Pride and Passion
Part Two:
By the time she reached the part of town where Belle resided, Scarlett was out of breath. She watched for a moment from across the street as a man came out and seconds later another one entered. It made her sick to think that her husband frequented this type of establishment. Putting her hand up to halt a buggy, Scarlett crossed the street. When she reached Belle's door she raised her fist to knock, but quickly dropped it back to her side. What in God's name was she doing asking Rhett's mistress where *her* husband was? She knew he would be angry at her for coming here but she didn't care. How dare he make a fool out of her and out of their marriage. She was Scarlett O'Hara and she had fought for what she wanted in the past and she would again now and everytime here on in.
She rapped at the door and with her head high she waited for Belle to answer. But the person who came to the door was not Belle but a young girl, barely twenty years old. She was a pretty girl with long blond hair and blue eyes that told a story of an unhappy life. And the dress....it showed more bosem than even Scarlett thought was appropriate.
"Can I help you?" the girl asked in a small voice.
"Yes you may. I'm here to see Miss Watling. Would you please go and get her for me."
"Oh I'm sorry," the girl said shaking her head. "I can't do that. Belle doesn't want to be disturbed. If you want to come back........"
"Amy." Belle's voice came from somewhere behind the half closed door. "I'll see her. Go back to what you were doing."
"Yes mam," she said before giving Scarlett a small smile. As she walked away, Scarlett wondered if Rhett had ever been with this girl or any others for that matter....or was it only Belle that he fancied.
And now as she stood face to face with her nemesis her hands turned to fists at her side and her breathing became heavy. Oh how she wanted to hit this red headed piece of trash standing before her in flounces of pink and bells hanging from her ears. She opened her mouth to speak but was stopped as Belle spoke to her instead.
"I knew you'd come sooner or later. Why, I've seen Rhett angry before, but there was something about this time that really made me believe that he was through with you."
"How dare you tell me anything about my husband!"
"He might be your husband, but I am the one he comes to when he needs something," Belle said with a slight smirk. Oh but she knew that Rhett loved this woman and it pained her. She had a hold on him stronger than anything she had seen before.
"Just tell me where he is so I can get away from this place."
Belle laughed. "Scared it might tarnish your pristine reputation, are you? Well from what I hear you don't have much of a reputation around these parts."
Scarlett scowled. "Please don't speak to me of reputations."
"From where I'm standing all I can see is verbal bravado, but inside you are nothing but a coward. But for some reason that I don't know he loves you. And don't think it doesn't pain me to say it."
Belle looked Scarlett over, taking in her appearance. The black mourning dress reminded her of the news of Melanie Wilkes death that was buzzing all over town. And so because of Melanie and partly because of Rhett's love for this woman she spoke again.
"He is in Charleston, " she said simply. "The only reason I am telling you this is out of respect for Mrs. Wilkes and for the fact that she liked you so much. Just another thing she has done for you...even in death. Now please excuse me. I have a business to run." And with those words she promptly closed the door in Scarlett's face.
When Scarlett reached her home she closed the door and leaned against it, her chest heaving. Charleston. He had only gone as far as his mother's home. She was relieved to know this news but wished she hadn't had to go to Belle to find out. Then she cursed herself. If she had just been patient she would have found it out on her own soon enough. Damn her and her Irish hot-headedness! Why didn't she think before she acted? But what was done was done and it wasn't going to do her any good to dwell on it. Tomorrow was the funeral and she needed to get some rest.
Scarlett woke the next day to the sound of rain falling on the ground outside. Perfect weather for how she felt inside. How she was going to get through this day alone she didn't know. She pulled the warm, down blankets just a little higher up and nestled in. Maybe if she just kept sleeping. No one would miss her after all. Most people would think she'd be the last person to pay her last respects to Melanie. And so she closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep. But seconds there was a knock at the door and Mammy came in sniffling....tears in her eyes.
"It's a sad day, Miz Scarlett. You best be gettin' yoself outta bed and be gettin' ready for Miz Melly's funeral." She sniffed again. "Some things just don't sounds right, do they Miz Scarlett?"
"No Mammy you're right," she said sitting up in the bed. "I'm so glad you're here with me. I don't know what I would do without you." Scarlett knew she was never really, truely alone as long as she had her Mammy. "And I am so greatful that you will be beside me today."
"Mistah Rhett ain't gonna be there?" Mammy had seen his leave the day before, but just thought he'd have been back by now.
Scarlett cleared her throut. "No Mammy. Rhett had to go to Charleston"
"Oh no Miz Scarlett. Der is no way he would miss poor Miz Melly's funeral."
"Well he is going to miss it!" she snapped. "And you know that he is going to do what he wants to and to hell with what anyone else thinks!" She stopped and realized it wasn't Mammys fault that Rhett had left her and apologized. "I'm sorry, Mammy. I just have to much running around in my head right now."
"Thas OK, Miz Scarlett. I know yous had lots to do des last few days. Don't worry. It will all be over soon."
"You're right," she assured her. "Rhett will be home soon and things will get back to the way they should be." At least she hoped so. Oh how she hoped! As she looked herself over in the mirror in her new black dress and hat, she didn't even care anymore. Who cares! she thought. If Rhett wasn't there, all the new hats in the world weren't worth a thing. Damn him! Why did he always run away? Why did he keep running in and out of their marriage whenever things didn't go his way? Well maybe she wouldn't make it so easy for him to come back this time. Maybe she just wouldn't be here when he came back.
There was still a drizzle of rain at Melanies grave site later that day. Many of the mourners had umbrellas, but none of them offered Scarlett any shelter and so she stood alone in her grief, the rain falling down on her. Her face was wet but she didn't care....at least if a tear happened to escape from her eyes no one would notice. India Wilkes glared at her as she stood apart from her family. She blames me for being banished from sitting with the family, Scarlett thought. Serves her right. All I was doing was trying to help Ashley and she did nothing but give me grief. All India had ever tried to do was give Scarlett grief. Ever since Frank it had been worse than when they were children. And when Frank had been killed because of Scarlett, India had been more hateful than before.
Scarletts thoughts were broken by the sound of a large wail. Poor Beau had suddenly realised that his mother was in that box and had run over and tried to get her out.
"But daddy!!" he cried. "She can't breath! She can't breath! Help her please daddy!"
Ashley took his small son tightly in his arms and held him close, talking soothingly in his ears, so quietly that Scarlett could hardly hear what he was saying from where she stood. "I can't son. Your mother is going up to Heaven. She is going to be an angel now. She has important work to do."
This did little to soothe Beau so Ashley slowly led him to the waiting carriage, the rest of the family walking behind them. Scarlett still stood by Melly's grave until she was left alone. She stared down into the hole where the box that held the kindest person she had ever known....besides her own mother. This hole that would now be her final resting place. She shuddered. How she hated this place. The last time she had been here had been for her darling Bonnie's funeral. She had placed a small bouquet of flowers there that morning. A small sob escaped her mouth. She covered her quivvering lips with her shaking hands but it did little to stop the torrent of tears that followed. She fell to her knee's in the dirt surrounding the grave site that had turned to mud from the rain. "Oh Melly, " she cried. "Take care of my little girl. Tell her how much I really loved her. And you. I did love you too. I wish I would have told you when you were here. But, you knew, didn't you?" She looked up in the angry sky. "You knew what was in my heart even when I didn't. Oh Melly. He has left me. I'm all alone now."
When the tears had all dried she stood. Her dress was covered in mud where she had knelt. She silently scolded herself for being so weak. What if someone had seen her act that way? She looked around, but didn't see anyone close by. She could just imagine people talking about the high and mighty Scarlett Butler breaking down at Melanie Wilkes funeral. They would think it was all a show. They would never know Scarlett and she didn't care.
When she reached the big house she stood looking at it. What was she going to do here all alone? No one to talk to and no one to share it with. When had she lost all hope of Rhett coming back? It wasn't like her to to give up so easily. Maybe she wasn't giving up, she thought. Maybe she would let him think she didn't care....let him come to her. She wasn't going to sit around here and wait for days, weeks and maybe months. She wouldn't be here when he came back to her. But where would she go? The only place to go....Tara.
Part Two:
By the time she reached the part of town where Belle resided, Scarlett was out of breath. She watched for a moment from across the street as a man came out and seconds later another one entered. It made her sick to think that her husband frequented this type of establishment. Putting her hand up to halt a buggy, Scarlett crossed the street. When she reached Belle's door she raised her fist to knock, but quickly dropped it back to her side. What in God's name was she doing asking Rhett's mistress where *her* husband was? She knew he would be angry at her for coming here but she didn't care. How dare he make a fool out of her and out of their marriage. She was Scarlett O'Hara and she had fought for what she wanted in the past and she would again now and everytime here on in.
She rapped at the door and with her head high she waited for Belle to answer. But the person who came to the door was not Belle but a young girl, barely twenty years old. She was a pretty girl with long blond hair and blue eyes that told a story of an unhappy life. And the dress....it showed more bosem than even Scarlett thought was appropriate.
"Can I help you?" the girl asked in a small voice.
"Yes you may. I'm here to see Miss Watling. Would you please go and get her for me."
"Oh I'm sorry," the girl said shaking her head. "I can't do that. Belle doesn't want to be disturbed. If you want to come back........"
"Amy." Belle's voice came from somewhere behind the half closed door. "I'll see her. Go back to what you were doing."
"Yes mam," she said before giving Scarlett a small smile. As she walked away, Scarlett wondered if Rhett had ever been with this girl or any others for that matter....or was it only Belle that he fancied.
And now as she stood face to face with her nemesis her hands turned to fists at her side and her breathing became heavy. Oh how she wanted to hit this red headed piece of trash standing before her in flounces of pink and bells hanging from her ears. She opened her mouth to speak but was stopped as Belle spoke to her instead.
"I knew you'd come sooner or later. Why, I've seen Rhett angry before, but there was something about this time that really made me believe that he was through with you."
"How dare you tell me anything about my husband!"
"He might be your husband, but I am the one he comes to when he needs something," Belle said with a slight smirk. Oh but she knew that Rhett loved this woman and it pained her. She had a hold on him stronger than anything she had seen before.
"Just tell me where he is so I can get away from this place."
Belle laughed. "Scared it might tarnish your pristine reputation, are you? Well from what I hear you don't have much of a reputation around these parts."
Scarlett scowled. "Please don't speak to me of reputations."
"From where I'm standing all I can see is verbal bravado, but inside you are nothing but a coward. But for some reason that I don't know he loves you. And don't think it doesn't pain me to say it."
Belle looked Scarlett over, taking in her appearance. The black mourning dress reminded her of the news of Melanie Wilkes death that was buzzing all over town. And so because of Melanie and partly because of Rhett's love for this woman she spoke again.
"He is in Charleston, " she said simply. "The only reason I am telling you this is out of respect for Mrs. Wilkes and for the fact that she liked you so much. Just another thing she has done for you...even in death. Now please excuse me. I have a business to run." And with those words she promptly closed the door in Scarlett's face.
When Scarlett reached her home she closed the door and leaned against it, her chest heaving. Charleston. He had only gone as far as his mother's home. She was relieved to know this news but wished she hadn't had to go to Belle to find out. Then she cursed herself. If she had just been patient she would have found it out on her own soon enough. Damn her and her Irish hot-headedness! Why didn't she think before she acted? But what was done was done and it wasn't going to do her any good to dwell on it. Tomorrow was the funeral and she needed to get some rest.
Scarlett woke the next day to the sound of rain falling on the ground outside. Perfect weather for how she felt inside. How she was going to get through this day alone she didn't know. She pulled the warm, down blankets just a little higher up and nestled in. Maybe if she just kept sleeping. No one would miss her after all. Most people would think she'd be the last person to pay her last respects to Melanie. And so she closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep. But seconds there was a knock at the door and Mammy came in sniffling....tears in her eyes.
"It's a sad day, Miz Scarlett. You best be gettin' yoself outta bed and be gettin' ready for Miz Melly's funeral." She sniffed again. "Some things just don't sounds right, do they Miz Scarlett?"
"No Mammy you're right," she said sitting up in the bed. "I'm so glad you're here with me. I don't know what I would do without you." Scarlett knew she was never really, truely alone as long as she had her Mammy. "And I am so greatful that you will be beside me today."
"Mistah Rhett ain't gonna be there?" Mammy had seen his leave the day before, but just thought he'd have been back by now.
Scarlett cleared her throut. "No Mammy. Rhett had to go to Charleston"
"Oh no Miz Scarlett. Der is no way he would miss poor Miz Melly's funeral."
"Well he is going to miss it!" she snapped. "And you know that he is going to do what he wants to and to hell with what anyone else thinks!" She stopped and realized it wasn't Mammys fault that Rhett had left her and apologized. "I'm sorry, Mammy. I just have to much running around in my head right now."
"Thas OK, Miz Scarlett. I know yous had lots to do des last few days. Don't worry. It will all be over soon."
"You're right," she assured her. "Rhett will be home soon and things will get back to the way they should be." At least she hoped so. Oh how she hoped! As she looked herself over in the mirror in her new black dress and hat, she didn't even care anymore. Who cares! she thought. If Rhett wasn't there, all the new hats in the world weren't worth a thing. Damn him! Why did he always run away? Why did he keep running in and out of their marriage whenever things didn't go his way? Well maybe she wouldn't make it so easy for him to come back this time. Maybe she just wouldn't be here when he came back.
There was still a drizzle of rain at Melanies grave site later that day. Many of the mourners had umbrellas, but none of them offered Scarlett any shelter and so she stood alone in her grief, the rain falling down on her. Her face was wet but she didn't care....at least if a tear happened to escape from her eyes no one would notice. India Wilkes glared at her as she stood apart from her family. She blames me for being banished from sitting with the family, Scarlett thought. Serves her right. All I was doing was trying to help Ashley and she did nothing but give me grief. All India had ever tried to do was give Scarlett grief. Ever since Frank it had been worse than when they were children. And when Frank had been killed because of Scarlett, India had been more hateful than before.
Scarletts thoughts were broken by the sound of a large wail. Poor Beau had suddenly realised that his mother was in that box and had run over and tried to get her out.
"But daddy!!" he cried. "She can't breath! She can't breath! Help her please daddy!"
Ashley took his small son tightly in his arms and held him close, talking soothingly in his ears, so quietly that Scarlett could hardly hear what he was saying from where she stood. "I can't son. Your mother is going up to Heaven. She is going to be an angel now. She has important work to do."
This did little to soothe Beau so Ashley slowly led him to the waiting carriage, the rest of the family walking behind them. Scarlett still stood by Melly's grave until she was left alone. She stared down into the hole where the box that held the kindest person she had ever known....besides her own mother. This hole that would now be her final resting place. She shuddered. How she hated this place. The last time she had been here had been for her darling Bonnie's funeral. She had placed a small bouquet of flowers there that morning. A small sob escaped her mouth. She covered her quivvering lips with her shaking hands but it did little to stop the torrent of tears that followed. She fell to her knee's in the dirt surrounding the grave site that had turned to mud from the rain. "Oh Melly, " she cried. "Take care of my little girl. Tell her how much I really loved her. And you. I did love you too. I wish I would have told you when you were here. But, you knew, didn't you?" She looked up in the angry sky. "You knew what was in my heart even when I didn't. Oh Melly. He has left me. I'm all alone now."
When the tears had all dried she stood. Her dress was covered in mud where she had knelt. She silently scolded herself for being so weak. What if someone had seen her act that way? She looked around, but didn't see anyone close by. She could just imagine people talking about the high and mighty Scarlett Butler breaking down at Melanie Wilkes funeral. They would think it was all a show. They would never know Scarlett and she didn't care.
When she reached the big house she stood looking at it. What was she going to do here all alone? No one to talk to and no one to share it with. When had she lost all hope of Rhett coming back? It wasn't like her to to give up so easily. Maybe she wasn't giving up, she thought. Maybe she would let him think she didn't care....let him come to her. She wasn't going to sit around here and wait for days, weeks and maybe months. She wouldn't be here when he came back to her. But where would she go? The only place to go....Tara.