@@@@@It was dated-she'd had to ask Suellen what
@@@@@It was dated-she'd had to ask Suellen what day it was,
and she was shocked by the answer -October Il, 1873More than
three
weeks since Melly's deathShe'd been at Tara for twenty-two days,
taking care of MammyThe date had other meanings, tooIt was
more
than six months ago now that Bonnie diedScarlett could leave off the
unrelieved dull black of deep mourningShe could accept social
invitations, invite people to her houseShe could reenter the
world
I want to go back to Atlanta, she thought
There's been too much grieving, too much deathShe
folded the check for SuellenI miss the store, tooThe account
books are most likely in a fearful messAnd Rhett will be coming to
Atlanta "to keep gossip down I've got to be thereThe only sound
she could hear was the slow ticking of the clock in the hall beyond the
closed doorThe quiet that she'd longed for so much was now,
suddenly, driving her crazyShe stood up abruptly
I'll give Suellen her check after dinner, soon as Will goes back to the
fieldsThen I'll take the buggy and make a quick visit to the folks
at Fairhill and MimosaThey'd never forgive me if I didn't come by to
say helloThen tonight I'll pack my things, and tomorrow I'll take
the morning trainTara's not home for me any
more,
no matter how much I love itIt's time for me to goThe road to
Fairhill was rutted and weed grow