Author's Note:
Heyy guys
Im going to try to keep updating regularly but bear with me!
Also, I've been thinking that the title of the story kind of sucks, so write me any ideas
And as always, any ideas for what should happen next are greatly appreciated
Love you all!
Stepping off of the train at the Charleston station Rhett took a deep breath. Charleston air smelt good. It was nice to be home. The last time he had been here was with Bonnie and spotting the café table they had drunken coffee before they left he felt those familiar shooting pains in his heart. Seeing no carriages he decided to walk to his mother's house. He hadn't informed her of his visit, but had mentioned to her, at Bonnie's funeral, that he might be dropping by sometime soon.
His mother had obviously spread the word of Bonnie's death as he was stopped several times by people he knew had hated him. "Why Rhett, My deepest condolences about your daughter, my daughters were so fond of her." His mother's butcher informed him. "My mother sends her sympathies," his neighbor told him, "that visit you and Bonnie made really made her day." But Rhett hadn't come here to be constantly reminded of his daughter, he had come here to get away from that. He hoped his family wouldn't go on so about it also.
"Why Rhett!" His mother called as she saw him walking down the road. It occurred to Rhett that he had just interrupted her afternoon tea and as his mother quickly stepped down the stairs of the front porch he saw several heads poking out from behind the door. "Mother, I hadn't though that you would be having tea, please, don't let me intrude." He said, although he really just didn't want to have to face those Charlestonian woman.
They were known for their breaking of men. And having been raised by them he knew it was true. He knew that if he went in and sat with his mother he would spend the remainder of his afternoon answering questions about his exciting life in Atlanta. He'd have to answer questions about Scarlett too, and he didn't want to have to think about her. Worst of all, though, he would be flooded by words of apologies and condolences for Bonnie. He was sure they would tell all of their favorite stories about her visit in Charleston. Rhett hadn't realized that Charleston would hold as many memories of Bonnie as Atlanta did, at least in Atlanta people didn't talk to him about it. Although, he thought, that was mainly because no one in Atlanta would talk to him.
"Oh Rhett, you wouldn't be intruding! I'm sure the woman would enjoy your company!" She said excitedly.
"You'll have to give them my apologies, but I'm a bit tired from the journey and thought I'd go lie down upstairs."
"Oh, well, okay then dear," She said kindly, but he had no doubt that he would be somehow talked into tea tomorrow.
After unpacking his things he decided to sneak out for a little stroll. How funny, he thought, as he crept out the back door, that I am a grown man and still have to sneak out behind my mother's back. Even though he had felt a bit guilty about lying to his mother earlier it was worth it. The weather was perfect for a walk. It wasn't cold but there was a nice breeze and the sun was just getting low. Birds and butterflies were migrating all around him. All of the trees and bushes were the deepest shade of green he had ever seen them. It was truly a perfect day.
It wasn't until the sun had nearly set that he arrived back home. He had hoped that his mother had retired to her room for her evening nap but found her waiting for him on the porch.
"How was your walk?" She asked.
"Beautiful, Charleston is as beautiful as I've ever seen it." He answered, slowly stepping towards the open door.
"isn't it?" She asked, and while she gazed around her he once again tried to sneak past her and through the door. He wasn't really willing to be asked the questions he knew she would ask him.
Sure enough as soon as he had reached the door she spoke again. "Rhett, why did you come?"
"Why mother, to see you of course." He said and bent down to kiss her cheek. She smiled but he could tell she wasn't fooled.
"I mean the truth, Rhett," she said even though she didn't really want to know the answer. "You rarely visit me and when you do it is almost always for a bad reason. So answer me truthfully, Rhett, why are you here?"
Rhett though for a minute. Could he tell his mother the real reason? He didn't want all of Charleston to know. He also didn't want to distress her. What could he say? That he felt trapped in his extravagant home? That he felt hated by all of Atlanta? Maybe he would lie and say it was to get a shipment that was coming in.
"What is it Rhett?" She asked again.
Knowing he had to say something quickly he said the first thing that came to mind. "Scarlett's dying and I can't bear to watch it."
Was that really what he thought? The answer came to him immediately. Of course it was. He still loved her! How had he been so stupid before? She was dying and he couldn't stand it, not because it was his fault but because he loved her! He really did, why hadn't he realize it sooner? Why was he just realizing it now?
Then it hit him. Scarlett was dying. And he loved her. He looked over at his mother whose face had a look of absolute terror on it. "Dying? Are you quite sure? Why, you always described her as such a strong person."
A strong person. She was right. He had always thought of her as a strong person. But maybe he had been wrong. Maybe she was just the fragile little women she now appeared as. Could he have been wrong all those years? Had his crude remarks taken just as much of a toll on her as they had on him? He had always just assumed she was as strong as she claimed to be, but what if she had been lying? Was I wrong to assume she was different from other woman?
With sudden realization he turned to his mother. "I'm sorry, but I've got to go catch a train."
