The Aftermath

Chapter 5

April 14th 1912

That morning started out like any other.  I did my normal duties, with the only change being that when I checked the Post Mail Room there were warnings for ice.  I gave each and every one to the officer I reported to in the Wheelhouse.  After manning the Wheelhouse, I was given to patrol all First and Second Class decks.  Most of the whole day was uneventful after being in the wheelhouse.  Just as I was coming onto the promenade deck, I happened to witness a commotion.  It was Bridget's brother-in-law.  He was arguing with another passenger who appeared to be in First class.  I walked over and listened to the story.  When both men had told their tale, I took the brother-in-law while saying how sorry I was to the man from First class about the disturbance to his morning.

Then I escorted him, to his cabin and pounded on the door.  Instead of Bridget opening the door, it was an older woman with a sour expression.

"What do ya want?"

"I think this belongs to you."

I thrust him forward into the room.  The woman tried to push him inside and shut the door, but he was too strong for her to handle.

"I told ya to not'a mess with me.  I'd knock your blinkin' lights out.  Next time I sees ya, I's kills ya."

I ignored the man to address his wife.

"Keep him in this cabin.  He has caused enough trouble among other passengers."

"I'll try, but I'm only a woman sir."

The tone in her voice suggested that she didn't care what I said, that she would not stop him.

"Please try your best ma'am.  I wouldn't have to inform my superiors."

The subtle threat was received because the door was promptly shut in my face.  I went back to the First and Second class decks and resumed my post with little action afterward.

April 14th 1912  About 5:00 PM

About five o'clock, Bridget stormed up to me on the B Deck.  I never had seen her upset.  Her eyes that were normally cheerful were blazing brighter than a fire, if not for the difference in color.

"How DARE you threaten my family!  You had NO right to do that!"

"You would do well to hold your tongue ma'am," I said slipping into full officer mode. "this is no place to shout."

"What do you suggest, officer?"

I motioned to an empty room to my left.  I held open the door and she pushed past me.

"Now, what is it that you are ranting about?"

"What am I ranting about?  You threatened to report my sister and brother-in-law!  They are my family!"

This confused me.  Would a real family beat one of their own?

"They aren't your family.  A family is people who care about you.  Not make your life a living hell.  A family doesn't punish it's members by beating them to the point of almost killing them.  They may be related to you, but they aren't your family."

When I finished my revelation on her relatives, I regretted everything I had said.  Bridget was standing before me with tears in her eyes.  The blazing fire wasn't there.  All there was in them was sorrow.  The same expression when she talked about her father in the library.  She rushed out of the room, now sobbing loudly.  The next few minutes were ones that I would regret.  I stood there for a second to slow, and then rushed out of the room.  I had to tell her I was sorry.  I didn't mean to upset her.  I just wanted to explain my view.  Unfortunately I had to botch everything that I was trying to say.  I looked all over the boat.  I walked up and down the promenade deck.  I checked in the Third class dining room but anybody who spoke English said they hadn't seen her.  The last place I checked was her cabin.  I pounded on the door.  It opened a crack.  The same woman was in the doorway.

"Have ya come to yell at me again?"

"Where is Bridget?"

I ignored her question.  Right now, all that mattered was me getting to apologize to her.  I wouldn't care if she never wanted to speak to me again, but I had to try to fix things.

"She ain't here.  Haven't seen her since I told her about you threatenin' us."

I groaned.  I turned and walked away.  I could hear the woman muttering behind me.  Not once did I turn and stare back at her.

Sam found me staring at the water half an hour later.  He found me at the stern of the boat.  The water looked peaceful.  Not choppy-like, but peaceful enough to seem like that human troubles were not worth anything.

"What's the matter?"

"Go away."

"I can't.  My best friend is having trouble, and I intend to find our what it is."

I remained silent.  Silence sometimes can make a person leave you alone, but with Sam it just meant he had to try harder at getting what he wanted.

"You're havin' trouble with that girl aren't you?"

This annoyed me.  I was being transparent with my emotions.

"So what if I am?"

"Then you should go after her.  If she makes you feel this bad about yourself, then she must mean a lot to you.  Never let something that important get away."

My eyes peered into his.  Someone who to my knowledge, who had never had a girl, seemed to be very educated in the subject.

"I screwed up big time.  Her brother-in-law, the one I got into a fight with before, started a ruckus with another passenger.  I stopped it and escorted him to his cabin.  You know; all the regulation stuff.  I informed his wife that she would have to keep him in his cabin.  She told me that she would attempt to stop him.  I told her that she should try otherwise I would have to inform my superior officer.  The woman told Bridget, and we fought.  I said some things that I regret and I can't find her to apologize."

We both stared at the water.  Minutes passed.  I wondered if he thought that I was a horrible person because, I certainly deserved the title.

"Well, all I got to say is to wait till tomorrow.  Everything goes better after it's been slept upon."

With his arm draped on my shoulder, we walked down to the Officer's quarters to grab some dinner before heading off to the Wheelhouse.