The Aftermath

Chapter 1

April 10th 1912

It started when they were boarding.  I was patrolling the top deck making sure that it was sparkling clean for the passengers after they got situated in their rooms.  I was leaning over the side of the boat surveying the passengers when I saw her.  She had brown hair, that went down the back of her blue dress.  I could tell she was a 2nd class passenger, from how far down she was when she walked up the plank.

"You could see that far down?"

"Yes. You had to have sharp eyes, if you want to stop trouble before it starts.  So I practiced, by focusing on faraway objects."

 I was lucky to see her.  She glanced up, taking in how big the ship was, I guess.  All of a sudden she shouts, "Hello up there!"  I looked to my left and seeing no one, I smiled.  She had noticed me too.  Since no one was around, I shouted back.

"Welcome to the Ship of Dreams!"

The people who heard me cheered.  Unfortunately, so did my commanding officer.  I was reprimanded, and all thoughts of the pretty girl were eliminated from my mind.  Especially when we almost crashed into the little boat pulling out of the harbor.

Later on I found myself on the bridge deck, patrolling, making sure that no one was causing a ruckus, when I saw her sitting alone.

"Are you alright Miss?"

She looked up at me with a giant smile.  In that moment, everything else disappeared.  I couldn't care about anything but her, and wanting to get to know her without seeming to be so forward.

"I am perfectly alright.  Aren't you the man I saw while boarding?"

I blushed, realizing that she did remember.

"Yes."

"I hope I didn't manage to cause you any trouble."

I grinned.  I didn't care what trouble I got myself into as long as I could the smile still on her face.

"No, Miss."

She bit her lip, like she was debating whether or not to tell me something.

"It's Bridget Bradley, actually."

"It's nice to make your acquaintance Miss Bradley."

We stood there for a moment.  I didn't know what to say to her.  Once again she showed better conversation skills than me.

"I have heard that there is a beautiful staircase, a library, and a French cafe on board..."

I nodded.

"But I have no idea of where they are located."

I realized where she was going with her statements.

"May I escort you around the ship?  I assure you that there are more beautiful sights to see than just that."

Bridget nodded, and I gave her my arm.  I felt like the luckiest man alive.

*****

We walked to the grand staircase first.  Bridget let out an excited squeal when we walked through the doors to descend down the Grand staircase.  I grinned when she glanced at me, with her eyes all glazed over with wonder.  We were walking all happily that I almost did not see my commanding officer.  He unfortunately saw me.

"Officer Andersen.  Shouldn't you be patrolling the promenade deck on the starboard side?"

I gulped.  Not the best thing to have happen in front of Bridget.

"Aye sir.  But I had to escort this lady around the ship.  She wanted to see all the modern accommodations that the ship has."

I sincerely hoped that I would not have to go back to the promenade deck, this would probably be my only chance to impress her.  Surprisingly he did not reprimand me.

"Carry on then, Officer.  Miss."

He tipped his hat and continued on.  Involuntarily, I released a breath of air.  Bridget looked up at me and laughed.  I shook my head at her as we moved down the staircase.  The rest of the trip to the library was easy.  I released her arm from mine, and opened the doors to the library.  Then I turned back and motioned for her to follow.  She did, and the cry she let out was one in utter amazement.  Immediately she went to the middle of the room and twirled around taking in the scene.

"I always wanted to see this many books.  I never imagined that there could be this many in one place."

She strode over to one of the shelves.

"What book do you have?"

Instead of answering me, she just set it back on the shelf.  Her face had dropped from it's happy composition to a more downcast appearance.  I rushed over to her, thinking that something was seriously wrong.

"What's the matter?"

She gazed up at me, her eyes now sad, and glistening with unshed tears.

"I can't read.  My father wanted to teach me when I was little but he caught tuberculosis and passed on."

I knew it was impulsive, and hopefully wouldn't give her the wrong idea; but she needed to be comforted so I gave her a hug.

Bridget gave in, and hugged me back tightly.  Very softly, I heard her crying.

"What is going on in here?"

In a flash I broke away from her.  We now had a lot of space between each other.   It was another officer, a friend of mine though, so I had a better chance of not being yelled at.  Ignoring him, I turned back to Bridget who was hastily drying her eyes.  Some girls can cry and look all red, but with her it was just sorrowful looking.

"Would you like me to escort you to your cabin?"

"No, I think I can manage.  Thank you for showing me the library."

I had to think of something fast.  She was going to slip through my fingers if I didn't make an opportunity to see her again.

"I never did get to show you the rest of the sights.  Maybe I'll receive another chance?"

Much to my delight, she smiled.

"I would very much like that."

With that being said, she walked out of the room.  Now, my friend decided to interrogate me.

"What was that about?  Officers aren't supposed to fraternize with the passengers!"

"I saw the C.O. and he didn't reprimand me at all," I retorted quickly.

His eyes widened.  I ran my hands down the back of my neck nervously, awaiting his reply.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!  You fancy her, don't you?  Making up the old excuse to show her around the 'ol boat now aren't ya?"

"It's not like that."

He laughed teasingly.

"Oh, isn't it?"

"Knock it off Sam.  Fine I do like her.  What've you gotta say about it?"

"Nothing," He was grinning pretty big now,"except possibly tease you every chance I get."

He leaped out of my reach, just as I lunged for him.  Laughing the both of us, walked out to resume our duties for the rest of the ship.