Chapter 1

Lonely Ship and Little Sister

I waved goodbye to the people on the docks. I knew only a few of them but I waved as if I knew them all. My little sister Alice grabbed my hand and climbed up on the railing. My mother scolded her and dragged her down, “Darling let’s go set up our room.” I smiled at my mother, “If you’d let me mother I would like to explore the ship.” She scoffed, “You have 8 days to explore Titanic. Come help us unpack.” With one last strong wave at the people on shore I turned. Just before I turned away however I saw a frantic woman pointing and screaming at the boat.

After unpacking I sat silently near the bow I had a book propped open on my lap. I was really skimming more than actually reading. Every page just had words no life. Dropping the book to the floor I just looked out onto the horizon. We were nearing Cherbourg and the sun was setting. I went to start getting ready for dinner.

The sea didn’t seem so endless right then and there. My mother wouldn’t allow me to stray to far along the ship. I felt restricted, like I was bound to my sister’s life, no freedom. But when I closed my eyes and felt the spray of the sea I had no ties. Wings were never more easily grown.

I had never been in such a lavish dining hall in my life. It was huge with tables covered with pure white cloths. The dishes were China and the glasses were crystal. However, I was rather displeased with my company. My mother and sister were acting like circus folk, the men at the table talked of nothing but business and the women gossiped. As soon as I had finished my dinner I slipped away back out onto A Deck. It was a chilly night and there were very few people on the deck. So quietly I walked up and stared out to the sea.

Titanic had just cast off from Cherbourg and was heading to its last stop before America, Queenstown, Ireland. As a great gust of wind blew onto the boat, I pulled my coat tighter around me. I looked up to the beautiful sky. Every dot in the sky was welcoming but at the same time very cold. I don’t know how long I stayed, staring at the sky. What I do know is at one point my mother coming up on deck and shouting, “There you are! Caroline Daniels! What are you doing out here? You’re going to catch a chill!”

She yelled quite a bit more before telling me to go back to our room. As I walked back I was talked to about wandering off in the cold and dark. It was a boat, a huge boat but a boat all the same. I couldn’t go to far. I settled down in my room that I shared with Alice. Pulling the blankets over my head Alice started her endless questioning, “Why don’t you try to socialize with people? Why do you always wander off? Where do you go?” I moaned, “Alice please sleep. So many people are getting on the boat tomorrow I’m bound to meet a friend. Now, it’s time to go to bed.” I closed my eyes and settled down for the night.