Surviving the Titanic

​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​My​ ​name​ ​is​ ​Evelyn​ ​Margaret​ ​Renee​ ​Lowinski​ ​and​ ​I​ ​survived​ ​the​ ​Titanic.

I​ ​was​ ​super​ ​nervous​ ​the​ ​day​ ​the​ ​Titanic​ ​set​ ​sail.​ ​I​ ​had​ ​been​ ​living​ ​with​ ​Papaw​ ​for​ ​a​ ​few
months​ ​and​ ​I​ ​found​ ​out​ ​that​ ​he's​ ​a​ ​crazy​ ​psychopath.​ ​Then,​ ​I​ ​heard​ ​about​ ​the​ ​Titanic
and​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​bear​ ​him​ ​for​ ​couple​ ​more​ ​weeks.​ ​My​ ​parents​ ​and​ ​I​ ​lived​ ​in​ ​a​ ​nice​ ​place
in​ ​New​ ​York.​ ​I​ ​didn't​ ​have​ ​any​ ​money​ ​to​ ​buy​ ​a​ ​ticket​ ​so​ ​I​ ​would​ ​have​ ​sneak​ ​on.​ ​Since​ ​I
was​ ​small​ ​for​ ​my​ ​age,​ ​I've​ ​devised​ ​a​ ​perfect​ ​plan.​ ​And​ ​it​ ​was​ ​time​ ​to​ ​carry​ ​it​ ​out.

I​ ​went​ ​to​ ​the​ ​port​ ​and​ ​quickly​ ​found​ ​a​ ​man​ ​in​ ​first​ ​class​ ​who​ ​wasn't​ ​paying​ ​attention​ ​to
his​ ​luggage.​ ​The​ ​port​ ​was​ ​very​ ​packed​ ​and​ ​everyone​ ​was​ ​waiting​ ​to​ ​get​ ​on​ ​the​ ​ship​ ​so​ ​I
opened​ ​his​ ​trunk​ ​and​ ​quickly​ ​squeezed​ ​myself​ ​inside.​ ​It​ ​wasn't​ ​to​ ​bad​ ​either.​ ​In​ ​fact,
after​ ​about​ ​ten​ ​minutes,​ ​I​ ​had​ ​used​ ​the​ ​man's​ ​belongings​ ​as​ ​cushions​ ​so​ ​I​ ​could​ ​sit
upright​ ​on​ ​my​ ​knees.​ ​I​ ​could​ ​tell​ ​it​ ​was​ ​time​ ​to​ ​go​ ​when​ ​the​ ​man​ ​cursed​ ​and​ ​hastily
clipped​ ​my​ ​trunk​ ​shut.​ ​I​ ​started​ ​to​ ​get​ ​carried​ ​to​ ​the​ ​ship​ ​by​ ​the​ ​confused​ ​first​ ​class
man​ ​until​ ​I​ ​was​ ​put​ ​down​ ​heard​ ​someone,​ ​a​ ​crewman​ ​I'm​ ​guessing,​ ​tell​ ​him​ ​that​ ​they
will​ ​carry​ ​his​ ​things​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Titanic's​ ​first​ ​class​ ​baggage​ ​area.​ ​Then​ ​I​ ​was​ ​lifted​ ​again​ ​and
carried​ ​some​ ​more.​ ​Then​ ​I​ ​was​ ​tilted​ ​sideways​ ​and​ ​all​ ​the​ ​man's​ ​belongings​ ​fell​ ​on​ ​me.
I​ ​was​ ​being​ ​lifted​ ​to​ ​the​ ​top​ ​of​ ​the​ ​pile​ ​of​ ​baggage.​ ​Then​ ​finally,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​on​ ​my​ ​way​ ​to​ ​my
to​ ​New​ ​York.​ ​A​ ​few​ ​hours​ ​later,​ ​I​ ​started​ ​to​ ​get​ ​hungry​ ​so​ ​I​ ​used​ ​a few ​stogies​ ​and​ ​a
pocket​ ​knife​ ​to​ ​get​ ​the​ ​trunk​ ​open.​ ​I​ ​made​ ​my​ ​way​ ​over​ ​to​ ​the​ ​door.​ ​When​ ​I​ ​came​ ​out
of​ ​the​ ​baggage​ ​area,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​in​ ​a​ ​long​ ​hallway​ ​and​ ​I​ ​knew​ ​exactly​ ​where​ ​I​ ​was.​ ​And
unfortunately,​ ​the​ ​stairs​ ​were​ ​on​ ​the​ ​other​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ship.​ ​I​ ​continued​ ​forward​ ​and
soon,​ ​I​ ​turned​ ​right.​ ​The​ ​orlop​ ​deck​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Titanic​ ​was​ ​like​ ​a​ ​maze​ ​but​ ​I​ ​eventually​ ​got
to​ ​the​ ​stairs.​ ​Now,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​really​ ​hungry.​ ​I​ ​went​ ​up​ ​two​ ​floors​ ​and​ ​continued​ ​forward​ ​and
then​ ​I​ ​finally​ ​found​ ​the​ ​second​ ​class​ ​dining​ ​saloon.​ ​I​ ​stole​ ​some​ ​food​ ​and​ ​ate​ ​in​ ​the
boiler​ ​rooms​ ​back​ ​downstairs.​ ​In​ ​there,​ ​I​ ​found​ ​hundreds​ ​of​ ​secret​ ​passageways​ ​crew
members​ ​use​ ​to​ ​get​ ​around​ ​the​ ​ship​ ​without​ ​"disturbing"​ ​all​ ​of​ ​the​ ​snobby​ ​first​ ​class
passengers.​ ​I​ ​used​ ​the​ ​passage​ ​to​ ​the​ ​poop​ ​deck​ ​to​ ​get​ ​to​ ​the​ ​first​ ​class​ ​restaurant.
After​ ​delighting​ ​myself​ ​with​ ​scaring​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​richies​ ​on​ ​board​ ​and​ ​stealing​ ​dinner,​ ​I
went​ ​back​ ​to​ ​the​ ​orlop​ ​deck​ ​to​ ​call​ ​it​ ​a​ ​night.​ ​When​ ​I​ ​went​ ​back​ ​to​ ​the​ ​baggage​ ​area,​ ​I
discovered​ ​a​ ​cargo​ ​bay.​ ​And​ ​it​ ​was​ ​filled​ ​with​ ​lots​ ​of​ ​stuff.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​even​ ​a​ ​motorized
vehicle​ ​in​ ​there,​ ​and​ ​at​ ​least​ ​a​ ​dozen​ ​dogs​ ​started​ ​barking​ ​at​ ​me.​ ​I​ ​swear​ ​I​ ​heard​ ​a​ ​bird
in​ ​there.​ ​A​ ​talking​ ​one​ ​too.​ ​It​ ​wouldn't​ ​shut​ ​up​ ​either.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​end,​ ​I​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​let​ ​the
domesticated​ ​animals​ ​out​ ​of​ ​their​ ​kennels​ ​and​ ​let​ ​them​ ​sleep​ ​with​ ​me​ ​in​ ​the
motorized​ ​car.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​pretty​ ​comfy​ ​cause​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​dogs​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​let​ ​me​ ​lay​ ​on​ ​them
like​ ​pillows.​ ​The​ ​little​ ​dogs​ ​are​ ​the​ ​ones​ ​that​ ​cuddled​ ​up​ ​in​ ​my​ ​arms.​ ​They​ ​made​ ​me​ ​a
makeshift​ ​blanket,​ ​so​ ​it​ ​all​ ​worked​ ​out.​ ​The​ ​second​ ​day​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Titanic​ ​was​ ​pretty​ ​much
the​ ​same​ ​until​ ​I​ ​was​ ​caught​ ​taking​ ​my​ ​stolen​ ​lunch​ ​to​ ​the​ ​boiler​ ​room.

“Hey,​ ​what​ ​are​ ​you​ ​doing​ ​here,”​ ​said​ ​a​ ​tall​ ​woman(probably​ ​an​ ​engineer​ ​from​ ​her
uniform).​ ​“All​ ​passengers​ ​are​ ​to​ ​stay​ ​off​ ​of​ ​this​ ​floor.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​for​ ​workers​ ​and​ ​crew​ ​only.”
This​ ​put​ ​me​ ​in​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​mood.​ ​I​ ​didn't​ ​need​ ​this​ ​right​ ​now.​ ​I​ ​had​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​worry​ ​about.

“Oops,​ ​must​ ​not’ve​ ​heard​ ​the​ ​memo.”​ ​I​ ​say.​ ​The​ ​lady​ ​points​ ​at​ ​my​ ​lunch​ ​sack.

“What's​ ​in​ ​the​ ​bag?​ ​I​ ​hope​ ​your​ ​not​ ​stealing​ ​anything,​ ​it’d​ ​be​ ​a​ ​shame​ ​to​ ​turn​ ​you​ ​into
the​ ​captain,”​ ​she​ ​says​ ​in​ ​a​ ​way​ ​that​ ​made​ ​me​ ​want​ ​to​ ​punch​ ​her​ ​in​ ​the​ ​face.

“Let​ ​me​ ​see​ ​here,”​ ​opening​ ​the​ ​bag​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​look​ ​inside​ ​it.​ ​“Nope,​ ​doesn't​ ​look​ ​like
anything​ ​that's​ ​your​ ​business.”​ ​I​ ​close​ ​the​ ​bag.

“Look​ ​kid,​ ​if​ ​your​ ​lookin’​ ​for​ ​trouble,​ ​go​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​captain​ ​yourself​ ​ok?​ ​I’ve​ ​got​ ​a​ ​job​ ​and
I​ ​would​ ​like​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​it​ ​so…”​ ​The​ ​lady’s​ ​stomach​ ​growls.​ ​She​ ​must​ ​not​ ​have​ ​had​ ​lunch
yet.​ ​I​ ​open​ ​the​ ​bag​ ​and​ ​I​ ​take​ ​out​ ​an​ ​apple.

“You​ ​know​ ​what,​ ​since​ ​I'm​ ​a​ ​very​ ​nice​ ​and​ ​considerate​ ​person,​ ​I'm​ ​gonna​ ​make​ ​a​ ​deal
for​ ​ye.​ ​You​ ​won't​ ​tell​ ​the​ ​captain​ ​that​ ​I​ ​even​ ​exist​ ​and​ ​I​ ​will​ ​get​ ​some​ ​food​ ​for​ ​your
precious​ ​little​ ​tummy.”​ ​I​ ​toss​ ​her​ ​the​ ​apple.​ ​“So,​ ​do​ ​we​ ​got​ ​a​ ​deal?”

The​ ​looks​ ​she​ ​looks​ ​from​ ​me​ ​to​ ​the​ ​apple.​ ​I​ ​can​ ​tell​ ​that​ ​she’s​ ​considering​ ​the​ ​offer.
Her​ ​stomach​ ​grumbles​ ​again.​ ​“Deal.​ ​Just​ ​let​ ​me​ ​fix​ ​the​ ​boiler​ ​first.”

“Name?”

“Clara.”

“Sounds​ ​stupid.​ ​I'm​ ​callin’​ ​ye​ ​Ray​ ​instead.​ ​See​ ​ya!”​ ​I​ ​turn​ ​and​ ​walk​ ​to​ ​the​ ​door​ ​and
stop.​ ​I​ ​turn​ ​a​round.

“Call​ ​me​ ​Eve.”​ ​I​ ​turn​ ​and​ ​leave.

I​ ​couldn't​ ​sleep​ ​that​ ​night​ ​because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​bird.​ ​I​ ​swear,​ ​there​ ​was​ ​a​ ​bird.​ ​So,​ ​I​ ​went​ ​and
walked​ ​around​ ​the​ ​third​ ​class​ ​cabins​ ​for​ ​no​ ​particular​ ​reason.​ ​To​ ​think​ ​about​ ​home,​ ​I
guess.​ ​As​ ​I​ ​rounded​ ​a​ ​corner,​ ​I​ ​saw​ ​my​ ​cousin​ ​Cat​ ​(Catherine).

“What​ ​the​ ​hell​ ​are​ ​you​ ​doing​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Titanic?”​ ​I​ ​asked.​ ​“You're​ ​supposed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in​ ​New
York.”

“Why​ ​are​ ​you​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Titanic?​ ​And​ ​what​ ​were​ ​you​ ​doing​ ​out​ ​of​ ​America?”​ ​she​ ​said.​ ​“Oh
no,​ ​you​ ​didn't.”​ ​I​ ​look​ ​down​ ​at​ ​my​ ​bare​ ​feet.​ ​“Eve,​ ​I​ ​told​ ​you​ ​that​ ​Papaw​ ​isn't​ ​in​ ​the
right​ ​mind.​ ​But,​ ​no​ ​no​ ​no,​ ​don't​ ​listen​ ​to​ ​me,​ ​you​ ​had​ ​to​ ​go​ ​see​ ​for​ ​yourself.”​ ​She​ ​puts
her​ ​arms​ ​on​ ​my​ ​shoulders​ ​and​ ​looked​ ​me​ ​in​ ​the​ ​eye.​ ​“I​ ​know​ ​when​ ​we​ ​were​ ​little,​ ​you
were​ ​very​ ​close​ ​but,​ ​Grammi​ ​is​ ​gone​ ​now,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​just​ ​isn't​ ​himself.​ ​He’ll​ ​get​ ​over​ ​it,
don't​ ​worry.​ ​I​ ​know​ ​you​ ​just​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​help.”​ ​I​ ​eyes​ ​fill​ ​as​ ​I​ ​shake​ ​my​ ​head.

“You​ ​wouldn't​ ​understand​ ​what​ ​it's​ ​like​ ​to​ ​watch​ ​your​ ​best​ ​friend​ ​break​ ​down​ ​and​ ​cry
because​ ​everything​ ​reminded​ ​him​ ​of​ ​her.”​ ​I'm​ ​crying​ ​now,​ ​tears​ ​dripping​ ​down​ ​my
face.​ ​“He’s​ ​never​ ​gonna​ ​get​ ​over​ ​it​ ​and​ ​you​ ​know​ ​it.​ ​Stop​ ​lying​ ​to​ ​yourself​ ​and​ ​face​ ​the
fact​ ​that​ ​he​ ​isn't​ ​our​ ​grandpa​ ​anymore.​ ​HE’S​ ​A​ ​NUTCASE!!!!!”​ ​I​ ​fell​ ​into​ ​her​ ​arms​ ​and
cried​ ​until​ ​I​ ​couldn't​ ​anymore.

“Here,”​ ​Cat​ ​said​ ​in​ ​her​ ​soothing​ ​voice.​ ​“I’ll​ ​take​ ​you​ ​to​ ​my​ ​room​ ​where​ ​you​ ​can​ ​calm
down.”​ ​The​ ​room​ ​was​ ​small​ ​and​ ​held​ ​four​ ​bunks.​ ​Cat​ ​and​ ​her​ ​sister​ ​Charlotte​ ​let​ ​me​ ​sit
on​ ​the​ ​extra​ ​bunk​ ​below​ ​Cat’s.​ ​Her​ ​sister​ ​and​ ​father​ ​slept​ ​in​ ​the​ ​other​ ​two​ ​bunks.​ ​I
laced​ ​on​ ​the​ ​bunk​ ​to​ ​think​ ​while​ ​Charlotte​ ​made​ ​me​ ​a​ ​warm​ ​rag​ ​to​ ​put​ ​on​ ​my
forehead.​ ​It​ ​felt​ ​good​ ​and​ ​helped​ ​me​ ​clear​ ​my​ ​head.​ ​After​ ​I​ ​had​ ​calmed​ ​down,​ ​we
visited​ ​for​ ​a​​while.​ ​I​ ​found​ ​out​ ​that​ ​they​ ​had​ ​been​ ​on​ ​vacation​ ​and​ ​found​ ​out​ ​about​ ​a
family​ ​reunion​ ​coming​ ​up​ ​in​ ​New​ ​York​ ​so​ ​they​ ​got​ ​tickets​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Titanic​ ​to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​in
time.​ ​I​ ​told​ ​them​ ​about​ ​Ray​ ​and​ ​the​ ​motorized​ ​vehicle​ ​I​ ​slept​ ​in.​ ​I​ ​left​ ​out​ ​the​ ​part
where​ ​I​ ​would​ ​continue​ ​stealing​ ​food​ ​for​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​time​ ​on​ ​the​ ​ship.

“You​ ​can​ ​sleep​ ​in​ ​here,”​ ​Charlotte​ ​said.​ ​“We've​ ​got​ ​the​ ​extra​ ​bunk.”​ ​And​ ​so,​ ​I​ ​was
upgraded​ ​from​ ​cargo​ ​to​ ​third​ ​class​ ​overnight.​ ​Which​ ​was​ ​kinda​ ​nice​ ​with​ ​no​ ​bird.​ ​I
swear,​ ​there​ ​was​ ​a​ ​bird.

Over​ ​the​ ​course​ ​of​ ​the​ ​third​ ​and​ ​fourth​ ​day,​ ​I​ ​grew​ ​to​ ​be​ ​really​ ​good​ ​friends​ ​we​ ​with
Ray.​ ​I​ ​even​ ​came​ ​to​ ​trusting​ ​her​ ​with​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​my​ ​Papaw.​ ​She​ ​told​ ​me​ ​about
all​ ​the​ ​ships​ ​she​ ​sailed​ ​in​ ​and​ ​even​ ​taught​ ​me​ ​how​ ​to​ ​fix​ ​the​ ​boiler​ ​because​ ​I​ ​wanted
to​ ​be​ ​her​ ​apprentice​ ​someday.​ ​When​ ​I​ ​wasn't​ ​with​ ​Ray,​ ​I​ ​would​ ​do​ ​what​ ​Charlotte
called​ ​‘what​ ​a​ ​12​ ​year​ ​old​ ​should​ ​be​ ​doing’​ ​like​ ​playing​ ​games​ ​and​ ​stuff​ ​on​ ​the​ ​poop
deck​ ​with​ ​Cat​ ​and​ ​Charlotte.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​really​ ​fun.​ ​I​ ​discovered​ ​my​ ​advantage​ ​in​ ​hide​ ​and
seek​ ​when​ ​I​ ​hid​ ​in​ ​Charlotte’s​ ​trunk.​ ​It​ ​took​ ​them​ ​forever​ ​to​ ​find​ ​me.​ ​I​ ​eventually​ ​had
to​ ​tell​ ​them​ ​where​ ​I​ ​was​ ​so​ ​they​ ​would​ ​find​ ​me​ ​and​ ​I​ ​could​ ​go​ ​sneak​ ​myself​ ​some
dinner.

Over​ ​the​ ​course​ ​of​ ​my​ ​trip,​ ​I​ ​noticed​ ​that​ ​the​ ​stewards​ ​forgot​ ​to​ ​feed​ ​the​ ​animals​ ​in
the​ ​cargo​ ​bay​ ​sometimes.​ ​So,​ ​I​ ​always​ ​brought​ ​some​ ​food​ ​to​ ​them​ ​after​ ​Cat​ ​and
Charlotte​ ​fell​ ​asleep​ ​so​ ​they​ ​wouldn't​ ​starve​ ​to​ ​death​ ​or​ ​something.​ ​Cause,​ ​you​ ​know
I'm​ ​a​ ​very​ ​nice​ ​and​ ​considerate​ ​person​ ​like​ ​that.​ ​That's​ ​where​ ​I​ ​was​ ​on​ ​that​ ​fateful
night.

I​ ​was​ ​feeding​ ​the​ ​bird​ ​(and​ ​I​ ​swear​ ​there​ ​was​ ​a​ ​bird)​ ​in​ ​the​ ​cargo​ ​bay​ ​when​ ​I​ ​felt
something​ ​jolt​ ​the​ ​ship​ ​so​ ​hard​ ​I​ ​fell.​ ​I​ ​couldn't​ ​figure​ ​out​ ​what​ ​it​ ​was.​ ​I​ ​mean,​ ​we​ ​can't
be​ ​in​ ​New​ ​York​ ​yet.​ ​It's​ ​only​ ​been​ ​five​ ​days.​ ​So,​ ​I​ ​went​ ​to​ ​the​ ​boiler​ ​room​ ​to​ ​see​ ​if​ ​it
was​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​boilers​ ​malfunctioning.

“Ray,​ ​is​ ​there​ ​something​ ​wrong​ ​with​ ​the​ ​boilers?​ ​Cause​ ​there's​ ​something​ ​that​ ​jolted
the​ ​ship​ ​a​ ​few​ ​minutes​ ​ago​ ​in​ ​case​ ​for​ ​some​ ​odd​ ​reason​ ​you​ ​didn't​ ​notice,”​ ​I​ ​said.​ ​I
could​ ​tell​ ​what​ ​she​ ​was​ ​gonna​ ​say​ ​before​ ​she​ ​even​ ​opened​ ​her​ ​mouth.

“Nope.​ ​The​ ​boilers​ ​are​ ​fine.​ ​But​ ​I​ ​have​ ​a​ ​feeling​ ​that​ ​the​ ​ship​ ​might​ ​not​ ​be.”​ ​She​ ​looked
as​ ​if​ ​she​ ​knew​ ​what​ ​was​ ​gonna​ ​happen​ ​and​ ​she​ didn’
t ​look​ ​forward​ ​to​ ​it.

That​ ​scared​ ​me​ ​a​ ​little​ ​and​ ​I​ ​didn't​ ​care​ ​to​ ​hide​ ​it​ ​through​ ​my​ ​panic​ ​attack,​ ​“Nice.​ ​Just
perfect!​ ​So​ ​we're​ ​screwed,​ ​is​ ​that​ ​what​ ​you're​ ​telling​ ​me?​ ​Cause​ ​if​ ​that's​ ​not​ ​the​ ​case,
then​ ​enlighten​ ​me.​ ​Please.​ ​I​ ​need​ ​to​ ​know​ ​that​ ​if​ ​I'm​ ​gonna​ ​spend​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​my
moments​ ​alive​ ​in​ ​a​ ​clearly​ ​sinkable​ ​ship​ ​without​ ​ever​ ​seeing​ ​my​ ​parents​ ​again,​ ​so​ ​I
have​ ​enough​ ​time​ ​to​ ​start​ ​praying​ ​​Dear​ ​God,​​ ​cause​ ​I'm​ ​goin’​ ​to​ ​hell!”

“This​ ​happened​ ​to​ ​another​ ​ship​ ​I​ ​sailed​ ​long​ ​ago.​ ​We've​ ​hit​ ​ice.”​ ​Ray​ ​quickly​ ​dragged
me​ ​to​ ​the​ ​wall​ ​and​ ​started​ ​feeling​ ​around​ ​for​ ​something.​ ​“I​ ​forgot​ ​to​ ​mention​ ​that​ ​I
designed​ ​parts​ ​of​ ​this​ ​ship​ ​for​ ​my​ ​own​ ​safety​ ​in​ ​case​ ​something​ ​happened.​ ​That
includes​ ​a​ ​secret​ ​passageway​ ​to​ ​the​ ​boat​ ​deck.​ ​If​ ​they​ ​built​ ​the​ ​ship​ ​properly,​ ​we’ll​ ​end
up​ ​near​ ​lifeboat​ ​7.​ ​This​ ​passage​ ​was​ ​built​ ​solely​ ​for​ ​me​ ​survive​ ​a​ ​dying​ ​vessel​ ​such​ ​as
this​ ​1​ ​more​ ​time.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​selfish​ ​then.​ ​Now​ ​I​ ​know​ ​that​ ​it's​ ​important​ ​to​ ​put​ ​others​ ​first.
Eve,​ ​you’ve​ ​made​ ​me​ ​a​ ​changed​ ​woman​ ​and​ ​that's​ ​why​ ​I'm​ ​staying​ ​behind.​ ​You've
been​ ​a​ ​very​ ​good​ ​friend​ ​to​ ​me​ ​and​ ​that's​ ​all​ ​I​ ​could​ ​have​ ​ever​ ​asked​ ​for.​ ​Now​ ​go​ ​while
you​ ​can.”​ ​She​ ​pushed​ ​open​ ​a​ ​secret​ ​door​ ​leading​ ​to​ ​the​ ​passage​ ​she​ ​was​ ​talking​ ​about.

I​ ​couldn't​ ​let​ ​her​ ​die.​ ​“To​ ​hell​ ​with​ ​that!​ ​I​ ​may​ ​not​ ​know​ ​much​ ​about​ ​this​ ​whole​ ​friends
thing,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​do​ ​know​ ​that​ ​a​ ​good​ ​friend​ ​would​ ​never​ ​let​ ​you​ ​die​ ​to​ ​save​ ​her.​ ​The​ ​fact
that​ ​you're​ ​even​ ​doing​ ​this​ ​makes​ ​me​ ​think​ ​you're​ ​fricken​ ​insane!​ ​So,”​ ​I​ ​push​ ​her
through​ ​the​ ​door,​ ​“...you're​ ​going​ ​first.”

So,​ ​I​ ​found​ ​out​ ​that​ ​this​ ​“passageway”​ ​is​ ​actually​ ​just​ ​a​ ​really​ ​fricken​ ​long​ ​ladder.​ ​As​ ​we
climb,​ ​I​ ​look​ ​down​ ​at​ ​the​ ​bottom​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ladder​ ​and​ ​see​ ​that​ ​it​ ​has​ ​already​ ​started​ ​to
flood.​ ​And​ ​the​ ​water​ ​was​ ​rising.

​ ​I​ ​yell,“If​ ​you​ ​still​ ​want​ ​me​ ​to​ ​live,​ ​you​ ​might​ ​want​ ​to​ ​start​ ​climbing​ ​a​ ​little​ ​faster!”
Luckily,​ ​Ray​ ​heard​ ​me​ ​and​ ​quickened​ ​her​ ​pace.

After​ ​what​ ​seemed​ ​like​ ​hours​ ​of​ ​climbing,​ ​we​ ​made​ ​it​ ​to​ ​boat​ ​deck.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​very
crowded​ ​but​ ​since​ ​Ray​ ​was​ ​an​ ​employee​ ​and​ ​I'm​ ​a​ ​kid,​ ​we​ ​got​ ​to​ ​the​ ​lifeboat​ ​fairly
quickly.

Before​ ​I​ ​could​ ​get​ ​in,​ ​a​ ​crew​ ​member​ ​stopped​ ​me​ ​and​ ​gave​ ​me​ ​a​ ​baby​ ​wrapped​ ​in
thick​ ​yellow​ ​blankets​ ​so​ ​big,​ ​you​ ​could​ ​barely​ ​see​ ​it’s​ ​face.​ ​It​ ​wasn't​ ​too​ ​heavy​ ​either.
Probably​ ​an​ ​infant.​ ​As​ ​I​ ​held​ ​the​ ​baby,​ ​I​ ​looked​ ​around​ ​for​ ​Cat​ ​and​ ​Charlotte​ ​but​ ​I
couldn't​ ​find​ ​them.​ ​I​ ​hope​ ​they’re​ ​ok.

I​ ​turn​ ​around​ ​as​ ​I​ ​hear,​ ​“What​ ​on​ ​earth​ ​are​ ​you​ ​looking​ ​for?!?​ ​Get​ ​in​ ​the​ ​lifeboat!”​ ​It's
Ray.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​already​ ​in​ ​the​ ​lifeboat.​ ​I​ ​give​ ​her​ ​the​ ​baby​ ​so​ ​I​ ​can​ ​get​ ​in.​ ​After​ ​I'm​ ​in​ ​I
take​ ​the​ ​baby​ ​back.​ ​For​ ​some​ ​odd​ ​reason,​ ​I​ ​felt​ ​like​ ​I​ ​couldn't​ ​let​ ​the​ ​baby​ ​out​ ​of​ ​my
arms​ ​until​ ​we​ ​either​ ​die,​ ​or​ ​get​ ​to​ ​safety.​ ​I​ ​felt​ ​like​ ​the​ ​baby​ ​was​ ​my​ ​responsibility​ ​for
the​ ​sailor​ ​gave​ ​to​ ​me​ ​and​ ​no​ ​one​ ​else.​ ​So​ ​the​ ​boat​ ​was​ ​dropped​ ​into​ ​the​ ​ocean​ ​baby​ ​in
arms.​ ​Though​ ​when​ ​we​ ​got​ ​to​ ​the​ ​water,​ ​no​ ​one​ ​did​ ​anything.

“What​ ​the​ ​hell!”​ ​I​ ​yell.​ ​“Paddle​ ​away​ ​from​ ​the​ ​ship​ ​you​ ​fools!​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​​want​ ​​​​to​ ​die?”
These​ ​people​ ​obviously​ ​didn't​ ​understand​ ​science.​ ​If​ ​we’re​ ​too​ ​close,​ ​the​ ​ship​ ​will​ ​take
us​ ​down​ ​with​ ​it.

Everyone​ ​started​ ​to​ ​paddle,​ ​hearing​ ​the​ ​urgency​ ​of​ ​my​ ​voice.​ ​They​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​I​ ​knew
what​ ​I​ ​was​ ​talking​ ​about.​ ​I​ ​could​ ​tell.​ ​We​ ​got​ ​pretty​ ​far​ ​away​ ​from​ ​the​ ​ship​ ​and
everyone​ ​started​ ​to​ ​relax​ ​until​ ​the​ ​bundled​ ​child​ ​I​ ​was​ ​holding​ ​started​ ​to​ ​bark.

“Wait​ ​a​ ​minute,​ ​this​ ​isn't​ ​a​ ​baby,​ ​it's​ ​a​ ​dog!”​ ​The​ ​dog​ ​jumped​ ​out​ ​of​ ​my​ ​arms​ ​and
landed​ ​at​ ​the​ ​front​ ​of​ ​the​ ​boat.​ ​It​ ​nearly​ ​tipped​ ​us​ ​over.​ ​And​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​time​ ​the​ ​dog​ ​is
still​ ​barking.

“Shut​ ​up,”​ ​I​ ​yell.​ ​“I​ ​don't​ ​want​ ​to​ ​hear​ ​your​ ​yapping​ ​right​ ​now.​ ​I'm​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​listen​ ​for​ ​a
rescue​ ​boat​ ​so​ ​we​ ​can​ ​get​ ​the​ ​hell​ ​out​ ​of​ ​here.”​ ​The​ ​little​ ​dog​ ​wouldn't​ ​listen.​ ​It​ ​kept
barking​ ​and​ ​barking​ ​and​ ​eventually,​ ​I​ ​gave​ ​up​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​listen​ ​for​ ​rescue​ ​boats.​ ​I​ ​really
think​ ​that​ ​the​ ​mutt​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​chill​ ​out​ ​for​ ​a​ ​second.​ ​I​ ​mean,​ ​it​ ​just​ ​won't​ ​freaking​ ​shut
up!

After​ ​what​ ​seemed​ ​like​ ​hours,​ ​a​ ​rescue​ ​boat​ ​finally​ ​came.​ ​Where​ ​the​ ​hell​ ​has​ ​it​ ​been?
The​ ​North​ ​Pole​ ​and​ ​back?​ ​I'm​ ​really​ ​agitated​ ​about​ ​how​ ​fast​ ​they​ ​came​ ​because​ ​they
didn't​ ​get​ ​here​ ​fast.​ ​At​ ​all.

“So​ ​what​ ​took​ ​you​ ​so​ ​long?​ ​Couldn't​ ​you​ ​have​ ​been​ ​here​ ​3​ ​freaking​ ​hours​ ​ago?​ ​You
would​ ​have​ ​saved​ ​a​ ​hell​ ​of​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​more​ ​people.”​ ​I​ ​shriek​ ​at​ ​the​ ​captain​ ​after​ ​everyone
got​ ​on.

“If​ ​it​ ​weren't​ ​for​ ​the​ ​dog,​ ​we​ ​never​ ​would​ ​have​ ​found​ ​you​ ​in​ ​the​ ​first​ ​place.”​ ​he​ ​said.

I​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​the​ ​little​ ​dog​ ​in​ ​my​ ​arms,​ ​thankful.​ ​So​ ​that's​ ​why​ ​it​ ​wouldn't​ ​stop​ ​barking.​ ​It
saw​ ​the​ ​rescue​ ​boat​ ​and​ ​signaled​ ​it​ ​to​ ​us​ ​by​ ​barking.​ ​That​ ​is​ ​one​ ​smart​ ​dog.​ ​I​ ​squeezed
it​ ​a​ ​little​ ​tighter​ ​and​ ​whispered​ ​a​ ​little​ ​thank​ ​you.

“Eve!​ ​Eve!”​ ​​ ​​ ​I​ ​put​ ​the​ ​dog​ ​down​ ​and​ ​turn​ ​around​ ​just​ ​to​ ​be​ ​tackled​ ​by​ ​someone​ ​who's
soaking​ ​wet.​ ​It's​ ​Cat!​ ​“I've​ ​been​ ​so​ ​worried​ ​about​ ​you!”​ ​she​ ​says.​ ​“I​ ​can't​ ​believe​ ​you're
alive!​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​for​ ​sure​ ​we​ ​were​ ​goners.​ ​But​ ​I​ ​got​ ​saved​ ​and​ ​you're​ ​here​ ​and​ ​I​ ​can
relax​ ​just​ ​a​ ​little​ ​bit​ ​more​ ​now.​ ​Thank​ ​you​ ​so​ ​much​ ​for​ ​staying​ ​alive!”​ ​She​ ​crushes​ ​me
in​ ​another​ ​huge​ ​hug.

“Where's​ ​Charlotte?​ ​And​ ​please​ ​let​ ​go,​ ​you're​ ​choking​ ​me.”​ ​I​ ​said.​ ​She​ ​let​ ​go​ ​of​ ​me.

“Charlotte​ ​is​ ​fine.”​ ​she​ ​says.​ ​“But​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​know​ ​about​ ​Daddy.​ ​I'm​ ​afraid​ ​he​ ​didn't​ ​make
it.​ ​But​ ​I​ ​hope​ ​he's​ ​alright.”​ ​Cat​ ​looked​ ​out​ ​on​ ​the​ ​water​ ​in​ ​a​ ​very​ ​sad​ ​way​ ​and​ ​it​ ​made
me​ ​want​ ​to​ ​punch​ ​something.

I​ ​grab​ ​a​ ​blanket​ ​and​ ​wrap​ ​her​ ​up.​ ​“I​ ​wish​ ​I​ ​could​ ​tell​ ​you​ ​everything​ ​is​ ​okay,”​ ​I​ ​said.
“But​ ​I​ ​can't.​ ​That​ ​would​ ​be​ ​a​ ​big​ ​fat​ ​ly.​ ​I​ ​mean​ ​we're​ ​in​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Atlantic
watching​ ​the​ ​ship​ ​we​ ​were​ ​riding​ ​sink​ ​before​ ​our​ ​eyes.​ ​But​ ​I​ ​can​ ​tell​ ​you​ ​that​ ​you
shouldn't​ ​worry.​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​know​ ​if​ ​your​ ​dad’s​ ​alive​ ​or​ ​not​ ​but​ ​at​ ​least​ ​we​ ​are​ ​and​ ​worrying
will​ ​only​ ​make​ ​matters​ ​worse​ ​for​ ​you.​ ​Your​ ​sister​ ​and​ ​I,​ ​we​ ​love​ ​you​ ​for​ ​many​ ​things
and​ ​the​ ​way​ ​worrying​ ​takes​ ​affect​ ​on​ ​you​ ​isn't​ ​one​ ​of​ ​them.​ ​I​ ​know​ ​you​ ​love​ ​your​ ​dad.
We​ ​all​ ​do.​ ​But​ ​sometimes,​ ​we​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​happy​ ​about​ ​what​ ​we​ ​do​ ​know​ ​instead​ ​of
worry​ ​about​ ​what​ ​we​ ​don't.​ ​Come​ ​on​ ​Cat.​ ​Find​ ​the​ ​bright​ ​side.​ ​It's​ ​what​ ​you​ ​do​ ​best.”

She​ ​turns​ ​to​ ​me​ ​with​ ​a​ ​smile.​ ​“You​ ​know​ ​what,”​ ​she​ ​says.​ ​“You’r​e ​right.​ ​I​ ​am​ ​good​ ​at​ ​it.”
We​ ​laugh​ ​at​ ​the​ ​stupid​ ​joke​ ​as​ ​if​ ​it​ ​were​ ​the​ ​best​ ​thing​ ​ever.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​probably​ ​the​ ​most
precise​ ​time​ ​for​ ​her​ ​to​ ​say​ ​it​ ​too.​ ​I​ ​hadn’t​ ​laughed​ ​once​ ​all​ ​week.

Later​ ​on​ ​we​ ​found​ ​out​ ​that​ ​Cat’s​ ​dad​ ​had​ ​indeed​ ​died​ ​because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sinking.​ ​Cat​ ​was
greatly​ ​affected​ ​by​ ​it.​ ​She​ ​wouldn't​ ​make​ ​jokes​ ​or​ ​smile​ ​or​ ​be​ ​naturally​ ​funny.​ ​She
would​ ​just​ ​stand​ ​on​ ​the​ ​deck​ ​cuddling​ ​the​ ​little​ ​dog​ ​I​ ​saved,​ ​staring​ ​out​ ​at​ ​the​ ​sea​ ​as​ ​if
it​ ​were​ ​a​ ​criminal,​ ​that​ ​keeps​ ​slipping​ ​from​ ​her​ ​grasp.

She​ ​would​ ​always​ ​say,​ ​“Well,​ ​at​ ​least​ ​he​ ​went​ ​to​ ​a​ ​better​ ​place.​ ​One​ ​that​ ​I​ ​could​ ​only
imagine.​ ​The​ ​perfect​ ​place.​ ​The​ ​one​ ​place​ ​he​ ​always​ ​deserved​ ​to​ ​be.”​ ​She​ ​would​ ​sigh
and​ ​squeeze​ ​the​ ​dog​ ​a​ ​little​ ​tighter​ ​as​ ​if​ ​it​ ​was​ ​comforting​ ​her.

I​ ​never​ ​really​ ​believed​ ​in​ ​all​ ​that​ ​Jesus​ ​stuff.​ ​But​ ​that​ ​day,​ ​I​ ​think​ ​I​ ​did.​ ​I​ ​mean​ ​I​ ​just
survived​ ​a​ ​shipwreck​ ​in​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Atlantic​ ​Ocean,​ ​though​ ​I​ ​probably​ ​didn't
deserve​ ​to.

Nah,​ ​I'm​ ​just​ ​smart.​ ​No​ ​need​ ​to​ ​get​ ​all​ ​emotional.

Well,​ ​a​ ​few​ ​days​ ​after​ ​the​ ​sinking,​ ​Cat​ ​had​ ​another​ ​crazy​ ​idea.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​bound​ ​and
determined​ ​to​ ​find​ ​the​ ​little​ ​dog’s​ ​owner.​ ​We​ ​were​ ​in​ ​New​ ​York​ ​at​ ​the​ ​time​ ​and​ ​I
thought​ ​she​ ​had​ ​lost​ ​her​ ​mind.

“Are​ ​you​ ​frickin​ ​crazy?”​ ​I​ ​told​ ​her.​ ​“New​ ​York​ ​is​ ​a​ ​very​ ​busy​ ​place.​ ​The​ ​owner​ ​may​ ​not
even​ ​be​ ​in​ ​New​ ​York.​ ​The​ ​owner​ ​may​ ​not​ ​have​ ​even​ ​survived.​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​really​ ​want​ ​to​ ​go
through​ ​all​ ​that​ ​hard​ ​work​ ​when​ ​we​ ​can​ ​just​ ​keep​ ​him?​ ​I​ ​mean​ ​you've​ ​been​ ​using​ ​him
as​ ​a​ ​pillow​ ​for​ ​the​ ​last​ ​few​ ​days​ ​and​ ​you​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​happy​ ​with​ ​him​ ​hanging​ ​around
then.”

“I​ ​know,”​ ​she​ ​said.​ ​“It's​ ​just​ ​that​ ​I​ ​lost​ ​my​ ​father​ ​but​ ​I​ ​at​ ​least​ ​have​ ​you​ ​and​ ​Charlotte
to​ ​keep​ ​me​ ​out​ ​of​ ​trouble.”

“It's​ ​a​ ​pain​ ​in​ ​the​ ​butt​ ​too,”​ ​I​ ​add.​ ​She​ ​smiles.

Then​ ​she​ ​continues,​ ​“You​ ​two​ ​are​ ​alive​ ​and​ ​I​ ​have​ ​you​ ​and​ ​I​ ​want​ ​the​ ​owner​ ​to​ ​have
the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​have​ ​family​ ​that​ ​survived​ ​back.”

Unfortunately​ ​for​ ​me,​ ​it​ ​convinced​ ​me​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​look​ ​at​ ​the​ ​dog’s​ ​tags​ ​and​ ​make​ ​a​ ​few
calls.​ ​After​ ​some​ ​digging,​ ​I​ ​found​ ​out​ ​that​ ​the​ ​owner​ ​was​ ​in​ ​New​ ​York​ ​and​ ​staying​ ​in
the​ ​hotel​ ​a​ ​few​ ​blocks​ ​from​ ​our​ ​grandma’s​ ​old​ ​house​ ​where​ ​we​ ​were​ ​staying​ ​with
some​ ​cousins​ ​who​ ​took​ ​care​ ​of​ ​the​ ​house.​ ​The​ ​owner​ ​was​ ​an​ ​old​ ​lady​ ​around​ ​90.​ ​She
was​ ​a​ ​widow​ ​and​ ​all​ ​her​ ​kids​ ​were​ ​deceased.​ ​The​ ​little​ ​dog​ ​was​ ​the​ ​only​ ​family​ ​she
really​ ​had.​ ​But​ ​we​ ​had​ ​to​ ​reunite​ ​them​ ​tonight​ ​because​ ​she​ ​was​ ​gonna​ ​head​ ​home​ ​to
Philadelphia​ ​in​ ​the​ ​morning.

So​ ​after​ ​dinner,​ ​Cat​ ​and​ ​I​ ​walked​ ​over​ ​to​ ​the​ ​hotel.​ ​Cat​ ​was​ ​squeezing​ ​the​ ​dog​ ​so​ ​tight​ ​I
thought​ ​that​ ​it's​ ​frickin​ ​head​ ​might​ ​pop​ ​off.​ ​I​ ​could​ ​tell​ ​she​ ​was​ ​nervous.​ ​But,​ ​weirdly
at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time​ ​she​ ​was​ ​more​ ​excited​ ​than​ ​I​ ​had​ ​ever​ ​seen​ ​her​ ​before.​ ​I​ ​know​ ​that
doesn't​ ​make​ ​sense​, ​but​ ​you​ ​know​ ​what​ ​I​ ​mean.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​it​ ​was​ ​more​ ​of​ ​a​ ​excited​ ​and
scared​ ​combo.​ ​Scarecited?

Well​ ​I​ ​knocked​ ​on​ ​the​ ​door​ ​to​ ​her​ ​room.​ ​“Hello?”​ ​I​ ​said.​ ​“We’re​ ​really​ ​sorry​ ​to​ ​bother
you​ ​but​ ​we​ ​have​ ​something​ ​you​ ​might​ ​want​ ​to​ ​have​ ​before​ ​you​ ​leave.”​ ​The​ ​door
opened​ ​revealing​ ​an​ ​old​ ​lady​ ​in​ ​a​ ​long​ ​white​ ​night​ ​gown​ ​that​ ​was​ ​fairly​ ​simple.​ ​The​ ​dog
must​ ​have​ ​been​ ​the​ ​only​ ​value​ ​in​ ​her​ ​life.​ ​She​ ​must​ ​have​ ​been​ ​third​ ​class​ ​on​ ​the​ ​ship.

“Hello​ ​there,”​ ​she​ ​said.​ ​“I​ ​didn't​ ​expect​ ​anyone​ ​to​ ​come​ ​here​ ​with​ ​something​ ​I​ ​want.”

I​ ​started​ ​to​ ​stutter​ ​for​ ​some​ ​reason.​ ​Normally​ ​I'm​ ​not​ ​afraid​ ​of​ ​the​ ​elderly.
“I..if...w.we...nev...meant...a.any...trouble.”​ ​Man,​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​even​ ​know​ ​what​ ​I'm​ ​saying
anymore.

“No​ ​no​ ​no,​ ​there's​ ​no​ ​trouble.​ ​Come​ ​in​ ​come​ ​in.”​ ​She​ ​greeted​ ​us​ ​very​ ​kindly.​ ​Cat​ ​and​ ​I
decided​ ​though​ ​that​ ​we​ ​would​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​it​ ​was​ ​her​ ​before​ ​letting​ ​her​ ​see​ ​the​ ​dog.​ ​So,
Cat​ ​had​ ​found​ ​a​ ​way​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​it​ ​in​ ​her​ ​duffle​ ​bag​ ​with​ ​some​ ​dog​ ​treats​ ​we​ ​had​ ​bought
earlier.

We​ ​sit​ ​down​ ​and​ ​the​ ​lady​ ​serves​ ​us​ ​some​ ​tea.​ ​Luckily,​ ​I​ ​had​ ​gotten​ ​over​ ​my​ ​strange
fear​ ​of​ ​the​ ​woman​ ​by​ ​the​ ​time​ ​I​ ​took​ ​a​ ​sip.

“So,”​ ​she​ ​said.​ ​“What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​need?”

I​ ​would​ ​speak​ ​for​ ​us.​ ​“Well​ ​actually,​ ​I​ ​need​ ​to​ ​ask​ ​you​ ​some​ ​questions​ ​before​ ​we​ ​can
do​ ​anything.​ ​They​ ​may​ ​be​ ​pretty​ ​personal​ ​to​ ​you​ ​so…”

“No​ ​no​ ​no,​ ​that's​ ​fine.​ ​I​ ​tell​ ​you​ ​what​ ​you​ ​need.”

“Ok,​ ​first​ ​we​ ​need​ ​your​ ​name.”

“No​ ​problem.​ ​Samantha​ ​Loraine​ ​Garcia.”

“Ms.​ ​Garcia,​ ​we​ ​need​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​you’re​ ​the​ ​right​ ​person.​ ​So,​ ​were​ ​you​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Titanic?”

“Yup.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​heading​ ​home​ ​to​ ​Philadelphia​ ​from​ ​a​ ​free​ ​vacation​ ​I​ ​had​ ​been​ ​given​ ​a​ ​few
months​ ​earlier.​ ​I​ ​had​ ​my​ ​little​ ​dog​ ​Poúchés​ ​(Poo-Chez)​ ​with​ ​me.”

“Did​ ​you​ ​try​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​Poúchés​ ​to​ ​the​ ​lifeboats​ ​with​ ​you?”

“I​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​they​ ​wouldn't​ ​let​ ​my​ ​little​ ​Poúchés​ ​on​ ​the​ ​boat​ ​with​ ​me​ ​so​ ​I​ ​went​ ​back
down​ ​to​ ​my​ ​room​ ​and​ ​wrapped​ ​her​ ​up​ ​in​ ​a​ ​thick​ ​yellow​ ​baby​ ​blanket​ ​that​ ​I​ ​always
kept​ ​with​ ​me​ ​to​ ​remember​ ​and​ ​honor​ ​my​ ​deceased​ ​children.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​sure​ ​I​ ​wouldn't
make​ ​it​ ​so​ ​I​ ​ran​ ​up​ ​to​ ​a​ ​sailor​ ​and​ ​handed​ ​my​ ​Poúchés​ ​to​ ​him.​ ​So​ ​he​ ​wouldn't​ ​suspect
anything​, ​I​ ​looked​ ​him​ ​strait​ ​in​ ​the​ ​eye​ ​and​ ​said,​ ​‘I​ ​don't​ ​know​ ​if​ ​I’ll​ ​make​ ​it​ ​so​ ​you
promise​ ​me​ ​that​ ​you​ ​will​ ​give​ ​her​ ​to​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​can​ ​take​ ​care​ ​of​ ​my​ ​grand​ ​baby.’
He​ ​promised​ ​and​ ​I​ ​was​ ​off​ ​to​ ​find​ ​a​ ​way​ ​off.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​able​ ​to​ ​slip​ ​on​​to​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​lifeboats
as​ ​it​ ​dropped​ ​to​ ​the​ ​water.​ ​But​ ​I​ ​never​ ​saw​ ​my​ ​precious​ ​little​ ​Poúchés​ ​again.​ ​I​ ​hope
that​ ​sailor​ ​found​ ​a​ ​good​ ​mother​ ​take​ ​care​ ​of​ ​the​ ​last​ ​of​ ​my​ ​family.”

The​ ​story​ ​was​ ​so​ ​heart​breaking,​ ​I​ ​teared​ ​up​ ​a​ ​little.​ ​But​ ​my​ ​reaction​ ​seemed​ ​blank
compared​ ​to​ ​Cat.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​balling.​ ​Crying​ ​on​ ​my​ ​shoulder​, ​getting​ ​my​ ​sleeve​ ​soaking
wet.​ ​But​ ​I​ ​had​ ​some​ ​good​ ​news​ ​to​ ​share.​ ​We​ ​had​ ​found​ ​our​ ​owner.

“Well,​ ​don't​ ​worry,”​ ​I​ ​said.​ ​“Your​ ​Poúchés​ ​is​ ​safe.

“Really?”​ ​asked​ ​Ms.​ ​Garcia.​ ​She​ ​looked​ ​as​ ​if​ ​she​ ​were​ ​being​ ​reassured​ ​just​ ​by​ ​the
thought.

“Yes,”​ ​I​ ​said.​ ​“And​ ​she’s​ ​coming​ ​home.​ ​Cat?”​ ​She​ ​walks​ ​behind​ ​the​ ​sofa​ ​where​ ​her
duffel​ ​is​ ​hidden​ ​and​ ​comes​ ​back​ ​with​ ​Poúchés​ ​wrapped​ ​up​ ​in​ ​the​ ​same​ ​blanket​ ​I​ ​found
her​ ​in.​ ​Cat​ ​hands​ ​the​ ​special​ ​package​ ​to​ ​me​ ​and​ ​I​ ​explain,​ ​“You​ ​see,​ ​when​ ​I​ ​got​ ​on​ ​the
top​ ​deck,​ ​a​ ​sailor​ ​saw​ ​me​ ​and​ ​my​ ​friend​ ​Ray​ ​who’s​ ​an​ ​engineer​ ​and​ ​gave​ ​this​ ​very
special​ ​package​ ​to​ ​me​ ​just​ ​before​ ​I​ ​got​ ​in​ ​my​ ​life​ ​boat.​ ​Turns​ ​out,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​Poúchés!​ ​The
little​ ​dog​ ​saved​ ​my​ ​life.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​hadn't​ ​risked​ ​your​ ​life​ ​for​ ​Poúchés,​ ​I​ ​wouldn't​ ​be​ ​here
today​ ​to​ ​give​ ​back​ ​to​ ​you​ ​for​ ​saving​ ​me.​ ​And​ ​the​ ​best​ ​gift​ ​I​ ​could​ ​think​ ​of​ ​was​ ​this.”​ ​I
give​ ​Ms.​ ​Garcia,​ ​Poúchés.​ ​She​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​the​ ​little​ ​dog​ ​like​ ​it​ ​was​ ​a​ ​slice​ ​of​ ​heaven.

“Oh​ ​Poúchés!”​ ​she​ ​exclaimed​ ​in​ ​joy.​ ​“Poúchés​ ​my​ ​darling,​ ​you’r​e ​safe!​ ​I'm​ ​so​ ​happy​ ​to
see​ ​you​ ​again!”​ ​Poúchés​ ​rolled​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​blanket​ ​and​ ​gave​ ​Ms.​ ​Garcia​ ​a shower​ ​of
kisses.​ ​You​ ​know​ ​what,​ ​helping​ ​people​ ​isn't​ ​that​ ​bad.​ ​“Thank​ ​you,”​ ​she​ ​said.​ ​“Thank​ ​you
so​ ​much​ ​for​ ​bringing​ ​my​ ​Poúchés​ ​back​ ​to​ ​me!​ ​How​ ​could​ ​I​ ​ever​ ​repay​ ​you?”

“There’s​ ​no​ ​need,”​ ​I​ ​said.​ ​“You've​ ​been​ ​help​ ​enough.​ ​This​ ​was​ ​repaying​ ​you.​ ​This​ ​dog
saved​ ​my​ ​life.​ ​It​ ​brought​ ​our​ ​family​ ​back​ ​together​ ​and​ ​yours​ ​deserves​ ​the​ ​same.
Whether​ ​it's​ ​this​ ​little​ ​dog​ ​or​ ​a​ ​whole​ ​Titanic​ ​full​ ​of​ ​people.​ ​(not​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​be​ ​funny
here)”

“Thank​ ​you.”​ ​she​ ​said.

After​ ​we​ ​left,​ ​Cat​ ​and​ ​I​ ​let​ ​out​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​sigh​ ​of​ ​relief.​ ​“We​ ​did​ ​it.”​ ​she​ ​said.

“We​ ​sure​ ​did.”​ ​I​ ​pulled​ ​her​ ​in​ ​for​ ​a​ ​hug.​ ​I​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​she​ ​needed​ ​it.​ ​I​ ​needed​ ​it.​ ​The
Titanic​ ​may​ ​have​ ​made​ ​our​ ​lives​ ​like​ ​crap​ ​recently,​ ​but​ ​things​ ​were​ ​gonna​ ​change.​ ​I
knew​ ​it.

By, Fiona Read