Kindness of Strangers

Chapter 1

Her whole body seemed to ache and tingle as she stood in the rain, her hand gripped tightly around her umbrella. Scarlett stood rigid as stone, and her face possessed the same cold unmoving expression. Surely she knew people were looking at her with disapproval, but she hardly cared- Melanie was her friend, the only woman who loved her unconditionally, and now, after she was gone Scarlett felt rotten for deceiving her for so many years. And yet, Scarlett felt entitled, she was Melanie's friend, why she'd saved Melanie and Ashley both many times over the past years. Scarlett figured no one knew Melanie quite like she did, and Scarlett realized Melanie really was a sister to her, more of a sister than Suellen or Careen had ever been.

No, she wouldn't give any of them the satisfaction of her tears. They were for Melanie alone. Still, she could feel India Wilkes' hateful stare from across the coffin, and so many others. She glanced quickly to Ashley who looked so weak and vulnerable. Even pathetic, and Scarlett hated herself for ever wasting a thought on him. Of course she would help him with Beau, she wasn't as heartless as everyone though she was. But she did hold some resentment towards Ashley, he tricked her little girl mind into making her think he loved her, when it was never true at all. She'd just realized as much, and because of it, she lost Rhett. She remembered his comments about Bonnie, and they were true, if Bonnie was still alive they would of had a chance.

She knew she couldn't blame Ashely for Bonnie's fate, but she didn't hesitate to blame him for everything else. Deep down though, Scarlett knew she was to blame as well, for her own stupidity and ignorance.

Scarlett only looked directly at the others when cries seemed to grow louder. She figured they were from Beau, but they weren't. The boy stood with rigidness much like her own, his eyes were empty and damaged, and it only intensified Scarlett's pain and resentment further.

India, Aunt Pittypat, Mrs. Mead. They were the ones who were simply making fools of themselves by crying louder than all the rest. They were all fools, everyone at the cemetery, including the pastor who had attended to put sweet Melanie to rest.

None of them knew Melanie, Scarlett thought hotly again. None of them know real pain and suffering like I do.

It had all seemed so unreal to Scarlett. Everyone she ever loved was either dead or abandoned her. She figured nothing was left for her, at least not here in Atlanta. All the excitement it brought to her as a young girl simply vanished into thin air, and she couldn't stand to be in Atlanta any longer than she had too.

She was sure she would wake up with a cold in the morning, the ceremony took longer than any other she had ever attended. Scarlett was determined to outlast the others as well, and watched in silence as everyone else finally dragged themselves home. Relieved, Scarlett stumbled over to Melanie's tomb and felt tears pour down her cheeks "How could this happen Melly? I'm so sorry Melly..." her voice was strained and weak with emotion.

Scarlett thought herself alone in the graveyard, and startled when she heard footsteps crunching the dead leaves on the ground just a few feet behind her. She stood up straight and wiped her tears looking the stranger right in the eyes. "I didn't think anyone else was here... I'll get going-"

"No, please. I didn't mean to disturb you Scarlett."

"How... do I know you?"

She smiled sheepishly "No, I don't suppose you do. But I just knew you'd be here, and well, I wanted to talk to you."

Scarlett's eyebrow rose "How do you know me when I don't know you?"

"Well as of late, I think everyone knows you..." her voice trailed off at Scarlett's hateful expression. "At the barbecue you had to of been the prettiest belle there. And you were so preoccupied, it's no wonder you didn't notice me. I'm Isabella Wilkes."

"Wilkes? Why you aren't related to Ashely!" Scarlett questioned looking the woman over. Her hair was thick, wavy, and the color of gold. Her eyes dark as the midnight sky. She wasn't weak and feeble looking like the other Wilkes'. Her genes were strong and obviously not inbred, it just wasn't possible.

She smiled softly "I most certainly am. I'm a cousin of Ashley's. My father was a brother of John Wilkes, Thomas Wilkes was his name, but he didn't marry in the family. He married my mother, an English woman, Charlotte Madison. Why, it was an outrage to the family and hardly anyone speaks his name now. Funny, they never did the same thing to Charlie for marrying you..."

Charles Hamilton was the last thing Scarlett needed to be reminded of at the moment, and she had the idea to tell Isabella to leave the past alone, but Isabella kept talking, not giving Scarlett the chance.

"I suppose times had changed since then, and him dying during the war made his decision much more forgivable."

Her eyes widened, was this woman saying Charles' decision to marry her had been a bad one? Sure, she had used Charles for her own gain... but that didn't give this woman the right to flat out insult her- and at such a time!

"Being my father's child I was as cast out as him... why I hardly saw Uncle John or any of the others. But Ashely was always so kind to me, he tried to invite me to everything, but Uncle John was such a stubborn soul. I still can't believe I got to attend the barbecue all those years ago. Such a pity it was cut short cause of the war..."

It was irritating to Scarlett that Isabella should pour out her life story. Couldn't she tell that Scarlett didn't care? Just what did Isabella want from her? She was tired of helping people- because it always blew up in her face.

"I used to agree with everyone else." Isabella admitted "About you Scarlett."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I'm awfully ashamed to say it."

"You mustn't be. In a sense they were all right." Scarlett muttered fidgeting with her gloves. How badly she wanted to leave the cemetery and everything behind.

A hurt expression appeared on Isabella's face "You shouldn't say such things. I don't believe they were right at all. Why Melanie always told me how hateful people were towards you, it nearly tore her apart inside. She loved you so."

Her stomach twisted, Melanie always loved her, she was reminded constantly. And it killed Scarlett that only now she could appreciate it. "Yes... Melly loved everyone." she blinked back tears.

"I'm sorry to make you cry. Scarlett, I want you to know that during the funeral I found it cruel that you were left to yourself, and that my family either ignored you blatantly or stared at you like you were some sort of monster. I wanted to stand with you but no one would allow it, they said such terrible things to me."

Scarlett sniffled softly, "I'm sorry you got scolded for trying to be kind."

"I want you to know that if you ever feel completely alone, it isn't true. You can always find a friend in me." Isabella laughed lightly then "I know you hardly know me, and I've taken up your time. But just remember that Scarlett. Have a good day." She nodded and started to leave.

Her dress stuck to her and weighed her down immensely, Scarlett had forgotten it was raining and desperately kept her eyes on this strange new relative of Ashley's. She was honest and kind. And Scarlett ached for kindness after everything. She needed to be praised and reassured, if only for a short while. For the first time in her life Scarlett felt lost and vulnerable and there was no one there to help her.

"Wait! Wait!" she called running after Isabella, who turned around with a concerned look. "Where are you staying? Where are you going?"

"I would stay with Ashley, but something tells me he isn't quite ready. Besides, I don't need India criticizing me."

"Why, then come stay with me. I could use the company."

"With you, here in Atlanta?"

"If only for a little while. I had thought of returning home, to Tara."

"Now, isn't that just the perfect idea? I can stay with you if you like Scarlett. And when you return to Tara I can be on my way."

"Oh, I'm so glad." Scarlett smiled. She took Isabella's arm and walked with her. Finally she could leave the graveyard, she hoped Mammy had a fire ready and waiting for her at home.

Hmmm... this is my first venture into the GWTW fandom. Hopefully I did alright, please leave me a review telling me what you thought, criticism is of course welcome as long as it is constructive and not flat out rude. Thank you!