder. Unable to keep my eyes off the ship, I blindly grabbed for it. I clasped his hand, and there we stood, in the setting sun, watching the place that we would be inhabiting shortly.

We had paid the fee for someone to take our belongings to our room. I had no worries, for our luggage was tagged with our names and where the trunks are to be taken.

Groups and families had gathered by the ocean’s edge, as entranced as I. Farther down the line, I saw the top hat that distinguished Anna’s father from the rest. She must be close by, then.

“What are you thinking about?” Charles’ voice broke my thoughts.

“The Titanic, of course!” I answered, not entirely truthful. The Titanic and Anna. But that small detail was of no matter. I turned my attention back to the mighty vessel.

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The stewards greeted us happily. Helpful voices rose into the air. A stewardess smiled kindly at me as I passed by. To amazed to respond, I continued to gape at the rich luxury the ship held. I didn't care how I looked to the others. Many looked just as I did, mouths open, eyes wide. Even the most elegant and composed of the lot had amazement twinkling in the corners of their eyes.

The last few hours of aches and pains melted away, leaving me just now, completely and wholly immersed in the moment. Voices seemed to fade away around me. I wanted to hold onto the moment of tranquility, but it slipped away, right into the next.

We had been led away from the safety of shore to the wide, mysterious ocean by ferry. I had boarded the Titanic. The wood of the deck was smooth and shiny, unscuffed. An ocean breeze tickled my skin, lifting my hair up. The cool caress felt wonderful on my damp skin. Our tickets having been checked, we gathered by the railing next to many others. It was tight, and crowded, but I fought my way to the front. The view was breathtaking.

The ocean spread out before us, glassy and smooth. Looking down, people on the deck below us waved and smiled at the people on shore. The shore was gorgeous, tall buildings rising up into the sky. The people still on land waved and yelled out well wishes. Even though I knew nobody on the dock, excitement overtook me, and, not wanting to be left out, I waved. I waved wildly, swinging my arm above my head. Free, out on the ocean, I laughed, a sensation of being able to float overtook me. I jumped and waved as hard as I could. I felt as if my smile reached my ears. I had really done it. I was aboard the famous, unsinkable Titanic. Charles joined me at the rail, draping an arm across my shoulders. The weight fit there, like it belonged. With his free hand, he began waving to the crowd. Charles must have been much more excited than I, for his swoops back and forth were more careless. Recklessly, his arm went down to far, slapping a man in the face. He was obviously first class and did not take kindly to being slapped.

The man, now red faced, turned and marched away, but not before giving us a chilling glare. Charles turned my way, his face heated and colored pink. I couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter. My brother's upper lip quivered, and for a moment I thought he would cry, but he did quite the opposite. He joined me in my laughter. We laughed together until our giggles diminished.

Out of breath, Charles said:"Did you see his face?" A sly grin overtook his features. I bit my lip to keep from laughing, and nodded, grinning as well. It was at that moment that our father broke through the crowd, right behind us. He took one look at our faces and shook his head.

"What's happened here?" He demanded to know.

"Nothing!" Charles and I exclaimed at the same time. We smiled up at him, trying to look innocent. Father knew we had done something, but was kind enough to let it go. Instead, he shook his head and mumbled, "Just don't do it around your mother." He melted back into the crowd, going to find Mother. I turned my attention back to the ocean. Something new was happening.

Tugboats had headed out into the ocean, at the front of the vessel. Ropes had been thrown onto Titanic from the tugboats, and the tugboats began to move. They led the Titanic along like a dog on a leash. I watched as we began to move, small tsunamis ramming against the hard exterior of the ship. Even as I watched the ship move, I felt nothing. It felt as if we were still on land, not a rock or sway giving away the truth. Even the most sensitive of stomachs would find no complaint. I noticed that most of the other passengers watched with interest, murmuring to their companions.

I realized that the crowd was starting to thin slightly, and felt it be best that we find our parents before people shrouded them. Tugging on Charles' sleeve, I led him away from the throng moving to where Father had gone. Luckily, the crowd had not yet grown, and we found Mother and Father easily. We grouped together tightly, not wanting to get lost on the stranger ship. Stewards and stewardesses moved through the pack, trying for some order. They approached passengers, directing them to three different groups that were forming. At a glance, my family and I selected our group and joined them.

The third class passengers were a sorry sight. They wore plain clothing and carried all of their belongings with them. Some were bent over with their trunks on their backs. None of them had more than one or two trunks. Most of them were young, obviously off to find a new life in America. The group was quiet, burdened with the weight of their luggage.

First class, in contrast, was much more talkative. None of them burdened with baggage, they talked and laughed freely, loudly, among themselves. They wore clothes of the finest materials and patterns. Both women and men wore clothes that were the height of fashion. Most of them,I infer, are coming back from vacation, or as we are, coming back to America after moving away.

Second class seemed to be a comfortable blend of both classes. We talked, but more timidly than first class. Our clothes were not the finest, but not plain. Most of us carried no baggage, but some held a trunk or two.

I watched as a group of uniformed stewards herded third class passengers down, deep into the belly of the ship. As they disappeared, another four stewards clad in black suits came to our smaller group. Motioning for us to follow, they led the way down into the ship. I gasped at the accommodations. The walls were wooden, but were painted such a neat and sparkling white, they looked like plaster. The walls were unmarked, no child's fingerprints smudging its perfection. I heard others making noises of appreciation behind me.

Even though my boots, I relished in the soft red carpet lining the floor. The ship smelled new, but with a salty ocean tang. Looking back, a steward was struggling to pull golden gates over the steps from which we had descended. He succeeded, closing them with a neat click, pulling a ring of keys from his pocket. He fumbled for one before finding the correct one, and twisted it into the heavy lock. Now, the second class passengers were locked up tight, not to mingle with the other classes. We were to be separated with cages, like animals. But I don't mind. It's a privilege to be on this ship, Titanic, in the first place. Who cares about a silly precaution?

Turning my attention away from the gates, I marveled at the glass lamps that lit the hallway. I couldn't wait to explore the rest of the ship! The stewards have left our group, probably back to their stations around the ship. The other second class passengers were now milling around, yelling and talking. The atmosphere had lightened considerably, people with joyful smiles on their faces. An excited buzz was in the air. Families were together, exploring. I saw children running. It was a sudden, complete, chaos.

Father motioned for me to join the rest of the family. We arranged ourselves in a circle. People ran and walked by, jostling us. It was Father who spoke first.

"I think it would be best if we all explored the ship of our own accord. Therefore, children, you will be able to have free rein of the ship. I expect you to be responsible and respectful." Father said this while staring at us pointedly. Before he could change his mind, I turned on my heel and was propelling away. As I was about to turn the corner, I saw a flash of deep brown dress from my right. Anna! I changed my course to go to the right, looking for my friend.

I found her, and grabbed her hand in my own. She spun, seeing me there. Her eyes lit up, and she smiled, grabbing me in an embrace. We had known each other for but a few hours, and we were already close friends. I squeezed her back, then released her.

"Helen, you scared me!" She giggled as she said this.

"I'm sorry. Where are your parents? Mine are letting me have free rein around the ship to explore," I replied.

"Me too! Do you want to explore together?" She asked me, eyes pleading. "I don't like to be alone on such a big ship."

"Of course! Let's go!" I grabbed her hand, and off we went.

We slipped through the throng easily, both of us being small and thin. I walked quickly through the halls, Anna at my heels. We ended up back at the stairs, but this time, my family was absent. Next to the steps with the gate over it was a second set of stairs, leading down. I motioned for Anna to follow over my shoulder as I walked to the staircase. I slid my hand across the smooth, steel rail as I descended

There was hardly anyone else in the hallway. Grasping Anna's hand, we made our way down. I went slowly so I could marvel at the beauty rising before me. I noticed a plaque on the wall. "C-Deck" it said, in bright gilded letters. The floor above us would be B-Deck.

Completing our trek down the stairs, we were greeted with a set of doors. They were too fancy to be cabin doors, so I reached for the beautiful handle that was attached to the dark wood. I tried to see what lay beyond in the glass, but it was covered by curtains. I grinned at Anna, behind me. We both were curious. I dramatically flung the doors open, arms above my head. I heard Anna giggle lightly at my show.

Before I had a chance to look inside the room, I knew where I was. It was the unmistakable and comforting scent of ink. Ink and fresh paper. A library! Our exploration led us to a library! Anna was excited, but not as excited as I. My burning passion with books was brighter than her's, although she loved books too.

I darted inside, pulling my skirts away from my feet. Anna followed, drifting off to a bookshelf to my left. The library was huge, bigger than any I had ever seen. Circular table and chair sets were placed throughout the room. There were high shelves, filled with delicious new volumes.

Pulling a heavy novel off one of the shelves, I opened it to the middle. The spine of the book made a delectable crack, a telltale sign it was new. I buried my face in the book, inhaling the sharp ink and paper scent. The paper was smooth against my skin. I closed the book and set it gently on one of theta les before plopping into the chair.

I ran my fingers over the book, the cover hard. I rapped it lightly, hearing a tap in return. I couldn't wait any longer. I sprang up from the chair, almost knocking it over. Slipping the book back where I got it, I ran, scanning the shelves. My fingers brushed lightly over the spines and titles, tickling at the adventures that lay beyond. "What should I read first? This one? Or that? No, this one!" I thought, spying three books. I had read the first two already, but the third was new. My elation and excited buzz that started in my stomach had started to spread. I was tingling all over. I remembered that book and weaved around to the rest of the shelves. Anna seemed to be lost in her own book world too. I laughed, earning a glare from two men also in the room.

Finally, I returned back to my selected table, five books in hand. I made a neat row of them, running my hand over each of them. Back and forth, my hand went across the row. I had no idea which to pick first. So, I did my trick I saved for when I picked a new book. I closed my eyes, mixing the books up with my hands. I hovered my hand about an inch over them, searching. I felt my hand rest on top of a volume. Before looking at my selection, I returned the other books to their groups. Each book had about four copies on a shelf.

The book I had selected was Jane Eyre. I had read many of the classic books, but this one had apparently been forgotten. I settled into the chair, warm and snug. I opened the book, flipping past the contents page. I loved how the pages whispered in the air as I flipped. I finally got to the first chapter and had not read but a paragraph when Anna called to me.

"Helen, we can read later! Come, let's explore the rest of the ship!"

"Please, Anna, just this chapter! I won't be long!" I tried to convince her, but she would not listen.

"You are coming with me!" She pointed with an accusing finger at my chest. Knowing she would not relent, I decided to oblige. But the wild urge to read overcame me. I had to have that book.

"Anna, I have to put the book away. I'll be right back." Snatching the book off the table, I made my way to the shelf where I had found it. I couldn't shake my guilt at lying to Anna, however small the lie. But I can't leave that book here, alone, some other person's dirty finger smudging the pages. I was already attached to the story, to attached.

My top that we had played with on the dock was held within a bag. I held the book up to the small purse. It would just fit. I couldn't believe I was doing it as I stuffed the book strategically in my purse. I arranged the cloth to hide the sharp edges of the novel.

"Helen, hurry!" I heard Anna call to me.

"Coming!" I responded. Hurrying as Anna told me, I met her by the still open doors. Book hidden safely away, I followed her lead this time, pushing the guilty feeling down and smothering it.

The reality of what I had done hit me before I could completely smother my feelings. I had stolen. I was a theif. No. I would return it. I pushed it away, suffocating my forbidden feelings until I was sure they died completely.