Unsinkable

April 10th

I enthusiastically throw open the door to my suite in the crown jewel of Queenstown Ireland. My father has spared no expense in having me join him overseas. Stepping inside I glance around the room until my eyes come to rest on the French doors that lead to a beautiful balcony. I drop my bag to the carpeted floor and rush to the large doors. I open them and let the salty air hit my nose. As I step outside into the sun my friend and stewardess, Nelly, enters the room with the rest of the luggage. "And where would you like these ma'am?" She asks standing in the door frame scared to enter the room.

Looking back from the beautiful view of the harbor I answer, "You can leave them there Nelly. I'm quite capable of holding onto them until tomorrow." A flurry of butterflies enter my stomach as I think about tomorrow. I will finally be off to America to meet my father. I smile at Nelly thinking of her own upcoming reunion with her husband and son. 

"Is that all ma'am?" She asks clasping her hands in front of her.

"Yes. You'll fetch me when it is time for dinner?" I ask turning back to my slight view of the ocean between the buildings beyond.

"Yes ma'am." She replies with her thick French accent. As a flock of seagulls fly over head the door shuts with Nelly's leaving. As much as I would love for her to stay, she's insisted on paying for her part of the voyage entirely on her own. I sigh as I look out to the waves hitting a beach a block down. I wouldn't be the woman I am today without her. She practically raised me.

The breeze becomes fiercer now, blowing my curls over my shoulders, so I find it time to take refuge in my room. Stepping back inside I close the doors and admire my room. It's absolutely gorgeous. Me, Bridget O'Neil, in her own room at the Cromwell Hotel and on the top floor no less. Twirling once my thoughts go to my father. I don't want to rush this experience but I am so ready to be back with him and to be in America. The land of opportunity as they say. My father went over five years ago, just after mother passed on. I run my finger across the wooden mantle as my mother's face graces my thoughts. Father knew he could do better there, and he did. He ran into an old friend by the name of Sean Walsh. Mr. Walsh had also immigrated from our hometown in Ireland and had already bought the building. My father invested what little he had and together they started a very successful candy company in the heart of New York City. They'd been working to bring me and the Walsh family over ever since and now that time has come.

I cross the room running my hand against the beautiful wood work of the bed posts until I get to my trunks on the floor. I kneel down and carefully open the smallest one that is full of my books and trinkets from my flat in Galway. These three trunks are all that's left of my belongings. I pick my fragile copy of The Wizard Of Oz from the pile and flip to the my bookmark. Nothing like my favorite book to calm down my nerves. Tomorrow is all new to me. I will be alone on the most luxurious ship on the Atlantic. Of course I will be in second class, but I will not have my faithful Nelly to oversee me. She will be sailing in one of the nicer cabins in third class. Of course this is daunting, but I'm told I will have a steward or stewardess to help me if need be and there's nothing wrong with a little independence.

Just as I ease myself into my chair and find my place in chapter 6 a knock comes from my door. I place the book aside and shuffle to the door quickly. I open it a sliver to a smiling woman standing in front of me. Beside her is Nelly and another maid. Poor Nelly, back so soon. "Ms. O'Neil?" The older woman steps forward. I open the door wider so I won't be considered rude. "I'm Sara Walsh." The silver haired woman answers. Immediately I put the name to the face and curtsy. I had not had the opportunity to see her or her family in many years. In fact the memory of her and her family is a distant one.

"Bridget." I stammer. "Bridget O'Neil." I say with a curt nod. "Lovely to make your acquaintance again. Please come in." I step to the side and offer my room to her.