I was never a big fan of the follow up novel, Scarlett. So here's my take on the story...
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Scarlett had always believed in tomorrow. When today became too painful, she always knew that tomorrow would be better. And generally, it had held true. But even though she still believed in tomorrow, as she laid across the steps crying, she thought her future looked bleak. He had gone. He had listened to her and left anyway. Her apologies had made little impression on him. Her confession of her love for him didn't seem to have much impact either. Yes, tomorrow would be another day...but how would she use it to make him see...to get him to come back.? She didn't even know where he was going. Her first thought was of Charleston. But she knew that if she showed up there, he would be furious. A plan...she needed a plan. But first she needed time to think. Besides, there was so much to take care of here, before she could give her full attention to him. Yes, she would think about how best to approach things and him. Tomorrow she would begin again.
Mellie's funeral had been such a sad affair. Ashley looked broken. Scarlett understood that he would never be quite right again, just like her father after Ellen's death. She needed to find a way to be sure he was looked after without letting him know he was being taken care of. And then there was Beau. He was so lost without his mother. And Ashley was no help. But she had promised Mellie and so she would see to them; find a way to care for them but from a distance. She wasn't really sure when she had gotten over her childish crush on Ashley; probably long ago. But she held on out of habit. Now that she understood her feelings better and understood him better, she really had no interst in him beyong his place as a childhood friend. But she had promised Mellie, who had grown to be her sister. Strange that she had only realized that at the end of Mellie's life. "Oh, what a fool I've been," she exclaimed to herself in disgust.
Once Ashley and Beau had been provided for, she wanted a break from Atlanta. The city was growing and exciting; the New South in it's infancy. But right now she ached for the old. Yet, oddly she did not want to go back to Tara. Tara had always been her refuge and her strength. But it would remind her too much of the past...too much of her own foolishness. Ashley would remain at the mill. She'd hired a new man who would be the real boss. But their agreement was that Ashley would never know. He had demanded much for his role in the deception but she willingly agreed. He was very capable and the mill would do well under his leadership. And Ashley would get the benefit. Scarlett was satisfied with the arrangement.
Finally she decided on a trip to Savannah. It had been deeply wounded by the war also and was rebuilding. That could be her excuse for the trip, looking at expanding the business. But in truth, it wasn't the new Savannah she was going to visit, but the old. There was enough of the Old South there that she thought she might find some peace. Some of her mother's family was still there. Maybe she would even find them and try to mend those fences.
So, early one morning she had Pork load the buggie with luggage and she, Wade, and Ella, along with Prissy climbed in to ride to the train depot. They settled into the railroad car for the trip to Savannah and arrived in the coastal city on a warm, muggy evening. They made their way to the hotel and once settled, freshened up and went downstairs to the dining room to eat. The children were restless and cranky. Prissy was having her meal in the children's room and would be ready to get them to bed when the family returned to their rooms. Her patience and the meal ended at about the same time. She had really been trying to be a better mother, but the children didn't quite trust her. In all honesty, she couldn't blame them. She hadn't been much of a mother to either of them.
The only child she had ever truly loved had been Bonnie, and even that hadn't been wholehearted. Briefly the other baby flitted through her mind. She wondered if she would have loved him any more. Dr. Meade had told her sometime later that it had been a boy. She and Rhett would have had a son if they hadn't both been so foolish...stubborn and prideful. Remembering the night that baby was conceived, she became flushed. He had been so forceful. Always before he had been so considerate, although at the time she didn't understand just how much. Charles and Frank had made marital relations seem so much like a chore; something to be tolerated and gotten through. Rhett had shown her that it could be pleasureable. But that night, he had taken his pleasure from her without consideration or care. He revaged her, leaving no doubt as to his needs and desires. And to her great shame and pleasure, she had reveled in his barbarity. The next morning he had come to her room, sheepish and apologetic. If only she hadn't been so hurtful...if only she had told him then what that night had done to her. He thought he had hurt her but he had opened a new world to her; one filled with him and her passions. With him that night, she had let go all the falseness of her pretenses. She had not been Ellen O'Hara's daughter that night; her pleasure and wantoness had been all her, her true self, Scarlett.
Now sitting alone in her room, she allowed her mind to wander over Rhett. Men had gravitated around her all of her life, but none had been more masculine than Rhett Butler. At times sitting in the room with him felt like sitting next to a caged animal, there was such an energy and robustness about him; and raw animal appeal that attracted women. She missed him, his smile, his strong arms, the sound of his heartbeat when she had lain on his chest. And as her body was telling her now, she missed him in her bed. It had been a long time since he had bedded her...too long and she found herself aching to hold him, to be kissed by him, to have him inside. The evening was humid but that was not the cause of her dampness as she tried to sleep.
Mercifully the sun finally began to creep into her window. Perhaps with daylight, her mind would move away from desire; it must, she needed to think. After breakfast, she decided to take the children to a nearby park. Savannah had so many little parks. It was unusual, she thought as they made their way to one nearby that had a fountain. She sat on a bench as Prissy stood near the children, watching them play. As Scarlett looked around, curious about her surroundings, a figure on the opposite side caught her attention. No, it couldn't be...but it was. She would recognize him from any distance, his gait, manner, and body forever etched in her memory. But who was that with him? A woman...had he replaced her so quickly with another? Somehow she doubted that this was a serious matter. He was simply doing what he always did, surrounding himself with beauty and pleasure. He would not give his heart so easily however. She knew he wouldn't. Should she appraoch him? As she sat indecisively, Wade settled the issue. He spotted Rhett and ran to him, Prissy and Ella running behind.
Wade was elated at seeing his step father and didn't give Rhett a chance to back away. The boy was in his lap before he even realized who the little urchin was. Ella was equally excited but not as forward. Prissy, coming up behind, stopped to catch her breath once she realized who Wade was running to. "Mister Rhett," she exclaimed. "How is you? We been missin' you."
Rhett, who always treated the servants with respect, put Wade down and rose to greet Prissy. "Now Prissy. What are you and the children doing in Savannah?"
"Miss Scarlett...she here, Prissy replied, pointing toward his wife. Rhett looked across the park to see her sitting on the bench. She smiled and waved but made no movement toward him. He turned and excused himslef from his female companion, then walked towards Scarlett. "Scarlett?" he began as he arrived at her bench.
"Rhett." She smiled.
"What are you doing here?" He was suspicious, she could tell.
"I could ask the same of you...but I won't. I'm here ...to get away really. After Mellie's funeral, well...it's just too depressing in Atlanta. I wanted to see a new place. Remembering my mother's roots here, I thought I might come for a visit. So here I am."
Rhett looked around. "And the noble Ashley Wilkes?"
"Is back in Atlanta. He's lost without Mellie and very sad to be around. I meant what I said that day, Rhett. Ashley holds no charm for me anymore; he hasn't for a very long time. I was just too foolish to see it."
His smile was genuine, not the sardonic one that he so often gave her when she was trying to be serious. "So, you're finally growing up, Scarlett?"
She considered the question before answering. "If realizing that one is a fool is the same as growing up, then yes. But I still feel very childish. I am trying. And what are you doing with yourself these days, Rhett? I see you've lost no time in finding suitable company." Her look indicated the woman across the way.
Now his laughter was sardonic. "Yes...well...you know me, Scarlett. She's a local catch...or at least she's trying to catch me. I think her interest has waned today, however. Wade's appearnace and my explaination seemed to cool her interest. A rogue is one thing, a divorced one is quite another."
"Divorced? I didn't realize it was complete? Perhaps the documents have not reached me?"
"Well, not quite complete. But soon." His face was solemn now; sad. There was a hollowness to his expression that she had never seen before.
The subject of divorce had deflated her. His expression depressed her even further. "Rhett, I..."
"Scarlett...don't." His voice had a warning tone.
"I just...I know it won't fix things...but I am sorry. I was very stupid. If I hadn't been so blind, perhaps we would both be happier today. I was a fool and you are paying for it...for that I am very sorry."
For a moment his old expression flashed across his face; the one he wore when he was intrigued and curious about her. It was an expression she hadn't seen in a very long time. She smiled as it passed. His eyes furrowed as he watched her. He was wary, she could tell. Well, he had a right to be, she supposed. He was still so handsome, even more so in her eyes now. And her longings of the night before were reawakened as she surveyed his body.
Her appraisal was not lost on him. Smiling devilishly he teased, "regretting your loss, Scarlett?"
Surprised she flustered for a moment. But she didn't want to lose this moment, this opportunity. "Yes actually, I am. I was thinking last night..."
"About what?"
Did she really want to tell him? What could she lose in doing so...and what might she gain? "Remember the night of Ashleys' party? Later, I mean...when you were drunk?"
He shifted uneasily and his voice hardened. "Yes."
"I was thinking about that night...about..."
"Look Scarlett...I am sorry about that night...I had no right ot treat you like that. I..."
"But I'm not...sorry, I mean. In all fairness, you did have a right..I mean, I am...was your wife and you had every right to expect...and there I was foolishly pining after a dream instead of taking care of your needs, appreciating what was real. I wanted to tell you the next morning...I , but I've said this before. I wanted you but I let my pride stop me from admitting it. Please Rhett, don't be ashamed of that night...of what you made me feel." Her hand reached for his arm, emphasizing the truth of her statement.
He looked down at her hand on his forearm. Patting it, he replied. "Thank you for that, Scarlett. I believe it is the kindest thing you have ever said to me." He seemed unable to say more.
After a minute of silence between the two she asked, "So are you in Savannah long?"
"Not really," he brightened, relieved to move the conversation along. "I'm here on business and should leave by the end of the week."
"Well, perhaps we can see each other again...just as friends? Wade misses you so much...it has been difficult for him since you left."
"Trying to make me feel guilty, Scarlett?" He was wary again.
"No, just trying to be truthful. I know he would like to see you some more before you leave."
"How long do you plan to stay?"
"I really am not sure. Until I feel like going back, I suppose. At some time I will have to, but I am content to be elsewhere for now."
Looking across to the children, he chuckled. "I'll consider visiting with them again before I leave. Where are you staying?"
"The Savannah Hotel. I appreciate that you are considering it; I know it will mean so much to them."
"I'll consider spending time with them, Scarlett...alone." His words were harsh and his expression pointed.
She bristled at first but forced herself to remain calm.She didn't want to ruin this unexpected chance to make progress with him. "I understand," she said quietly. "It's alright...they love you and I know it will mean so much. I am trying to be a better mother, to put thier needs before mine. Trying to turn a new leaf..."
"Alright then, I'll send word when I decide." He paused, studying her. "It was good to see you Scarlett. I mean that."
"Yes, it was good to see you too, Rhett. I..um...perhaps one day...we can..."
"be friends? Somehow I doubt that Scarlett, but perhaps...friendly."
She swallowed as tears came to her eyes. "Yes, friendly...that would be nice. Well, good bye then, Rhett."
"Good bye, Scarlett." He tipped his hat to her and moved back across to his companion. Her heart sank as she watched him go. Still, he hadn't sounded so bitter...perhaps there was hope after all. Tomorrow...tomorrow she would build on that hope.
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Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed.