The longer she waited, the more angry she became. And the more angry she became, the more she wanted to open that decanter of brandy sitting innocently on the mahogany table and drink it all. She walked over to the table and picked up one of the crystal glasses into her shaking hand. Oh how much better she would feel once the amber liquid was rolling down her throut! She turned suddenly and threw the glass against the wall sending shards crashing to the floor.
"I don't need a drink. I don't need a drink," she repeted to herself aloud. "I need to keep my head clear to think."
Why did she keep letting Rhett do this to her? Leaving her home alone to wait and wonder when...and if he was coming home to her. She knew where he was. Where he always went after they had fought. To the solace of Belle Watlings.
She walked around to the sofa and sat in front of the now cold fire. She dropped her head into her hands and willed herself to stay calm. Letting herself get out of control wasn't going to do her any good at all. Oh, one day she'd show him that he could't keep putting their marriage on the back burner. One day, Mr. Butler, she wouldn't be there when he got home!
Her head snapped up at that thought. Yes, that was it! Why keep waiting and waiting? She wouldn't be here when he got home this time. If he wanted her, let him come and find her! Scarlett O'Hara Butler was not going to pine away for this man who had no interest in her.
Calling to Pansy as she mounted the stairs, she was already starting to unbutton her dressing gown. She walked into her bedroom and tossed it onto the floor just as Pansy walked in behind her.
"Yes'm Miz Scarlett," she said, bending down to pick up the disgarded robe. "Whats did yo need?"
"Pack me a bag and then come back and help me get dressed."
"Where's we going, Miz Scarlett?" Pansy asked, bewildered. It was nearly eleven o'clock at night.
"I'm not sure," Scarlett replied, pulling a blue dress from her closet. "A hotel I suppose."
"Yes'm," Pansy said as she retreated to find a bag for Scarlett's things. Sometimes white folks did the strangest things.
"And tell Pork to hitch up the buggy," Scarlett called after her. As she waited for Pansy to return and help her get into her clothes, she sat at her desk and pulled out a piece of her stationary and a pen. She would write him a letter letting him know that she was gone, but not telling him where she was. "Let him wonder," she said aloud.
Half an hour later, she walked back downstairs letter in hand, Pansy behind her carrying her bag.
"Go tell Pork I will just be a moment," she said to her servent who nodded and walked outside.
Scarlett set the letter to Rhett on the table by the decanter. She knew that would be the first place he went as soon as he got home. Taking one last look around, she walked out and closed the door.
A few hours later, Rhett finally returned to the cold house. He took of his coat and hat, hanging them on the rack. He then proceeded to the parlour to have one last night cap before heading to his room. He might even stop at Scarlett's room and let her know that he was home. Not that she would really care, he thought.
He saw the folded paper propped up against the brandy and picked it up.
"What's this?" he said out loud as unfolded it. It was Scarlett's hand writing he noticed with surprise and then he laughed. It was no doubt a letter instructing him to not bother her when he got home. He started to read it aloud.
Mr. Butler,
"That's me!" he said before continuing.
I wanted to tell you that I have left. I don't know how long I will be gone. I am done with this so called marriage and will have my lawyer contact you when I have decided to start divorce proceedings.
"Divorce?" he said. "Scarlett would never divorce me!" he said, sitting in the nearest chair. He continued reading, this time in his mind.
I know you think that I do not believe in divorce, but I don't believe in this marriage either. We don't care for eachother and have no right being together. I will send for the rest of my things as soon as I have concrete plans as to where I will be living.
Scarlett
The letter dropped from his hands and fluttered to the floor and landed at his feet. He had never heard her talk like this before. The letter sounded so final. His head dropped to his hands. "What a fool I've been," he moaned. "I should have told her how much I really cared...showed her how much I loved her! And now she's gone!"
He lifted his head. "Damn it! How could I have let it get this far?" he cursed himself.
There was nothing he could do tonight but get some sleep and get a clear head, he thought as he walked up the stairs. He stopped outside her bedroom door and touched the knob. He would find her. He just had too. He couldn't live a life without Scarlett in it. He would sleep tonight and tomorrow he would think of someway to get her back.
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PS...You don't know how bad I wanted to end this with "After all...tomorrow is another day!" lol
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