Title: My Version Of GWTW

Chapter 2

It was March 13, 1861; the Lynch's were having a party to celebrate Kate's graduation from Washington University. The day still consisted of work but in the middle of the day a certain person had come to the farm. It was Rhett. Galvin said hello and told him that Kate was in the barn and the others were in the house getting it ready. Rhett headed into the house to say his quick hello's before he went into the barn to tell Kate some of his stories. Rhett walked into the house to see Miss Marvelle cooking in the kitchen, Lissa who is 15 was kneading bread, Theresa who was 10 was making her studies and Becca who was 8 was hanging up decorations around the house. As soon as he walked in all working stopped and they all came forward to give him welcoming hugs and kisses. The first thing Miss Marvelle did was hand him a shot of whiskey along with a kiss on his cheek.

"What have you been up to dear?" was her question.

"Well, I just bought a few boats. I've decided to blockade during the war."

"That war is causing big problems here."

"Why?'

"Well most everybody in these parts are going to side with the Yankees and you know we just can't do that. We can't be against our friends and families."

"I understand."

"Galvin and Kate are getting the worst of it."

"Why?"

Miss Marvelle lowered her voice so the others couldn't hear. "Galvin because of the other farmers in this area are threatening us because we are siding with the Rebels. But Kate because of the kids around here and the students she studies with at the university in the city are Yankees and are giving her a hard time. And you know her best friend is a Rebel and well so are you, my dear."

"You just let me know if you need help."

"You are too kind. Just keep visiting especially for Kate's sake. You know how she hates when people bash something she loves and she always stands up to these people. I'm afraid it will get her in more trouble than she can handle and I know she can handle herself it's just getting over her head."

"If you wouldn't mind I think I will go talk to her now."

"Of course not, dear. Go right ahead." The three girls went back to work as Rhett left to go see Kate. He walked over to the barn only to hear Kate talking to the horses. She was telling them about those damn Yankees and using a very vivid language. Rhett couldn't help it, he bubbled over with laughter.

Kate knew that sound. It was Rhett. It had been such a long time since he last came to visit. She was so glad he came to the party. He was such fun to have at a party. He was a great dancer and good at socializing at all the farm festivals.

"Rhett, you know some people get offended when people sneak up and listen to others private conversations." said Kate with her hands on her hips and a smile on her face.

"A conversation, no miss, you were having a monologue. A conversation includes two people to both speak to each other. I don't believe these horses are so talented as to speak, do you?"

"Oh, shut up Rhett."

"I hear the kids at the University are giving you a hard time. What university is that?"

"Washington University. And yes, but you know I can stand on my own two feet."

"Yes, but it is often hard to stand on one's own two feet when a mob is chasing after you."

"Rhett are you saying that you don't think I can handle this."

"No, I don't. I believe this is going past you and you don't want to put your family in danger, do you?"

"Of course not!"

"Then try to curb your tongue and all will be well. Now I do believe your birthday is this up coming month."

"This is your gift. I'm afraid I won't be able to make it this year," he said as he passed her two huge boxes, a hatbox and three small boxes.

"Rhett, What in the hell did you get me?"

"Ah, there's that vivid language I love. Aren't you going to open it?"

"First I have to get a bath then possibly if I can find the time."

"Well, then my dear let's get that bath drawn up because I'm not going to any party until it does."

"Are you serious?"

"Quite."

"Then I must hurry." She said as she ran across the land and up into her room and quickly bathed. She came down with her hair pilled on top of her head with a few strands framing her face and in her apple-green festival dress. It had a v-neck that proved to who ever saw her that she had an ample bosom and tiny waist.

"Now I will open your present, Rhett."

"Not in here, go in your room. The guests will be arriving and I'm afraid they will hate us more if they see what kind of an extravagant gift Rhett bought for you this year. The last thing we need is jealous neighbors," said her mother amused.

"Of course, Mother. Come on, Rhett."

"I'm coming."

"Now don't be too long my dear otherwise we will have all the boys of the neighborhood tearing apart our farm seeking you out." said her mother giggling. She loved it that her daughter was pretty much the belle of St. Louis County.

Kate laughed with her mother and ran upstairs.

First Kate opened the first big box. It contained a new shaft, corset, pantaloons and pieces for a new hoop skirt. Leave it to Rhett to buy her the latest in undergarments. When she opened it she laughed so hard she was out of breath. "Rhett, only you would buy me these." He just laughed and nodded his head as he smoked his cigar. Then, she opened the second big box, which contained a beautiful gray-blue material. When she lifted it she realized it wasn't just material it was a dress. It was smooth satin off the shoulders dress with cap sleeves. It had a scoop neck, which would reveal a daring amount of her bosom. It came with a very fine woven shawl of the same color of the dress. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. It also came with a piece of sheer that is tailored fit for this specific dress so that she can wear it all day. "It's gorgeous, Rhett. I can't wait to wear it at the next ball I go to with Scarlett. I'll be the hit of the county."

"I was hoping for that much. You're going to be 19 my dear. It's time you start thinking about seducing a male for marriage," he said with that amused smile on his face.

"Rhett, I don't know if I'll find someone that will understand me. I'm not some Southern belle who can't do anything for themselves. I need to work and party and have fun. Not just stand up on some pedestal. I won't you know."

"Yes, that I do know. But you never know who you'll find, Kate."

"I guess you're right. But I'm not going to marry for the sake of marring. If I don't find someone I want to spend the rest of my life with I won't marry."

"I would hope not. Pray continue opening your presents."

Kate opened the hatbox next it was a beautiful straw hat with a ribbon the same color of her dress. It showed her countryside off a bit. "Thanks, Rhett, you know how I like to show my country side off a bit. And I love these hats, I'd wear them even if they weren't in style."

"Now that I do believe. Never one to be a slave to fashion my dear." he jested her.

"Of course not." Then she opened the next gift, which was a pair of short white gloves, a pair of long white gloves and a parasol to match her dress. Then in the second box a new pair of her favorite slippers which had a 1in. heel because she was so short, 5' 0" to be exact. They also matched her dress. Then it a very small box she received a piece of ribbon which would tie in the back and then she saw it. A brand new cameo that would pin on her ribbon or dress. It was gorgeous. Cameos were her favorite piece of jewelry. "Rhett, a new cameo. Thank you so much I love it. I'll wear it today." She planted a kiss on his cheek then went to her box and brought out a piece of apple-green neck ribbon and fastened the cameo to it and then tied it around her neck. The cameo fastened to a ribbon and the straw hat with a ribbon on it was Kate's fashion trademark. She almost never went anywhere without one of these things; even when she was mourning.

The ribbon with the cameo was the perfect piece of jewelry for her because it accentuated her high breasts because it wasn't covering up her skin but yet she didn't look bare as if something was missing.

They headed outside to join the party. Rhett escorted her outside and the minute they were outside a multitude of boys walked over to her. Kate surprised them all by running around the house towards the barn, which was in the back of the farm. She jumped onto her horse Moonshine, a brilliantly white horse with a gray muzzle. She trotted the horse to the front of the house where all the adults were laughing at how she could control their sons so easily, how she easily entertained the young children and the girls around her age memorized her every move to one-day use against the boys.

"Well, aren't you boys a bunch of slow pokes? You know what the first one to catch me gets the first waltz. And if none of you boys can then I will honor by father with the first waltz. So . . . Catch me if you can." she said as she trotted circles around all the boys and jumped fences and logs as her pins came out and her hair came flowing down. Then she looked toward her parents, sisters and Rhett. Her face was a sight of pure pleasure. Her hair was billowing in the wind, her cheeks pink from the wind, laughter in her eyes, a smile on her lips and the loudest laugh coming from her mouth while her shoulders shuddered form delight. The other adults teased the Lynch's about their daughter and if could she be tamed. They all knew the answer. They all had seen her work or had been helped by her at least once. She was an aspiring mid-wife and had recently helped 5 women give birth with little guidance. She had helped every farmer within 30 miles with his or her farm but mostly horses. No one could deny that she was a hard worker but she was also a partier.

She came strolling back and gave her father a kiss on the cheek as all the other men looked on with a longing face. "I guess you get the first dance, Papa," she laughed. "And what a lucky man I seem to be." he jested back. She was his daughter, no denying that. After that the men would be lucky to get 10 feet close to her. She walked around socializing with the adults, talking with the women, gossiping with the girls, jesting and drinking with the men, playing with her sisters, helping her parents and being escorted by Rhett anywhere she went.

Mrs. Sullivan told Mrs. Lynch, "You sure are lucky to have that boy Rhett around. He's good to Kate and as protective as a brother."

"Yes, he is. He is better than a brother; he's a childhood friend no one can mess with that."

"I quite agree. I married my childhood friend."

"Oh Kate won't marry him that I know. Why I couldn't tell you?"

" I know," stepped in her father. "Kate and Rhett are not attracted to each other because they see each other as brother and sister. Though Rhett does admit to Kate's beauty he's taken it to making it his job that she always has new clothes and is beautiful. Kate also admits that Rhett is charming and too handsome for his own good but she just likes being with him as a friend or sister. She'll take either."

"It sounds like you've thought about this a lot, Mr. Lynch."

"No, I just know my daughter and talk quite often to Rhett. Kate is a lot like me. She isn't delicate like Marvelle though she does have her looks."