Chapter 9

Dinner that night was a bit tense. Wade had refused to sit at the table with his mother and Ella felt torn between her mother and her brother. She knew she wanted to go to Atlanta with her mother. She loved Tara but she was bored. She didn't have any one besides her cousins and brother to play with. She wanted friends. Friends that weren't related to her. Ella had heard her brother screaming when Scarlett told him. Ella didn't know how to feel. Parts of her wanted to cry and the other felt an anger she had never known before. She was a very easy going child. Never quick to anger. But today she had found herself angry with her brother. For every thing he said to Mother and for well she didn't know what else she was mad about with him but she was mad.

The family quietly ate. The talkative nature that had become the regular occurrence of late had left them. Suellen told her children about Wade and Ella leaving. There were no tears from any which surprised her greatly. The meal concluded in an awkward silence.

Dilcey and Prissy cleared the dishes. While the children went to the library to read. Suellen went to do some mending that she had fallen behind on. Scarlett sat at the table not looking at any one. Will lingered in the room not sure what to say but knowing he needed to say something. Secretly he felt kind of responsible for Wade's reaction. After all he was always saying how he would never get along with out him. Wade had tried to talk to him about his feeling on his Mother. But Will never took the time to listen. Always work to be done. If he had listened maybe Wade wouldn't be as angry.

Will cleared his throat and Scarlett looked up. "If it is ok I'll go have a talk with the boy."

"Thank you Will but I don't know if that will help. The most painful thing for me is every thing he said was true. I never treated them like I should."

"But I'm going to give it my best."

Will left the room as Scarlett broke into refreshed tears. Will thought about getting Suellen but thought better of it. Scarlett just needed some time to her self to cry it out. Will started up the stairs. "Damn that Rhett Butler, He knew that these children needed him Hell that Scarlett needed him." Will thought as he started towards Wades room. Gently he knocked on the door. When no reply came he opened the door. He found Wade staring angrily at the wall.

"Wade"

"Uncle Will do you need my help with the livestock?"

"No son I can handle it. But we need to talk Man to Man."

"If this is about me and what happened with Mother I meant every word of it. I'm not going and I don't want to hear any thing more about it!"

"This isn't about what you want to hear or what you don't. So you just sit right there and you listen to what I have to tell you!" Will countered.

Wade gulped he knew Uncle Will was angry. He had never seen but rarely that look in his Uncles eyes. He knew he had better listen. Even if he didn't agree.

"Wade You will be going with your mother one way or another. Now that doesn't mean that your Aunt and I don't enjoy you being here We do. It's just that your mother needs you and Ella more than she has ever needed just about anyone. I don't know if your mother told you but Rhett has left her. Right now she is feeling as lost any body can feel. You see it is hard for a Lady to go through what she has. We thought this war that has gone inside of her was going to break your mother. She lost your father. Then she lost both of her parents in short time. Then she moved on and married your Uncle Frank then shortly after Ella he died, Then She finally married Rhett. Your Aunt and I thought finally maybe this will reach her. But alas she then lost two children and Melanie and Rhett. All of that is enough to make any strong person break. But your mother, Wade, it hasn't broke her yet. But if she loses you. Wade I don't know how much she can take." Will stopped and allowed it to set in. After a few minutes He started speaking again but a bit calmer this time.

"Wade I know Scarlett has made a lot of mistakes. And believe me no one is more aware of them than she is. All I am saying Is give your mother a chance. She might surprise you. I personally think she will."

"But what about Tara? You need me here."

"Wade I'm going to be ok here. Your mother has made numerous offers to hire workers for us and I think It's time to but my pride behind me and accept her help."

"Ok Uncle Will I will try. I will go to Atlanta. But will I be able to come back to visit?"

"Your mother has discussed with us that matter. She has expressed a desire that our home be welcome to you and Ella and herself. We of course agree that you should be able to visit when ever your mother deems appropriate."

Mean while down stairs, Ella was uneasy. She was so angry. She couldn't read a book or look at her favorite picture book. No one seemed to notice as she slipped out. "If he doesn't go Mother will never allow me to go with her. I will go to Atlanta. With or without him." Ella quietly slipped to the front door and left the house. She decided that she was going to Atlanta now. Maybe if she started the journey Wade would decide he had better go too. At least that is what she prayed for.