Unsinkable

April 11th

Nelly flings the curtains open to let in the bustle of the awakening city. I've been up reading for around an hour, but only now with the curtains letting in the natural light do I care to get moving. The clock reads 7:18. In a few hours we'll be on our way to America. That idea of finally leaving sends a flurry of butterflies through my stomach. Shutting my book and putting it to the side I collect my hair over one shoulder and disembark. The floor is much colder than the comfort of my bed, as my bare toes touch the wood a shiver extends itself through me. Luckily Nelly has come over with my robe. I smile up at her as I pull it over my shoulders and sweep my unruly hair back over my back.

Nelly moves around to the fire and stokes it so the embers turn into small flames. I slip my feet into my slippers near my side table and move to the fire. Nelly sets a small tray of biscuits beside me, and then pours me a cup of tea. "Nelly would you join me?" The usual reluctance from her, is replaced with a smile. She takes a seat on the other cushioned chair as I pour her a cup of tea. 

There had been these rare moments between us before. They occurred during times of uncertainty for the two of us. When my mother died, when my father left along with her husband and son, we confided in each other. She is nearly 15  years older than I and we may live in different social classes, but we can most certainly find it in ourselves to put that aside and relax for a few moments. We sit in silence just munching on the interesting pastries. I'm quite comfortable at the moment with the fire, the food, my book laying face down to the page I was reading. Nelly giggles to my left. "What?" I ask smiling now.

"It's nothing Miss. I just never would've thought I'd be here."

"That makes two of us." I answer back. "America, back with our families." I turn to her putting my cup of tea down. "Have you heard from Teddy recently." She smiles and pulls a telegram from her dress pocket. I almost snatch it from her hand out of joy for her. It's dated yesterday. It's a quick message talking about how life is in the States as well as the excitement going along with it. 

"He's all settled, has job on the railroad in Omaha, Nebraska. He's coming out to meet me as well." I've never seen her smiling brighter. "And the fact that I'll be on such a grand ship... It is everything to me." 

"I'm so happy for you. You've been so good to me for the past ten years..." 

"There's no need for thank you's and goodbye's quite yet." I smile and nod as she puts her hands on her hips, like she always does. "But we should be getting ready to disembark." She says turning back to her chore. I nod and then stand shaking the crumbs from my robe to the floor.

"I suppose I should get dressed first." Suddenly overwhelmed by everything needing to be done, I move behind my changing board to where one dress remains. I toss the robe and the nightgown over the top where Nelly takes them, to pack up. It's my newest dress that is hanging waiting to be worn. This first day will be the most important when it comes to dress and behavior. 

Standing in nothing but my undergarments and stockings I stare at the pretty pink lace and the lovely lavender fabric that overlays with it. I smile as I pull it over my head seeing that it will touch the ground so that I can wear my comfortable shoes. I step away from the board and usher Nelly over. I pull my braid over my shoulder letting her clasp all the buttons and tie the middle sash. Turning me around she praises the gown and pulls the creases out of the mid length sleeves. 

With my shoes on and almost everything packed I move over to the vanity and pull on the ribbon holding my hair in place. I shake my hair free and let it fall over my shoulders. I reach for my brush and begin the strenuous task of smoothing my unruly hair. "I forgot to put my hot rags in again." I say as Nelly gets tired of watching the struggle.