Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Having a meal with Gerald was a trying affair. Gerald not only could not remember his grandson's name, but he could also not remember his son-in-law's name or even that Rhett was his son-in-law. Therefore, whenever Rhett would meet Gerald again, he would say, "I am Scarlett's husband, Rhett. This is our son, Wade."

Gerald would look at Rhett and most of the time say, "Pleased to meet you. Good looking boy you have there."

The one thing Gerald did remember was which foods he did and didn't like. He could still read the menu.

When the family had supper at the hotel, as soon as the waiter greeted them, Rhett ordered food for the servants. He told the waiter, "I want the food prepared right away and pack so I can take it to my room. Bring it out to me as soon as it is done."

Conversations with Gerald were difficult because he had lost touch with reality. Conversations when Gerald were around were difficult because he would just start talking about whatever he wanted to talk about. Tonight, though Gerald let Scarlett and Rhett know something that made both of them happy. Gerald said, "Katie Scarlett, are you going to the ball at the Wilkeses next week?"

Scarlett had learned to answer Pa as if the O'Haras were still living before the war. She said, "Of course, Pa. You know I love to dance. Besides, my dance card is already full."

Rhett said, "You love to dance? I love to dance."

Scarlett smiled up at him and said, "Then we should go dancing."

"As soon as we get back to New York."

"Or sooner if we get an opportunity."

"Yes."

If the food Rhett ordered at the start of the meal had not come out by the time their entrees were served, he would demand that the food be brought out right then. Rhett had told Scarlett that he didn't want to sit around waiting on the food for the servants.

Finally, the meal was over. The family walked up the stairs. Scarlett walked with her father to the other suite with two thirds of the food. She turned Pa over to whoever answered the door along with the food. At the same time, Rhett was turning Wade over to Mammy with her supper.

Since taking custody of her father, Scarlett had started having a brandy every night. It helped ease her tension. She knew it probably wasn't good for Gerry, but she needed the effect of the alcohol to help her get through her life. Although Rhett was tolerant of her having one glass of brandy, she knew he would not allow her to have anymore.

Scarlett knew this was going to be her life until her father passed away, but she couldn't leave him with either Suellen or A.J. Neither person could afford to support him, Pork, and Dilcey. Whoever had custody of Gerald needed Pork to help them with the older man. She also didn't want her father to die.

While Rhett and Scarlett were in the main room drinking their alcohol, she said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"How do you know what I am thanking you for?"

"It was obvious that you were thanking me for being willing to help you take care of your father. It is not a problem." In a moment of vulnerability, Rhett said, "I wish I had a father to take care of."

Scarlett got up and sat in Rhett's lap. She said, "You wouldn't be you if you hadn't gone through everything you had gone through. What's more you would have been a lousy lover like Charlie was."

Rhett burst out laughing and the somber mood was lifted. He said, "Perish the thought."

"Let's go to bed. I'm feeling romantic."

"Me too."

Afterwards Rhett thought, 'Indeed, I would have been a lousy lover because I had been raised with the notion that good girls don't enjoy relations and my wife would have been a good girl. My wife is a good girl. She is a good girl having a good time with her husband. Thank you, Mrs. Taylor.'

The next morning, Rhett went down to the restaurant and got food for everyone. He brought it back with him and distributed it to everyone. He did this every morning. That morning, Scarlett marveled at how kind and thoughtful Rhett could be. Yet at the same time, she knew he would not want to be praised for being kind and thoughtful. She guessed it didn't go with his hard, cold, jaded image of himself. She would never say a word, but she knew he wasn't as hard, cold, or jaded as he pretended to be. Yes, he was often an aggravating donkey's ass. And there were far too many times he would get all Charleston snotty on her. There were far too many times he would say something unkind to her, but he would never apologize even though she knew he regretted saying it. She knew he regretted it because he would let her win the arguments for a couple of days after that. She had used that to her advantage while they were arguing about the décor of their new home. She had gotten almost everything she had wanted when he was feeling remorseful. She giggled and thought, 'You are so bad.' Yet, she didn't quit giggling.

At eight-thirty Rhett, Scarlett, Wade, and Gerry were at Gramercy Park by the monument. Rhett said, "She may not be able to get away on time. We will have to give her some time."

"Of course, Dear."

Ten minutes later, Scarlett saw a woman walking towards the monument. Scarlett knew the woman was Rhett's mother. Not because she looked like him but because she was an extremely proper woman. Despite the hard times, she had all the trappings of a proper woman. Scarlett studied her before she said anything to Rhett. She was a tall woman but not overly tall. She had blonde hair. She was probably fifteen to twenty pounds overweight but that was probably because of her age.

When Elizabeth saw Rhett and his family, her face lit up. When Rhett saw his mother, his face lit up. Scarlett knew Rhett's act of defiance had cost him so much. She grabbed his arm. She continued holding Wade's hand with her other hand. Scarlett squeezed Rhett's arm and said, "Go on."

Rhett approached his mother and hugged her awkwardly with Gerry in his arms. He excitedly said, "Mother, this is my wife, Scarlett, my son, Wade, and my son, Gerry."

Elizabeth had given Rhett a quick look when he had referred to Wade as his son but didn't say anything.

Elizabeth looked at Gerry in Rhett's arms and said, "How wonderful. He looks just like you."

Scarlett wanted to object that Gerry didn't look just like Rhett, but she didn't. This would probably be her one and only meeting with her mother-in-law. Scarlett supposed in slumber Gerry did look just like his father. When Rhett's mother looked at her Scarlett saw that Elizabeth had pale blue eyes.

Rhett and Elizabeth spent the next thirty minutes talking. He gave her his address in New York. He urged her to reach out to him if she needed anything. He could funnel the money through Scarlett's aunts.

When Elizabeth said, "I have to return to the townhouse. I love you, my son."

"I love you, too, Mother."

Although Elizabeth hugged Scarlett, Wade, and even Gerry, Scarlett knew she and her children were not important. The only person who had been important at the meeting was Rhett. As Scarlett watched her mother-in-law walk away, she smiled. She said, "She doesn't approve of me because I married an unreceived man."

"You are correct. Her Charleston breeding is over coming her emotional part."

"She will soon become ashamed of you."

"She already is. She will never understand why I didn't just marry Caroline."

"She does still love you."

"With a mother's love. The best way to understand my mother is to remember that her two best friends are Eulalie Williams and Pauline Boykins the two biggest Charleston snobs God has ever made. My mother is a Charleston snob also."

"She still meets with you."

With a wry smile, Rhett said, "That is probably more for the money than to get to see me."

Scarlett made sure her face was void of sympathy or compassion. She knew her husband would not welcome either one. She also chose to not argue with him about why his mother still met with him. She decided to never mention Rhett's family ever again. If he brought the subject up, she would respond. She had a feeling he would never mention his family again unless he had to. Instead, she said, "Let's get out of the South and their backwards, antiquated ways."

"Yes, let's. Next stop the train station."

"Yes."

At the train station, Rhett and Scarlett found out the next train to Atlanta was leaving that afternoon at four o'clock. He was able to procure a private car. They were leaving Charleston that very afternoon.

After Rhett and Scarlett's return to the hotel as they were walking up the stairs, she said, "I will let Pork and Dilcey know that we are leaving this afternoon and for them to get theirs and Pa's clothing together. Nobody has very much except us."

After Scarlett had told Dilcey the news, she said, "You let me know just in time. I was about to start cutting fabric."

Scarlett said, "You can still cut it. We don't have to leave for the train station until three at the earliest. It will give you something to do on the train."

"Alright, Ma'am."

After Rhett told Mammy the family was leaving Charleston on the afternoon train, she said, "I was going to cut some fabric while Master Wade took his nap."

"Go ahead and cut your fabric. I will keep an eye on Wade and Gerry."

By three o'clock everyone was packed and ready to leave the hotel. Both Mammy and Dilcey had gotten their fabric cut. The dresses they were going to make were quite simple shift dresses. Their undergarments were just pantalets, a slip, and a short shift. Dilcey would make her dress first then she would make Pork a tunic, a pair of pants, and some underwear. She would make Mr. Gerald a pair of pants but she was sure, Miss Scarlett would take Mr. Gerald to a tailor as soon as they got to New York. And she would be right.

The family arrived in Atlanta at seven o'clock in the morning. Rhett got them a four-bedroom suite at the National. Mammy could sleep in the room with Wade. Gerry would, of course, sleep in the room with his parents. As soon as they were settled in the suite, Scarlett sent a note to PittyPat Hamilton asking her for an opportunity to meet with her and her brother.

After Gerry had his morning feeding, the Butlers left the suite to drive around Atlanta. Their first stop was the Hamilton House. When the cab pulled up in front of the house, Scarlett gasped. It was a shell of a house. The second floor had been taken off completely. There was a big hole where the front door was. Rhett said, "Do you want to go inside?"

"Yes."

"Then come along."

Rhett stepped out of the cab, Wade jumped out after him, and Scarlett descended with Rhett's help. They had left Gerry at the hotel so he could sleep in peace. Rhett turned to the cab driver and said, "We won't be long. Wait for us."

"Certainly, Sir."

The cab driver was happy to wait on the obviously rich man. He might make enough on this one fare to feed his family this week.

Scarlett said, "Wade, let Daddy carry you so you don't get hurt."

"Yes, Mommy."

Once inside the house, it was apparent the house had been looted. Scarlett said, "Look what the Yankees did?"

"Some of this destruction is thanks to the Yankees but probably most of it was courtesy of fellow Southerners looking for something free."

"Rhett, it is just so sad."

"Let's go get back in the cab."

"Yes."

"Let me stop by my attorney's office and get my moneys."

"Yes, let's. If Aunt PittyPat can't see us today or tomorrow, we are not waiting on her. I have seen too much misery and despair."

"Are you going to give the Hamiltons some money?"

"Yes, Ashley gave me twenty-five dollars to give to them."

"Any of your own money?"

"No, why should I? They aren't my relatives."

"No reason whatsoever."

"Let's get back in the cab and just drive around the city. I want to see the changes in the city."

"You know it is going to make you sad."

"Yes, but I want to see the destruction, so I really understand that the South of my youth is gone forever."

"Of course, Baby."

"I want to go see Tara. I want to see my mother's grave."

"Baby…."

"I know I will regret it, but I have to go."

"Alright, I will rent us a carriage and a driver for tomorrow. I don't want to get lost.

Scarlett had laughed and said, "Like I could ever get lost in Clayton County."