This update was the hardest chapter I've done so far. It was a real struggle to get this down. I'm afraid it may be a bit boring, but I'm just glad to have it done. Thank you all for the reviews, they really help me. It really makes it worthwhile to know that you're reading and taking the time to review.

The Journey Home

Chapter Seven

Delusions and Dreams

"Rhett, darling, we have to talk," Clarice Butler said to her son as he sat across from her at the breakfast table. Rhett glanced up at her and saw the concern in her dark eyes.

"Mother, I know what you're going to say," he waved his hand wearily in the air.

"Do you now?" she questioned with an arch of her brow. "I don't suppose you do, Rhett Butler. For, what I have to say is something that needs to be said and quite frankly, you need to hear it."

Rhett leaned back in his chair. He had been home a week, a week of trying to find some semblance of peace, but having very little success. If anything, his demeanor had worsened. "I know I haven't exactly been myself," he sighed with resignation.

"That, my dear son would be an understatement," she said with a shake of her head. "I think it's time you listened to reason and from someone who is in a position to give it to you."

"I appreciate your concern," he started but she quickly cut him off.

"This is more than concern, Rhett. You have ceased to care about anything. I have watched you fall into an abyss of misery and it's disturbing to me as your mother. Your sisters are worried sick about you and I can't keep telling them you're not feeling well when they come to visit. You have to get past this and there is only one way for it to happen. Go to your wife… go to Scarlett and make things right."

Rhett's black eyes snapped in guarded anger. "Mother, please."

"I'm not through speaking," she replied firmly. "You and Scarlett have unfinished business. She may have done some questionable things, but then, so have you. Don't think I haven't turned a blind eye to your actions over the years for the sake of it. I knew what people said about you but you were my son and I knew what kind of man you were, but now… now you are faced with the hardest time of your life and instead of turning to the one woman who can help you, you run from her."

"I don't need her," he growled and stood.

"Don't you?" she asked just as forcefully. "Do you think I like seeing you this way? Do you think I like having people whisper about you and my daughter in law? If you don't go to her to try and work it out, then you owe to her and yourself to end it civilly and amicably and without remorse."

"I have no remorse where Scarlett is concerned. She's free to do as she pleases, go where she pleases and see who she pleases, and I have the same freedom."

"But, you don't, can't you see that?" she stood and faced him. "You'll never be free from her as long as things are unresolved between you. Scarlett is not a woman one forgets that easily, Rhett."

Rhett listened to his mother's words, but he didn't want to hear them. "Mother, I asked you once not to interfere, so please do not continue with this. I have made my decision and that is to divorce her."

"Are you sure that is really what you want?"

"It is," he straightened himself away from her.

"Then nothing I say will change your mind?"

"No," he answered.

"You are a stubborn, stubborn man, Rhett Butler," she quietly fumed.

"I can't begin to imagine where I would have inherited that trait," he glanced over to her with the first hint of a smile.

Clarice crossed her arms giving him a disgruntled smile of her own. "Don't think your charm will work on me. I am not that easy to fool."

"Mother, I wouldn't presume to fool you," he stepped over to her and kissed her gently on the forehead. "I do appreciate the concern, but I'm a big boy now. I can decide for myself the direction of my life."

"Can I help it if I care about your happiness?"

"You wouldn't be my mother if you didn't." He lifted her hand and kissed it, slightly bowed and made his exit through the patio doors. Rhett knew exactly what he had to do. He was going into Charleston to make a visit to the family attorney, Conrad Oleson. He had put off the inevitable long enough, now it was time to proceed.

He quickly changed his clothes, summoned the carriage around and was on his way into town before long. He didn't give himself time to think about what he was doing or why he was doing it. He had one purpose and that was the only thing he allowed himself to think about.

"It's done," Scarlett said triumphantly to Careen as she stepped out onto the covered porch of the telegraph office in Jonesboro. Although the little community wasn't Atlanta by any stretch of the imagination, it was the closest thing that many residents of Clayton County had.

Besides the telegraph office there was the General Store, a livery, Mason's, a saloon that doubled as a restaurant and several more little business scattered down the narrow, straight street. Of course, women weren't allowed to enter through the doors of Mason's, but Scarlett remembered vividly the many stories her father would recount of the goings there when he didn't know she was listening.

Many a heated debate went on there and many of the illustrious men of the county would venture there to visit with Molly and her girls. The women pretended it wasn't there, but Scarlett thought it was foolish to pretend something wasn't there when it was such an obvious distraction for their men.

At any rate, that wasn't her thinking at the moment. All she could think of Rhett's reaction when he received her telegram. She was sure he would come help her, after all Tara was as much his as it was hers. He had invested his own money to get the farm running as productively as it was, although she secretly thought it could have been run better. Perhaps that's what Noah could do that John Harper hadn't been able to do since they had hired him three years before.

"Scarlett, are you sure about this?" Careen asked worriedly as they made their way down the sidewalk. They were to meet Noah at the store where he and John were picking up much needed supplies.

"Yes, quit worrying. Rhett won't leave me high and dry like this."

"What did you tell him?"

"I just told him the truth. That that varmit Wilkerson had married my empty headed sister and they are threatening to take Tara away from us."

"But, that's not true," Careen pointed out in abject horror. "They aren't trying to take Tara from us."

"But they will, you mark my words, Careen. That silly sister of ours will do just as she threatened and hand her share over to Jonas and then… oh, I can't stand to think about it."
"Scarlett, you know I feel as you do but to lie to Mr. Butler that way. What if he should really come here only to learn Tara is not in any danger. He'll be furious with you."

"But Tara is in danger," Scarlett countered quickly. "As long as Suellen and Jonas have that share, it's in danger. Rhett will understand that."

"Scarlett," Careen stopped and turned to her sister. "Scarlett, you know I am on your side, but I'm afraid you're going to get hurt again. There has to be another way to do this without involving Mr. Butler. If what you say happened in Atlanta is true, this could push him further away from you rather than bring him back. I'm sorry, darling but it needs to be said."

For only a moment Scarlett hesitated in her decision to telegram Rhett. Careen's words of warning penetrated her conscious until she felt her pulse quicken in regret. But, just as quickly, she pushed it aside. She wouldn't think of that now, she would think of that when the time came. She smiled brightly, hiding her trepidation.

"Careen, don't worry your head about it. I know Rhett and as I said, he won't leave me high and dry."

Careen didn't look convinced, but she said nothing further to her as they finally reached the store where Noah and John were loading supplies. When they finished, they all rode back to Tara in silence, for which Scarlett was thankful. She couldn't bear to hear Careen's condemnation of her actions again, no matter how sweetly she said them.

Rhett entered into Conrad Oleson's office, quietly clicking the door behind him. The old man sat behind his large mahogany desk, papers in hand scanning them intently. He glanced up, taking Rhett in with one fair sweep of his flinty, hard eyes.

"Rhett Butler," he drawled and sat the paper aside.

"Conrad," Rhett nodded and sat down, not waiting to be invited to do so. He settled his large body back in the seat with ease. Conrad's expression was that of mild interest mixed with irritation as he looked over at him.

"So, the prodigal son returns," he noted with mild sarcasm.

"I am back home, yes," Rhett confirmed.

"I'm sure Miss Clarice is happy to see you… although she may be the only one," he finished dryly.

Rhett grinned at the old man's bravado, he was never one to soften the blow of any opinion he had, and his opinion of Rhett had never been of high esteem. "Come now, Conrad, certainly I have my faults, but that's a bit harsh even for you."

"Do you expect me to tell you I'm overjoyed to see you?"

"Perhaps not overjoyed, but really Conrad, have I been that much of a blackguard that I can't even receive a civil greeting from one of Charleston's most notable and respectable citizens?" Rhett said in a light, taunting tone.

"Don't mock me, Rhett Butler," he scowled. "It is only my fondness for your mother that keeps me from having you removed from these premises right now. Just you remember that."

Rhett's only response was to slide his cigar case from his waistcoat and click it open. "Do you mind?"

Conrad's eyes narrowed, but he gave a short nod toward him. "I'm sure this is not a social call, so get on with it. Why are you here?"

"In due time," Rhett replied as he flicked the match against the sole of his boot and lit the cigar. "I have several things that I need to be handled and since you are the family's attorney, I'm here to put you under retainer as I need your services."

"What sort of services?"

"Divorce proceedings, settlement of funds."

"Divorce proceedings?"

"Yes, I require the strictest confidentiality in this matter. No one, save you and I, will know what occurs within the walls of this room. Agreed?"

Conrad leaned back in his chair, the hard lined features of his face never wavering. "I'm a very busy man. It would have to be worth my time and effort… substantially worth my time and effort."

Rhett smile was that of triumph. He had learned that regardless of one's past, the prestige and lure of money could erase any wrongdoing that had been done. Conrad Oleson was no different. He may have had no respect for Rhett or his activities as they were, but that didn't keep the old man from recognizing a financial windfall when it was staring him in the face. "I can assure you will be handsomely compensated, Conrad. I just want this over and done so that I may move on with my life."

Seemingly satisfied with Rhett's answer, Conrad continued on with his inquiry. "I'm assuming you and your wife are separated at the moment."

"Yes, she and I no longer live together. I have left Atlanta and I won't be returning."

"And what of any children you may have?" he asked, not realizing what heaviness of burden that question bore for Rhett. He felt his heart tighten and his insides churn with familiar burning. He swallowed deeply, trying to keep his demeanor calm."There are no children," he answered quietly. With deliberate and concise transformation, he pushed the feeling behind him, bringing the initial subject back at hand. "So, what is it to be, Conrad? Will you represent me in this matter?"

Conrad gave him a reluctant, if not encouraging nod. "It is against my better judgment, but yes, I will represent you. Where is your wife currently residing? Atlanta?"

"Yes, you may forward all documentation to Henry Wilkes. He's our representing attorney there."

"Very well," Conrad replied. "Are you sure this is the recourse you really want to take? Divorce is quite unpleasant as it's rarely done."

"I'm quite sure," he answered, but a part of him, the part of him he was beginning to despise, rebelled strongly against him. This action would sever all physical ties to Scarlett, but somewhere in the deep recesses of his soul, he knew he would never truly be free of her. She was embedded too deeply inside of him, the very thought of her moved him even still. But, there was no turning back, he had to remove her from his life. He had to do this, it was his only way out… the only way to retain any part of himself he could still claim as his own.