Chapter 71
Rhett looked angrily at Scarlett for a long while. Scarlett could easily sense the distrust in his eyes.
"It almost feels as if you are making it harder for me to leave. You know I would do anything for Wade and Ella. They aren't my own children but I love them just the same, don't I? It almost feels as if you might tell them I left this family on account that I couldn't take care of them!"
Scarlett looked flabbergasted. "Rhett, that is the most absurd thing I have ever heard! Do you think I'm so heartless? I know that Wade and Ella adore you-"
"Then why are you settling down like this? You know you would have to make regular trips to the law school with Wade and you would feel stuck in that routine, never able to do as you pleased- Why now? It all looks so different-"
Scarlett did not speak for a while. When she did speak, she spoke softly. "Rhett, I know it seems strange but my own Mother thought she was raising me in the best way when she taught me how to move with gentleman, how to dance and say the sweetest things, how to talk to older people and friends- But when the war time came, the world we knew just went away and as I planted and plucked cotton in the hot fields, I thought if only Mother had taught me these practical things- if only she had foreseen something- because it was all so difficult- Now I am helping Wade do what he wants to do because you never can tell how the future will be like- who knows- some day he might need to talk in court, fight for justice- I know this sounds strange coming from my lips but a little foresight is good-"
"So, you are willing to do this for a future that might not come-" replied Rhett, casually.
"I have to live, haven't I? We all have to live- you want to leave us and go away but you can't escape life. You still have to live too-"
Rhett studied her for a long time. Finally he sighed and picked up his hat. He walked to the door. Then he suddenly turned and said, "When you get to the law school, ask for a Mr. Benny Johnson. He is an old friend of mine and a damn good lawyer. Introduce him to Wade and we'll see what comes out of it-"
Scarlett wanted to call out to ask him when he would come back but she bit her tongue. She had too much in her mind already. Her heart felt sore and she wanted to run into her room and never come out again.
"Look at you" continued Rhett. "Your hand is steady like a rock. Years ago, when a man hurt your feelings, you slapped him and burst into tears. And that time when the Yankees were coming and you cried in my arms- I hushed you like a baby- but I knew you were fearless on in the inside. Never afraid of anybody but yourself."
"I didn't like myself" echoed Scarlett, softly. "I always felt I ought to be more like my own Mother-"
"But at last you've changed."
"What about you? When are you going to change, Rhett? When are you going to invite me and Wade and Ella to a trip to Paris or Cuba or wherever you are going- just for a few days to do some sightseeing and buying presents and just having an adventure. You could easily promise that- But I don't think you will- There! Your face is changing already- You are afraid- you think I can still hold the whip hand over you- Rhett, I know it looks like I might be hiding something from you. But I am not. And I am not going to speak anything about my feelings or this thing we call a marriage- I don't think that is what you need. I know I hurt you before but it should not pain you so much now. And if the pain is still there, you are keeping it there. And its keeping you locked up from ever living a happy life. I am not hurting you now. I have no secrets from you. I am not going to poison the children's minds- You might think you are clever to stay one step ahead of me, but you aren't smart with yourself so much"
"Perhaps you are right-" Rhett gave a tight smile. He nodded and began walking down the driveway.
Scarlett wanted to run after him and cry into his arms but instead she closed the door.
Wade saw her from the stairs and called out "Did Uncle Rhett leave for his trip?"
"Yes" replied Scarlett, keeping her voice from trembling. "I know you and Ella will miss him. But I have asked Uncle Rhett to take us all on the trip over the seas-"
Both the children whooped for joy.
"When do you think we will go?" cried Wade in joy.
"In a year or two, I suppose- You know how long your Uncle stays out on his own-"
"Ohh" replied Wade in disappointment. "And in the meantime-"
"In the meantime, we live here and you attend your school. And we can be happy together. Especially tomorrow because there's a carnival in town. We are going there and buying all the candy we can eat and riding all the rides-"
Ella cried out in joy and wrapped her arms around Scarlett's neck. Suddenly she mussed up Scarlett's hair in a fit of emotion. She looked at Scarlett shyly. But Scarlett pulled her close and kissed her hair. She circled her other arm around Wade and he smiled in affection.