The Boy Who Never Drowned (#JustWriteIt) #Wattys2015

Chapter Three

Once aboard, there seemed to be a difference in reactions to the Titanic. Different levels of amazement. We were herded like sheep to begin with, all shuffling small steps, slowly getting nearer to the main deck where we would be dispersed depending on our tickets. I clung to mine like it was gold; because it was gold. A golden outline, and swirly caramel letters read '1ST CLASS'. Those who had their first class tickets resting in their palms barely looked at the ship, just in pocket mirrors and at their husbands or wives. They were smiling, laughing, enjoying the day out. The people who had second class tickets squeezed their children's arms in excitement, bubbling energy escaping from them in loud high pitched squeals. The people who had the third class tickets ignored the constant scowling and elbowing, for their eyes were firmly fixed on the Titanic. Studying every edge and crook, every rim and cavity, their faces engraved with a bewildered smile tinted with gratitude, for they should not be there; this was too big an event to be witnessed by the poor. That is what I heard people muttering, my Father included.

"They'll weigh the ship down!" He bellowed. He had attracted some colleagues and friends, making crude jokes to divert questions about his mysterious wife that no one had seen. George was among them, stealing sad glances at my Mother, obviously knowing the secret buried under her make-up. I scanned the crowd, suddenly feeling an empty presence of Victoria, she had gone. I kept a panicked silence, my eyes desperately searching for her waves of black hair that stuck out in crowds because other women always tied their hair up; it was modest. I could never do two things at once, I had to concentrate my entire being on doing one activity, which is why my mind followed my eyes and soon I was lost in the crowd, my body standing solemnly next to Father but my soul exploring the hundreds of people that littered the deck. I caught ends and middles of conversations, some expressing their amazement and faith in the Titanic and some mumbling about life boats and grumbling about the smell on board; the smell of the harbour. Victoria's low, velvety tone was not among the voices I heard which were becoming fainter as my Father pulled me to walk with him. "Felix," his deep delivery grabbed my soul by the ears and pulled be back into present reality. I looked up, studying is defined features. Cheek bones that created a hollowness to the structure, and concealed dimples that would transform his face from that of a troubled man to a warm, loyal friend of trustworthy authority whenever he chose to smile. He was the man that made me think smiling was not involuntary, but a tool used to convey pleasure that would result in others giving you what you want. Father always got what he wanted, as a lawyer his colleges would say to me the cases that he had won with ease. He had tricked them all with his tactical emotions, for I had never experienced much more than mild amusement because I had nothing to give him that he wanted. We walked like cattle, all ushered into various blue hallways that led to various rooms. Along the way we were escorted past two big golden doors that a staircase fell beyond, leading to the entertainment room. All I saw was a stage and a chandelier that sparkled silver light. It was labelled 'FIRST CLASS ONLY' and as always I felt a special privilege. Being a first class citizen it gave me power over adults who were older and supposedly wiser, granting me a unique award for my Father's wealth. I sometimes took this award for granted and adopted judgment for the lowest class that I had seen others hold dear. But sometimes I would see a poor family, dressed in rags in street corners, and I would see the father talking in a hushed tone, and his family would listen intently like he was sharing the secret to the meaning of life. Maybe the secret to the meaning of life was trapped inside that man's mind, but only a humble family to listen.

"Felix," my Father put a heavy hand on my shoulder. "This is yours and Victoria's room. This is mine and your Mother's room. Do not get the two confused. Unpack your things and find your sister, I don't know where the devil she's got to." A hint of concern peppered his voice but he was distracted by Mother's smile. Her perfect white teeth glistening in excitement.