Voyage of Tears by CJ Wells (top fiction books of all time TXT) 📖

threatening to fall. “I am assuming you do want to stay? You seem to have adjusted well, and I believe you are happy here with us.”

Vivienne dabbed at her eyes. “Oh yes, I do want to stay, I am more than content here.”

“Lovely,” replied Miss. Polly, “I thought so. Now, let’s finish our letter so Zeke can post it today.”

Vivienne placed the tickets and an adequate amount of expense money in the envelope, sealed it and posted it to England. In six weeks Vivienne would be reunited with her family. Until then, she would have to work at staying busy, aware the hours would seem to crawl by at a snail’s pace.

#

John had resigned his position at the bakery and said his farewells to their friends. He had used some of their savings to buy himself and Jonah a new set of clothes for the trip. He carried two small bags, while Jonah carried his elephant. Their second class cabin was the nicest room John had ever seen. The ship smelled of new paint and clean linen. The beds were neatly made and the tile floors polished to a near mirror finish. There was a small closet and a wash stand, an upper and lower berth and a miniature maroon upholstered couch. Jonah stood in the middle of the room beside John, apprehensive about touching anything. John smiled down at his son. “It’s all right, Jonah,” he assured him, leading him to the lower bed.

“This is going to be you and your elephant’s bed.” Jonah lightly ran his tiny hand over the cotton coverlet, and then pushed to test the bed’s softness. A big smile lit up his face as he climbed up on the bunk.

The dinner bell rang while John and Jonah were exploring and admiring the moon reflecting off the waves. As they entered the dining hall they found themselves in line behind a lady holding the hand of a small boy, who looked to be about Jonah’s age. He turned around to smile at Jonah, his mother also turned to see what had distracted her son. She smiled down at Jonah and made a quick nod of greeting to John. When their turn came to be seated, the four of them ended up at the same table. The little boy’s name was Geoffrey, and he was also five years old. His mother, Martha Simms, was going to America to take a nanny’s position in New York. She explained that her husband had died in a coal mining accident two years ago. They had only distant relatives left in Wales so she decided it would be best for them to try to make a fresh start in America. Her new employer had also paid, what seemed an exorbitant amount, for her second class ticket.

John studied Martha’s face, deciding she was probably younger than she looked. She was somewhat plain with mousy brown hair and dark brown eyes. She had none of Vivienne’s beauty, but she did have the same sweet disposition. He couldn’t help, but wondered if taking away the stress of trying to survive after her husband’s death, would erase some of the lines that had prematurely aged her face. The boys had gravitated to each other immediately. They quickly became engrossed in an in-depth conversation about the toys they had brought on board. Geoffrey was a sturdy built boy with hair so dark brown it was on the verge of black. His eyes were as dark brown as his hair and his skin had an olive tint. Martha explained he was the mirror image of his father.

The two families began to feel like kindred spirits after John had related his and Vivienne’s story. They discovered their cabins were merely three doors apart.
Geoffrey had brought a large green rubber ball with him. The boys made a bit of a nuisance of themselves, running and kicking it on the open deck. For John and Martha, it was a godsend, as they completely wore each other out, neither fussing when told it was bedtime.

#

The fourth night on board found John tossing and turning on his bunk, finding it hard to relax and fall asleep. His thoughts kept drifting to Vivienne, thoughts that normally brought anticipation and joy, tonight, brought nervous apprehension. He was unable to account for his melancholy mood. He listened to Jonah’s rhythmic breathing. He was cuddling his elephant, securely curled up under the soft cotton blanket with the White Star Line logo stamped on it. John smiled, remembering the look of awe on Jonah’s face as he opened the big gray box on Christmas morning. He had rarely put the elephant down since.

Suddenly there was a screeching noise as the ship began to lightly shudder. John sat up, listening. The hairs on the back of his neck stood out. Something was wrong, very wrong. John’s anxiety rose as he silently slipped off his bunk, quickly checking to make sure Jonah had not been disturbed, he stepped out the cabin door. Martha opened her door at the same time. He told her to stay put. He would go up on deck and see what he could find out. When he returned, his face was stern, as he told her they had hit an iceberg. John confided to Martha that the steward spoke confidently of there being no danger, but the man’s eyes did not match his statement.

Holding Martha’s gaze, John tried not to scare her more than necessary, as he calmly said, “I don’t want to frighten you, but I think we need to be prepared. Wake Geoffrey and dress him as warmly as possible. Don’t take any bags, but if you have any valuables wear them. I’m going to do the same with Jonah. I’ll return to get you and Geoffrey shortly.”

Sure he had prepared them as best he could, he turned to go back to his own cabin, and Jonah. Once inside he pulled off his thin gold wedding band and took out the picture of Vivienne he always carried. Quickly finding the stub of a pencil he had in his bag, he wrote on the back of the photograph, “I will always love you, Love John.” He then wrapped the ring, photo and their remaining money in his handkerchief and tied the corners together.

John eased the elephant out of Jonah’s arms, unbuttoned the blanket and slid the little white package inside the hidden pocket, with the monkeys. He gently shook Jonah, waking him enough to get him dressed. After carrying him out of the cabin he hesitated, then returned to grab the life preservers.

Martha heard his hurried footsteps and opened her door. Her eyes were wide and John realized she was on the verge of hysteria. He needed to reassure her before her fear took hold. He smiled and took her hand. “It will be okay, I promise.”

John breathed easier, seeing her physically relax. Jonah was asleep on John’s shoulder, but Geoffrey was fully awake with wide frightened eyes. John squatted down and took his hand, “We may have a big adventure tonight, you must promise me, you will do exactly what your mother or I tell you.” Geoffrey didn’t speak, but he nodded his head in agreement.

When they walked out onto the open deck there were passengers everywhere. Their faces showed a myriad of emotions, some totally unconcerned, others on the verge of hysterics.

John led the way to the nearest lifeboat. “We’ll stand here for awhile,” he said.

The first lifeboat creaked as the crew lowered it to the side of the ship, escalating the already chaotic scene. People began to run as the crew continued to promise all was well, and that the lowering of the lifeboat was merely precautionary. John knew better. He didn’t care what it would take -- he would get Jonah into one of those lifeboats.

John and Martha, with the two boys were standing by the third lifeboat. John had heard the call for women and children only.

He took hold of Martha’s shoulder, looking in to her frightened eyes he sternly said, “Martha, look at me and please do not argue. They are not allowing men in the lifeboats. I need you to take Jonah with you and Geoffrey.”

John could see the panic in her eyes start to grow, but she did not falter. One of the crew members stepped beside John, loosening the rigging to lower the lifeboat. He instructed Martha, to please quickly step in. When she was seated John handed her Jonah, who was still clutching his elephant. The loss of his father’s warmth and the jarring movement of the lifeboat brought Jonah fully awake. He looked down to see it inching its way toward the dark freezing water. His eyes flew up to his father, and he cried out, “Papa?”

John forcibly steadied his voice before saying, “It is okay, Jonah, stay with Mrs. Simms and Geoffrey and I will see you soon.”

John had no idea how he had kept his voice from breaking, when his insides were crumbling. What others could not, or would not see, John saw quite clearly. There would be no lifeboat for him. He would die on this ship.

#

Zeke walked stiffly into the dining room. “Sir,” he said in a strained voice, “may I speak with you in the study?”

George Franklin looked up from the breakfast he was, until this interruption, enjoying. Concerned by Zeke’s demeanor, he immediately gave him his full attention. It was the normal routine for Zeke to bring Mr. Franklin his morning paper, but this morning he held the paper rolled in his clenched fist, with a pale face and weary eyes. Mr. Franklin led the way to his study without delay, taking a seat in the large leather chair behind the desk. Zeke stood in front of the desk, opened the paper, and laid it out. Mr. Franklin’s face drained of blood. He walked to the door and shouted for Polly.

Polly rushed down the stairs. George rarely bellowed, and never at her.

“What’s wrong?” She asked as he shut the door behind her. He pointed to the offending newspaper that displayed the glaring headline of the sinking of the Titanic. Polly sat down hard in the nearest chair.

“Where is Vivienne?” George asked gravely.

Polly dashed away her tears and cleared her throat. “She’s upstairs, I will find her.”

#

Vivienne’s world was turned upside down by the events of April the fifteenth, 1912. At this moment the only thing she knew for certain was the ship that should be bringing her family safely to her, now rested at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. It would be three agonizing days before she would know if John and Jonah were among the survivors. For those three