He had been here once before, but hadn't even knocked once on the door. He couldn't bring himself to do it. But just as soon has he recalled that memory, the door opened and a young man stood before him. He was of good stature and had wavy, but short, brown hair and big, brown eyes. The two men looked at each other, taking in each others appearance. After a little while of silence the young man spoke slowly, but kindly. "Why, hello, Uncle Rhett."
"Wade Hampton." breathed Rhett, and held out his hand. Wade shook it, and gestured Rhett to come in the house.
Two women stood to the left of Wade. One was shorter than the other. The shorter one had ginger colored hair in long curls. Rhett recognized her as Ella. She was not has homely as Scarlett had feared she would be. The odd features which Frank had passed down to her were overshadowed by the charming features she had inherited from Scarlett. The taller one had blonde hair pinned up in the latest fashion. She was a common beauty with bold, blue eyes and a sweet smile. Both, however, were clad in dark and dreary colored dresses. This added to the house's already morose atmosphere.
"Why, Ella, you look so charming." said Rhett bowing to her.
She nodded and curtseyed, acknowledging him. Wade stepped up and placed his hand behind the blonde woman's waist and said, "Allow me to introduce my wife, Mrs. Abigail Hamilton." Rhett bowed and said "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Abigail did as Ella did and said, "Please, you must call me Abby." He nodded and agreed, "I most certainly will."
Rhett felt a twinge of regret and guilt. His step children had just welcomed him into their home after he left without a word to either one. It seemed cruel to him, that he did what he did. They did not deserve that. Yet, they most kindly greeted him, and this was truly painful to him. But he did not let on and expressed the most gentlemanly manners.
"Please enter the parlor— Uncle Rhett." said Ella. As she spoke, she was uncertain how to address him. She quickly glanced at Wade, who gave a slight nod. Her hesitation was not lost on Rhett. He did not blame her for doing so, however.
The four gathered about in the parlor. Wade poured a glass of brandy for Rhett and himself, and then took a seat next to his wife. He looked at Rhett, as if he were trying to read is mind. "She asked for you." he spoke at last.
Rhett looked down into his glass of brandy. "She has..." he said, trailing off.
"I'm glad you came now. I was getting worried; she could sense it—so could I." Wade said, growing softer as he spoke, still glaring at Rhett.
"I left the minute I got your telegram, Wade. What's happened? She's not—" The last part he couldn't even finish, but what he did get out, he asked so confusedly. He sounded like a child in disbelief.
Wade looked down and his wife's hand, which he clutched in his lap. He nodded. "She got the flu mighty bad a year or so ago. The doctor said she'd be just fine. But that winter she got sick, it was colder than it always was. And the winter lasted longer than it should have. We tried to keep her rested and in bed, but she just wouldn't tolerate that," he smiled, "Not so long later, her illness got worse. The doctor's best guess was pneumonia. She's been in bed since, just about. He told us her lungs got weaker, her bones, and her heart. Within the last week—the doctor came to check up on us here. He said—he said she had little time left."
At this point Ella turned her head, silently shedding tears. "Oh I should have taken better care—" she cried. Abigail turned from her husband and grabbed Ella's hands and tried to look her in the eyes. "Oh, dear! Ella, you mustn't keep blaming yourself."
Rhett was so disturbed by the scenes that had just played out before him. He got up and looked out the window. Wade joined him. "She told me she had sent word to youabout her illness." he said quietly.
"She never sent a damn thing." Rhett chuckled oddly.
"Would you like to see her now?"Wade asked after a moment of silence. Rhett nodded and followed Wade past the crying women up the stairs and to a closed door. He took a deep breath and knocked, then opened the door without a reply from within the room. He poked his head through the door.
"Mother, there's someone here to see you."
This chapter is kind of short and a cliff-hanger. Sorry, I will update soon. Thanks for the reviews, by the way. I'm really sorry I had to remove Chapter 2, but I really needed to add something to it. Well, it's back now.