Why the Titanic

Jenny approached the modern ship with timid steps. In her mind it did not look unsinkable. It looked like a jail for a five year old. They were about to walk through the only entrance and exit. Her mother had brushed Jenny's hair until jenny's head hurt, and inspected Jenny's look numerous times. Now walking onto the boat Jenny couldn't help but wonder why the fuss over their appearance. None of her school friends were here, in fact she didn't even see anybody around her age. She looked down at her patent leather shoes. These shoes always forecast an upcoming bad event. She couldn't help wondering who the show was for. She shrunk in her body as they entered the ship.

The cabin was smaller than her room at home, and now she would be sharing it with her mother. Her father had come as well but he had his own cabin. It would not have been acceptable for him to sleep with the women.

Her mother seemed pleased with the cabin. Jennifer couldn't help feeling a little trapped. But then to her surprise, her mother pulled out of her purse a small jump rope and handed it to Jenny. Jenny smiled, her mother lead her to the ship deck, and Jenny did the unthinkable she jump roped. All her anger soaked into this activity. She was so absorbed that she did not notice the little boy that came and watched her. His name was Jack, she asked him if he wanted to jump rope. He laughed "That's for Girls" She didn't know him but she did not want him to leave. She saw him as an escape from the prison she was in. He was seven, and a boy so he was allowed to explore by himself. She looked over at her mother who was silently watching. She was always watching and sitting over her. Jack was going to New York to visit his Grandparents. They had retired in the USA. His parents were going to see if it would be a suitable place for their family to retire to as well. He was excited to be traveling on this ship. It was the strongest, fastest, well-made ship in the fleet. This was their maiden trip. He actually saw this jail as a big adventure. Jenny did not share how she felt about this trip, she just listened. She guessed that he was a clone of his father. He just seemed like a young adult striving to be grown up. Jennifer just wanted to be free. She wanted to travel too, but not under lock and key, and definitely not caged in a metal contraption. She excused herself he was a product of this prison not an escape from it. She wanted to jump rope some more but that would have been rude, so she lead her mother back to their cabin.

Her mother had been very impressed by Jack. He would be a good person for Jenny to hang out with, she needed to arrange it with his parents. Jenny sighed, never an inquiry of what Jenny had thought of him.

There were three dining areas on this ship. The one they hadn't been able to afford, the grand hall, The one that beggars went to. They were going to the third hall. The working folks' dining room. Her mother was very proud to be in the workers' suites and made sure her family dressed to reflect the class that she felt they had. Her husband was a hard worker he had earned the right to have the best.

her mother finished unpacking, told Jenny not to leave the room, and hurried next door to unpack her husband's cloths.

The meal was good. Since they were sailing to the USA they were being fed American food. She got fish and chips and her parents got meatloaf. It looked like a deconstructed Shepard's Pie. Jenny looked around for other children her age. She saw Jack but no young five-year-olds. There were children but most looked like they were old beyond her age. A man played the guitar while they ate. She had to agree with her mother, she was proud to eat where they had live music. It was good to be part of a working-class family.

They spend the afternoon on the deck. The breeze of the sea was magical. She wished she had wings and could fly with the ship. Her torture in this vessel paused for the afternoon. She wondered when the water would end. She also wondered what it would be like to glide through the water like a ship. Even though she wondered, she was content to be sitting where she was with her parents. Dinner, the same guitar player, and chicken with roasted potatoes. Tonight she got to eat the same meal as her parents. Roasted potatoes were one of her favorite dishes.

The next few days formed a steady routine. Her mother had forgotten all about Jack. And then one night in the middle of the night she heard a large thud and a lady's scream. Jenny thought it was a bad dream but as she continues to fight for sleep the scream continued. Her mother woke her and ordered her to get dressed. There was no fussing over their outfits. Pants a shirt and a sweater. Moments later the family was headed out to the deck. She saw a few lifeboats out in the water. They were filling other ones on the right-hand side.

All of a sudden her mother picked her up and threw her onto one of the boats. Moments later her boat floated out into the ocean. Her parents remained on the deck. Jenny stared in disbelief, this was not the extent of independence she had had in mind. The lifeboat was filled with women. These women had soft hands, and could not have worked a day in their lives. Jenny tried to hide. She knew she was on her own. She was cold and curled up next to the young woman who was crunched next to her. The young lady felt out of place as well and curled up with Jenny as well. She talked to Jenny and tried to get her to fall asleep. Jenny felt like an abandoned puppy being found by a new owner. For once she did not fight a suggestion, wanting to escape reality, she fell asleep. Jenny awoke as someone lifted her out of the woman's arms. Jenny found herself on another boat surrounded by men and sobbing wet overdressed woman. Even in her despair, she found herself laughing at the absurdity of their attire. Men were running around with cameras, and note pads.

Jenny didn't have any desire or interest in any of this absurdity. She looked around for food and warmth. She was shivering. She saw what looked like a hut and headed for that. She felt a blast of heat when she walked in. It looked like some sort of mechanical room, noisy but warm. Four or five men were working on machines. hey ignored her. Finally her clothes stopped sticking to her, and she stopped shaking. She could smell coffee. It was a drink for adults. She had had it mixed with milk but had thought it was sort of bland. Regardless of the taste she headed towards the smell. A old man manned the coffee. She half expected him to give her hot chocolate, but he gave her coffee. She added some cream. To her surprise it had a kick, it was not bland at all. Finally physically comfortable she started the search. She heard people calling out names. She went and watches them unload the remaining life boats. What had happened to the men she wondered. Her eyes scanned the boats for her mother. Finally the last boat of people boarding this ship. She signed in disbelieve. She turned and out of the corner of her eye saw a shape wearing a navy jacket. Her heart jumped, she screamed Ma, as loud as she could. The lady did not turn around, but Jenny felt someone's arms wrap her waist. Jenny turned to see the woman from the life boat whom she had slept against. She led Jenny to the other side of the ship where they were unloading two more lifeboats. Jack was on the first life boat. Jenny was glad, and attached to his outstretched hand was a woman in a blue coat. Who inspide of her messy hair and attire, Jenny knew was her mother. She ran inside and got two coffees and brought them out to Jack and her mother. Her mother cried when she saw her daughter but took the coffee. Jack had forgotten all his cooth and grabbed his cup of coffee. She lead both of them to the over heated room, which she found out from Jack was the engine room. Her mother was worried that they weren't supposed to be there, but just like before the working men ignored them. Nobody talked, it was better to ignore the reality. Most of the men didn't make it. Even a five year old could see that.

Once on shore the reality sunk in. Jack was the sole survivor from his immediate family. He was met by his grandfather. Jenny's father never got to walk on New York's shores. Jenny saw her mother shrivel. Jenny was five, all she wanted to wake up from this nightmare and see her father and her confident mother happily together.