The Aftermath

Chapter 3

April 11th 1912 at 7:45 pm

I'll admit I was nervous about meeting Bridget again.  I know she had said to be there at eight, but I had about four hours of free time, until I had to resume my duty.  I was pacing up and down the hallway.  What was it about Bridget that had me in a nervous frenzy?   Even as I thought the question, I couldn't think up the answer.

The time apparently escaped me because the clock chimed in the middle of my thinking.  I looked up at the door to the dining room.  I saw her standing there, in the open doorway, searching for me. I strode towards her.  As I came closer, I noticed a difference in her appearance.  A red handprint marked the side of her face.  I clenched my fists.  I should have never left her with that man.

Bridget saw me staring and brought her hair that was now in a braid-type thing over her shoulder to cover her face.

"Did he hit you?"

She looked up at me, and her gaze was so sorrowful.

"Let's not talk about that right now.  Besides, you owe me a walk."

I shrugged, and gave her my arm.

We went up the side stairs and ended up on the bridge deck.  I turned my head to her,

"What would you like to talk about?"

Her eyebrows creased together as she gazed ahead.  She then turned to me with the same playful expression on her face when I had showed her the library.

"How did you become drawn to the sea?"

I thought for a moment.

"I was drawn to the sea because we have conquered the air now with the Yanks and their planes, but we haven't yet discovered what lies under the water."

"Mmmm....that is an interesting answer.  Your turn."

"All right then.  What are you going to do when we get to New York?"

"We are going to visit my mother's family.  Then we will probably come back.  My turn."

"What is that you want to do right this moment if you could do anything in the world?"

I stopped walking.  If I could do anything, I would kiss her.  This was a lucky opportunity, but would it be in vain?  Bridget was looking at me expecting my answer.

"Uhh...if I could do anything, I would like to kiss you."

Her eyes widened, and I was beginning to start to doubt my bold answer.  Nothing, however, prepared me for her answer.

"I think I would like you to kiss me, James."

Not hesitating, I leaned in with one hand around her waist, and the other holding her face.  It was sweet. We both broke away after a minute to catch our breaths.  She was smiling, which automatically made me grin too.  The rest of the walk was spent on the question game, and I found out things about Bridget that made me like her all the more.

Bridget had a talent for baking; she had learned all the recipes from her grandmother.  She wanted to get an education; so she could sign her name and read the books that her father had left her.  Her favorite color was red, like a rose which was her favorite flower which she grew in the garden in the countryside.  But the thing I liked most about her was that Bridget was a fighter.  I had asked if she was alright, and this time she didn't change the subject.

"I'm fine.  It is just a mark, it'll fade in time.  Plus, I had my revenge."

"What revenge?"

"Whenever he decides that I have done something wrong and punishes me, I take some money away from him."

I glanced at her skeptically.  If she got caught, I was sure that the punishment wouldn't be worth it.

"He never catches me.  If he isn't drunk, he is asleep, or he's arguing with my sister."

"That sounds like a happy marriage."

She laughed.

"The only good thing to come out of that is my nephew.  Although he cries a lot."

I grinned and noticed my watch around my wrist.  It was 9:30!  Apparently Bridget noticed that my face had become crestfallen.

"What is wrong James?"

"I have to go on duty now."

Her face fell immediately.

"But I am going to walk you to your cabin."

After I lead Bridget to her cabin, I went and reported for duty.  My job now was to help the other officers with manning the controls in the Wheelhouse.  I wasn't reprimanded for being two minutes late.  The same officer who had seen me walking with Bridget yesterday, just winked at me.  Four hours passed then I finally was allowed to get a bit of sleep.