The Aftermath

Chapter 9

April 16th 

"That is it, then?" 

The reporter set down his pen and notebook on the table next to his chair.  The officer in front of him was nodding, his head in his hands.  

"You never found out what happened to your Bridget?"

"No."

"Did you try looking?"

The officer brought his head out of his hands.  His face was one of agony.  

"Yes."

He was in no mood to be messed with.  He had lost everything, and had spent the last several hours reliving it to this reporter.  Suddenly the reporter bent down in front of him.  

"Why don't I help you look, in exchange for you telling me your tale?"

James nodded.  It was worth a shot.

*****

Both men were on the upper decks of the Carpathia, checking with one of the Carpathia's officers to see the survivor list.  The man was being difficult because he knew the man helping James was a reporter.

"Please sir, you got to help us.  This man here,"

The reporter gestured to James.

"is just looking for someone on that list.  He just wants to find one person.  One person."

"And you are looking for a story.  I can't let you take advantage of the list.  He can look at it, but not you."

James stepped forward to look at the list.  His eyes scanned very quickly, but he didn't see Bridget's name.

"Do you have a Bridget Bradley, from Second Class on the list?"

The man reached for the list and after two minutes shook his head.

"No.  All I got is a Bridget Anderson."

'Could it be?' James thought excitedly.

"What room is she staying in?"

"Room 35, deck B.  But I thought you were looking for a Bridget Brad.."

When the Carpathian officer turned away from the list, the two men were gone.

*****

James was pounding on the door.   That reporter was right behind him, acting as anxious as he was.  He had the right room, only would it be her?  God please let it be her.  If it is, I'll never ask for anything again.  The door opened a crack, revealing a woman well older than Bridget.  Nervously James stepped closer to the woman.

"May I speak to Bridget Anderson?"

He waited to see.  The woman shrugged and let him in.  Inside the room was a little boy sleeping in a younger woman's arms.  She was staring out the window, wrapped in a blanket that said RMS Titanic.  Her gaze came to James' and she let out a loud gasp.  

"James!  I thought you went down with the ship!"

James wasted no time rushing over to her and kissing her.  They broke apart, and hugged each other tightly.  After they broke apart from the hug, James leaned back to look at her.

"I thought you were dead too.  I'm sorry for what I said about your family."

"I forgive you, but you were right.  My brother-in-law realized I stole his money when the Titanic hit the iceberg.  I grabbed Jack and ran."

"I'm just glad that you are alright."

James then gave a small frown.

"Why did you give the officer my last name?"

"I wanted to never be able to forget you."

He looked at her with a giant smile.

"I'll never let you forget me because I am never going to leave you again."

They both reached in for another kiss.  The reporter was smiling in the background, at the happy scene in front of him.  At least on happy ending came out of this great tragedy.