Chapter 3

Chapter 3

My mother and father gave the tickets to the worker after me, and we went up the ramp to board the ship. When we got up the ramp, I realized how high up we were... at least three-hundred feet! We went through a little hallway with windows on either side, the sun glaring through all of them so I could see my shadow. We approached the front deck at the front of the ship.

My father said, "Your mother and I are going to sit down on the bench, but you can watch as the ship sets sail."

I went up to the deck, and what I saw was incredible. There were so many people on both the deck and people watching from below us. I squeezed my way into a little corner so I could see the people from below. I waved and smiled at all of them. All of the pain and anger left my body. I felt like I was living in a dream. And then, it happened. I heard the propellers of the ship starting to move, and a loud bell-like noise rang in my ear. I took one last glance at the people smiling and waving at us from below. And then, the ship started moving.

...

After ten minutes of me gazing into the sunlight, with people all around me, a woman approached me. She was shorter than most women on the ship, with blond hair plaited with a blue, silk ribbon. She was wearing a black dress, with a white apron on top and a white headband with so many ruffles. A smirk was on her face.

She came up to me and said, "Hello, are you Clara Williams?"

Her voice was so soothing. I could imagine her in a soap opera, with her voice giving off so much emotion.

I replied, "I am. And who are you?"

"My name is Ann, and I'm your maid. Now would you please follow me to your room?"

Could this day get any better?! My own maid! Except, I forgot that I still have to meet the man I will be getting married to next month. That I was not looking forward to. I looked around for my parents. I couldn't see them anywhere. There were at least one-hundred people at the front deck, where I was.

I replied to Ann, "It would be my pleasure."

Ann then said, "Right this way, my dear. And also, if you're wondering, your mother and father are in their room. You will see them just in time for the luncheon."

Ann led me through a narrow hallway with windows on either side. Then, it opened up into a smaller deck. On the right side, there were lifeboats. I wonder if something did happen, would there be enough for everyone? I don't want to think about that, though. Many people were walking beside us, going in every direction. I'm guessing that at this point, we hit the halfway mark on the Titanic. On the right were double doors made out of mahogany wood (I only knew that because my grandfather taught me how to woodwork with each and every type of wood) that was beautifully carved. There was an older man with a black tuxedo, a black tophat, and a cigar in his mouth by the doors.

Ann and I approached the doors, and the man opened them. And there it was, to the left of me, was the grand staircase. And then I understood why it was called the grand staircase. The curved stairs were made of English oak, with an iron railing on either side, that were carved into spiral shapes.

On the wall going up to the grand staircase, was a wood-carved 'painting' with so many different shapes in it, with a clock in the middle. I was lost for words. When I walked in, I noticed the black and white tiled linoleum floor. More pillars of carved wood to help support the ceiling.

Ann said to me, "Now dear, we will be going up three sets of stairs in order to get to your room which is on C deck"

I approached the grand staircase.

I felt the presence of my grandfather around me, like he was really with me.

People were coming in and out of the doors that I walked in, with many other people walking up and down on the grand staircase.

When I walked on the stairs, I looked up. A beautiful stained glass window with intricate flower designs and a white chandelier. Stairs extended from either side. Ann led me to the right.

We kept on going up the stairway, it felt like it was taking forever. And then, Ann led me through a hallway with many english oak doors on either side.

Ann said, "Here is your room!"

She opened the door for me and I walked in. My mind was blown. The room that I would be staying in for the next week was amazing. Wooden walls all around, beautiful black and white tiles on the floor, a queen sized bed made of wood with a red and white quilt with a flower design on it. There was a small table in the middle of the room, and there was a lamp and teacups on it. There was also a red lounge chair next to the door. On the walls of the room were some paintings. The only painting that I recognized was 'Starry Night'. The others were paintings of various things, including flowers, and animals. There was also a wooden dresser next to my bed

This room was truly breathtaking, I felt like I was living in a dream. This room was also very similar to the one I had at home, so I was feeling a sense of nostalgia.

I said to Ann, "This is incredible!"

I then noticed the clock hanging on the wall above the lounge chair. It was 12:22pm.

Ann said, "It really is. Now dear please unload your luggage into your dresser. The bathroom is right there."

She pointed to a door next to the lounge chair.

Ann continued, "The luncheon will be at 12:30. The dining pavilion is on D deck. Go up one more flight of stairs on the grand staircase. That is the first-class diner saloon. I am going to go now."

"Thank you, Ann." I replied.

Ann said, "Oh, and if you do not feel like taking the stairs, from your door, to the left is an elevator. The dining saloon is on the second floor."

Ann left my room and closed the door.

My luggage was waiting for me on my bed. I opened the suitcase, and I unloaded all of my belongings consisting of garments, hats, shoes, undergarments, a hairbrush, a toothbrush, etc. I then walked into the bathroom to see what it looked like. It was nothing special, just a shower, a sink, and a latrine. I put my toothbrush and hairbrush on the counter with the sink. I quickly took out my plaits in my hair, brushed it with my golden hairbrush (I got it for my 15th birthday and it's been one of my favorite birthday gifts ever.) I almost forgot it was my birthday today. I surely did not feel different now that I was an adult.

I put my hair into a chignon, and tied it with a blue bow. I then put on my pink hat with ruffles to match my dress.

I looked at the clock. It was 12:30. The luncheon started and I needed to get there right away. I really wish I was listening to Ann when she told me where it was, but I was too busy admiring the room. Before I left, I took out my small drawing notebook out of my suitcase and stuck it in my pocket. (I only bought dresses with pockets in them, you never know when you will have something important to keep safe)

I opened my door to go outside my room. There were so many people. I was for sure going to get lost. I completely forgot where the dining pavilion was located.

I looked to my left, and then to the right. I quickly went left without paying any attention. And then, I bumped into a man. He was the most handsome man I've ever seen. With his blond hair, and blue eyes. He was wearing a black tuxedo.

He said, "Oh. I'm sorry miss! You.. look lost."

I replied, "I am actually lost. Um.. would you be so kind as to show me where the first class dining pavilion is?"

"I would be delighted! I'm going there as well. And also, my name is Adams... Joseph Adams. Now right this way!"