Falling Rose Petals

Chapter 3: Birthday Wishes

Fun Fact #4: Unsinkable Ship?

Though Titanic was branded well, being called "unsinkable" and the "ship of dreams," that still didn't make up for its lack of lifeboats. However, the White Star Line supplied more than the minimum number of lifeboats needed by law. There were sixteen lifeboats with four collapsibles, enough for one-third of the passengers aboard. It wasn't until after the sinking that codes were changed, and now there has to be enough lifeboats for every passenger on the ship. Also taking in the fact that the ship was made of iron and held together by three million rivets, certainly not strong enough to withstand a collision, the so-called "water-tight" bulkheads only reached up to E deck, allowing water to spill over like it was a giant cup and into the next one. The Titanic could only stay afloat with three, even four, of the bulkheads full, but the iceberg had filled five. Even on her way out of Southampton, the Titanic almost collided with the New York, causing quite a spectacle on deck.

Chapter 3

Birthday Wishes

She found herself breathing heavily, her tears smearing her makeup. Before she knew it, she was in a frenzy again, tearing the dress apart. White cloth went everywhere, and she then knew what to do. Taking off her high-heeled shoes, she opened the door and ran.

For as long as I could remember, Jack has always told me everything. Never before has he ever hesitated to tell me something that’s on his mind. Why was it so different now?

Since I was six, the hardest part about being friends with Jack was our age difference – he was three years older than me. I remember a romance novel I read once, where a lonely woman of society fell in love with the older – and uninterested – stableman. It was written by one of those liberal woman who are shocking the globe; now that I think back on it, it was a surprise that I wasn’t caught reading it by my conservative mother.

I always thought a relationship with Jack would be something like that: My young woman naivity mixing in with my loneliness, throwing myself at an older man who was obviously uninterested in a relationship. How else could I describe it?

I scuffed my toe on the pavement, the pebble I was aiming at scuttling across the road as I entered the more reputable part of town. I shoved my hands deep in the pockets of my dress. I guess the reason why Jack and I became such close friends was because of our seclusion.

I got home that day soaked to the bone and covered in sand. I closed the door behind my as quietly as I could, then tiptoed across the plush carpet. I tried my best not to drip ocean water over the floor, but I was caught halfway across the hall by my mother.

Ruth DeWitt Bukater was very strict, as I have mentioned. She never liked the idea of children having fun. That's why I was scared of her expression when she saw my dress, dripping water all over the carpet, my feet tracking sand as well.

Mother sighed. "Rose, where have you been?"

I gulped. I couldn't lie, but I had to. For Jack's sake. I closed my eyes and hoped my acting skills would make it look as though I was tired. Taking a deep breath, I said, "I was so excited for my birthday festivities, that I thought I needed some fresh air, and decided to go to the beach and celebrate."

Mother glared at me. I knew she didn't believe me. I gave her a weak smile to convince her. She just shook her head, took my arm, and lectured me all the way up the stairs about how swimming in the ocean and playing on the beach was something a lady shouldn't do.

"But, Mother--"

"No buts! You will be staying in this room until tomorrow evening, when we have somewhere to go and get ready for. You understand, Rose? No sneaking out!"