Date: Wednesday, The Tenth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Cherbourg Harbor – Cherbourg, France
Time: 20:05

We did not head to our cabin right away when we boarded the Titanic. We stood upon the “well deck” of the ship and watched the lights of Cherbourg shine onto the water. It was already dark out. Most other passengers would walk by us and head to their cabins. A few would stand and watch just like us.

"Isn’t it a beautiful view?" Momma asked us.

"Yes," Anneliese and I both said simultaneously
We don't get a chance to watch a ship take off. When we do see ships, they're usually sailing by Großmöllen in the Baltic Sea. I think about our old house and our relatives we left back home, (or what was home). I felt a little sad, but a bit happy.

As we watched the Titanic slowly move away from land, it started getting cold. I guessed it was because the wind was made by the ship.

We started to head in to find our cabin, since we couldn't see land anymore.

I saw Papa walking away and start talking to some people. I wasn’t sure why though. I followed Momma to where we were going to stay. Anneliese followed slowly behind us.

We started walking down a few flights of stairs. I can tell by the look on Anneliese's face, that she didn't like where we were going. I don’t blame her, I also didn’t like it. I saw a few rats on the way down.

As we continued walking down the stairs, I read the letters on the walls. D Deck… E Deck… F Deck… G Deck. 'How far were we going?' I thought. When we finally made it down to G Deck, Momma opened the door that leads us to a hallway. I wasn’t surprised to see rats once we got to this level. There were at least three walking around. I was surprised that Momma wasn’t scared. Or maybe she was, but she didn’t want to show us.

"This must be it," Momma said, walking up to a room. "Cabin G-4"

Anneliese and I weren’t really surprised by the size of the room, from the looks of the hallway and all the doors so close together. In the room, there were four small beds; two on each side with what looked like a sink straight ahead. I wondered where the water closet was. Are we supposed to share it with a bunch of strangers?

“Are you sure this is our room?” I asked. “It looks like a closet.”

“Josephine!” Momma scolded me. 

I walked into the room and sat on one of the beds. Looking at my sister. I can tell she was sad. She sat down next to me.

“I know how you feel.,” I told her. “I am sad as well. But once we make it to America, Papa will find us a new home and things will get back to normal.” I can see a smile on Anneliese’s face but can still tell she wasn’t fully happy.

Momma was in the hallway talking to some woman at G-6. I walked over and hugged Momma and she put her hand on me.

“Josephine, this is Mrs. Agnes Sandström.”She lives in America, in San Francisco, California.”

“Really?” I asked. I hear people moved there because of all the gold.” I wondered what they were going to do once they find it all. 

“Yes, that’s true.” Mrs. Sandström laughed. “My Husband Hjalmar and I moved there four years ago. In fact, he’s there right now looking for gold. We traveled there much too late. Most of the gold was found during the ’90s.”

Looking at Mrs. Sandström, she looked to be in her early twenties. I can tell because Momma and Papa are in their twenties and look to be that age.

“Why were you in Europe?” I asked.

“Josephine!” Momma scolded me again. “It’s inappropriate for a young lady to ask questions like that.”

“That’s quite alright,” Mrs. Sandström laughed. “My daughters and I were visiting my parents in Hultsjö and some friends in Forserum.” I looked confused. I’m guessing Mrs. Sandström could tell I was because she answered exactly what I was thinking. “Sweden, my dear,” she chuckled.

I looked in our cabin and saw Anneliese sitting on the ground playing jacks.

I politely excused myself and rushed back to our little closet of a room. Momma stayed and talked to her for a little while longer. 

Anneliese still looked sad. I sat down next to her. “You know, it’s not that much fun playing Jack’s all by yourself.” I laughed.

“I know,”, Anneliese sighed. “But what else can I do? I sat next to her and started playing as well.

A few minutes later, when I was up to Sixsies, Papa came into the room followed by Momma.

“Great news everyone,” Papa said in a cheerful voice.

Anneliese and I looked up at him, which startled me and caused me to lose the ball and have it fly out the door. Momma caught it just in time before it went down the hallway.

“What Papa?” Anneliese Asked.

“I got a temporary job here on the Titanic,” He began. “I start tonight.”

“That’s good Papa,” I mumbled. But what’s so great about that?”

“Josephine!” Momma scolded. “You are being very rude tonight!”

“I’m sorry,” I apologized.

“Well, Josephine,” Papa continued. “The good news is, because I am working on the ship, the captain has moved us up from third class to second class.”

“My sister and I were so excited and cheered.

“That’s really is great news dear,” Momma cheered as well. “What job would that be?”

“I will be working in the boiler room shoveling coal.” He said with a smile.

“Isn’t that a dirty job? I asked.

“Yes, but remember, we’re going to second class.”

~o~O~o~

As we left third class, Momma said farewell to Mrs. Sandström, which was pleased and very happy for us. She herself did not mind being in a small room with other people. Besides, they were Swedish as well.

Making the long walk up two flights of stairs, was a challenge. Especially with us each holding a bag. We ended up in cabin 51 on Deck E. Once we made it into the room, I lied on the bed. “This is the life,” I thought. It did not take long for both me and my sister to fall asleep.

Date: Thursday, The Eleventh day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Second Class Dining Hall
Time: 08:05

When we woke up the next day, we all felt refreshed and ready for the day… but especially breakfast. As we headed to the dining room, papa was just coming back from work in the boiler room overnight. He looked dirty and needed a bath. You could say he almost looked like a … well Papa had so much coal on him, his face and arms were all black. He made me laugh.

"You children go ahead and eat breakfast, while I get washed up," Papa told us as he walked towards the washroom. "I'll be out later."

We saw a lady, heading to the dining room. She looked like she should have been in first class, with all those fancy clothes on. As Papa passed her, she looked at him in disgust and walked away mumbling to herself.

"What is wrong with her?" I asked Anneliese.

"Beats me." She answered.

We walked into the dining room, many people were already there. Everyone was sitting at the table. It looked almost like a restaurant, with people serving them. It didn't look too fancy, but it was fine.

As we sat down, a waiter came along and handed us a menu.

"What would you lovely ladies like for breakfast?" He asked.

With him calling me a lady, it made me feel very gay inside. I looked at the menu. "Oh, you have soda scones?" I cheered.

"I'm sorry miss, we are out of soda scones." he apologized.

"Ah, shucks," I pouted. "Well, I guess I will have some buckwheat cakes instead."

"Fine choice miss," he wrote it down on a notepad. "And would you like some ham and eggs with that?"

"Just Eggs, No Ham. I'm Jewish." I pointed out " And can I also have a bowl of oatmeal with fruit."

“May I,” Momma corrected me.
I looked at Momma and then back at the waiter. “May I have a bowl of rolled oats and fruit, please.”

Certainly, miss," He smiled. He looked over at Anneliese. "And what would
you like dear?"

"I'll have the same as my sister," She said shyly."

Momma looked up from her menu. "I'd like some fish with a bowl of hominy and a cup of tea."
Momma doesn't eat much. She likes to keep her figure. (whatever that means).

"I'll have a tea as well," I added.

"Me too, Anneliese squeaked."

"I'll bring them right out for you." Our waiter walked away.

I look around and see other tables being served with their food. I guess, they got here
earlier than us.

Papa came into the room, just about the time we got our food.
He ordered a plate of Grilled Ox Kidneys, (gross) with some au gratin potatoes, fish, and a cup of coffee. He must be extremely hungry. By the time we were all done, the staff was already getting the room ready for lunch.

We could hear the horn of the ship going off. 

Date: Thursday, The Eleventh day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Queenstown Harbor – Queenstown, Ireland
Time: 11:34

The horn we heard meant that we reached the final stop to pick up more passengers. I asked one of the passengers on board where we were and they mentioned Queenstown, Ireland. I wasn't sure where Ireland was. I started skipping away and headed out to the deck to checked out the view.

"Hey kid!" a man yelled to me. I looked over at him. "Shouldn't you be down in Third Class?"

"No," I shouted back at him. "I'm in Second,"

"You don’t look like a second class passenger." I heard him holler back. "Go back down where you belong.

I started to tear up and ran to my room.

"Momma!" I cried, as I ran into the room, "This mean man told me to return to third class."

"Oh, really?" Momma hugged me.

"He said I don’t look like a second class passenger." I continued to sob.

"The nerve of him!" Momma growled. "Just ignore him. You have all the rights of being in second class." She patted me on my back. Taking out a brush, she started brushing my hair, grabbed a ribbon out of her trunk and put my hair up using the ribbon. I guess this was her way to make me look more second class like. I don't know, but I liked it. Anneliese wanted hers done too.

"Now Josie, If you have any more problems with him, or anyone else, talk to a crew member."

"If you want..." Anneliese began, "...I can go out with you."

I shook my head, yes.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do" Momma laughed. “And be back before dinner.”

And after that, we both went out on the deck watching the boats bring passenger towards the ship.

Date: Wednesday, The Eleventh day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Queenstown Harbor – Queenstown, Ireland
Time: 13:15

After about ten minutes of staring out at the water, we started exploring the ship. We found that we couldn’t go everywhere, but we still had fun. There were places second class passengers were not allowed to enter.

On the deck near the end of the ship, we saw two kids about our age hanging around. A boy and a girl. They looked happy. They were playing a game of some kind. We decided to walk over to them.

“Hi,” I say as we got closer.

“Hello,” said the girl. I’m glad there are more kids on here. My names Marjorie.”

“My name is Josephine and this is my twin sister Anneliese”

“Hi,” My sister shyly says.

“What game are you playing?” I ask looking at the boy with a rope ring in his hand.

“Quoits,” the boy says and then throws the ring to a bunch of circles on the deck with numbers in them.

“Never heard of it,” I watch him play.

“Never heard of it?” he laughs. “Where in the world are you from?”

“Großmöllen,” I answer.

“Where is that?” Marjorie asked.

“Großmöllen is located in the German Empire,” I frown. “But we don’t live there anymore. We’re moving to America, since we were forced out of our home.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Marjorie said. “My Mum and Dad and I are moving to Idaho from England to live near family.”

“We haven’t decided where we will be moving to,” I told her.” Probably…” I was interrupted by the sound of the boat horn, which made all of us jump. The boat started moving.

“I guess we are off,” the boy said. “I better head back inside, dinner is starting” He started running.

“Wait!” I yelled. “What’s your name?”

“Marshall…” He yelled. “Marshall Drew.” And then he was gone.

“I better get going as well.” Marjorie said. “Don’t want Mum and dad waiting.” She took off as well.

Anneliese and I walked to our cabin. Momma was waiting for us.

“You two have a good time?” She asked as we walked in.

“Yes,” Anneliese said. “We met some kids.”

“That’s nice,” Momma smiled. “Come on, let’s get going to dinner.”

Date: Thursday, The Eleventh day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Second Class
Time: 14:07

After dinner, I headed out to the deck to see if Marjorie or Marshall were out playing again.

They weren't.

I walk to the front of the ship and looked out at the sea. All I saw was water. No land at all. I did see a few dolphins swimming around. I watched them for a while. It seemed like they were following us. I can see how fast they were going and was surprised at how they can keep up with the ship. We must be going, oh… I would say about 14 knots. I wasn’t sure. I don’t know anything about speed. I wonder how fast dolphins can swim.

As the dolphins jumped, I notice they were in groups. Usually, three to six to even fifteen in a group jumping and having a great time. There was sometimes one dolphin jumping on its own, but usually would find its way to the others and happily jumping with them.

I really like dolphins and often wonder how anyone would want to kill them for food.

I marvel at the way they jump. When they do they must take deep breaths of air, before going back into the water.

As the ship was moving, I could see the water spraying in large waves. It made the enjoyment of the dolphins more exceptional. They always stayed ahead of the ship.

Eventually, like all entertainment, it ends and I watch the dolphins move away from the ship. I waved goodbye to them. I kind of wished they were still here.

The ship was picking up speed. I can feel the wind in my hair. I put my arms out to feel the breeze. I felt like I was flying.

“This is the greatest thing ever!” I scream.

A strong gust of wind pushed me forward a little and I had to instantaneously hold onto the railing. I almost fell overboard.

“Watch out kid,” a passenger yelled. “Don’t get too close to the edge. You might fall.”

I turn around and see a man looking towards me.

“Hi!” he says walking up to me. “What’s your name?”

“My Momma told me not to talk to strangers,” I murmur.

“You have a very smart mother,” he chuckled.

I start walking away and head back to my cabin. I look back but don’t see the man. He just vanished. I continue walking towards the cabin, not knowing that the man was following me.

Once I got back into the cabin and see mom knitting. Most likely a sweater for me or Anneliese. Talking about Anneliese, she was taking a nap. I like taking naps too, but I’m not tired. I see Papa was still asleep and didn’t want to bother him. I look over at Momma.

“Momma, none of the kids are out playing and I’m bored,” I whine.

“Why don’t you read a book,” Momma pointed out.

“I book?” I laugh. “Where can I find a book on this ship?”

“There are lots of them in the library,” mom pointed out.

“Wait, there's a library,” I questioned.

“Yes,” Momma chuckled, “It’s located on C deck near the rear of the ship, also known as the poop deck.”

“Okay,” I stutterer. I look down at the floor.

“If you get lost, you can always ask someone.”

Confused, I look up at Momma. But with her smile, I can tell she knew what she was talking about. Still, in my little head of mine, I always thought I wasn’t supposed to talk to strangers. I guess she knows I will do the right thing.

As I walked out of my cabin, I saw a shadowy figure pass by really fast. I didn’t know what it was. I shrug and I continued on my way to C deck. The hall was long enough, so I figured if I kept walking I would make it to the end of the ship and walk up two levels to C deck.

As I walked, I notice the detail the ship had. The carpet had red squares with what looked like crosses inside of them. The wood frames on the walls and ceiling were almost like the builders of the ship chiseled it. I had a feeling people will be enjoying this style of work for years to come and be amazed as much as I am.

It took a little over five minutes to walk the ship with me gazing at everything, but eventually, I made it to some stairs. As I walk up a really nice-looking staircase, I almost bump into an elderly fella. He was taking his time walking down the stairs. He gave me a smile and continued walking down. Once I made it to C Deck, right in front of me was the library at the top of the stairs. I took a breather and headed in.

I was amazed to see how many books they had and the room looked really beautiful.

I walk over to some books on the wall.

There weren't that many people in the room at the time. More likely they were either settling in or something.

I notice a few books that caught my eye. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The last of the Mohicans, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, David Copperfield. There were so many interesting books in this library. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to read. Then I saw it.

Moby Dick.

It had a picture of a whale on the cover. This was perfect since I am at sea on a ship.
I open the book,

‘Call me Ishmael’ I read. “Ishmael? Who would name their child that name?”

‘Some years ago – never mind how long precisely…’

~o~O~o~

The book is fantastic. I laughed a few times. I was about to read another chapter, when I realized that man from earlier sitting in the room nearby, gazing at me.

“Hello,” he said to me.

“Hi,” I say back.

“My name is Peter Good Man…” He cleared his throat. “Goodman.” “What’s yours? I know I asked you that before, but I figured I wouldn’t be a stranger if I told you my name.”

“My names Josephine,” I answer back.

“Hi, Josephine, that’s a very pretty name,” Peter smiled.

“Thank You,” I picked it out myself,” I giggle.

“Huh?” Peter looked at me strangely.

Oops, I almost gave away my secret. “I mean, my Momma chose my name,” I sigh.

“That’s what mothers do best,” Peter laughed. “Anyways, I can tell you are bored. Want to go out on the deck and play a few games of Quoits or Shuffleboard with me?”

“I’m not bored,” I explained. “I’m reading a book.”

“Moby Dick,” Peter was reading the cover of the book. “Oh, about a whale?”

“Yeah it’s getting really interesting,” I said happily.”

“What’s so interesting about a book,” he snarled.

“Lot’s of things. You see Captain Ahab is really into this white whale and…”

“You can read that anytime,” Peter interrupted. “You’re only on this ship for a few days. Come on and enjoy it while you can.”

“But…” I look at the book and then back at him. “Okay,” I sigh. I put the book back and head out of the library with Peter.

“You won’t regret it,’ Peter chuckled. “You’ll like the games I’m going to play with you.”

As we walked, he took my hand. Everyone that saw us, must have thought I was his daughter. I blushed a little.

~o~O~o~

Peter brought me to Promenade Deck where we used a long stick with a curved end to push a disk to a painted triangle with a number inside of it. He said it was called Shuffleboard. There were the numbers seven, eight, and ten inside the triangles. Also, there was a negative ten, where if we hit that, we would subtract ten from the points we made. We had to shoot the disk across the deck to the other sides' triangle.

I definitely wasn’t good at scooting along. I always make it halfway across the board and don’t make it to any of the numbers. Peter was extremely good and playing, and made it every time. 
 At the end of the first game, it was thirty-three to zero. I was the zero. 
 
 I stopped playing after three rounds and sat down on the bench. Peter sat next to me. Putting his arm around my shoulder. I felt a bit uncomfortable by his action and scooted over on the bench.
 
 “Josephine,” he said scooting closer to me. “You don’t have to be shy. I wouldn’t hurt you.” He got off the bench and knelt down so we were eye-to-eye. I didn’t notice it, but he put his hand on my lap while we talked. “I got to get something in my room. Why don’t you come along, it won’t take long and then we can play a different game.” 
 
 I agreed and followed him.

As we walked, I notice a tattoo on his left shoulder. “Do you like doughnuts?” I ask.

“Of course I do,” Peter laughed “Why do you ask that?”

I kept looking at his shoulder. “Your tattoo.”

“Oh that old thing,” he chuckled a bit.
 
 We reached his cabin in very little time. “E-36,” I read “Wow, your room is so close to mine.” 

“I know,” he said. 

“Wait, how do you know where I am staying?” I asked.

He didn’t say anything, he just opened his door and invited me in. I didn’t think of anything after that. I was interested in what his room looked like compared to mine. 
 
 Inside, I noticed it looked pretty similar. But this had only one bed and… ladies' clothes?
 
 “Wait,” I said looking around. “Why are there so many girls' clothes in here?”
 
 “That’s... just my… um, wife's clothes,” he stuttered. Why don’t you go sit on the bed, while I look for the item I came here for.”
 
 I walked over to the bed. I was happy to wait for him. I looked at the bed and noticing that it was way too small for two people. I looked back towards him and saw he was standing very close to me. I was in shock.

 He pushed me down on the bed.

“You better not tell anyone!”

“Tell who?” I cried. “Is this your room?”

I started to scream,
 
 Just then the door opened up and a woman came in. Peter was staring at the woman standing at the door.
 
 “Who are you and why are you in my room?” She screamed. 
 
 Peter in fear ran out of the room pushing the woman aside. I was still on the bed and crying my head off.

Date: Thursday, The Eleventh day of April 1912
 Place: Titanic – Cabin E-36
 Time: 16:38

Police were there in no time. Especially when a child was involved. Momma and Papa were notified immediately and they rushed over lickity split. Well, they didn’t have far to get to me. Anneliese was with them. 

I was still on the bed with a doctor checking me out. 

“Hi, Josephine, I’m Officer Murdock. Can you try to tell me exactly what he did to you?” a man said walking over to me. 

“I thought he was a nice guy. We played shuffleboard,” I was sobbing while explaining. I was so scared that I tried my best. “and when we got to his room… I mean her room.” I pointed at the woman who was also watching me.

“Continue,” the man said.

 “He told me to sit on the bed. He said he was looking for an item of some kind and then go out to play a new game.” I started crying even harder. “Then out of nowhere, he pushed me on the bed and yelled at me.”

“That’s when I came into the room,” the woman said. “I saw man in my room He looked angry.”

“What did this man look like?” Murdock asked.

“He had a mustache as far as I could see,” the woman answered.

“He also has a tattoo a doughnut on his left shoulder.”

“This guy is not a guy you should hang around with,” Murdock grumbled.

A few men in uniforms walked into the room.

“Lowe, great timing.” Murdock said, “You and Pitman walk around the decks and look for a suspicious-looking man with a mustache and a tattoo on his left shoulder of a doughnut “Don’t try to apprehend him on your own. Moody and Boxhall, you walk the hallways and common areas.”

All four men went right to action.

“You’ll be alright,” the doctor said. “But I recommend you staying near your family or with a group of people until he is found.”

“And I’ll let you know when he is,” Murdock promised. “As for you. Miss Mabel, I would keep your door locked from now on.”

“Oh, absolutely.” the woman of the room said.

When we got back to our cabin, Momma looked over me, making sure I didn’t have any bruises. I didn’t, but I sure was scared. I thought Peter was a nice guy, but because he yelled at me, pushed me on the bed, and hurt my feelings, I just don’t know.

I just have a lot of questions, that I don’t think I will ever get answers to. One of them is, why was he in that ladies' room? 

The evening was not eventful. The sun was still out and I wanted to go out to play. Papa told me I couldn’t go on my own at the deck anymore, Anneliese had to be with me at all times. 

“Just because I am the youngest, doesn’t mean they have to treat me like a baby,” I cried, sitting on my bed and pouting.

“You’re acting like a baby,” Anneliese giggled. I stuck my tongue out at her.

“You two stop fighting,” Papa scolded us. 

“I’m bored,” I whine. “Can’t I at least go to the library and grab the book I was reading earlier?”

“I really don’t want you out there at this moment,” Papa told me. Not with that man still on the loose.”

“Okay,” I growled. 

Like always, Anneliese was playing jacks. I sat on the floor next to her and played, but ended up falling asleep in the middle of playing. Anneliese was helping Momma out with something when I woke up. I felt sad that I wasn’t apart of it.

When Supper came along, we all headed out together. I felt like I was grounded and couldn’t go anywhere. I walked slowly with the rest. I looked at the floor the whole way to the dining room. 

While I walked, I kept hearing unusual sounds around me, but I shrugged it off. It more likely was other passengers leaving their rooms. 

As we entered the dining room, an officer was watching men entering the room. I figured they were doing this because eventually, Peter would have to come in. He has to eat sometime.

I still felt sad for losing a friend. He was almost like a grand papa to me. Yes, he may have been around the age of either the forties or fifties, but he was a nice guy… Was. I kind of wished he wasn’t a bad guy. I had fun playing shuffleboard with him, even if I lost every time.

Yes, he was a bit weird, when it came to putting his hand over my shoulder, but it didn’t hurt me.

I lie down on my bed and sigh. Momma must have heard me because the next thing was she came over to see what was wrong.

“Nothing,” I sigh again.

“I know something is wrong,” she sat down next to me. “Because every time you sigh, it usually means your hurting inside.”

I sit up and lie my head on Momma. “It’s Peter,” I explain.

“Who's Peter?” Momma asked,

“Peter is the guy that I saw earlier,” I sigh some more.

“Josephine, he’s a bad guy,” Momma snapped. “He almost hurt you, and also got you in trouble. You shouldn’t have been in that room with him. He could have done something worse to you.”

I started crying.

“Oh baby,” Momma gave me a hug. “Why don’t you go to sleep. Things will get better in the morning.”

“I hope,” I yawn. I lie down in my bed. Momma tucks me in and checks on Anneliese on the top bunk. She was already asleep. “Momma?”

“Yes, dear?” Mom looks down at me.

“I’m sorry,” I yawn once more and instantly fall asleep.

Date: Friday, The Twelfth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Family Cabin
Time: 10:14

The next morning, when we got back from breakfast, we got a knock on our door. It was Officer Murdock. They had captured Peter. He was cabin hoping a few cabins in third class. He was caught, when he was spotted by a night watchman trying to break into the kitchen to steal food. 

Turns out his name is not Peter Goodmann, but Francis Hermann, a former Reverend of a church in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is connected to the murder of two females that went to his church. He is also suspected of murdering his ex-wives and two of his children. He is right now locked up in an unknown room on the Titanic until we arrive in America. 

Even with Francis in custody, I still wasn’t allowed out of the cabin alone. Anneliese was okay going out to play. I guess she was tired of being cooped up in the cabin. We ended up going out to the shuffleboards. 

“This is the same one that Peter and I played at,” I cheered.

“You mean Francis,” Anneliese corrected me.

“He was Peter when we played here,” I cried.

“Let’s not play this game. It gives me the creeps that a murderer was playing this,” Anneliese said. 

I was disappointing, but I walked on to find another game. As we walked, we saw the two kids from the other day playing that same game of Deck Quoits.

“Hello!” I call over to them.

“Oh Hi!” Marjorie yelled when she saw us. “Want to play with us?”

“Not really,” I said as I came over. “I’d rather watch.

“Suit yourself,” Marjorie joked. “What about you?” She said to Anneliese.

“I guess,” she said. 

As I watched them play, I heard a few people walking by talking. There were two men, and they didn’t seem to be very nice. “What’s this garbage doing on here,” one man growled. He was talking about the lifeboats on the deck. “Kind of a waste of space for a ship that is unsinkable.”

“I agree,” the other man said. “Not even God himself can sink this ship!” They started walking away but continued talking.

I decided to follow them. My sister was too busy playing to notice that I was gone, and I should be back before she even knows. 

As I walk, I find out that these men are actually from First Deck. I wonder why they came down here. I continued walking with them. They walked for a very long time talking about nonsense. I should have headed back because I didn’t notice I was walking into a place that was forbidden for Second Class passengers.

“Hey kid!” a man yelled, running towards me. I stopped and looked at him. It was a crew-member of this ship. The two men I was following looked at me, laughed and continued on their way. “What are you doing on the First Class Promenade?”

“The what?” I said, looking around. 

“Come with me, young lady,” he grabs me.

“You don’t have to do that,” another man said. 
The crew-member looked towards the man. 

“Captain Smith... Sir!” he gasped. “I caught her sneaking into…”

“Leave it up to me,” Captain Smith said. The Crew-Member let me go and walked back to where he was assigned earlier.

“So,” he smiled down at me. “You’re the girl that helped capture a criminal.”

“What?” I shrieked.

“Come with me,” He put his hand on my shoulder and we walked. I was surprised I was still walking in First Class. “You became a hero in a way. This man has been on the run for over fifteen years.”

“But Peter was such a nice guy,” I cried.

“Is that what he called himself?” Captain Smith pondered.

“Yes,” I answered. “Peter Good Man,” I cleared my throat, “Goodmann.”

Captain Smith laughed. “Did he really clear his throat saying his name?”

“Yes,” I giggled.

As we walked, I saw Momma, Papa, and Anneliese looking for me. 

“There’s my family!” I tell Captain Smith, pointing at them. We walk down to them. 

Papa scolds me for leaving Anneliese but looks up at the captain. 

“Captain Smith,” he stuttered.

Captain Smith chuckled. “Call me Edward Smith.”

“We’re really sorry for what Josephine has done,” Papa said looking at me.

“Don’t be sorry,” Captain Smith said. Why don’t your whole family come up and have dinner with me this evening.”

“Dinner with you,” mom was shocked.

“We’d love to, but tonight is Shabbat…” 

“So you’re Jewish?” Captain Smith asked. “Well, we can make it a Shabbat dinner with a traditional Jewish meal like matzo ball soup, fish, Challah bread and Latkes. we could also light some candles at the same time. I can have some of my own personal cooks start making them right away.”

“Let’s do it Papa!” both Anneliese and I sang.

Papa thought for a second. He looked at us and then at Momma. “Alright,” he finally answered. “It’s not like every day we get a chance to sit with the captain of a ship.”

Both Anneliese and I cheered.

Date: Friday, The Twelfth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Family Cabin
Time: 12:30

When we got back into the room, Momma took me over to the bed. 

“I’m disappointed in what you did,” she said as she sat down.

“I’m sorry,” I cried. I looked over at Papa. He had that look in his eye as he planned on spanking me. I was worried. 

“Now you sit here for a while and be a good girl, Momma patted my head.

I saw Papa lying down. I think he was getting back to sleep.

I looked at Anneliese. She was sitting down reading a book. 

“What are you reading?” I ask her.

“Anne of Green Gables,” she said putting it on the ground for me to see. “It's about an energetic and unusual orphan girl who finds a home with some elderly people.”

“Sounds interesting,” I giggle. “I was reading a book called Moby Dick.”

“Oh, the story about a Great White Whale that Captain Ahab has revenge on?” She laughs.

“Yes,” I squeal with glee.

“I have that right here,” she hands me the book.

“Wait!” I was surprised. “How did you know I was reading this?”
 
 “Someone up in the library handed it to me,” she laughed. “They thought I was you and said I should continue reading it. I figured they were talking about you, so I brought it back here.”

“Thank you,” I cried. “I was reading this before I hung out with Peter.” 

“Your welcome,” now next time don’t be stupid and follow older people.”

I look down at my feet. “I won’t,” I sigh.

I sit down on the bed and start reading the book. 

I read a couple of chapters but ended up falling asleep. I was pooped as what my Momma calls it.

Papa and I woke up a few hours later, right about the time someone was knocking at our door. Papa went over to open it. To our surprise, Captain Smith was there. In his hands were two beautiful dresses. 

“I figured your two girls would like new dresses,” he handed Papa the dresses and we jumped up to take them. 

“Are you sure about this?” Momma asked.

“You’re our guests,” Captain Smith laughed “It wouldn’t be proper for two young ladies to come without being all dressed up.”

“Thanks,” I cheered. Then I looked over at Papa and Momma. “What about them?”
 
 “Oh don’t worry, we have some clothes to fit in,” Papa told us. 

“Nonsense,” Captain Smith spoke up. “We two come with me. I’ll have my maid help your daughters. I’ll help you with your attire.” 

Momma and Papa left the room and a very nice woman came into the room.

“Why don’t I help you with that dress,” she asked me. 

“No thank you, I can do it,” I said.

“It’s alright,” I help little girls with this all the time.” She came over to me and started pulling off my old dress. As she did, I shot my hands over my panties to cover up the bulge of my penis.

“Oh,” she looked away. “You're a boy.”

“No, I’m a girl,” I cried.

“Then why do you have a penis,” she remarked. “Only boys have penises.” 

“Hey,” Anneliese interrupted her. “Some girls have penises and some boys have vaginas.”

“It’s just not right,” she growled.

I grabbed the dress and quickly put it on.

“Get out of our room!” Anneliese yelled at her. 

The maid left the room in such a way, it made the room rattle. 

When Momma and Papa came in they wore very fancy clothes, just like us girls were wearing.

“Where is the maid that Captain Smith sent over?” Momma asked.

“She was mean to Josephine and left,” Anneliese told her.

Papa looked over at the captain. The captain wasn’t very happy “I’ll look for her.”

Papa saw I was on my bed crying. “What wrong Josephine?” He asked.

I look up at him. “Papa,” I cried “I hate my penis. I wish I didn’t have one.”

“I know dear,” he hugged me.

“Can we have it chopped off?” I asked.

“Chopped off?” Papa shrieked, looking straight at me. “You’ll bleed to death.

“I’ve heard of people that have gotten it removed. Why can’t I get mine removed?

“Josephine,” Papa explained. “Those people had surgery to have it removed.”

“Well,” I looked down, at where my penis is and then back at Papa “Can I have mine removed that way?”

Papa looked at me got up off my bed, walked over to the small round window of our room, and looked out at sea. “Tell you what,” be began. “Once we make it to America, I will look for a doctor that will be willing to remove your penis.”

I cheered and then stopped. “But what about the rest?”

“The rest?” dad looked puzzled.

“My balls?” I say in frustration.

“When I said I would find a doctor that would remove your penis, that means he would remove not only your penis but also your balls and the little pouch they’re in as well. So that means everything.”

“Really?” I cheered.

“I promise.” Papa smiled at me.

“And I will make sure that it happens,” Momma added.”

I continued cheering and ran over to Anneliese. “Did you hear, I’ll be just like you,” I giggled.

“Well,” Papa added. “You won’t have a vagina.”

I was a little disappointed, but then looked up at him. “But I would look like a girl and possibly they might be able to make a little hole there to look like a vagina... somehow.”

Date: Friday, The Twelfth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – First Class Dining Room
Time: 19:00

We were escorted by a crew member to first class. As we walked into the dining room we walked over to Captain Smith. 

“Shabbat Shalom,” Papa and Momma greeted the captain.

“Shabbat Shalom,” Captain Smith greeted back. “And Shabbat Shalom to you, little misses,” He said to me and Anneliese.

“Shabbat Shalom!” We both said together. 

The captain walked into the middle of the room. 

“Excuse me, everyone,” Captain Smith announced. “To all that would like to participate, we are having something special today and celebrating Shabbat, which is the Jewish version of what Christians call the Sabbath.” Almost everyone was listening, many cheered. Only a handful was still chatting to others in the room. 

He then looked over at us girls. 

“Would you two like to start this?” 

“Us?” Anneliese asked.

“Yes, you two.” he chuckled.

We looked over at Momma and Papa. They were smiling. “Go ahead girls,” Papa approved. 

We got up from off our seats. 
Since this was not a normal thing for us, Anneliese and I were a bit nervous. Especially with everyone watching us. We slowly walk over to the candles on the table. The captain, my parents, and a few others watch us.
Not everyone in the room watched us. Some didn’t really care what was going on, but were polite and chatted softly. Despite those not watching many were and also very interested in what was taking place. 

Anneliese took a match and started lighting one of the candles. She hands the match over to me and I light the other candle. Finally, we kindle the two Shabbat candles, waving our hands three times to welcome in Shabbat.

We cover our eyes with our hands and chant with everyone that wished to participate:

“Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik neir shel Shabbat.”

We always sing it in Hebrew, but what we sang was:

“We praise you, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, who makes us holy with mitzvot and commands us to kindle the Sabbath lights.”

We then lift up cups of wine or in this case for us kids, juice while the adults in the room lifted up cups of wine and say: 

“Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p’ri hagafen.” Which means: “We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.”

Finally, we uncover the Challah which is the bread, and say:
“Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz.” And that means: “We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”

We break off pieces of Challah for everyone in the room to eat. To my surprise, there were many Jews on this ship. About twelve of them congratulated us for such a wonderful job we did.

I felt proud. My sister was as well. We both had a great time. 

“Shabbat Shalom,” we said to each one of them.

We sat down at the table with the captain again. 

He looked over at me and smiled. “Sorry for what my maid did to you earlier,” he whispered to me. “And just between you and I, your secret is safe.” He winked and started talking to Papa. 

I looked over at Anneliese and smiled. 

Supper was brought up to us in fancy plates. The utensils used in them were even Kosher. Each utensil said either Meat, Dairy, or even Pareve. Waiters came into the room and brought over a buffet of food. The captain insisted it would be severed this way tonight. 

Some First Class passengers that refused, would end up having what was on the menu and served independently. 

My favorite thing to eat was the Latkes. The taste of the potatoes and onions mixed with Matzo meal. Delicious. I was also fond of the Matzo Ball Soup. Anneliese ate some chicken with the soup. I ate it on the side. Momma had as usual the fish and I’m not sure what Papa and the captain were eating, they were sitting down farther down the table having a conversation. 

This may be the best day we’ve had on the Titanic so far. 

Date: Saturday, The Thirteenth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Second Class Deck
Time: 11:45

Today’s breakfast was good. It wasn’t as fun as yesterday's Supper with the First Class and the Captain. We were allowed to keep the pretty dresses that the captain gave us. It was a gift for us, so the captain refused to take it back. This made me and Anneliese very happy.

 Momma and Papa still won't let me leave on my own, and I had to promise I wouldn’t leave Anneliese’s side.

My sister and I walked around the deck. There wasn’t much we could do.

We overheard a woman talking about all the toys the barbershop sold. She thought it was a cute idea. This made me and Anneliese excited. We could buy new toys to play with, instead of playing with the jacks all the time.

We head to the barbershop to check them out. 

“Hey girls,” A Man said. “I’m Arthur White. You here for a haircut?” He had his scissors out. “Snip, Snip,” he said with the scissors copying what he said.

“Uh,” I looked at the scissors.”

“No,” Anneliese laughed. “We heard you have toys.”

Arthur looked over at me, hiding behind Anneliese. “I was just joking, I wouldn’t cut such beautiful hair off of two beautiful girls like you.

I stopped being tense.

“What do you have for toys?” Anneliese asked.

“Just look around,” Arthur laughed. “There are toys everywhere.”

We both look around and see toys on the walls and floating above us on strings. Why didn’t we see this when we came in. There were dolls, a few yo-yos, and cup-and-ball toys. On the shelf, there were games. Chess, checkers, dominos, decks of cards, and also some crayons. They even had Jacks, which made me giggle.

There were so many other kinds of toys. I wish we could buy them all. 

“How much for the crayons?” I asked. 

“For you,” Arthur smiled, “I’ll sell it for one penny.”

“Penny?” I looked confused.
 
 Both Anneliese and I talked to each other. “What’s a penny?” Anneliese whispered. 

“I don’t know,” I said. I looked up at Arthur. “Can we ask our Papa?”

“Of course,” Arthur chuckled. 

We left the barbershop and headed right to our cabin. But when we got there, Papa was asleep. This disappointed not only me but Anneliese too. Mama was sitting in the room on the davenport knitting. I wonder why she never goes out and enjoys the Titanic herself as well.

“Momma, what’s a penny?” I ask.

“A penny is a coin, which is similar to the pfennig back home,” Momma explained. 

“Back home?” I questioned. “You mean where we use to live.”

“It doesn’t matter if we don’t live there now,” Momma told me, “It still is our home, even if we moved away.”

“Can we have a penny?” Anneliese asked.

I can tell mom was confused. “Why do you want a penny?”

“To buy some crayons at the barbershop,” Anneliese told her.

“The barbershop?” Momma laughed.

“They’re selling toys there,” I explained.

Momma put down her knitting and got up off the davenport. “Why not we all go over there and I’ll see what you mean.”

Both Anneliese and I jump for joy with excitement.

Momma left a note for Papa, just in case he wakes up and we walk to the barbershop. Well, Anneliese and Momma walked, I skipped. With the barbershop being on level B, we ended up walking up a few stairways. We wouldn’t use the lift, Momma had a bad feeling about new technology like a lift or even a moving stairway known as an escalator.

I am fascinated by the escalator. How do those wooden steps go all the way up to the next floor and, where do they go afterwards? I do like the sound it makes. ‘Clickity Clackity’

As we make it into the shop, Arthur was working on some man. We didn’t want to bother him so we waited. Kind of. I was impatient and wanted to buy a toy. I was wiggling in my seat. It didn’t take long for Arthur to finish the man, and when he did, he came over to us.

“Well if it isn’t the two twin girls from earlier,” he said. “And who would this be? You’re older sister?”

“Hey!” Anneliese barked. “I’m the older sister!”

Momma laughed. “I’m their mother.”

“I figured that,” Arthur chuckled and looked over at me. I noticed him looking and ran over to Momma.

“So,” Momma began. “I hear my girls are wanting to buy some crayons.”

Arthur walked over to the shelf and grabbed a box of eight crayons. “Here they are,” he smiled.

I looked at them in amazement. “We’ve never had crayons before,” I told him.

“Is that so?” he chuckled. “Well, in this box, there are all the colors of the rainbow. And for only one penny, they will be yours.”

“That’s an awfully steep price,” Momma said. “But what will they color on?” 
 
 “For these sweet little girls, I’ll throw in a pad of twenty-five sheets of paper for only four cents.”

Momma handed him five pfennigs. He looked at it in surprise. 

“German pfennigs?” He questioned. “I’m not sure if we take these.” He looked in a book that he had in the room. He was flipping through page after page. 

I looked at Anneliese and she looked at me. I bet she was thinking the same thing as me. ‘When are we going to get our color crayons?’

Arthur came back to us. “It seems like we don’t take German pfennigs.” He told us. It’s not in our approved currencies. Do you have any other coins?” 

Momma dug into her coin purse. “All I have that’s not German money is the change from France.”

“Oh, we definitely take Francs,” Arthur approved. 

Momma gave him some change she had. Arthur gave change back.

“Is this American money?” Momma asked, looking at the change.

“It sure is,” Arthur said. Just look at this penny.”

We all looked at the coin he was showing us.

“This Penny has on the front of it a picture of Abraham Lincoln,” he began. “Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth President of The United States of America. You see this 1909 penny is one of the first pennies Abraham Lincoln was ever on. Before then you would only see him on the fifty-cent paper bill and the one-hundred-dollar paper bill. The truth is before he was even on the penny, they were known as Indian head pennies.”

“Indian head?” I said. “Do you mean people from India were on the America penny?”
 
 “No,” Arthur laughed, “Amerindians.”

“Amerindians?” he kept confusing me.

“Never-mind,” he chuckled. “You’ll learn about them sooner or later.”

“Are you from America?” Anneliese asked.

“No,” he answered. “I’m from England. But I know all about the history of America from History books.” A man walked into the room. “Oh, I’m sorry girls… and Madam he looked up at Momma. Duty calls. I hope you enjoy your new crayons. Come on in if you want anything else.” Arthur walked up to the man that was now sitting down in a chair.

We walk out of the barbershop. I was looking at the crayons and paper. I really couldn't wait to color.

Date: Saturday, The Thirteenth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Library
Time: 12:38

We didn’t want to disturb Papa when he slept, so we headed to the library.

Anneliese and I sat down at a table and started coloring a picture. Because of how much it costs, we didn’t want to waste one sheet of paper. So if we made a mistake, we made it look like it was part of the picture.

On my paper, I drew a dolphin jumping out of the water. I wasn’t really good at coloring, but I tried. Anneliese colored a house with flowers. A girl was standing next to the house. 

Momma was sitting in the room down by the door talking to a man and a woman. We continued to color while she talked. I saw Anneliese color a sun, which made me feel like I was copying her because I was coloring a sun at the same time. 

After looking at the picture, I noticed it was missing something. I kept thinking of the dolphins I saw a couple of days ago swimming. I decided to draw the Titanic in my picture as well. I made it very long and added three smokestacks coming out of it. I was so proud of it, I showed it to Anneliese.

“Nice ship,” she said. 

“It’s the Titanic,” I told her.

“That’s not the Titanic,” she giggled. “You’re missing one smokestack.”

“Wait,” I looked at my picture. “There’s four? I thought there was three.”

“Come on, I’ll show you,” Anneliese pulled me out of my chair. 

“Hold on,” I said, taking our pictures to Momma. “Can you watch these?”

“Sure,” Momma said. “Where are you going?”

“Anneliese is going to show me something quickly.”

“Okay,” Momma smiled. “Oh before you go, I’d like to introduce you to someone. Josephine, Anneliese, this is Thomas and Patricia Otto. They’re on this ship as Newlyweds.”

“Hello,” we both said at the same time. 
 
 I looked at Momma. “Newly what?”

“Newlyweds,” mom repeated herself. “They’re on their honeymoon. Isn’t that romantic?”

“Um, Yes,” I told her a bit confused. I did not want to ask her what a honeymoon was. “Can I go?”

“Sure, but come right back when you are done,” she told us. “And don’t go too far.”

Anneliese pulled me all the way out to the deck. “Jeez Anneliese, pull my arm off will you?”

“See,” she said pointing to the smokestacks.

“Why are there only three of them going?” I asked looking at the fourth with no smoke coming out of it.

“I’m not sure,” Anneliese scratched her head. “Maybe it’s plugged up.”

We walk back into the library. Momma was still talking to the Otto's. I saw Tom look up at me and smile as I grabbed the papers and crayons.

“I really liked the Titanic you colored,” he told me. 

“Thanks,” I said softly.

“You do know that there are four smokestacks, don’t you.”

“I do now,” I whined.

I walked back over to the table. Embarrassed that I made a mistake, I added the fourth one on the picture but did not add smoke coming out of it. I added waves around the ship to hide some of the mistake I made. 

Date: Saturday, The Thirteenth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic –The Second Class Promenade 
Time: 14:18

We didn’t go back to our cabin after dinner except to drop off our pictures. Papa was still sleeping, so Momma Anneliese and I headed out to the deck. Me and Anneliese played a game of shuffleboard, while Momma sat on a bench knitting and watching us play. I convinced Anneliese to play Shuffleboard, even though she didn’t want to play yesterday.

I played better than I did the first time when I played with Peter. At least this time I made it to the other end. I still wasn’t that good, but that didn’t matter, neither was Anneliese. While I played, I thought about what happened to him. Where was he? Where did they take him?

Eventually, I stopped playing the game. I lost. Anneliese was gloating that she did better than me. 
I liked playing the game, but it hurt to not win. I sat on the bench while Momma played with Anneliese. 

Sighing, I look over at a couple of kids playing nearby. They were not the same kids as before. They were both girls. One was taller than the other. Most likely they were sisters.

“Momma, can I go over to those two girls?” I ask.

“Stay where I can see you,” Momma told me. 

I walk over to the two girls. “Hi,” I greet them.

“Hello,” the older girl said. She looked to be about my age. Her sister looked to be about two or three. 

“What’s your name?” I ask.

She looks over to her mother behind her and back at me. “Winnifred.”
 
 “Hi Winnifred, My name is Josephine.” I look down at the little girl. “Is this your sister?”

“Yes,” Winnifred said, smiling at her very shy sister. “Her name is Phyllis.”
 
 “Hi Phyllis,” I cooed looking down at her. 

Their mother walked over to us. I jump up and stare at her. “Hi!” I said startled.
 
 “Hello,” she said. “I was just checking up on my children.”
 
 “I’m sorry,” I wept. “My Momma was…”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” she laughed. 

Mother walked up with Anneliese right behind her. “Hello,” Momma introduced herself to the girls’ mother. 

“Hello,” she said. “I’m Jane Quick.”

They started talking. Me and Anneliese started playing with Winnifred and Phyllis. We were running around the deck. 

“Let’s play Hide and Seek!” Winnifred said. “I’ll be it.” 

“Okay,” both Anneliese and I said at once.

We sent Phyllis back to her mother. She was too young to play. We could lose her. Winnifred started counting to twenty and I went to find a place to hide. I didn’t know where Anneliese hid. 

I found a place just in time when Winnifred said twenty. I hid inside a lifeboat. 

It took a while for Winnifred to find me. She found Anneliese hiding behind some barrels.
 
 When they found me, a crew member saw us and walked over. “Hey girls, you can’t be playing in the lifeboats.” He told us. 

“They’re not hurting anything,” another crew member said “Besides, when would we ever need to use these?”

“You got a point there,” the first crew member laughed. “You three be safe.” They both walked away. 

“I thought we were in trouble there,” Anneliese shivered.

We were going to continue playing Hide and Seek, but many people were walking around the deck now, and it was getting crowded. 

“Come on,” Winnifred squeaked. “Let’s get back to our parents.”
 
 Momma and Jane must not have noticed what happened with us, the crew men and, the lifeboat. They were still talking. Phyllis was napping next to them on the bench. 

“Momma,” I whined. “It’s getting crowded out here.” 
 
 She looked around, and nodded her head. “Let’s get back to our cabin,” Momma said. It’s nice to meet you, Jane. I hope you three enjoy the rest of the time on Titanic and a safe trip back to Detroit.”

“You too,” Jane said. “Hope you, your husband, and your girls find a nice home when we get to America.”

We all walked back to the cabin. Papa was just getting up when we walked in. 

“What have you three been up to?” He asked.

“Nothing much, just playing on the deck,” Momma told him.

“And I won every game,” Anneliese smiled.

“Not every game,” I protested. I did win Hide and Seek.

We both laughed.

Date: Saturday, The Thirteenth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Quick Family Cabin
Time: 16:01

Winnifred sat on the bed in her cabin. She was just finishing up a project her mother had her do. Phyllis split her dress while sitting down, so Winnifred had to sew it up. Jane was busy with a naked little girl. Her sister was running around the room giggling her head off.

All of a sudden there was a knock on the door.

“Could you get that dear?” Jane asked. Shrugging, Winnifred walked over and opened it.

“Josephine? Anneliese?” Winnifred looked shocked. She was not expecting us.

“Hello,” I said, standing outside. 

“How’d you know which room I was in?” She asked.

“Your Mother told ours,” I laughed.

Behind her, I saw little Phyllis in the room running around naked with Jane running after her with a clean diaper.

“I believe we came at a bad time,” Anneliese giggled. All three of us giggled looking towards them.

“Wanna go somewhere fun?” Winnifred whispered.

“Sure,” I whispered back.

“Where are we going?” Anneliese asked.

“Winnifred looks back towards her mother and then to us. “It’s a secret.”

“As long as we won’t get into any trouble,” I feared the thought. “I’m already in trouble and have to stay with my sister whenever I leave the cabin.”

“You’re not going to get in trouble,” Winnifred promised. “As a matter of fact, we’ll be back before supper.”

“I look at Anneliese. She looks at me, we shrugged and both agreed to go.

“I’ll be back later, Mother,” Winnifred hollered back in the room.

“Be back before Supper,” Jane hollered back.

“I will mother,” Winnifred groaned.

We all went down the hallway to a door. I wasn’t sure where she was going. Looking both ways, making sure there was no one watching Winnifred opened the door to a staircase.

I notice her beginning to head down the stairs.

“Wait, shouldn’t we be heading up, not down,”Anneliese cried. “These stairs head straight to third class.”

“I thought we weren't going to get in trouble? I panic. 

“Don’t be a chicken,” Winnifred chuckled. “Second Class can go down, but Third class can’t come up.”

“I don’t think that works that way,” I argued “Someone will ask us where we live, which would mean they would have to tell our parents.”

Winnifred didn’t say anything. She kept walking down the staircase.

“I got a bad feeling about this,” Anneliese whispered to me. We all walked down the stairs. As we walked through the maze of the staircase. Walking through hallway after hallway. At the end, we could see a room with many chairs and tables. This must have been where third class ate their meals. I thought. It didn’t look like the second class and especially the first class dining rooms. 

Anneliese and I stop for a little bit. “This is where we would have had to eat if it wasn’t for Papa getting a temporary job here on the Titanic?” I thought. And by the look on my sister's face, I bet she thought the same thing.

“Come on!” Winnifred growled. 

Both of us continued following her. I still wonder where she was taking us. As we walked, we finally made it to the Level G corridor. 

“This is where we were on Wednesday,” I whispered to Anneliese.” She nodded and we kept following Winnifred, walking past the room we were in before and passing Mrs. Sandström’s cabin. I wonder what she and her daughters are doing? 

At the end of the corridor, we saw a door. 

“Authorized Personnel Only,” a sign on the door said.

“We can’t go in there,” I cried. “That’s a forbidden zone.”
 
 “Only if we get caught,” Winnifred chuckled. 
 
She kept saying that. I feel like we shouldn’t have agreed to come with her. If we get caught, who knows what will happen to us.

The door was locked, but that didn’t stop Winnifred. She took a hairpin out of her hair and started picking the lock. I was astonished at how she was able to do that.

Once she opened the door, she looked around a bit inside and then motioned us to follow. 

Again another hallway, but we didn’t go all the way. We took a doorway to some more stairs. These stairs winded around a bit.

With every step, we could hear loud noises from down below kind of like people yelling. I didn’t like what I was hearing. I saw an orange glow in the distance. The noise was getting louder as we walked down.

“Where are you taking us?” I asked.

“Well right now, this would be the boiler room,” Winnifred told me and Anneliese. 

“The boiler room?” Anneliese yelled. She had to yell, the noise was much louder this time.

As we walked in, we saw men shoveling coal into large machines of fire. It was like a vision of hell with the roaring furnaces and black figures moving in the smoky glow.

None of them noticed us as we walked into the room, but that didn’t take long. Men pushing wheel barrels of coal watched as three small children walked through.

“Hey kids!” a man yelled at us. “You shouldn’t be in here!”

We ran through the open door into another boiler room and fishtail around until we wind up into a dark area out of sight of the working crew. We watch the shadows of the workers in the glow of the fire. They just kept shoveling coal into the furnaces. The whole place thunders with the roar of
the fires.
We sat there for a while sweating from the heat in fear of getting caught by the man that yelled at us.

“I knew we shouldn't have gone here,” I cried.

“We’re going to get in trouble!” Anneliese whined. 

“Come on you two!” Winnifred yelled. “Stop being babies and let’s get going!”

“Where can we go?” I yelled back. “The only way out, is back through them,” I pointed towards the workers. 

“That’s what you think,” Winnifred said opening up a door behind us. 

We all darted to the door. Once we were in, and the door closed, the noise of the workers was silenced. It was also much cooler in the room we were in. 

“Where are we?” I ask, walking through rows of boxes.

“The cargo room,” Winnifred laughed. 

“Cargo?” I asked. You mean the storage room where the passengers belonging are?”

Winnifred shook her head yes.

I look over at Anneliese. She was hugging herself against the cold, after the dripping heat of the boiler room.

We walk up to what looked like a fancy royal red automobile. It kind of looked like what I believed was what Cinderella used while heading to the ball to meet the Prince. But this had a brass trim and some headlamps and no horses. I wonder what the Brother Grimm would think of today's transportation?

We kept walking around looking at all the storage that was in the room. A few more automobiles were sitting around, but none of them were as nice as the one we saw. 

Just then, we heard some noise coming from behind us. I started panicking. I could see a glow from what could be some oil lamps in the distance. Men were walking around. Most likely looking for us. I look over at Winnifred in anger and then at Anneliese. She looked frightened. About as frightened as I was. Winnifred looked confident enough. What is wrong with that girl? 

She motioned us to follow her. I felt like it was a bad idea, but I followed. Anneliese stayed right behind me. 

We could hear the men searching. 

Winnifred brought us to a rope that was hanging down from some luggage crates. “Climb this,” She whispered.

We didn’t have any choice. The men were getting closer by the minute. I climbed up the rope with Anneliese right behind me. Winnifred was last and pulled the rope up. We made it just in time as the men came around the corner of the luggage crates we were hiding. We lied flat as possible under some blankets. 

Eventually, the men walked past and were now in another room.

“How long are we going to stay here?” I asked. “It’s nearly Suppertime.”

Winnifred hushed me.

A glow came into the room once more. A lone man was walking along searching once more. 

As he left the room, I saw Winnifred take the rope, throw it down, and climbed off the luggage crates. 

We got down as well and headed the same way the men headed.

“Shouldn’t we going the way we came in?” Anneliese asked.

“Are you kidding?” Winnifred barked. “They’re most likely watching that door.”

“How do you know they aren’t watching the other doors?” I asked. 

“They are, but I know a secret way out of here,” Winnifred chuckled. We walk through the storage room. Winnifred climbed up on some smaller crates and open up a vent. “Come on,” she said.

The vent wasn’t the most fun place I’ve been in, but I felt much safer here than out in the open. I hear Anneliese crying behind me. After many tight twists and turns, we finally got through and ended up in a second class hallway.

“Why didn’t we go through that way when we first came through here?” I asked.

“We wouldn’t have had such an adventure that way,” Winnifred laughed. “Besides, did we get caught?”

~o~O~o~

Once we got back into our cabin, Anneliese ran to her bed. I felt bad. We almost got in trouble. I sat down next to her. Momma was sitting on the davenport knitting like always. “You two have fun?” She asked.

“Kind of,” I frowned.

“What’s wrong?” Momma asks. “What did you do?”

“Explored the ship,” I said.

“Well as long as you didn’t do anything that would get you in trouble, I’m fine with it.” Momma continued knitting.

I look over at her, and then at Anneliese. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

She looks at me, smiles, and hugs me. 

Date: Sunday, The Fourteenth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Family Cabin
Time: 7:55

“Hurry up, we don’t want to be late for breakfast,” Momma told us.

I was tired and so was Anneliese. After yesterday's adventure, we fell asleep quickly. But despite all the tiredness, we ended up getting out of bed just in time. I yawned and stretched. If only Momma knew why we were so tired.

During breakfast, we could hear people singing music.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Since it was Sunday, it came from a church service down the hall. The song was pretty. We respect anyone’s religion, even if it isn’t our own.

As I ate some Pan Dulcis, some eggs, and a crumpet, I sat there listening to the sound of music. The violinist that usually plays in the room is playing at the church, but I could still hear him.

I sip on my orange juice and start to daydream.

What would it be like once we were in America? We could have a farm with chickens and cows. Papa would be the man of the house and do all the hard work. Momma Anneliese and I would do house work and play outside.

“Josephine!” Momma woke me from my daydream. “Don’t spill you orange juice.”

~o~O~o~

After breakfast, Anneliese and I head out on the deck. It was cold out there today. Few people were out. The sun wasn’t shining. All I could see was clouds for miles around.

Marshall was again playing quoits. We didn’t see Marjorie. She must have been with her family. We didn’t go over to Marshall. He looked like he was having fun on his own. Besides, the game didn’t appear that appealing in the first place.

“Let’s just go back inside and color or something,” Anneliese said shivering. “It’s too cold out here.”

“I agree. We can always go to the library,” I mentioned.

“You go, I want to color inside our cabin.” said Anneliese.

“But I can’t go on my own,” I whine.

Anneliese sighed. “Fine, but let's first grab the colors and paper.”

We headed back to the cabin, where Momma saw us come in.

“What are you two up to?” She asked.

“Nothing,” I said. “We are planning on going to the library. But first Anneliese came to get some color crayons and paper.”

I see Anneliese rummage through a few things.

“Sounds like fun,” Momma laughed.

“Okay, Let’s go,” demanded Anneliese.

“You two be safe,” Momma told us

“We know,” I grumble.

As we walk towards the library, I spotted a piano on the bottom of the very large staircase. It looked like Church was over. I glance over at Anneliese and back at the piano.

“Let’s go here instead,” I pleaded. I want to play the piano.

Anneliese looked over at the piano and sighed. “Fine, just don’t be to loud.”

I hop over and sit down on the piano bench. I wasn’t the greatest piano player, but I really wanted to play it. The only songs I played were kids songs. I started playing Mary had a Little Lamb, since it only used a few notes.

I started out slow, just making a few notes play.

A woman walks by and saw me playing.

“How cute!” she cooed and sat down on a chair and watched me.

Anneliese sat on the floor and colored a picture.

I continued playing the piano, unaware that I was creating a crowd.

I started playing songs that were a little familiar to me, including ‘The Farmer's in his Den’ and 'Der Deitcher's Dog' When I stopped playing, the crowed started clapping. I look over at them with shock.

“Uh,” I sputtered. “Hi.” I was embarrassed. I started getting off the piano bench.

“No, keep playing,” the woman said.

I could hear people chanting “Encore.” Which I didn’t understand. I looked over at Anneliese which was also looking over at the group of people and back at me. I felt a bit scared, but I slowly sat down at the piano and continued playing. I was a bit nervous at first, but began playing again.

As I played the piano, I felt more confident with myself. A man came up to me and asked if I could read notes.

“Yes,” I explained, “but I am a little rusty at it.”

“Go on and try,” he chuckled. “Here play this song.” He handed me a sheet with musical notes on it.

“Swan lake?” I read. I looked it over and started slowly begin the notes. As a played, I made a few mistakes, but I can tell the crowd didn’t care. Some may have giggled a little, but I played the song all the way through.

Everyone cheered.

I ended up playing a whole concert for them. Playing songs that people requested me to play. Most of the songs requested were from Ludwig Van Beethoven and Johann Sebastian Bach. By the time I was finished, my hands were tired and I was exhausted as well. Anneliese stopped coloring halfway through my performance and started watching me as well.

When I was finished, I got off the piano bench and curtsied while everyone including Anneliese clapped.

It was a good thing I finished, because Dinner was just about to start. I was famished.

We were starting to head down the hallway when I saw Momma and Papa.

“You did a great job Josephine,” Papa congratulated me.

“We heard that you were playing piano and headed out to watch you,” Momma said Proudly. “Anneliese told us.”

I glance at my sister. “Thanks,” I smiled.

We all headed to the dining room.

Date: Sunday, The Fourteenth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Family Cabin
Time: 16:34

When I came back to our room after dinner, I immediately went and took a nap. After playing piano for almost four hours, anyone would be tired. The nap refreshes me. As I got up, I glare down from my bed seeing Anneliese playing with Jacks. I was going to join her when all of a sudden there was a knock at the door. “Who could that be?” I wondered. I opened the door and on the other side stood Captain Smith

“So glad you're here,” he smiled down at me. “I was wondering if you and your sister would like to come with me to see the bridge of the ship?”

I became thrilled. “No Fooling?”

“Of course,” he chuckled. “I wouldn’t be standing here asking you if I wasn’t.” He continued chuckling.

Anneliese got up from off the floor. “What's all this jazz about going somewhere?”

“The captain is offering you two a chance to see how the ship rolls.” Momma said.

“Oh, that would be awesome.” Anneliese cried with delight.

“Do you still have those dresses you two wore before?” Captain Smith asked.

“Of course,” Momma laughed. “They’re right here.” She grabs it off the side of the door.

“Capital,” Captain Smith said. “Why don’t you two get dressed and meet me out here when you’re done. I want you two looking your best in front of my crew members.”

As he leaves we follow his directions and get dressed. Once we were done, we head out of the room, but Momma stays back. Captain Smith did invite her, but she politely rejected his offer. “You two have fun.”

As we walk with the captain, he turned to look at me. “I hear some crazy kids went down to the boiler room and in the cargo hold last night.”

I glanced over at Anneliese. Did he know it was us that were in there? I felt horrible.

“Little children shouldn’t go down there.” Captain Smith continued.

“Sorry,” Anneliese apologized.

“Anneliese!” I growl.

“So it was you two,” Captain Smith knelt down at both of us. “It was very dangerous for you girls to go down there. You could have been hurt.”

“Sorry,” I now apologized. “It wasn’t our fault. We were following another girl that told us…”

“It doesn’t matter,” Captain Smith said. “Just don’t do it again.” He could see the worried look on our faces. “I won’t tell you parents.”

We follow the captain to a lift. This would be the first time anyone of us has ever been in a lift and it was exciting.

“Good Afternoon Captain?” a man in the lift greeted.

“As you can see,” Captain Smith began, “This is our lift operator.”

“Hello, young ladies.” the man said.

We reach our stop and walk out to see a different view of the ship.

I saw how big Titanic really was. It looked like it went on for miles. I saw the ocean on both sides. Water that never ended.

The sun finally came out and the clouds were disappearing. I hugged myself a little. It was still cold out.

“Follow me,” Captain Smith told us. We followed him to what looked like a room with wheels.

“This room, my young lassies is the wheel room. This is where we command the ship. The wheels with all the words on it are called an Engine Order Telegraph or E.O.T.”

I stare at the wheel. It appeared like a fun thing to use.
Captain Smith continued, “And over here we have...”

I was interested in the telegraph machine and didn’t follow the captain. I wondered what the machines did. I tried to read what the words meant. I knew a few, but didn’t understand all. What does astern mean? Just for fun, I held on to the lever. I pretended to be one of the crew. None of the crew members on the bridge were even watching me.

“Josephine,” I heard Captain Smith calling for me, which startled me. I accidentally pushed the lever on the wheel, which went too far to the right I tried pulling it back, but it was too hard, so I freaked out and ran out of the room.

“There you are,” Captain Smith said with a smile. “I’d like to show you something special that no one under first class would see.”

We started heading over to where he was talking about, when all of a sudden the ship started moving to the left.

“What in tarnation?” he ran back into the wheel room I was just in. “Who pulled the E.O.T. to Full Astern?”

I watched the Titanic take a quick left, but a crew member set it back to normal.

“Let’s just hope none of the passengers noticed anything,” Captain Smith said once he got out of the room. “And if they do, I’m pretty sure I’ll hear from them soon.

I felt ashamed that I was the one that did it. I was surprised the captain didn’t suspect me.

As we walk off, I glance up in a distance at a man standing inside a small structure located on a pole.

“What’s that?” I asked pointing to the man

The man stood up there looking out to sea.

“That’s the crow's nest,” Captain Smith told me. It’s a lookout point. We use it to spot other ships or massive objects floating in the water.”

“Like a whale?” I asked.

“Whales?” Captain Smith chuckled, glanced down at me. “Whales won't come near us. They stay their distance. Now an iceberg would be something to worry about. But don’t be scared, we won’t encounter any icebergs.

I look up at the man in the crow's nest. It must be a boring job. Not even having a chance to experience fun on the ship. Especially her first one. Although, he will have many years of enjoyment. He won’t always be standing up there every time Titanic sailed and I doubt he’s up there the entire time.

We continue walking as we pass one of the huge funnels with smoke coming out of it. They are enormous when you’re close up to them. The captain takes us to a large room with many people inside. I spotted a grand piano in the distance. Much larger than the one I played on earlier today.

“I heard you were playing the piano,” Captain Smith smiled. “And I would like you to play...

“Oh, I’d love to,” I told him, “But I’m a bit tired from doing it earlier.”

“Do it for me,” he pleaded.

I really liked the piano a lot. I have never played on such a beautifully huge one. I glanced over at Anneliese, and she shook her head, yes.

“Okay,” I finally said. “I’ll do it. But only for a little bit.”

I slowly walk over and sit down on the very comfy piano bench. I gaze over at the captain. He was smiling. On the piano there was a book of music. The captain must have put it there earlier. He must have known I would play.

I thumbed through the pages and picked out a song I played earlier. ‘Air (Air On The G String)’ by Bach. At least this time I may play it better.

I opened up the piano door and checked out the keys. They were glossy. I cracked my fingers and started playing.

This attracted a bunch of the people walking around or talking. They headed over and watched me play. They never imagined a seven-year-old could play the piano this good before, especially a girl. (Even if I was born a boy, in my heart I am a girl.)

I didn’t play as long as I did before, But I did go through a bunch of songs, including my favorite Beethoven song, ‘Moonlight Sonata’, which I didn’t play earlier.

After I was done, I did another curtsy and went over to the crowd of people. Everyone there gave me many compliments and some older women gave my cheeks a pinch, which I didn’t like.

I walk over to Captain Smith and Anneliese. She gave me a big hug.

“Well done,” Captain Smith said congratulation my work. You should go professional.” He checked the time on the wall behind us. “We have a half hour before Supper. Let me show you one more thing before we head back to your cabin.”

We followed him not even a few feet of where we were standing. What Anneliese and I observed was the largest staircase I have ever seen. It was sensational. On the top of the staircase was a clock with a decoration around it. The wood on and around the staircase had so much detail. Even the floors were beautiful. I’m not sure why I didn’t notice it before. I guess because I was excited about the piano.

“What kind of floor is this?” I asked the captain.

“It’s called Linoleum,” he pointed out. “It’s a really fine flooring, much better than marble flooring.”

I was confused, isn’t marble more of a luxury? This stuff looks cheap. I decided not to ask him it.

Well, come on girls, we better get going. We walked down the staircase and headed to the lift. The same man from earlier was in the lift working the controls.

“E deck please,” he told the man.

As we took the lift down, I looked up at Captain Smith, he looked down at me and smiled. I smiled back.

Date: Sunday, The Fourteenth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Second Class Dining Room
Time: 18:58

I stare out the windows of the dining room. It was so nice being able to sit next to one. I could see the beautiful sunset. The bright reds and oranges, the pinks and blues. What could possibly ruin this view.

As we sat for Supper, the server came up to us as usual with today's menu.

I asked for the roast turkey with cranberry sauce, roasted potatoes and some Ice Cream. They say it's American Ice Cream. I wonder what’s the difference. Momma insisted I get a vegetable. I figured potatoes were vegetables, but I was wrong. With disgust, I ordered the green peas. Anneliese ordered about the same thing as me, except for the potatoes. She had boiled rice instead.

Momma ordered a Spring Lamb which came with this weird green mint sauce and Papa ordered the curried chicken and rice. They both got Puree Turnips, which to me sounded worse than the green peas.

I wondered what the First and Third Class ate.

When our meals came, Momma told us we couldn’t eat the ice cream first. I was disappointed. Why couldn't I?

The turkey was so moist and delicious. The cranberry sauce was a bit tart. I ate the potatoes and then the worst part of them all, the green peas. I put them in my mouth and almost gagged. I hate peas. All so mushy and awful tasting. Anneliese ate them as if they were candy. I wonder how she could do it. It’s just so gross.

Finally, the Ice Cream. By the time I could eat it, it was melting. I got chocolate. I love chocolate. I took a spoonful and was a bit surprised. It tasted very sweet and milky. It was a smooth taste and not so thick. But it was missing something in the texture. I managed to eat just fine, but miss the kind I was used to.

I glance over at Anneliese. I could tell from her looks, she was thinking the same thing.

~o~O~o~

As we left Supper, Momma, Anneliese and I took a stroll outside. Papa was getting ready for work. It was a bit chilly outside. The temperature on the wall mentioned it was three degrees Celsius. Momma wanted us to wear a something warmer instead of our dresses, but not only me, but Anneliese wanted to stay in the dress we were wearing. We ended up wearing the sweaters, Momma knitted us over our dresses.

“Why did we go out here, if it's so dang freezing,” I asked.

“Watch your mouth, young lady,” Momma told me. “I just wanted to spend a little time with you. I haven't seen you all day. I didn’t believe being cooped up in our cabin would be much fun.”

“Well,” I began, “I’ve had a busy day.”

“That’s right, how was your time with the captain?” Momma asked.

“We got to check out the wheels that control the ship.” I mentioned.

“Yeah,” Anneliese added. “We even witnessed the ship turn left for some strange reason.”

“So that’s why it felt a little weird earlier today.” Momma laughed.

I didn’t say anything. I just continued my story.

“Well anyways,” I ended up playing on a grand piano and even viewed a beautiful set of stairs.”

“You got to see the Grand Staircase?” Momma was shocked. “Now I wish I could have been there. Not only for the staircase, but to watch you play.”

I noticed Anneliese was shivering, which made me feel cold as well. “Can we go in,” I asked. “Anneliese and I are shivery.”

“It’s not what I wanted, but okay,” Momma groaned.

When we got back to the cabin, Papa was just leaving.

“Bye Papa,” me and my Anneliese say together.

“Stay safe, dear,” Momma kissed him

“Ewww!,” both Anneliese and I said.

When we walk into the room, Momma spots me yawing.

“I saw that yawn,” she chuckled. “Time for bed.”

“Awww Momma,” I whine.

“There’s more to do tomorrow,” Momma scolded.

“Alright,” I pout.

“You too, Anneliese.”

“Okay Momma,” Anneliese said, hopping into bed with me.

I must have been really tired, because I fell asleep in just a few minutes.

Date: Sunday, The Fourteenth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Family Cabin
Time: 23:39

I was sound asleep, and so was Momma and Anneliese. I was dreaming about what our new home would be like when we got to America. Papa would be milking the cows and Momma would be out with us collecting eggs and feeding the chickens. All of a sudden a minute later there was an earthquake, which caused me to wake up.

“Momma!” I scream.”

“What is it?” Momma yelled back startled as well.

“I had a bad dream” I began. “There was an earthquake, and it felt so real.”

“I don’t think it was your dream,” Momma said, “I felt something.

“So did I,” Anneliese quietly said. “What time is it?”

Momma looked at a watch she had on her. “It’s twenty minutes to midnight. Let’s just go back to sleep, and we’ll figure this all out in the morning.”

“Okay Momma,” we both say together.

I tried to fall asleep, but I was still scared. I just lied there.

I hear Anneliese breath softly. She was back to sleep. Momma was out of bed and was watching out the window. I came by and looked out with her.

“Can’t sleep,” she asked me.

“Nope,” I said, I watched out the window as well. It was completely dark out there. I couldn't see that well, but I did notice something in the water not far from us. What could it be? I squinted.

“What’s that!” I ask pointing out the window.

“Not sure,” Momma said “But have you noticed that Titanic isn’t moving?”

Just then, the door crashed open from the cabin. It startled me and Momma. Anneliese jumped as well.

At the door was Papa and he was soaked.

“Get your lifebelts on,” he told us.

Date: Sunday, The Fourteenth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Family Cabin
Time: 23:44

“What do you mean, get your lifebelts on?” Momma asked.

“I was shoveling coal into the broiler when all of a sudden there was an enormous crash coming from the walls and water was coming out of it.,” Papa explained. “Or should I say coming in.” He grabbed the lifebelts and handed them all to us. “Here take one and put it on.”

“It can’t be that bad,” Momma tried to calm him. “Don’t they have a way to just close up the water until we make it to New York?”

“We can’t take any chances,” Papa said. “It’s best to just have a lifebelt on. It may get worse.”

He was taking off his work uniform and dressing in much dryer clothes. Me and Anneliese didn’t look his way, just in case he got naked. Which likely he did.

Momma steps to the window and looks out. “Well that explains why the ship has stopped.”

“Did we hit something?” I asked. “I did notice something huge out the window.”

Anneliese spoke up, “We may have hit a reef or giant under sea rocks.”

After Papa got dressed, he sat down on his bed and put his hand on his forehead. “It was a nightmare. First the boat starts shaking and then water and ice came out of the walls.”

“You didn’t mention ice,” Mom said.

“Ice?” I exclaimed. “We may have hit an iceberg.” I ran to the window and looked out again. From a distance I could see something gigantic in the water. It was hard to determine, but it may have been an iceberg.

“There,” I pointed.

Papa got up off his bed and looked out. “Are you sure it's an iceberg?”

“Not really,” I cry, “but Captain Smith was talking to me today about them.”

Anneliese and Momma went to the window and looked out.

“I can’t see anything,” Anneliese complained.

We should go outside and see it better,” I said hurrying to the door.

“Oh no, you don’t!,” Momma growled. It’s late and you two should be in bed.”

“But I’m not tired,” I complain.”

“Me too,” Anneliese whined.

“What if we are asleep and the ship starts to sink?” I asked.

“We haven't heard anything from anyone on the crew, besides you honey,” Momma sighed.

“Let them stay up,” Papa said sitting down on the bed once more. “Besides, if everything is normal, they’ll be asleep sooner or later.”

There was a knock on the door. Momma opened it. An older man was on the other side.

“Sorry tae disturb ye,” he said. “But did any o ye feel somethin aboot say fifteen minutes ago?”

“Yes we did,” Momma said. “Come on in.”

“Why, thank ye.” He slowly stepped into the room, using a cane.

As he walked in, he glanced over at both me and Anneliese.

“Why, hello thare young lassies,” he smiled. “Ma name is Herbert Spenser” he said after sitting in a chair. “A believe A'v distinguishit ye twa young tykes playin ootside.”

I sat down next to Anneliese. She and I just looked at each other. We didn’t understand what he was saying. His accent was strange.

“Mind gin A smoke?” Herbert asked. He pulled out a pipe.

Papa viewed the pipe and figured out what he was saying “No, It’s fine by me,” said Papa. “How about you honey? Gazing over at Momma.

“I’m not sure,” she protested. “What about the children?”

“It’s okay with me,” I said. “They smoked in the library and even while I played the piano.”

“I don’t mind.” Anneliese giggled.

Herbert took his pipe and filled it with some tobacco. I watched him. I never see many people smoke and it looked interesting. I always wondered why Papa never smoked. Grand-papa always did.

Anneliese sat on the ground and started playing with her Jacks. I glanced over and decided to play as well. I noticed that with the ship not moving, it was a lot easier to play the game.

“…Sae anyways, thare A wis sittin at the table playin checkers an aw o a sudden a huge spider walks on tae the board.” Herbert chuckled. “Now A knew it wis thare, but Fred didn’t know, an synse he wis playin as black an it wis his turn, he pickit up the spider an freakit oot.” Momma and Papa both laughed. “Yeah it wis hilarious.”

I heard him say the word spider and it gave me the shivers.

“Anyways, I’ve been wonderin. Why dae ye aw have lifebelts on?”

Papa explained the whole situation to him.

Sae that whit happened ,” Herbert puffed on his pipe. “We pure don’t hae tae worry, this ship wis capable fur hings lik' that tae happen. We’ll be back tae sailing again in a few hours, wance thay patch up th' nook.”

The continued having a conversation for a little while longer until Herbert excused himself.

“A here better head back tae ma room, ma leg is pickin up a storm a comin.”

Date: Monday, The Fifteenth day of April 1912
Place: Titanic – Family Cabin (Still)
Time: 24:09

“Everybody up, get dressed, get your lifebelts on at once!” I heard a man yell out in the hallway. It sounded like a crew member. “Everybody up, get dressed, get your lifebelts on at once!” He kept saying and banging on doors.
I started hearing people in the hallway right outside our cabin. They were complaining about the noise. Some were complaining about having to wear the lifebelts. Some were asking questions on why the ship had stopped. That was my question as well.

“There’s no need to worry, just put on the lifebelts and head up on the deck,” the crewman argued with them. “Chop, Chop!” He then started knocking on other doors, including ours.

Papa opened the door.

“Everybody up, get dressed, get your lifebelts on...” the man started saying when he noticed we all had ours on. “Come on then up to the deck.” He hurried off to the next door. “Everybody up, get dressed, get your lifebelts on at once!”

Momma insisted we all stay warm and put on most of our clothes underneath our new dress. It didn't work, it was hard to move in. We ended up putting on the dress, Captain Smith gave us, one extra dress and the sweater Momma made us.

Before we left, we all glanced back at what we had left in our rooms. If the ship was sinking, we wouldn’t see any of it anymore. I noticed my doll and freaked out. “Lucie!”

“Forget the doll!” Momma grumbled.

“But Momma, I can’t leave Lucie behind. I can’t sleep without her. And she was my first doll.”

“I can get you a new one,” Momma told me. I started to cry.

“Just let her have the doll,” Papa told Momma.

“Alright, you can have the doll,” Momma grumbled.

“If she can have her doll, I’m taking the color crayons and paper with our drawings.

Momma sighed.

As we all wandered out on the deck, many people were standing around. There was a roaring sound coming from the funnels above us. I had my hands to my ears. I could see Anneliese had hers to her ears as well. Momma and Papa were looking around. My hair kept getting in my face with the strong wind that was blowing. It was very chilly outside.

“Go back to your rooms and get dressed in warm clothes,” a crew member said. “Also bring out all your blankets you can find. And come back here.” We heard other crew members saying about the same thing elsewhere.

Momma was right. Dress warmly, but she wasn’t sure if bringing the ship's blankets was allowed. Now that we had the order, we went back inside our cabin and grabbed every blanket. Momma snuck a pillow bag full of most of our clothes. Anneliese grabbed her Jacks and I just kept holding onto Lucie.

Place: Titanic – Hallway
Time: 24:16

The hallway was crammed with passengers left and right scrambling to and from their cabins. We scooted along the edge of the walls trying to get out. We didn't even bother locking the door of our cabin.

With all the commotion, I dropped my doll. I stopped to grab it. This made me lose my family in the crowd. I started to panic. I couldn’t see them anywhere. I walked the best I could, getting bumped by passengers hurrying along.

“Momma! Papa!” I holler. It was no use, nobody could hear me in the loud hallway of people. I continued walking when a man came along and scooped me from the ground. I dropped my doll again.

I freaked out.

“Let me go!” I cried.

“Don’t worry, Anneliese,” said a familiar sound.

I stopped crying and gazed at the person carrying me.

“Peter?” I sputtered.

“It’s me,” he chuckled.

“Where have you been all this time?” I asked.

“I’ll explain later,” he said. “We have to get out of here.”

“No!” I cried. “I want my Momma and Papa and my...” Peter covered my mouth. I continued to cry as he headed the wrong way. I bit him. “Let me go! Let me go! I screamed. This caused everyone to look towards me and Peter. “Let me go!”

Peter was furious from me biting him, he slapped me in the face, which made me dry harder. He wasn’t paying attention to where he was running and hit an open door, which caused me to fall to the floor.

Peter fell to the floor. He looked like he was asleep. I darted off the way we came.

I didn’t even look back to see if he was awake and coming after me. I was so scared that he was chasing me, that I almost slipped and fell. I notice I wasn’t far from our cabin and run to it. I make it back to the cabin and close the door locking it.

Huffing and puffing, I lie on the floor sobbing.

~o~O~o~

Momma, Papa and Anneliese finally make it out on the deck. The crew were getting some of the lifeboats ready.

“That’s strange,” Momma said.

Anneliese spotted a boy holding up a doll to his mother. “Mommy, Mommy, look what I found,” the boy said.

“Momma,” Anneliese said tugging on her blanket. “Isn’t that Josephine’s doll?”

“It sure looks like the same kind of doll,” Momma said, glancing back to where I was supposed to be. Not seeing that I wasn’t around. “Josephine?”

Papa, alert on what was happening, ran over to the boy and his mother. “Excuse me, where did you find that doll?”

The little boy hugged his mother. “I found it on the floor in the hallway,” he whined.

Papa started running into the hallway. There were so many passengers roaming the hall he couldn’t see anything. He kept running. Searching on every end of the hallway.

Eventually he made it to our cabin,
and tried the door. It was locked. Thinking I wouldn’t be able to get in with a locked door, he hurried down the hall some more. Eventually he came up to a man, which was Peter lying on the ground.

“Damn drunk!” he snarled and continued searching down another hallway.

~o~O~o~

Back in the room, I was sitting on the floor next to the door. I heard someone try to open the door. I freaked out and ran to my bed. I was crying. “I want my Momma and Papa!”

I was about to head back out but decided not to. Peter could be out there waiting for me to open the door, so he could snatch me again. I decided to lie on my bed.

A few minutes later I heard the door again and this time someone was pounding on it. I look up and stare at the door. Tears were flowing down my face with horror. The pounding continued and got louder. My heart was beating a mile a minute. I wonder how many people were in the hallway watching at a strange man beating at a door.

All of a sudden the pounding stopped, and the door of the cabin opened up. I was hiding and crying when a hand came up to me and touched me.

“Josephine?” said a voice.

I looked up.

“Papa!” I cried jumping into his arms. “I was so scared. I saw Peter and…”

“Yes, I know,” Papa hushed me.

“How?” I asked.

Papa hugged me. “He’s out cold in the hallway.” Papa takes the blanket I was wearing and put it on me. We stepped out of the room. He continued to hold me. I look down and see Peter on the floor. He looked like he was sleeping, just like before.

We walk down the semi crowded hallway and out to the deck where Momma and Anneliese were.

“Josephine!” Momma cried.

“Momma!” I held my arms out for her to grab me.

“Here’s you doll,” Anneliese held Lucie in her hands.

“Thank you,” I sniffle.

Place: Titanic – Boat Deck
Time: 24:31

I could hear music playing and it was lovely. I wasn’t quite sure what they were playing, but it made being out in the cold a lot easier. I notice the crew moving around the deck. One man was ordering them what to do.

“Women and Children First!” He would say.

This caused an uproar as men felt they were being discriminated.

“What do they mean women and children first?” I asked Papa.

He didn’t answer, he was more watching the crowd.

I gaze over at Anneliese. She was sitting on the ground trying to stay warm. I walk over and sit down next to her.

“I believe you may need some company?”

“Thank you,” Anneliese hugged me. “I am scared.”

“I am too,” I hug her back.

At the corner of my eye, I notice a sinister looking man walking onto the deck.

“Cover your face!” I tell Anneliese as I do myself. We cover with our blankets.

“What’s wrong?” she asks doing what she was told.

“Peter is out there, and he is looking for me.” I explain. “You look like me, and so he may think you are me.”

“Peter?” Anneliese asked. “You mean Francis the murderer? The guy that you were hanging out with?”

“Yes,” I whine.

We both start crying.

I could hear Peter tramping up to us and stop. He was breathing heavily. Most likely looking at the blankets we were hiding in. After about a minute, he left. His breathing gave me goose pimples and chills up my spine.

We didn’t dare leave the blankets. We were both shivering, not from being frozen, but from the fear we had.

Momma came up to use and chuckled. “Why are you two both bundled up like that,” she asked. Are you two freezing?

“No, we were hiding.” Anneliese told her.

“Hiding?” Momma questioned. “Hiding from what?”

Never mind,” I said.

Once we got out from hiding, we both stood nearby Papa.

Time: 24:40

Patty Cake, Patty Cake, Baker's Man;
That I will Master, As fast as I can;
Pat it and prick it, And mark it you see;
And there will be enough for you and me.

We played while everybody stood around. It was getting boring and there was nothing else to do. Anneliese wanted to play Jacks, but she was worried she might lose the ball. She also thought we could color, but that also came up with the same thing.

Ring-a-ring o' roses,
A pocket full of posies,
A-tishoo! A-tishoo!
We all fall down.

It would be funner to play if we had more than two people playing, but we were starting to feel a little warmer and happier while we waited for what ever we were out here for.

We continued to play while passengers watched. Papa and Momma clapped along while we played. It was entertaining for all.

Eventually a few other kids joined the fun, and we all were laughing.

Ring-a-ring o' roses,
A pocket full of posies,
A-tishoo! A-tishoo!
We all fall down.

We all laughed when fell to the ground.

Afterwards, we all played a game called Anka Anka Grå Anka. A Swedish game where we all sit in a circle and one person goes around tapping on each person head, saying Anka to each person until they choose to say Grå Anka, and that person that gets chosen must run around the circle and try to chase them before they make it back to where the chosen person was sitting.

I lost a few times, but eventually won. We were about to play another game, until Anneliese spotted something out at sea.

“Look!” she said, pointing to a light in the distance.

“What is it?” I asked squinting at what she was trying to see.

Right about that time we heard, and then saw a rocket shoot up in the sky. It was very bright. It made me and Anneliese very happy to see it.

“Pretty,” I sang.

We all kept looking up, hoping for more, but were disappointed.

I walked over to Papa, who was staring out to sea. “Why did they shoot off just one?” I asked him. He shrugged and continued staring out.

I do the same thing.

~o~O~o~

Anneliese and I continued playing hand games while Momma and Papa were talking to someone.

“Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack
All dressed in black, black, black
With silver buttons, buttons, buttons
Up and down her back back back...”

I was stating to get cold and put on my blanket again. Anneliese followed. Fun and games were over.

Time: 1:08

As we sat there, we watched the rocket go off again. I wished it would be more.

We heard a man yelling. We were told to head over to one of the lifeboats. Momma, Papa, Anneliese and I started over to one. There were many women standing around with some men as well. I didn’t see many kids. A girl was standing with her mother, holding her hand. I decided to hold Papa's hand, even if it made me look like a baby.

I noticed that the music playing stopped for some reason. It became very quiet. All I could hear were the passengers talking and crew members telling everyone what to do.

I watched passengers climb into a lifeboat. I watched a crew member put in two young boys in one.

“That's all for this boat!” he said “Lower away!"

"Please!” I woman cried. “Those are my children! Let me go with them!"

“Alright,” the man said, “but she must leave.” He pointed to a girl in the boat.”

The girl steps out of the boat.

"Ruth! Get in another boat!" the woman screamed, once she got in the lifeboat, taking her place.

“Don't worry, kid, there's a boat over here for you.” the crew member told her.

We followed her and the man.

A lone woman keeping her distance from everyone was brought over to the boat. She became hysterical once she got closer.

"Don't put me in that boat! I don't want to go in that boat! I've never been in an open boat in my life!"

Officer Murdoch, tried to stop her fussing. "You have got to go and you may as well keep quiet. "

She eventually was put in the boat and Ruth was put in after her. Eventually it was our turn to get in the boat. Officer Murdoch helped me and Anneliese in and then Momma went in after us.

“Come on Papa,” I yelled.

Papa was just about to go on when Murdoch stopped him.

“I'm sorry, sir,” Murdoch said, “Only women and children allowed at this time.”

“Papa?” I started to cry.

“Can I say something to my children first?” Papa asked.

“Yes, of course,” Murdoch approved.

“Josephine, Anneliese,” he began. “You be good little girls and look after your mother.”

“Okay Papa,” Anneliese and I both said at once.

“I’ll...” Papa stuttered. “I’ll be on the next boat.” then he glanced over at Momma. “I love you honey.”

The boat was pretty much full by the time we were about to be lowered.

We both looked up at Papa with tears in our eyes.

"Bye Papa, " we both cried

"It's not goodbye," Papa told us, "It's see you later."

“Lower away,” Murdoch commanded.

Date: Monday, The Fifteenth day of April 1912
Place: Lifeboat 13 – North Atlantic Ocean
Time: 1:15

As we were being lowered down from the Titanic, I watched Papa from on deck. He glanced down at us, but eventually disappeared from sight. Anneliese and I were still crying, and I believe Momma was crying as well.

While we were being lowered in to the water, our lifeboat was nearly caught by an enormous stream of water, that was coming from Titanic somewhere. It seemed to be about three or four feet or so. We ended up having to use the oars in the lifeboat to push us away safely We started to move faster which caused us to drift under an oncoming lifeboat coming down.

It appeared to be lifeboat fifteen.

We all screamed in terror.

Luckily the lifeboat lowering had halted just in time, with only a few feet to spare. The falls aboard or lifeboat jammed and had to be cut free to allow us to get away safely from the side of the Titanic. It's a good thing I don’t believe in superstition, for we are all in lifeboat thirteen.

“Hey,” One woman in the lifeboat yelled. “We have no one to man this boat.”

“I may not be a sailor or anything,” said a man, named Frederick Barrett, “But I have been leading the firemen on here since the start of the voyage.”

“Anyone want to elect him to take charge?” The woman asked.

“We all agreed he should.

“Okay men,” Frederick yelled, “let’s all take an oar and start rowing away from the ship.”

It didn’t take long for the lifeboat to move away. I watched the men row away.

I could still hear the music playing on the ship. I had a feeling the musicians were not going to make it and would be going down with the ship.

I look toward the back of the ship and notice it was lifted out of the water. The propellers were showing.

I still saw rockets shooting off in the air. It lit up the sky enough to view the water we were floating on. I thought of all the fish that were under us right now. Possibly even sharks or whales. I worry a whale would come up and push us out of the lifeboat.

Anneliese was sitting talking to Ruth, the girl from earlier. She was bundled up in the blanket. At least she wasn’t going to be bored.

Momma sat there watching the ship. I bet the was thinking of Papa. I started to cry a little after thinking of him as well. Momma hugs me.

Time: 1:48

Anneliese and I were attempting to stay less bored by playing a clapping game. Some people in the boat were restless and didn’t want all the noise we were making. I sigh and look towards the ship.

With wide eyes, I saw the Titanic’s front end of the ship was deeper in the water. The back of the ship was up in the sky. I wonder what it would have been like trying to stay balanced on that ship at this moment.

The pianos I was playing on must have moved and possibly crashed. I think of the beautifully polished piano in First Class. I may also have been the last person playing on both of those pianos. I glance down at the water and sigh again.

We must be far away from the ship, because I can no longer hear the sounds of the instruments playing. It was very calming to hear them, now it was almost silent. I heard the waves of the water as we moved away. People from other lifeboats were talking or even crying.

I glance over at a young girl in the lifeboat we were in. She was fast asleep. I was getting tired too. I could see Anneliese yawning, which made me yawn.

Contagious.

Our lifeboat may have been one of the quietest boats floating. I see almost everyone watching the ship.

I look over at it. Titanic’s front end is totally submerged in the water.

I think about how only a few days ago I was standing on that deck watching dolphins swimming and playing, and how I felt like I was flying with my hands in the air. My hair blowing against the wind, and the sun warming me up.

Now I don’t even recognize that part of the ship anymore, and I am freezing.

Time: 2:09

I hear people screaming from the Titanic. Even from as far as we were, their screams were chilling. I still think of Papa. How he may still be on the ship and one of those screaming. I think of Captain Smith, how he would still be on there as well. I think of Peter and…

Why am I thinking of him? Forget about Peter. He can die in heck for all I care.

I thought he was a nice guy, until he tried to hurt and kidnap me.

I watch as the front of the ship slowly but noticeably plunge downward. I also notice the ship wasn’t tilting to the side anymore. The deck was sitting a little bit more even. Like it seemed to rise a few feet in the air, almost like it was mooning the sky. Talking about the moon, I look up in the sky and notice it wasn’t out tonight. All I saw were the stars.

All of a sudden a huge wave started to rise up and head quickly up towards the second funnel. I hear an enormous explosion almost like the sound of thunder coming from the ship and the funnel closest to the water falls over with a big splash and sinks into the sea.

The ship starts submerging faster and faster. Many more screams of panic filled the air.

The lights go out on the ship with a flash, almost like lightning, making it extremely dark and scary. As my eyes adjust from the darkness with the light from the stars above, I see the second funnel fall with a larger splash and sink into the sea as well.

Another loud explosion erupted and then the Titanic splits in half with a gigantic splash, bringing massive waves hurdling towards us.

Our lifeboat flew up in the air a bit, but landed safely back on the water. The little girl that was sleeping woke up.

Back at the Titanic, the tail of the ship starts to move upward again after it splits and just sits there in the air. I watched it and was contemplating is this the end? It was bobbling in the water for quite a time, basically about a minute or two, before it quickly sunk into the water, never to be seen again.

I sat there with tears streaming down my face. Anneliese and Momma do as well. I heard many passengers crying from the horror they had just witnessed all those people that had just sunk in with the ship.

All the men, the women, and even all the children (don’t forget the pets), still stuck on that ship as it goes to the bottom of the ocean.

Their final resting place.

Time: 3:55

After being in the dark for so long, I finally fell asleep. Most of the passengers were. I woke up in a panic and look around. Momma was still awake watching over me and Anneliese.

Frederick Barrett was also awake as he watched for a ship to show up. Many of us didn’t believe any ship will show up, and we would die out here just like those on the Titanic, but much slower. I didn’t think of it. I just know somehow that we will be rescued. I had a feeling.

“Momma, I need to go potty,” I cried.

“Oh honey,” Momma whispered. Can’t you hold it?”

“No I can’t,” I cried.

I could hear Frederick chuckling on the other side of the lifeboat.

“I won’t look if she must go,” he said, looking the other way. “And I doubt anyone will, since they are asleep.”

“Go ahead,” Josephine,” Momma told me. “I’ll hide you with a blanket while you potty.”
Worried someone would wake up and see me, I went as fast as I could. I didn’t want anyone to discover I had a penis.

As refreshing as it was, I felt relieved after going and was able to go back to sleep again.

Time: 6:21

I woke up to the sound of a ship horn.

It either was a ship horn, or it was just my dream. I didn’t know. I look around and everyone was awake.

I guess it wasn’t a dream.

As we look around, we are surprised at seeing a ship in the distance. Everyone cheered. We are being rescued. We won’t die out here in the freezing cold in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.

As the men all rowed the lifeboat to the ship in the distance, they all sang. I just sat there listening, and smiling, knowing that we will make it out alive.

“Light in the darkness, sailor, day is at hand!
See, o'er the foaming billows, fair heaven's land,
Drear was the voyage, sailor, now almost o'er;
Safe within the lifeboat, sailor, pull for the shore.

Pull for the shore, sailor, pull for the shore!
Heed not the rolling waves, but bend to the oar;
Safe in the lifeboat, sailor, cling to self no more,
Leave the poor old stranded wreck and pull for the shore.

Trust in the life-boat, sailor, all else will fail;
stronger the surges dash, and fiercer the gale; .
Heed not the stormy winds, though loudly they roar,
Watch the "Bright Morning Star," and pull for the shore.

Pull for the shore, sailor, pull for the shore!
Heed not the rolling waves, but bend to the oar;
Safe in the lifeboat, sailor, cling to self no more,
Leave the poor old stranded wreck and pull for the shore.

Bright gleams the morning, sailor, uplift the eye;
Clouds and darkness disappearing, glory is nigh!
Safe in the lifeboat, sailor, sing evermore,
"Glory, glory, hallelujah!"-Pull for the shore.
Pull for the shore, sailor, pull for the shore!
Heed not the rolling waves, but bend to the oar;
Safe in the lifeboat, sailor, cling to self no more,
Leave the poor old stranded wreck and pull for the shore.”