True Love Never Sinks

A New Life Begins

I look up to the ship in awe. I have never seen something so large before – something that was man-made. A warm feeling of happiness overcomes me, the time has come.

The ship everyone is talking about is right in front of me. A majestic work of art, black in colour. Around me, I see and hear people from all over the globe say farewell to their families. There's probably no place on earth right now with more genuine hugs and kisses.

"Mary!", a voice shouts from the near distance. I turn around and see my mother in the crowd. Her face lights up with a sad smile. She opens her arms and I run into her warm embrace and hold her tight.

"I will miss you!", she sighs and I look into her watery, icy blue eyes. The wind blows her curly reddish hair into every direction.
"I love you", I stammer. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I will work hard."
She's the sole reason why I am here today, she worked hard, so I can go to America and start a better life. I will work hard and give her a better life as well.

My mother smiles at me, wrinkles appear on her eyes. "Now, go on, before they leave without you!"

A smile overcomes me as I walk backwards, I wave at her until I can't see her anymore and she disappears in the crowd and I turn around to face the wonder in front of me. There's no end in sight, just a huge ship occupying the whole space here in Southampton.

The port is full of people, people who are excited, sad, everything. On my right I can see First Class Passengers. They look beautiful, the colours of their dresses are very vibrant, something that I can only dream to wear. I can see workers bringing in their luggage, it looks like they're going to move in onto Titanic. I clench my fist in which I am holding my only bag. All my important belongings fit into this. What's it like to own so much? The American Dream is hopefully going to show me.

I walk up to one of the many entrances this ship has. A man waits to see the passengers tickets as well as other men in front of him wait to inspect me for lice and they immediately get going.

"I'm Irish and clean, I promise", I chuckle while the men roll their eyes and let me go with a piece of paper which confirms that the inspection took place.

I walk towards the uniformed man who waits to see my ticket. My mother saved up so she could get me aboard a ship to America, but not any ship. She saved up for Titanic.

"Ticket, please.", the man says roughly but with a friendly smile. He takes a careful look at it and then lets me through. Everything feels like a dream once I step through the heavy iron door into the wooden interior. A couple sits by the entrance with another steward discussing their tickets.

Joy overcomes me as I walk up the ship to say Good-bye to everyone in Southampton. I squeeze myself through a mass of people and hold the rail with my right hand and wave with my left hand. There are too many people down at the port to actually see my mother, but I am certain that she can see me.

"GOOD-BYE EVERYONE, GOOD-BYE, MUM" I scream at the top of my lungs as the ship departs. "I WILL MAKE YOU PROUD!" My body feels ecstatic and I can see the ship removing itself from the harbour as she gets moving. People around me scream to the crowd waiting for the ship to leave.

Later I am on the way to my cabin. My ticket says that I'm going to spend the entire trip in F53. The enthusiasm and the euphoria in me could power this ship on its own. As I finally found my cabin, a graceful woman walks past me on her way to the cabin next to mine. Her curly brown hair in a loose braid moves over her shoulder as she looks back to me. My heart starts to beat faster and I get nervous and I anxiously look away and try to get ahold of the cabin's doorknob with my sweaty hands and quickly get into it.

Three more women are in my cabin, I seem to be the last one to arrive. I greet everyone and sit down on the vacant bed.
Who was this woman and why did she make me so nervous? I think to myself. My bag is on the red carpened floor, the women leave to explore the ship. They seem to know each other while I am alone here. I should go explore the ship too. The woman with the curly brown hair. Why doesn't she leave my mind? She wore a beautiful light blue dress, which is way out of place in this class. Where did she get it from?

All my belongings fit into my bag, I've got two different outfits with me, one that I currently wear. A white blouse with a long, covering brown skirt. I open my bun and let loose my strawberry blonde curly hair. My mother has the same type of hair, it runs in the family.

I stow all my important stuff under the mattress and kick my bag under the bed and get going. A whole ship waits to be explored. And hopefully I'll see her again! I try to abandon the thought but it's impossible.

I look around. The cabin has two bunk beds with pillows and blankets, however, no sheets or pillow cases. Four beds in total and a sink with a mirror separates the beds in the middle of the room. Running water! We don't have that at home. I look over to the bed. I brought sheets from home with me but I'm going to do that chore later.

My hand slowly turns the cold golden doorknob and opens the door a tiny bit. I take a quick look outside. People are still looking for their cabins. A foreign looking family with a dictionary seem to translate the signs around here. No sight of the mysterious woman from earlier.

The door squeaks quietly as I step outside, ready to explore the ship.