Chapter Five
Rhett made it back to Atlanta a little after six. He ate dinner at the hotel then he went to the Painted Lady.
Belle saw him and poured him a whiskey. Belle asked him, "Do you have a lead?"
Rhett drank the whiskey, motion for another and drank that and then said, "My wife is a lot smarter than I thought or she had help. Maybe a combination of both. She took all of her pictures so I can't show them to anyone. When I describe her there are a thousand women who meet that description.
When she was in Macon, she had put a large wart on her nose. People can describe the wart in perfect detail but nobody can tell me anything else about the woman. They can't even tell me her hair color.
She didn't tell anyone of her escape plans or at least nobody is sharing if they know. But I suspect she didn't tell anybody anything.
What I don't understand is how did she and this helper connect? How did this person know she was planning an escape? Why would this person help her? But this person is giving Scarlett good advice and she is listening."
Belle asked, "Does she have enough money to live on very long?"
Rhett said, " She has enough money to never have to work again and then give each one of her children a large nest egg."
Belle said, "I was hoping she would have to surface to get some money."
Rhett replied, " What I mentioned is just her money. She has lots and lots of jewelry. She left her engagement ring. She said it was too vulgar even for her. She accused me of buying the most vulgar ring so I could laugh at her having to wear that ring. And she was right. I thought it was so funny for her to be embarrassed by the size of her ring."
Belle pat him on the arm and said, "There, there you will find her."
Rhett downed another drink puts some money on the bar and said, "No I won't unless she wants me to find her. But why would she? I was a horrible husband. I'm leaving Atlanta in a couple of days. I won't be back. Just mail me my check."
And Rhett took all the stuff in the storage unit and had it shipped to his mother's house in Charleston. He didn't know what else to do. He would rid himself of any connection to Atlanta. He hired the Pickerton Detective Agency and he kept hoping his family would just come home.
The ship was finally docking in Nice the first day of September. Scarlett didn't know what to expect but she was excited about her new life. Her French was definitely rusty. They found a hotel to stay in until they found a home. Surprisingly Ella picked up the language the fastest. Within two weeks she was translating for the group and within a month speaking fluently. Scarlett was amazed. Scarlett herself was quickly speaking French in a passable manner. They had to find a home and a doctor quickly. They found a charming cottage outside of Nice. It was close enough to walk if they needed to get to town. Andi sent her attorney Henry Hamilton her mailing address as soon as Andi signed the rental agreement.
Everyone knew them as Andi Baker and her sister Scarlett. Scarlett never told anyone her last name.
Once they were settled in the cottage Andi started lessons for Wade. Bonnie and Ella were hurt by being left out so Andi made lessons for them also.
Scarlett was actually excited about giving Ella her birthday party in October. They had cake and punch. They invited everyone they had met and most of them came. Scarlett knew they were curious about the American sisters but the people were friendly and polite. They never asked about her husband and her expanding waistline. If she talked about the baby, they participated fully but they never initiated the topic. She was feeling like she belonged for the first time in her life.
One of Rhett's traditions for the family was the birthday person getting their picture taken. Scarlett found a photographer and had pictures taken of all the children. They wanted her to get in the picture but she was still vain enough not to allow it.
Scarlett didn't want any servants in the house. She didn't want to give up her privacy. Scarlett started teaching herself to cook with the help of her neighbors. She was enjoying it very much. She didn't have a maid to help her dress which made her clothing choices different. She had not worn a corset since she left Atlanta and Andi never had worn one. Scarlett sometimes wore stays but she could lace them herself. Everyone in the house helped with the cleaning even Bonnie. They did have a washer woman but Scarlett helped her hang the clothes on the line.
One of the neighbors recommended a doctor. She told Scarlett...he uses chloroform. She and Scarlett nodded in a knowing way.
Scarlett felt she was huge but she didn't care. She no longer cared about a 16-inch waist.
At night when she couldn't sleep, she would miss Rhett. She would remember how kind and considerate he had been when she was pregnant with Bonnie. He had been nice the entire time. That was the high point of their marriage she thought. She wasn't going to think about that now. She didn't want to start crying again. She wished she knew how he was doing. She hoped he wasn't missing Bonnie too terribly much but she didn't regret bringing her along. She was such a sweet child now. She was still spirited but considerate of others. She took care of her clothes and toys. She and Ella were always playing with the other kids. Bonnie would squabble with others but she was learning the art of compromising. Ella never squabbled with anyone except Bonnie. She was glad Ella was showing some spirit. One of Scarlett's favorite sayings these days was 'You don't always get what you want.' for herself and for Bonnie. Wade was her biggest worry. He was much too serious for a boy of ten. He had taken his role as man of the family too seriously. She kept telling him to relax. Rhett wasn't going to find them. Wade would hug his mother and say, "I hope not."
Christmas was a happy time until Ella said, "I miss Uncle Rhett."
Wade gave Ella a dirty look but Ella just said, "Well I do."
Scarlett then said, "I miss him too. Hopefully he will find us soon."
Bonnie said, "I don't remember what he looks like."
Scarlett said, "Then later today we will get the pictures out and look at them."
Scarlett didn't want them to forget Rhett.
Uncle Henry sent a package to Andi Baker filled with cards and letters from Scarlett's family and friends.
Henry's note about how Rhett had fallen from grace with the Atlanta peahens after her disappearance at first amused Scarlett because he deserved it. Then she felt sorry for him because he had worked so hard for their acceptance. Rhett really did want to belong to polite society.
Melanie expressed her condolences of the loss of Mammy. Suellen told Scarlett of Mammy's quick passing and Mammy being buried next to their mother which made Scarlett glad.
Rhett spent Christmas day with his extended family. He never felt more alone. For 40 years he had been a bachelor and it hadn't bothered him. Now he knew what he was missing. He hoped everyone was having a good time where ever they were.
Scarlett made everyone speak English in the home. She didn't want them to forget how to speak English. They would one day return to the United States but probably not the South. Scarlett wanted the children to belong to a less ridge class system.
On January 10th Scarlett went into labor. The doctor gave her chloroform during the first part of her labor. Scarlett thought why didn't I have this with the other three. This is great. Later in the day Scarlett gave birth to a green eyed, black haired baby boy that looked just like her. She now knew she had made the right decision. She named him James Gerard Butler for Rhett's grandfather and her Pa.
Wade's 11th birthday was 10 days later on the 20th but because Scarlett had just been released from bed rest, she had not planned a party. Their neighbors had been bringing food to the family knowing Scarlett was the only cook. The afternoon of the 20th several neighbors came by with food and a cake to celebrate Wade's birthday. Wade was so moved he almost cried. Then Bonnie told everyone her birthday was next week and she liked cake too. Everyone laughed and Wade was able to compose himself. Having been ostracized by Atlanta society most of his life because of his mother and stepfather this was the best present ever. About half way through the party Scarlett knew she needed to lay down knowing her children would be okay with her neighbors and Andi.
The next week when it was Bonnie's birthday Scarlett was able to make the food and the cake. All the neighbors were there and everyone was having fun.
Wade sat down next to her and said, "Not quite the extravaganza of last year, huh?"
"No it isn't but a least the party guests are talking to me." Scarlett said with a sad smile, "Wade, you can be a boy again. You need to relax. You don't need to be hypervigilant." Scarlett urged.
Wade looked at her and said, "We were all so unhappy. Everyone was miserable even Bonnie. You were a lousy mother I just didn't know how bad you were."
To Wade's surprise his mother burst out laughing. She said, "I hope I'm at least mediocre now."
Wade giggled. Something Scarlett had never heard. He then said with a smile, "I wouldn't go that far."
Scarlett laughed. She never thought she would be teasing with Wade this way. Maybe that was just his personality to be a worry wart.
Rhett was not having nearly as good a day as the Butlers in France. At first, he thought he would drink himself into a stupor trying not to remember what had happened three years ago. Or two years ago. Or last year. He realized he didn't want to forget a single detail of his daughter's birth day. It was the last day he was happy. The last day he was hopeful. Rhett got out some paper and started writing down his recollections of his daughter's birth.
At least that was his intent. What he wrote was a letter to Scarlett. When finished he read it to see what he had written. He had not kept anything hidden. He placed the letter in an envelope, sealed it, wrote her name on the outside, and put the envelope in his inside pocket next to his heart.
Rhett told his mother he was leaving on business, packed a bag and got on the next train to Atlanta. He would talk to all her friends and relatives again. Maybe they remembered something or maybe they might be more sympathetic to him now.