The Butlers' Rift

Rhett turned to see the sullen and righteous face of his father that had haunted him nearly his entire life. His father's face was etched with more lines than ever, yet he looked as righteous as ever. Rhett looked at the aging Langston Horace Butler stood tall and proud despite his thin stature. Rhett couldn't help but glare at his father, his thin stature meant that their funds were suffering. He would rather starve and see the family starve than to accept his health. Rhett wondered what the Butler's finances were really like.

"So have you asked forgiven for your many sins?" Langston Horace Butler repeated as he looked down at his eldest son.

"No, I haven't, Father," Rhett intoned, in a voice barely above a whisper. Langston Butler had disowned him when he had refused to die honorably, he thought it was the least Rhett could have done after taking that insipid Corrine out past the respectable hour without a chaperone.

"I have done nothing for which I should be ashamed," Rhett told his father, meeting his dark eyes with his own identical ones. In Langston those eyes were old and weary, and it Rhett they were filled with fire and ire. Their eyes clashed, each believing the other was wrong.

"Are you going to join the Cause?" Langston said as a response.

"I don't believe in the Cause," Rhett said staunchly, as he went to the library and took out a hollow book, putting American currency inside one.

"You are no son of mine, what are you doing here?" Langston asked. "Ross has already joined the Cause. At least, he's not an embarrassment," the elder Butler said.

"I'm sure Ross does your bidding just like the good little soldier he is," Rhett replied, a smirk of contempt on his beautifully shaped lips.

"A man works all his life, he amasses a huge fortune, with land, horses, and slaves. He should be able to be proud of his sons. A man lives a righteous life, he deserves to be rewarded."

"I'm sure you will get what you deserve in this life or the next."

"How did you turn out so different," Langston asked, looking at his eldest son. "You have defied me at every turn. A man deserves obedience from his sons."

"I never was much for obedience, Father. A man was also given a brain, and I prefer to make my own decisions."

"That's always been your problem, Rhett," Langston said, looking at his son. "If you had any sense about you, you would mend your way and be of some service to the Cause."

"There's only one cause I care about, the Cause of Rhett Butler."

"You are as selfish as ever, and as I've told you before you are not my son, and you are not welcome here. You will never be more than a vagabond," Langston intoned. "No decent girl will ever have you."

"We'll see about that," Rhett said as he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Langston looked after him.

"I'm sorry, Rhett, but I can't let you ruin a young, unsuspecting girl. You belong with some white-trash Yankee, not the granddaughter of a Robillard." He said as he got out a an ink and quill and some parchment and began to draft a letter to Gerald O'Hara.

Mr. O'Hara,

It is with a heavy heart, that I sit down and draft this letter to you. What should be a happy occasion, causes me much pain. The union of two families should be enough to lift anyone's spirits, and I know with great certainty that my son will soon be asking for your daughter's hand in marriage. I don't assume to know anything about the girl, but if she's been raised as a lady, then you cannot grant my son permission to court her.

Rhett, despite being raised in all the Southern Baptist ways of a gentleman, has no honor and he doesn't live by our code. I'm not sure if you have heard the stories, and as much as I despise throwing shadows on the Butler name, I feel that it is my duty to make you aware of my sons past.

When he was a young boy, he was very intelligent, and I had high hopes for him, despite his streak of independence and his odd notions of freedom for our slaves. He set slaves free at West Point which is what got him kicked out. Before that he was issued several citations for his rudeness, his drinking, and the women he had there.

A father loves his children and so he forgives. He has been a terrible influence on my daughter, Rosemary, and I would hate for him to do the same. Rosemary gets her hands on the strangest books, and I know Rhett is behind it. I don't mean to burden you with our family troubles. They are not yours. Rhett is a charming man, and a local girl Corrine Winslow, was out with my son past dark. He refused to marry her no matter how much his mother pleaded with him, and how much I ordered him. Then, he dueled with her brother, and shot and killed him. I will tell you Mr. O' Hara that was the last straw. The Butlers have disowned Rhett and want no part of his life. I leave you to make the best decision for your family and its future.

As Always, I go with God,

Langston Butler

Langston postmarked the letter and looked out the window act a darkie coming up to his son. She was short little thing, waving her hands like she was distressed. Langston got out his bible and began his nightly prayers. All was right again in the world.