The Titanic: A New Life

Chapter 14

We waited for the ship to reach a port as we were directed on what to do and what not to do. We were also told that we would be reaching the nearest town in about an hour on April fifteenth, 8:30 A.M.
How did I know what time it was? The cruel captain announced it to everyone there about three times until he was sure we got the point, which we did the first time he screamed what the hour was. If that didn't insult our intelligence, I don't know what did.
But I seemed to be the only one on the 'safe haven' that cared. There was nothing I hated more than someone insulting me or anyone I cared about.
While we were on that ark, we had to find things to do to keep us occupied. I told Jillian and my children stories to pass the time.
"...and the girl found her voice when she found hope in her heart. The end," I finished, done with the third story I had told and out of breath.
The children clapped. Not just mine, but other children whose parents survived and decided to listen to my story.
"That's my momma!" Hazel cried, full of pride as she sat on my lap. She was having me braid her curls, tying it off with a ribbon Jillian had loaned me.
"You really have a gift for storytelling," Jillian praised me. I smiled and thanked her, turning to her as my Hazel squealed happily.
"All done, Hazel," I told her happily. She didn't stand up, but instead leaned back so she could be closer to me.
The captain let us know we had arrived and we would be dropped off at the port.
I stood and realized I had only ten dollars in my pocket, with no career to support the children that had attached to me so quickly. I felt like if I hadn't been there when no one else was, and saved them from the ocean that would have surely destroyed them, they wouldn't want me like they did. Now they didn't just want me. They needed me.
I had hoped to avoid the problem entirely by helping them find their real families. It sent that I didn't love them, it was just I wanted them to have a brighter future than they would with me. But that was no longer an option.
I panicked as I tried to think of some way out of the desperate situation.
"I live here," Jillian filled in casually. "If you ever need me, let me know."
She was always so kind to me, even when helping us got her kicked off of a boat... we could have been stuck in that water and left for dead like Emily's grandmother.
She handed me a slip of paper with her address on it that I knew I would never lose.
"Come on, kids," I ushered them, pushing them slightly away from me. I was hoping they would get the message that they would have a better chance away from me. "Let's go."
"Please don't make us leave you, mommy!" Emily wailed brokenly. "I don't wanna!"
I turned to each of them and saw that they really did want me to stay. It was written so clearly on their faces.
"Do you really want me to stay, even if the conditions aren't the best?" I asked wearily, torn between giving them the best chance and keeping them... or could I do both?
"Momma!" Hazel cried again, reaching for me with concerned eyes, as if I were leaving her. I took that as a yes. Hazel waddled up to my leg and hugged it tightly. I lifted her up into my arms, much to her delight. I turned to the boy child before me next.
"Peter?" I queried, hope rising in me with each passing second.
"I call you mommy, don't I?" he laughed, hurrying over to stand beside me and take my hand.
"And I'm not going anywhere," Emily confirmed joyfully, coming to take my other side. And that was that. I knew I had to stay. Those children were my responsibility now. And they always would be.