The Top Step

 As much as Rhett wanted to leave Scarlett, Bonnie felt differently. She woke up one night sobbing because she was afraid of the dark and after Rhett spoke sharply to the nurse that was in charge of her, he cuddled with her and said, "Where's mother?"

"Bonnie, aren't you happy here in London with me?" he asked tenderly.

"I want to go home," she said drowsily as she dropped off to sleep, a thoughtful and depressed Rhett's face registered deep thought.....

In several days, an aging Mammy opened the door to an excited Bonnie who ran up the stairs as fast as her legs would carry her to find her mother as Mammy shouted, "Miss Scarlett! Dey's back! Dey's back, Miss Scarlett."

Scarlett appeared on the stairway and said, "Bonnie!Bonnie!Bonnie, baby! Darling, baby! Are you glad to be home?"

Bonnie cuddled a kitten in her arms and said, "Daddy gave me a kitten! London's a horrid place. Where's my pony? I want to go out and see my pony."

Scarlett sent her along with Mammy and Rhett descended to the top of the stairs to a smiling Scarlett. "Mammy said you'd come back."

"But only to bring Bonnie. Apparently any mother, even a bad one is better that a child with none," said Rhett.

"You mean you're going away again?" asked a dismayed Scarlett.

"What perception, Mrs. Butler. Right away. In fact, I left my ags at the station...you're looking pale. Is there a shortage of rouge? Or can this wanness mean you've been missing me?"

"If I'm pale it's your fault-not because I've been missing you-but because-It's because I'm going to have a baby," she blurted out.

Rhett was shocked and went to put his hand on Scarlett's arm, but she jerked away. Rhett said, "Indeed! And whose the happy father?"

Scarlett's voice was shaking with sick rage. "You know it's yours. I don't want it anymore than you do! No women would want the child of a cad like you! I wish it were-I wish it were anybody's child but yours!"

Rhett's impasive mask showed a glimmer of violent anger for a second but then he kept his cool and said, "Cheer up. Maybe you'll have an accident."

Scarlett stood apalled, but then lunged for him. Rhett sidestepped and Scarlett lost her balance. She clawed frantically for the banister, but missed and tumbled down the stairs, landing motionless at the bottom.

Scarlett's Miscarriage

During the period of Scarlett's delusional fever, Rhett stayed in his room. Melanie came in one day and told him that Scarlett was much better and Rhett blamed himself mericlessly. "There, there, Captain Butler, you're beside yourself. She'll very soon be well again. I promise you," said Melanie comforingly.

"No-no-you don't understand. She never wanted this baby and-"

"Not want a baby?" asked Melanie. "Why, every woman wants a baby-"

"But she doesn't. Not my children. She told me she didn't want any more children-and I wanted to hurt her because she had hurt me! I wanted to-and I did," he grieved. "I didn't know about this baby until the other day-when she fell. If I'd only known, I'd have come straight home-whether she wanted me home or not-And when she told me-there on the steps-what did I do? What did I say? I laughed and said-"

"But you didn't mean it. I know you didn't mean it," said Melanie.

"But I did mean it! I was crazy with jealousy! She's never cared for me! I thought I could make her care. But I couldn't!" he said.

"You're so wrong. Scarlett loves you a great deal-much more than she knows, " reassured Melanie.

"No, no! ...It's not possible! You don't understand...If oyu only knew who she really loved-but you wouldn't believe it,"he said, looking into her eyes.

"No, Captain Butler...I wouldn't believe it," she said. "There, there, Scarlett's going to get well. And there can be other babies."

"No, no. She couldn't...Even if she wanted to...after what's she's been through..."

"But of course she could. I'm going to ..." revealed Melanie.

"No, Miss Melly. You musn't risk it! It's too dangerous," protested Rhett.

"Children are like life renewing itself, Captain Butler...And when life does that, danger seems very unimportant."

Looking up at her with a new respect, Rhett said, "I've never before known anyone who was really brave. I pray to God things go well with you, Miss Melly, and I want to thank you for all you've done for me, and for Scarlett. From my heart I thank you." He took her hand and kissed it.

Onward....