THE LONG, ROCKY ROAD THAT WILL TAKE YOU HOME
Chapter 7: "The End"The forceful feelings of warmth and love for Rhett that had so intensely assaulted Scarlett in the morning had virtually nothing to do with the mood in which she was that night. Her nerves wrung, she frenetically asked herself why Rhett had not come to her bedroom yet. Surely, last night must have meant something for him, just as it did for her – or not? Could it be that once more she had misinterpreted Rhett's mood so much? Was something that had been for her almost a milestone in their new relationship absolutely nothing for Rhett? Could it be that she was so wrong again, just as she had felt sure in her heart of hearts that the night the baby had been conceived was important for Rhett and it had turned out that for him it was just another night of passion with an indeterminate woman? Oh, the questions were driving her crazy.
Certainly, today had been a lovely day, hadn't it? Bonnie had been more well behaved that usual, Rhett had not said anything offensive, or, at least, nothing too harmful. More than anything, he had been mildly teasing and kidding her. The weather had been so lovely that the three of them had spent the best part of an hour in the garden, sitting on a blanket and sipping lemonade. Yes, it had been a lovely day, indeed.
So why didn't Rhett come? Bonnie must have fallen asleep hours ago.
'Did you sleep well, my dear Mrs. Butler?, Rhett asked.
Was it a hint of sarcasm or was he genuinely concerned? Well, damn him – if he were truly concerned about her sleeping patterns, then maybe he should have gone to her bedroom last night. At the very least, to check on her. And now this pantomime after last night's neglect? Surely for the benefit of Mammy, who certainly would approve highly of Rhett's marital preoccupation for her, especially given her current condition. It seemed that nothing Rhett did these days could now cast an unfavorable impression on Mammy, not even his leaving her to her own means, and taking Bonnie with him! No, Mammy wouldn't criticize Rhett, although she could very well attack Scarlett. She was not yet in hr good books; Mammy still resented that she hadn't informed Rhett of her condition as promptly as Mammy deemed appropriate.
'Pretty well, Rhett,' she replied icily, getting a disapproving look from Mammy and a frown from Rhett.
'I'm glad to hear that, Scarlett,' he tried to amend the situation and turned all his attention to helping Bonnie cut her waffles without making a mess.
The meal continued smoothly enough, with their daughter filling up all the silences between her parents until Mammy finally took her upstairs to try to clean the syrup from her stained dress.
'Feeling a bit under the weather this morning, my dear?' Rhett asked her, holding her hands within his.
'OH, Rhett, stop with the pretense, Mammy is not here to listen to your playing the role of the devout, concerned husband,' Scarlett retorted.
' I am truly worried about you, Scarlett,' Rhett insisted, with that grin of his that had the ability to infuriate her instantly.
'So worried you didn't even bother to come see me last night? Beautiful way to show how worried you were for your wife!'
Rhett laughed.
'Don't you dare to laugh at me, Rhett Butler!' Scarlett yelled, freeing her hands from Rhett's grasp.
'So you're angry that last night I didn't visit your bedroom. My, oh, my, my dear Mrs. Butler, I never thought I'd hear you complain from my failing to visit a bedroom you expelled me from!'
'If you're going to be rude with me, I should better go to my office now.'
'Come on, Scarlett, don't be such a child,' Rhett said, holding her right arm to prevent her from leaving the room. 'Listen to me, Scarlett,' he asked her, as she tried to break free from his hold.
'I'm listening,' she gave up and stopped fighting him.
'Is this just another excuse to get into another of our famous arguments with me or are your really this upset because I didn't go to sleep with you again? And remember to answer me honestly, Scarlett.'
'I thought you'd come, that's all,' she tried to avoid giving him a straight answer.
'Scarlett,' he warned her.
'All right, yes, I was expecting you and wanted you so badly to come back…'
Rhett didn't even blink but Scarlett decided that, anyway, despite the unresponsiveness, however he were to take it, even if he were (more probable than not) to mock her endlessly for this she had to let him know how she felt about this, once and for all. If she really wanted Rhett back in her life as her husband, not as the amicable partner he currently was being, she had to speak out her mind and tell Rhett the truth.
'I wanted you to come back for real, Rhett, not just for last night.'
'Are you asking me back to your bedroom?'
'Yes,' Scarlett said in a whisper, barely audible, bracing herself for the merciless teasing that she was sure awaited her for her bold confession.
'For sure? You won't change your mind tomorrow, Scarlett?'
'I want things to go back as they used to be at the beginning, before everything went horribly wrong.'
Rhett nodded.
'Maybe for the first time ever since I've met you, I want just the same as you, Scarlett. That's why I came back home – to see if there was a chance to work things out.'
'Will you go back, Rhett?', she asked, hopeful.
'Yes, I will,' he said, and bent to kiss her.
Scarlett returned the kiss. Yes, everything was going to be all right now, she was sure of it.
THE END