Chapter 69
Wade yelled out in surprise but before he could reach Rhett Butler's side, Ella had rushed in and threw her arms about his neck in a huge, warm hug.
"I'll ask Thomas to carry your bags in for you!" said Wade, importantly. He started to look out the doorway when he felt Rhett's hand tugging at his sleeve. "It's all right. Wade. I wont be staying here. I've got a boat coming tonight-"
"Oh" replied Wade, looking glum. "Where are you going, Uncle Rhett?"
"I'm off to France" replied Rhett, softly. "I'll write to you at the start of every month."
Not once did Rhett look at Scarlett. She tried to catch his gaze but it was to no avail. He sat down near her but he faced away from her towards the children. "Now what were you all talking about? I heard my name mentioned in the conversation-"
"Mother was just telling us about my father and Wade's" answered Ella, running up to Scarlett and leaning on the arm of her chair. Now Rhett's eyes curiously flitted in Scarlett's general direction and he seemed to have noticed that the feel of the room seemed friendlier than the days of the past.
"Mother was going to tell us about you, Uncle Rhett" said Wade, trying to keep his voice from trembling out of disappointment.
"Oh. She was?" said Rhett, quietly.
Both Wade and Ella stared at their mother and uncle in vague expectation.
"Tell us about Uncle Rhett, Mother. What was he like?" asked Ella, after a beat.
Scarlett gave up trying to read Rhett's face. She merely shrugged and spoke in a matter of fact tone. "He was just the way he is right now. Always dressed like a fine gentleman, smoking cigars and smelling of whiskey and horses- just like my own Pa- familiar and reassuring- talking with Rhett was like slipping your poor tired feet into a pair of old worn bedroom slippers- comfortable and easy-"
"Grandpa Gerald O' Hara!" replied Wade, brightening up a bit. "I remember him! Ella doesn't because he died soon afterwards-"
"That's right" said Scarlett, her eyes suddenly glazing over with memories. "The war and every misery in it had broken your Grandpa and he was never quite the same after that- That's why all these little things mean so much. No matter how things change, sometimes you just want some things to remain the same-"
Rhett started in surprise at these words and he looked at Scarlett with a blank expression on his face. But she rose quickly from her seat. It was as if she herself has decided that the conversation had gone on long enough. "I'm going into town. I'll be back for lunch. Cookie will have the lunch ready by noon. I know you children will keep your Uncle Rhett busy-"
She smiled and left the room.