Chapter 6: Suellen's wedding

A warm May morning rose the day before the wedding. It was supposed to be a relatively easy thing to do, pack their things and drive to Jonesboro, given that the most difficult person in the family, Suellen, wasn't there. Frank had arrived two days ago to accompany his future wife and Careen to Atlanta. Yet, something was off with Gerald that day. Pork had tried to wake him up early enough unsuccessfully. During breakfast he was irritable and at the same time unusually quiet. Will and Scarlett exchanged alarmed looks. It was a serious throwback from the progress he had made since Andrew's visit. They refrained from saying anything, waiting to see how his attitude would evolve. The more the departure time was approaching, however, the edgier he was becoming and the more unwilling to cooperate, despite Pork's best efforts.

"Pa, we really need to get going," Scarlett finally interfered, when Will went to load the trunks on the carriage. "The train is leaving in less than two hours."

He looked at her as if he hadn't heard her and checked his watch for the millionth time.

"Are you waiting for something?" she asked carefully.

"Your mother, Katie Scarlett! Who else?" he spoke the unthinkable and her mouth dropped ajar. "She is running late again. These Slattery children and their illnesses," he exaggerated. "They are wearing her out."

She put a gentle arm in the crook of his elbow, her mind working like crazy to find the proper words to say to him. She vaguely remembered Andrew warning her about that, but he hadn't given her a single clue how to handle it.

"She got delayed as usual, Pa," she smiled at him, her voice slightly trembling. "She will join us as soon as she can. She always does."

That seemed to reassure him for the time being and finally they started for Jonesboro.

Rhett was waiting for them at the station to help Will with their luggage and accompany them to Aunt Pitty's. The aloof greeting he received from Gerald made him turn to Scarlett alarmed.

"He has been asking about Mother since he woke up," she whispered as he assisted her into the carriage.

"Andrew arrived yesterday. I'll have him come by the house," he whispered back and he received a tender squeeze on his arm and a thankful smile.

"He is getting closer to realization," Andrew explained later that evening. "This wedding is the first milestone in your family since your mother died. It's beginning to sink in that she isn't here."

"Is there anything we can do to help him?" Careen asked.

"I'm afraid not. You can't and, honestly, you shouldn't do anything to force the issue. It has to evolve on its own way. I gave him a sedative to help him sleep through the night and I will be close by tomorrow at the ceremony. His reaction may be unpredictable."

"Would he be fit to walk me down the aisle?" Suellen fretted.

Scarlett shot her a murderous look and was about to give her a piece of her mind as well, but Ashley was quicker.

"I'll do it," he said.

"It's a good idea," Andrew went along. "Just to be on the safe side."

"I already have enough to worry about and now this," Suellen whined. "Frank's whole family would be there. Maybe he shouldn't attend if he–"

"How dare you say such a thing, you ungrateful goose!" Scarlett lashed out.

She moved threateningly towards her and she would have slapped her, had it not been for Rhett's arm around her shoulders stopping her way. Suellen backstepped shrieking, only to resume her nagging from a safer distance.

"Don't talk to me like that! It's my wedding that will be ruined."

"Suellen, that's enough!" Careen cried indignantly. "It's our father you are talking about! You should be ashamed!"

Boiling with anger, Scarlett struggled to break free from him, but he was much too strong.

"Step outside with me for a moment, Scarlett," he suggested gently but firmly, literally forcing her out on the porch.

"Stop dragging me, Rhett. I can walk on my own," she complained.

His hold loosened, but he didn't let go completely.

"I won't fling at her," his brows rose in disbelief, "alluring as it may be."

"Let's take a walk then, to keep the temptation away."

She was already down the stairs and opening the fence gate before he started after her chuckling. With a few long strides he took hold of her arm to slow her down.

"I said walk, not run, Scarlett."

"I can't just stroll, Rhett! I'm furious!" she cried. "That selfish ninny! She was always like that, you see. Caring about no one but her precious hide. For two years we struggled for survival every single day. Working like slaves and doing things we wouldn't even fathom before the War. Me and Careen and Melly. Even Wade. And Suellen did what? Whining all day long about being ill and needing more food. She had even dared to imply that Wade's bigger proportions were unfair. As for picking cotton? No, of course not. Queen Suellen couldn't bother with that. Such low affairs for a high and mighty snob like her. She had her manicure and her ladylike breeding to consider."

She resumed her fast-paced walking, her fury still unabated.

"For a whole year she talks of nothing but her eminent wedding. Frank the store and Frank the house and Frank this and Frank that and I can't wait to marry and live in the city," she imitated the shrieking voice of her sister. "And reading aloud whole letters of romantic nonsense and silly sweettalking from an old man. And when emergency arose, did she do anything? Did she offer to write to Frank, for example? They were engaged to be married after all. One third of Tara belongs to her and thus to him after the marriage. But no, she didn't. She didn't lift a finger to save Tara. I don't believe the thought ever crossed her mind. We could have ended up living on the streets, but God forbid, she had to postpone the wedding. She, she, she! And now this? This?!" she halted abruptly, her arms pointing frantically towards the house. "To suggest a thing like this? That our poor father shouldn't attend the wedding because of Frank's family? Because she wants to play rich country girl to a bunch of nobodies? At the expense of her own family, her own father? I won't have it, Rhett, I'm telling you. I won't tolerate her humiliating Pa like that. I will take him home first thing tomorrow and the hell with her and her wedding. Good riddance, I say, and good luck to Frank!" she exaggerated.

She looked at Rhett, flushed and panting from walking and talking non-stop. He tried to tuck a few stray strands back in place, a smile of mild amusement on his lips.

"Did you let off some steam, my red-hot little rebel?"

"Yes," she giggled shyly. "I had a good listener."

"Clever enough not to come between you and your flareup you mean," he cupped her face, his touch instantly easing the tension on her shoulders.

"Well, that too," she put her hands on top of his. "Am I in the wrong here?"

"Suellen is acting like herself, honey. I've lived with you long enough to say this with certainty."

"I didn't think she could let me down any more that she already had, that's all. Apparently, there is no limit to her self-absorption," she sighed.

"Devotion is a merit not everyone possesses, Scarlett. You have it and Careen has it too. You will go to the wedding because of it."

"I owe that ungrateful woman nothing," her eyes sparked. "I've done plenty for her already."

"And you will do one more thing tomorrow. Not for her sake, but for your father and Careen, because you are the head of the family and you've always lived up to the role."

"I'm sick and tired of the role," she frowned.

"No, you are not. You love it, being in charge and bossing people around. You are just not happy with the drawbacks that come with it," he teased.

"You know me too well for my own good," she smiled half-heartedly.

"It takes one to know one, my darling," he smiled back.

Not caring who might see them, she slipped into his embrace in the middle of the street, her face in his chest breathing him in. "I've missed you so."

"I've missed you too," he murmured drawing her in for a kiss.

Gerald appeared calmer the next day, but still aloof and vaguely aware of his surroundings. He didn't protest when they told him Ashley was to give the bride away. He didn't even ask about the reason. Pork helped him dress and Scarlett and Careen saw to the last details; fix his tie, place a fresh flower on his lapel and tidy his hair. They stood behind him as they looked in the mirror.

"You look so handsome, Pa," Scarlett smiled warmly at him. "Are you ready to accompany us?"

They took their seats in the front row, she and Careen on either side of him, and Rhett and Andrew right behind them, ready to interfere if needed. Frank and his best man stood at the altar waiting for the bride and the guests began to arrive. Gerald kept his head towards the door, a hopeful look on his face. Then the pipe organ sounded and Suellen, holding Ashley by the elbow, appeared on the aisle.

"Where is she?" he turned from Scarlett to Careen and back again. "The ceremony is about to begin."

"I'm sure she's on her way, Pa. Don't worry," Scarlett whispered.

"She'll miss her own daughter's wedding, that's what she will," his voice began to rise, an unmistakable sign he was about to lose his temper like he used to.

A few heads turned towards them and Scarlett caught a panicking glare from Suellen.

"Remember the barbeques, Pa," Careen embraced his arm. "She misses the first part, but she is always there when the fun begins."

"That's right," Scarlett took hold of his other arm and both girls rested their heads on his shoulders. "Mother knows how to make an entrance."

"Yes, me daughters, yes," he laughed merrily. "Your mother knows how to make an entrance. She sure does."

It was after the ceremony, when everyone gathered to Frank's house for the wedding reception, that things got inevitably out of hand. The loud talking and laughing. The music. The unknown faces coming and going to congratulate the bride's father. Someone was always by his side not to leave him unattended, but it didn't help one bit with his general confusion. Adding to that, he managed to have quite a few glasses of whiskey under their noses. And then one of the guests, obviously unaware of his condition, made a polite comment about his late wife missing the wedding. And his infamous Irish temperament finally broke loose.

"How dare you to speak ill of my wife, Sir?" Gerald thundered. "My wife is a fine lady, she is. Gentle and carrying. Some poor folks she is attending, 'tis why she isn't here. And you have the nerve to judge her for that?"

"I am so sorry, Sir. I meant no offence," the poor man tried to explain. "I was under the impression that your wife has passed away."

In the deafening silence that had fallen all around, the words lingered. Rhett and Will were the first to break the spell, gently taking a frozen Gerald by the arms and guiding him through the prying eyes and the mutters in the room out of the house. Scarlett, Careen and Andrew followed right behind them.

"What did he mean by that, Katie Scarlett?" he turned an empty gaze to his daughter. He looked so old and defeated all of a sudden.

"It's getting rather late, Pa, and it's been a long day," she spoke calmly, her voice heavy with emotion. "Let's get you home and we'll talk in the morning."

"He is asleep," Andrew reassured them when he joined them in the parlor.

"You all should return to the reception. I'll stay with him," Scarlett declared.

"I'll stay too," Careen said.

"There's no point in both of us missing the fun, is there? You go and dance some for me too. Please, baby," she placed a tender hand on her sister's shoulder to stop any further complaining. "You'll do me a great favor. I can't handle Suellen right now. She won't understand and I don't trust myself to go easy on her, even if it is her wedding day. You'll do far better than me," she winked at her and Careen nodded in agreement. "Gentlemen, will you be kind enough to accompany her? I'll send Uncle Peter, if I need anything. I promise."

Finally alone, she retrieved Aunt Pitty's hidden bottle of brandy and set to pour herself a drink.

"Make them two, will you?" his voice made her jump.

"You didn't have to stay. I'm fine."

"The only reason I attended the wedding is standing right in front of me, Scarlett. The party holds no blessings in disguise for me anymore."

She served the drinks avoiding his inspecting eyes and trying to stop her hands from shaking.

"Suellen should be furious with me by now," she laughed hoarsely trying to lighten the mood. "It's a mean thing to say, I know, but somehow it makes me feel better."

He said nothing. He only put his arms around her gathering her against him. The strain of the day taking the better of her, she gratefully rested her head on his chest. This man! He always knew exactly what she needed.

"This is all my fault," she brokenly said. "I shouldn't have put him through this. It was too much for him to bear. Oh, Rhett!" a sob left her mouth. "My poor pa! My poor pa!"

In the comfort of his arms, she poured it all out –the tension, the sadness, the guilt–, until she had no more tears to shed.

It was a listless and awfully quiet man that they took back to Tara the next day. He hadn't opened his mouth since he woke up in the morning, be it to speak or to eat. Obediently he did what he was asked, but other than that he was completely withdrawn to himself, shutting everything and everyone out. Once they arrived at Tara, he went upstairs and locked himself in his bedroom.

She was awakened to the loud pounding on her door. And then more pounding and Pork's agitated voice –"Miss Scarlett! Miss Scarlett!"– and she run to the door panicking. Rhett, Andrew, Will and Careen emerged from their rooms too and, in the distance, she could hear Mammy's heavy footsteps coming down the attic.

"What's wrong? Is it Pa?" she fretted.

"Yes, Miss Scarlett! I couldn' sleep, Miss Scarlett, an' Ah cum ter see ef Mist' Gerald wants sometin' an' he ain't der, Miss Scarlett. De door iz open an' de room iz empty. Ah done look everyw'ere an' Ah ken find him."

Within minutes and with a candle in hand, the entire household gathered at the foyer and spread in every possible direction in and out of the building. 'Pa' and 'Mister O'Hara' echoed again and again into the stillness of the night. No answer came back.

After a full circle around the house, Scarlett and Rhett met at the front yard.

"Anything?" terror made her voice unusually shrill.

He wasn't looking at her. Something else had caught his eye.

"Over there!" he pointed in the direction of the cemetery. "Can you see it?"

A hardly noticeable flame was flickering in the semi-darkness.

"Thank God!" she cried in relief and stormed towards the light.

The closer she was getting the clearer it became that there was a figure on his knees next to Ellen's grave. The running slowed down into walking as she approached Gerald.

"Pa," she said calmly.

He looked up at her, his white hair disheveled and his face stained with tears and dust. She literally felt her heart breaking. She took off her coat and tenderly put it on her father's back before kneeling next to him. And then Gerald spoke in a voice croaky from crying.

"She is really gone, Katie Scarlett, isn't she? Me Ellen is gone."

"Yes, Pa," she brokenly confirmed.

The once proud shoulders began to shake as he broke into a soundless sobbing. She took him into her arms, like she would Wade, giving him all the time he needed to finally mourn for Ellen's death.

I can't say I am entirely satisfied with how this chapter turned out. Something feels off. Is it not plausible? Are there holes in the narrative? I can't put my finger on it! So, I'll let you be the judges of it!

One more thing: I'm not really fond of Suellen, I never really was, even if I do sympathize with her up to a point in the canon! Can you tell? ;-)

Your turn now! Please, tell me what you think!

Until next time, take care! xxx