The room was musty. The drapes were drawn closed. A tiny candle on the bedside table was flickering and cast shadows about the room. Lying in the bed, a tiny mass of bones layered with quilts stirred slightly. Scarlett was pale and gaunt. The only things that had any color were her eyes. They were as big as a baby deer's and as green as emeralds. They seemed like those of a young, happy child. Gray streaks mingled with her wavy dark hair. She had aged, indeed, but if it hadn't been for the illness, one would never guess she was near fifty.
"Why, hello, dear," She said in a raspy voice.
"Is there anything I can get you, Mother?" replied Wade. She shook her head.
Rhett remained hidden just beyond the door. He had no idea what to say. He had been thinking about the events of the past twenty years since he boarded the train to Atlanta. Maybe there was something in there.
A few weeks after that fateful night of their separation, Scarlett's aunts in Charleston wrote her saying how it was "curious she did not travel with her dashing husband to Charleston for a visit." Scarlett got it in her head that Rhett would again play her out to be the villain, but mainly, this was a way to be able to see him. So she decided to reply sweetly to her aunts with the excuse of illness for the delay in her visit to Charleston. Soon after the letter was sent, she hopped on a train.
Their meeting in Charleston was a very tense one. Scarlett was lovesick and desperate and Rhett was skeptical and alert.
Scarlett walked down the streets of Charleston not knowing exactly what to do. It was as if she had lost her mind. She wanted to win Rhett back, yet she had no plan. After hours of meandering, Scarlett went down the Battery to thehomewhere Rhett was staying with his mother and sister.
He was not completely surprised to see Scarlett standing at his door. He figured she would run after him sooner or later. He recalled the night he had left her. She professed her undying love for him, yet he had not returned this sentiment. Scarlett was stubborn; he knew this all too well. She would go after what she did not or could not have until she got it, one way or another. And here she was, ready to fight for him. A twinge of pain struck him, mentally. He felt he did not have the strength to love her again. The love he spent was lost on her altogether since they had met. She used all of what he gave and left him mortally wounded. He swore and promised himself he'd not risk his heart again. It was just beginning to heal. And here she was, ready to take it all again.
He took in her appearance. She didn't look too different. She put on quite a charming air, but he could sense she was at unease. He knew why, of course. But he dared not to bring up the subject, although he knew it would come up sooner or later during their time together. Scarlett wore a fashionable green dress, with velvet embellishments, but nothing too overdone. She was dressed quite nicely and modestly, compared to some of her old, flashy gowns.
"Hello, Rhett." Scarlett said, anxiously. It was hard for her to speak and withhold her emotions, which were so intense. She could have burst into tears at any moment, but she restrained herself. She did not want Rhett to know how distressed she was.
"Scarlett," Rhett replied, bowing politely, but slightly annoyed. He gestured her into the parlor and they both sat down. She sat at the edge of the settee, her hands moving nervously in her lap. He casually lounged in a chair and nursed a glass of brandy, never taking his eyes off of her. "I assume—" he began, but Scarlett cut him off.
"My aunts wrote me. They said—they said that you were in town," she stuttered on so nervously, "Rhett, I just don't want you to make me out as the—well, the careless one."
"Careless? But—Scarlett, when have you ever cared about your reputation?" Rhett laughed, "Be honest, now, that is not why you are here. Not at all why you're here." he grinned, the same old way he used to. "Scarlett, I told you what my intentions were when I left. I told you how I felt and what I felt. Nothing has changed, and don't bet on it changing either. I know you, none of your sly tricks will work, Scarlett. You've used those too many times on me. I won't be caught in your traps again"
"Oh Rhett, but you don't understand. I don't want to trap you. I have no sly tricks. I told you, I only love you and want you to love me. Just say it. I know you do. You loved me so much, you said that yourself. If you love someone that much, you can't ever stop loving them—"
"Scarlett—maybe that's true." He seemed thoughtful for a second, but resumed his casualness immediately. "But as I said before, I'll not risk my heart again. There is no need for further explanation. Now, since you are here, where do you plan on staying?"
"Well, I haven't really thought of that," she sighed slightly, "I suppose—I suppose I'll just go."
"If that's what you wish to do." he said tiredly.
"Well, I don't think you'd like me around, Rhett." She got up ready to leave.
"Scarlett," Rhett nodded as a farewell gesture "Have a safe trip." He smiled mockingly.
She turned away from him. All of this amused him. Scarlett thought she should be furious inside, but she felt sadness instead. "Yes. Good-bye, Rhett." She said, almost against her will. Part of her wanted so much to be around him, but the other part of her wanted to run away. She wondered if he would open up if she stayed, yet she wondered if he would chase after her if she ran. She just wanted some sign that he would be with her. She knew he still loved her. She just knew it.
She walked out the door, but he did not chase after her.
This feeling never left Scarlett and for the five years since that day it got worse. He came to Atlanta, but, she avoided him at all costs, waiting for him to make the big gesture—to chase after her.
When the time came for his next visit, she knew what she wanted to do.
Rhett walked into the large home on Peachtree Street and was surprised to see Scarlett sitting in the parlor. He was accustomed to her hiding behind her bedroom door. He was curious.
"Why, Scarlett! Did you forget I was coming? Or did you plan to make an appearance this time?" He chuckled and sat down across from her. She sighed. "What's the matter?" his mood changed immediately.
She did not lift her head to look at him, but focused on her hands which lay in her lap. He watched them too. "Do—did you ever want a divorce?" She asked slowly. His eyes quickly moved to her face, and it seemed like they tried to seep right into her mind. He figured out what she was implying. He never thought she would be the one to bring this topic up.
"Is there someone else?" he asked, on the verge of anger. He thought of Ashley.
She looked up at him and smiled, "No—there never will be." Her eyes slowly fell from his face back to her hands.
A moment of silence passed. Rhett was stunned. He didn't realize that his expression showed what he felt inside. "Why?" he said softly.
She looked at him. He looked sad and surprised. "Rhett, I just don't want to keep hoping, and holding on."
No one spoke for a quite some time. He was staring blankly out the window behind her. "So, I guess I'll have a lawyer draw up some papers?"
"Yes, I—I suppose." was her quiet response.
"Are you unsure?" his voice expressed hope.
"No, no. I'm sure, Rhett. I—I just need this." After another moment of silence she spoke again, "Sometimes, someone can love a person so much, that she can let him go." Without another word, she left the room.
Rhett was in disbelief.
Inside of Scarlett's mind a battle still raged on. Did she really want a divorce? Did he want a divorce? The answer to these questions changed every few minutes. Perhaps he wouldn't sign for a divorce and he'd finally admit he still loved her. The divorce would be like running away, and he would be behind her, chasing after her. She loved the sound of it. That's all she wanted. But if that never were to happen, she supposedit would be best not to hold on like she had been.
-This is quite a big chapter in comparison to the last two. Well, I figured it was time for a flashback anyway. There's definitely a little more of that to come too, and of course, more with Scarlett and Rhett's visit. Hopefully I'll have some time for another update really soon. Thank you for reading! Please post some more reviews.