Chapter 54

Scarlett anxiously paced the floor of her room. Whenever she heard the crunching of gravel, she flew to the window to look and walked back, chewing her lip in frustration. Yesterday, Maybelle Merriweather had dropped by to hear about her trip to General Beauregard's rally. Scarlett was careful to let enough hints into the conversation about Rhett having met her there and how they had spoken and sat together with the children. Scarlett knew that Maybelle would spread the news by that evening and she made sure that the people of Atlanta were informed that she and Rhett were still on friendly terms. But ever since Maybelle had left, Scarlett was consumed with anxiety. She wanted to know what everyone thought of her. If there was any sympathy for her. If anyone took her side and could give her comfort. She had come to the end of her rope.

"I can't go to Tara, I know what's there for me- I.. I can't live here like this.. day after day the same people, the same things to do- I can't.. I wish I could scream!" she cried to herself as she paced faster, clutching at her aching head. Suddenly she stopped. She heard footsteps on the front driveway gravel and she ran to the window to look. "Oh, Maybelle! Just..just wait a moment, I'm coming down terrectly!" she exclaimed in a mixture of gratitude and relief.

"I think this is a very good sign" said Maybelle, sipping her cup of coffee and looking at Scarlett through her wide eyes. "Rhett coming to the rally to see you and Wade. That is a very good sign that he still cares about you, Scarlett-"

Scarlett nodded her head trying to appear as nonchalant as possible. "I.. I'm glad that is what everybody else thinks-"

"I haven't told what you said to me to anyone else!" cried Maybelle, horrified. "Scarlett dear! How could I? It was told in confidence!"

"Oh" replied Scarlett, sullenly. "Of course!"

"Of course, Mother has to know-" continued Maybelle, vaguely embarrassed. "She demanded to know-"

"What did she say?" asked Scarlett, feverishly. Right now, she could settle even for Mrs. Merriweather's words- as long as they were comforting words!.

"Mother said Rhett was always a contrary person-"

"Contrary!" cried Scarlett, with relief. "Yes of course! Of course, Rhett was always contrary!"

"Yes!" cried Maybelle, getting excited at the emotion in Scarlett's voice.

"What else did she say?"

"She thought he was enigmatic"

"What does that mean?" asked Scarlett, nonplussed.

"It means it is very hard to understand Rhett- as a person-"

"Hmmm" replied Scarlett, wondering how she could switch back the conversation to herself.

"What did you understand about Rhett, Scarlett? I'm afraid I've rather been at awe with Rhett Butler ever since her bought that satin wedding gown for me. "And there have been so many things going on with him in this town and to think you were the only women who- Well, I know he must love you deeply-"

"Rhett likes to appear contrary" said Scarlett, with a shrug. "And he likes to understand people- I suppose that is the reason why he ends up offending them-"

"But it is not necessary to understand people in order to get along with them" replied Maybelle, thoughtfully. "But Mother wonder how you could ever really get him back- secure him, so as to say.. now that he is used to so much freedom!"

"What?!" cried Scarlett, her eyebrows rushing together in fury. "Why..Rhett doesn't like to be harnessed and rode on like a mule!"

"Scarlett, do calm down- I was only repeating what Mother said. There are few men who have trouble committing to a marriage-"

"Is that what she said!?"

"No. But it is the general feeling-"

"OH!" cried Scarlett, raising her hand to clutch at her neck. "Do they think that is my fault?!"

"No..no of course not!" cried Maybelle, vexed. "Scarlett dear-"

"How could it be my fault?"

"No one could do as much as you, Scarlett and you've always been so daring and adventurous. But this is a different kind of trouble, isn't it? Not a very adventurous one-"

"Rhett will come back just as soon as he gets over Bonnie's death. He..he just wasn't the same after Bonnie died-"

"Oh dear, yes! Of course.. he became so aloof and mysterious after little Bonnie Blue's demise. But it must have been a thrill to see him so unexpectedly at the rally- almost as if you were seeing a stranger- He must have looked as charming as ever-"

"Is that what people say.. that..that.. Rhett has become this aloof and mysterious stranger-" Scarlett's heart skipped a beat at these words. Suddenly she decided upon her future course of action. She had assumed signs of a gloomy future ahead based on a few disparate points. Now she threw them to the wind and looked upon getting back Rhett as a long problem. A problem she would solve not with her usual quick thinking but with slow, sure steps in consideration of people's views and feelings.

She knew her life at this stage was leading up to something crucial and decisive. She was sure of it now. The change had already begun.