TITANIC -5

Date: Friday, the Twelfth Day of April, 1912
Place: Titanic – Family Cabin
Time: Half Past Twelve in the Afternoon

When we returned to our cabin, Mama took me over to the bed.

"I'm disappointed in what you did," she said, sitting down beside me.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, tears in my eyes.

I glanced over at Papa. He had that look—the one that meant he was thinking about spanking me. My heart sank. I didn't want to be in trouble.

"Now, you sit here for a while and be a good girl," Mama said, gently patting my head.

Papa lay down on his bunk. I think he was trying to get some sleep.

I looked across the room at Anneliese. She was sitting quietly, reading a book.

"What are you reading?" I asked her.

"Anne of Green Gables," she said, placing it on the floor so I could see the cover. "It's about an energetic and unusual orphan girl who finds a home with some elderly folks."

"Sounds interesting," I giggled. "I was reading a book called Moby-Dick."

"Oh! The story about the great white whale that Captain Ahab wants revenge on?" She laughed.

"Yes!" I squealed.

"I have it right here," she said, handing me the book.

"Wait—how did you know I was reading this?" I asked, surprised.

"Someone up in the library gave it to me," she laughed. "They thought I was you and said I should keep reading it. I figured they meant you, so I brought it back."

"Thank you!" I cried. "I was reading this before... before I spent time with Peter."

"You're welcome," she said softly. Then, more serious: "Next time, don't be foolish and follow strange grown-ups."

I looked down at my feet. "I won't," I sighed.

I curled up on the bed and opened the book. The words felt familiar, like returning to a place I hadn't visited in years—even though it had only been days.

I read a few chapters, but before long, my eyes started to close.
I was pooped, as Mama would say.

~o~O~o~

Papa and I woke up a few hours later—just as someone knocked at our door.

Papa opened it, and to our surprise, Captain Smith stood in the hallway, holding two beautiful dresses draped over his arms.

"I thought your young ladies might like something special for this evening," he said with a smile, handing the dresses to Papa.

Anneliese and I jumped up right away, eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Are you sure about this?" Mama asked.

"You're our guests," Captain Smith said warmly. "And it wouldn't be proper for two young ladies to attend dinner without looking their best."

"Thanks!" I said cheerfully. Then I paused and looked at Mama and Papa. "But what about them?"

"Oh, don't worry," Papa said. "We'll find something to wear."

"Nonsense," the captain replied. "Come with me. I'll have my steward help you both. And my maid will come assist the girls."

Mama and Papa left with him, and a few minutes later, a well-dressed woman entered the room. She had a neat uniform and a calm, practiced smile.

"Alright then," she said kindly. "Why don't we get you ready? Would you like help with your dress?"

"No thank you," I replied politely. "I can do it myself."

"It's quite alright," she said, stepping closer. "I help girls with this sort of thing every day."

She gently reached for the ties of my old dress. I hesitated, suddenly nervous. My hands moved instinctively to protect myself—without thinking.

The maid paused. She looked at me for a second... then turned away.

"Oh," she said, her voice suddenly less warm. "I... didn't realize."

"I'm a girl," I said quietly, but firmly.

There was a silence.

She didn't say anything cruel—but she didn't smile anymore either.

Anneliese stood up, crossing her arms.

"She is a girl," she said boldly. "Just a different kind. That's allowed."

The maid gave a tight nod, her face stiff. "I'll leave you to it, then," she said quickly, and walked out, shutting the door behind her with a bit more force than needed.

I stood frozen for a moment, my heart beating fast.

Anneliese walked over and squeezed my hand.

"You look great in that dress," she whispered.

I gave her a small smile. "Thank you."

~o~O~o~

When Mama and Papa returned to the cabin, they were dressed in fine clothes—just like the fancy ones Anneliese and I were wearing.

"Where's the maid Captain Smith sent over?" Mama asked.

"Yes, but she felt embarrassed and left," Anneliese said firmly.

Papa looked over at Captain Smith, who didn't look very pleased.

"I'll speak with her myself," the captain said, frowning.

Papa turned toward me. I was sitting on my bed, quietly crying.

"What's wrong, Josephine?" he asked gently.

I looked up at him through tears. "Papa," I sobbed, "I hate... having this part of me. I wish it wasn't there."

Papa sat beside me and wrapped his arms around me. "I know, dear," he said softly.

"Can we... can we have it taken away?" I asked, barely above a whisper.

"Taken away?" Papa blinked, startled. "You mean... like that? You could get hurt."

"I heard some people have had it removed," I said. "Why can't I?"

Papa looked thoughtful. "Josephine... those people had a special kind of surgery. It's not something that can just be done."

I lowered my eyes. "Could I have that surgery someday?"

Papa stood up slowly and walked over to the small round window that looked out over the ocean. He stared out for a long moment, then turned to me.

"Tell you what," he said. "Once we're in America... I'll try to find a doctor who can help. Someone who understands."

My heart leapt. "Really?" I whispered.

"I promise," Papa said with a smile.

"And I'll make sure it happens too," Mama added, stepping forward and placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

I couldn't help myself—I cheered, spinning around in my new dress, then ran over to Anneliese.

"Did you hear?" I giggled. "I'm going to be just like you!"

Anneliese laughed and hugged me tight.

Date:Friday, the Twelfth Day of April, 1912

Place: Titanic – First-Class Dining Room
Time: Seven O'Clock in the Evening

We were escorted by a crew member to first class. When we entered the dining room, we walked straight over to Captain Smith.

"Shabbat Shalom," Papa and Mama greeted him warmly.

"Shabbat Shalom," Captain Smith replied with a smile. "And Shabbat Shalom to you, little misses," he said, turning to Anneliese and me.

"Shabbat Shalom!" we both said together.

Captain Smith stepped into the center of the dining room.

"Excuse me, everyone," he announced. "For those who wish to join, we're having something special tonight—celebrating Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, which is similar to what many Christians observe as the Sabbath."

Most of the room quieted. Many people smiled and applauded softly. A few continued their quiet conversations, politely.

Then he turned to us.

"Would you two like to begin?" he asked.

"Us?" Anneliese blinked.

"Yes, you two." He chuckled.

We looked over at Mama and Papa. They were both smiling proudly.

"Go ahead, girls," Papa nodded.

We rose from our seats slowly, a little nervous with all eyes on us. Since this wasn't something we usually did in front of so many people, we felt a little shaky. Still, we walked up to the table where the candles had been placed.

The captain, our parents, and a number of guests watched us closely. Not everyone was interested, and that was okay. But those who did stay were curious—and respectful.

Anneliese took a match and carefully lit the first candle. She handed it to me, and I lit the second one. We waved our hands gently over the flames three times to welcome in Shabbat.

Then we covered our eyes and recited the blessing, joined by those who chose to participate:

"Baruch atahAdonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotavv'tzivanu l'hadlik neir shel Shabbat."

We always say it in Hebrew, but what we sang meant:

We always say it in Hebrew, but what we sang meant:

"We praise You,Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, who makes us holy withcommandments and commands us to kindle the Sabbath lights."

Next, we lifted our cups—juice for us, wine for the adults—and said:

"Baruch atahAdonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p'ri hagafen."
"Wepraise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, who creates thefruit of the vine."

Then we uncovered the Challah, the braided bread, and said:

"Baruch atahAdonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz."
"Wepraise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, who brings forthbread from the earth."

We passed around pieces of Challah for everyone who wished to take part.

To my surprise, more than a dozen Jewish passengers came forward to thank us. They said we did a wonderful job—and we both felt so proud.

"Shabbat Shalom," we told each of them, beaming.

When we sat back down at the captain's table, he leaned over to me and whispered kindly, "I'm sorry about my maid earlier. And just between us—your secret is safe with me."

He gave me a little wink and turned to chat with Papa.

I looked at Anneliese and smiled. She smiled right back.

Supper was served on elegant plates with special utensils that were even marked Kosher. Each one had little words etched into them: Meat, Dairy, or Pareve.

Waiters brought over a buffet, just as the captain had promised. Some first-class passengers chose to have their usual meals from the standard menu, but many tried the Shabbat meal right alongside us.

My favorite part was the Latkes—crispy, golden potato pancakes with onion and matzo meal. Delicious. I also loved the matzo ball soup, though I had my chicken on the side. Anneliese preferred hers together.

Mama had fish, as always. Papa and Captain Smith were deep in conversation at the far end of the table, so I wasn't sure what they were eating—but both looked happy.