Cora Cartmell before TITANIC

Chapter 3~

The next morning was sunny and hot. Cora took off her jacket and placed it in her lap. She was sticky and hot from sleeping in her clothes. Her hair stuck to her face from her sweat, and the hot tears she cried all night.

After eating a small piece of bread for her breakfast, Cora stood at the corner of the alleyway with her doll, watching for her daddy who was coming back with supper.

There wasn't enough money for lunch, so Cora had to wait until evening for her next meal. Her stomach growled. It felt like a bunch of stones were hitting her from inside, she was so hungry.

Finally, Cora saw her daddy walking down the dirty cobblestone street. She ran to him, her dolly dragging by an arm.
Her daddy laughed. He had a loaf of bread under his arm. It smelled so good, Cora's stomach growled even louder.

"Can we eat it, now? Please daddy?" Cora begged.
Daddy nodded, and Cora took the loaf with her dirty hands. She brought it over to Mama, who began breaking it in pieces and dividing it between everyone.

The sun was now setting, as Cora brushed the crumbs off her skirt.
Daddy kept smiling, and Mama noticed.
"What's the matter? Why are you so happy?" She asked.
"It's a surprise." Daddy said. "I got us-"
"I don't know how we're going to have enough money to get a new house." Mama interrupted.
Daddy frowned.
"I have a friend in the city. I'll talk to her tomorrow." Nan said.
Daddy put his hand on Mama's shoulder.
"I got us tickets to go to America." Daddy finally said.
Mama and Nan looked shocked.
"When?" Mama cried.
"Today at the market. Someone was selling them, and I bought four." He said.
Cora squealed. Daddy took the tickets out of his pocket and handed them to Mama.
"The Titanic? We're going on the Titanic!" Mama called.
Daddy nodded and smiled. "The grandest ship in the world." He said. "It's unsinkable."
Cora took one of the tickets.
"Third Class." It read.
"When is it boarding?" Nan asked.
"Tomorrow at noon." Daddy replied, tucking the tickets back in his pocket.
"Tomorrow!" Nan cried. "I'm not going!"
"What do you mean?" Mama said.
"Where will you go?" Daddy asked.
Nan shrugged. "To my friends. There is no way I'm going to America so soon."
Mama looked sad. "Ma." She said softly. "That is your choice."

No one talked for the rest of the evening. Cora laid across the trunk and stared at the stars that gleamed overhead.

She was going to America- Tomorrow!