Chapter 48

Exactly a week later, Scarlett met Rhett once again. She was at a store with Maybelle, choosing fabrics when she saw Rhett standing across the road with a cigar in his hand. When he caught her eye, he strolled down the street and after nodding to Maybelle, he took Scarlett by her arm and drew her a few paces away.

"Shall we call truce for just a few moments, Scarlett?" he began, in an off-handed way. "I know what you've been up to these past few months and in a way I am happy for you too. But there is one thing I warned you about before. That hall you've rented out to hold political meetings. Perhaps you still think its a smart move but I know better. I've been to Arkansas just days back and I know that something terrible is going to happen. The good Mr. Brooks is about to bring the militia into his schemes and it may not end well for many of the supporters. In fact, his party is divided enough already and I think its going to spell trouble. So, close down that hall and don't allow them to hold anymore meetings there. Otherwise they'll see that the house gets burned down to the ground-"

Scarlett listened to all this, quietly and when he paused, she looked at him and replied,

"Rhett, I know you mean well and you know all a lot about politics but..." she paused and then continued, "I simply cannot understand what you are saying. All I know is that many Southern gentleman like talking about Mr. Brooks and by renting my hall, I have won their respect and approval. Now you want me to close down the hallway..stop the meetings. Why? There isn't a riot in the street just now. I don't see people bringing guns into the house. I don't even hear yelling and arguing. So, I don't understand. If you've been to Arkansas, then you would have more to your knowledge than me. But as for me, I simply cannot decide from what you've just told me. I cannot decide from your clever ideas and a prediction of the future. You can call me ignorant and muddle-headed if you like or an opportunist or..or.. what's the word.. something about acquisition.. I don't remember-"

Rhett looked as if he had been struck. He drew back and for a moment Scarlett thought she saw his fingers tremble. When he looked at her again, his face was blank. He spoke quietly now,

"So, you won't close down your hall?"

Scarlett breathed steadily as she gazed at him. "No."

"Because you don't have enough news of what is happening around you?"

Scarlett avoided his eyes now but still replied "No."

Rhett smoked his cigar and tapped away the ashes. "I see." he said quietly, a strange frightening smile on his lips. His gaze penetrated her to her soul and she hated herself just then. But something was driving her to speak the truth. Something from within was telling her to speak of how unjustly Rhett had treated her all those years they had known each other. She had to be fair to herself.

"When I ride cross country, I meet all kids of people, Rhett and I can persuade them to accept what I give them only by words. And my words need to be in a language that my clients can understand- about the present moment.. this day.. not occurrences in the past or predictions in the future.. but here and now. I..I cannot expect others to know as well as I.."

Scarlett struggled to explain as she saw Rhett withdrawing further and further in the conversation. "People do not think the same way at all. I cannot simply talk from feeling- "

The smile on Rhett's lips suddenly vanished. He drew back his breath sharply at this and after tilting his hat to cover his face, he jammed his hands into his pockets and abruptly walked away.

Scarlett stared after him, her heart twisting in pain because for the first time, she had been completely frank with him and he responded by looking small and ashamed.

"I've lost him" cried Scarlett, in despair. "He came back to see me and help me but I've hurt his pride. I've lost him. He'll never come back to me again!"