Thanks for the reviews! I am so blessed to have folks like you all who take the time to read and review. It's so encouraging, it really is. For some reason, though, I felt rusty on this chapter. I read it like a bazillion times hoping that I captured the feel I was going for. Well, for better or worse I think I did. Hope you like it...

The Journey Home

Chapter Twenty Two

Keeping the Flame

The body of James Olson was recovered from his farm and the funeral proceeded to take place the next day. He was to be laid to rest in the Jonesboro Cemetery as were all residents who had no family cemetery of their own. The mourners gathered around the simple pine box that lay on the suspension of two ropes over the gaping hole dug from the red, clay ground.

Darcy was leaning on Rhett, her face a perpetual display of grief and anguish. Scarlett stood to the left of her, gently holding her arm to help her stand. Earlier, she had helped her dress, talked her into eating something and stayed by her side until they reached the cemetery.

She had greeted some of the mourners with Darcy, expressing her gratitude in their attendance and thanking them for their kindness. She had done everything she knew her mother would do, but in the back of her mind she was thinking very differently from the way she was behaving.

The truth was Scarlett did not want to be there. In fact, she would have rather been anywhere else in the world, anywhere else, than to be right there where she was. She avoided the hole in front of her, averting her eyes and looking anywhere but there.

She turned away from the crowd to see Eli standing off to the side. He was looking at her and when she looked at him, he nodded and sent her a small smile. She was grateful for Eli, she needed the strength of his friendship, for in spite of her appearance she was shaken, badly shaken.

God, what she wouldn't have given for a drink at that moment. She wished she had a whole bottle in front of her. Unfortunately, she had nothing with her at Tara. She left it behind in Atlanta, determined to break free of the hold it had on her. But, now she wished she had just one swallow, just one small swallow to soothe her nerves.

Between what had happened with her and Rhett the day before to standing there in front of James Olson's coffin, she was far more troubled than anyone could see by looking at her. As she stood there next to Darcy, she was reminded of another time not so long ago that she had stood in a similar setting, only it was her child that was in the coffin. It was her Bonnie and then it was Melanie, sweet, caring Melanie who called her sister and friend even when she was mean and hateful to her.

She ventured to look at Rhett and she saw the nearly the same look on his face that she knew must be on hers. Some wounds would never heal and she knew Rhett must be experiencing what she was. Bonnie was his life, he loved her more than anything, more than anyone, even her.

The loss of their child surely must be in the forefront of his mind and as much as she wanted to comfort him, she couldn't and wouldn't. Rhett wouldn't let her, she knew he wouldn't. He held his feelings about Bonnie deep inside of himself in a place that no one would never touch or even get near.

Scarlett was not a woman of deep emotion, but even she knew what Bonnie's death had done to him. And then there was Melanie, whom he regarded more than any other woman he had ever known except for his mother. As she stood there thinking about this, it suddenly occurred to her that Darcy was very much like Melanie. They had the same dainty, birdlike frame, heart-shaped face and mannerisms. She had that ethereal quality that Melanie always seemed to have about her. Was that why Rhett was drawn to her? Did she remind him of Melanie?

The preacher addressed the crowd and Scarlett put her thoughts to rest for the time being, but she was on to something, she just knew it. Reverend Campbell cleared his throat and began the service. He talked about James' friendliness, his contribution to the town of Jonesboro and how much he would be missed. He had barely gotten through half of the service, however, when a small gasp filtered through the crowd. Scarlett glanced up to see what the commotion was and suddenly and inexplicably found herself facing not only her sister, Suellen but Jonas, as well.

Name of God Almighty! She gaped at her sister and her horrible husband, felt the blood drain from her face and then back again, flaming it red with anger and embarrassment. How dare they! How dare they show their faces at this funeral! Did they have no shame whatsoever?

Darcy looked up then and Scarlett felt her stiffen, her whole body resonating with tension. She stared at them wide eyed, the tears she had been crying streaking her face. She slowly shook her head and before anyone knew what she was going to do, she stepped out and pointed a shaky finger at them. "Get away! Get away from here! You killed him and now you're here to gloat! Get away from here now!"

Suellen turned pale as she looked at her with a stunned and dismayed expression pasted on her face. "I don't know what you're talking about. We're here to pay our respects for your husband the same as everyone else."

"Respect! Respect?" Darcy nearly screamed as she turned to Jonas. "Did you have respect when you hung my husband and humiliated and tortured him? How dare you come here! Get away from here now!"

"I don't know what you're talking about, young woman," Jonas straightened himself and frowned down at her. Suellen gripped his arm and moved close to him as Darcy moved in on them.

"Oh, you know! You know what you've done and one day you'll pay for it! God will punish you for this, Jonas Wilkerson! You can't escape His vengeance and I only hope I'm there to see it happen!"

Jonas slightly flinched. "Mrs. Olson, I can see you're upset by your husband's passing, but I assure you madam, I had nothing to do with what was done to him."

"Liar!" Darcy screamed and then broke into tears. Her body shook as she crumpled to the ground. "You're a liar! You killed him, you killed him," she wailed as she rocked herself back and forth.

Suellen's face was that of shock and disbelief as she looked upon the young woman. She looked up and found Scarlett staring cold and hard at her. She shook her head slowly, "She's wrong, Scarlett."

"Is she?" Scarlett replied tautly.

Rhett gave her no time to answer as he stepped forward and bent down to Darcy, taking her by the arms. He glared up at Jonas and gritted his teeth. "Wilkerson, I think you need to leave."

Jonas pulled away from Suellen and looked around at the crowd of people. "I don't know what you people are thinking, but I had nothing to do with this man's death. My wife and I came here to show our respect, nothing more."

"Wilkerson," Rhett growled at him from his crouched position. "I'm telling you once more to leave or I will personally see to it that you do."

Jonas seemed to visibly welter under Rhett's stern warning. He turned to look at the throng of people surrounding him, his jaw flinching in anger. He took Suellen's hand and stared back at them. "I have done nothing wrong and no one can prove otherwise. My wife and I are part of this community and nothing any of you can say or do will drive us out."

The only sound to be heard was that of Darcy's cries as he pulled Suellen forward. Just as ominously as they appeared, they disappeared leaving a very disturbing and disconcerting atmosphere in their wake.

"I apologize," Reverend Campbell said softly. "I had no idea that would happen. I'm sure Mrs. Olson would agree with me that the services should be concluded."

But Darcy didn't agree, she didn't do anything. She was too lost in her grief and anger to even hear what the Reverend had said. Rhett lifted her from the ground and Scarlett quickly joined him on her other side and together they helped her to the carriage.

After they had secluded her inside, several people came up to them as they passed by. "We're sorry for Mrs. Olson, Scarlett. Give her our condolences."

"I will," she told them and shook their hands.

"You've grown up, Scarlett. Your mother, God rest her soul, would be proud of you," old Callie Ramsey told her. But her old eyes shot fire as she leaned forward. "Your sister, on the other hand, has done a fine job in bringing shame and humiliation down on your mother's good name. Ellen was a saint among women and the very idea that she could raise such a child is distressing."

Scarlett didn't say anything, she bit her tongue to keep from telling the old cat to keep her opinions to herself. She knew what Suellen had done, she didn't need to be reminded of it.

"I always knew you'd be the one to carry the mantle," the old woman rattled on. "You've always had a head full of sense even if didn't use it the way you should. Well, now I see you've learned a thing or two and you're putting it to good use."

Scarlett thanked her and hoped she would move down the way. She simply wasn't in any frame of mind to hear any more. She was exhausted and she had the beginnings of a headache forming in her temples. She wanted to go back to Tara and lock herself away for a little while. She was drained from all that had happened and her determination to be a lady was waning away fast.

After the old woman had moved on, Scarlett was then approached by Eli. He swept his hat off of his head. "Scarlett," he said her name. It was the first time he had done so, but she realized she didn't care. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered and then sighed. "No," she amended. "I'm not alright."

"I didn't think so," came his reply.

"How dare she show up here?" she lowered her voice in a harsh whisper. "Her and that trashy husband of hers. Everyone knows he had a hand in what happened to that man and to show up here… it's just despicable."

"I don't think your sister has any idea of what her husband is capable of. I saw her face, she was truly shocked at what Mrs. Olson said."

"Do you think that excuses her?" she exclaimed. "She knew what kind of man he was before she married him. He killed that man and everyone knows it."

"If that's the case, justice will be served. He won't get away with it."

"I wish I could believe that."

"Trust me, if he's involved he'll be punished for his crimes."

"I-"

"Scarlett," Rhett's clipped voice interrupted her as he rounded the corner of the carriage. He scowled upon seeing her and Eli together. "We're leaving now."

She opened her mouth, but the look on Rhett's face prevented her from going further. "Very well," she answered as Rhett pulled the door open for her.

"I'll be right behind you," Eli said even as Rhett shot him a withering glare.

Scarlett settled in beside Darcy, who was now slumped over on the seat, her small hand curled around her mouth and her eyes closed. She turned away and glanced out of the window. Rhett joined them, sitting across on the other seat. He crossed his arms as the carriage moved forward, giving a small lurch as it did.

"What did Barrett say to you?" he asked, leveling his eyes on her.

"Why is that any of your concern?" she replied tartly.

"I don't like him."

"Apparently."

"He's trouble."

"So, you keep saying."

"I've seen his kind and he's no better than Wil-" he stopped and glanced over to Darcy. "Than other men like him."

"You mean he's not a gentleman?" she queried derisively.

Rhett smirked as he rubbed his jaw. "He's worse than that."

"I like Eli and I trust him. He talks with sense and he's a good friend," she defended him.

"He wants to be more than friends," he shot back. "I've seen the way he looks at you."

"Oh? And what way is that?" she cocked a solitary brow toward him. "Let me tell you something, Rhett Butler. I chose whom my friends are, not you. Don't you dare try and boss me, either."

"If this is about yesterday…" he started but she glared at him hatefully. She glanced over to Darcy's prone figure and lowered her voice. "This is NOT about yesterday. This is about you minding your own business."

"You are my business," he blurted, and then cursed low under his breath.

Scarlett smiled sardonically and shook her head. "I was your business… your divorce papers will take care of that matter and then you can be free of me just as you wanted when you left me high and dry in Atlanta."

Rhett stared gravely at her, but he gave no response. She didn't know if she wanted to scream or cry or both when he finally closed his eyes and turned from her, leaving her in stifling silence the remainder of the way to Tara.