[Gone with the Wind] Back to the beginning

Yes, in the long time before and after rebirth, it was his death that made Scarlett remember Tommy.That was the night when she was attacked by black people, the Ku Klux Klan sent out to avenge her, but was conspired by the Yankees instead.Although Rhett arrived in time, the southerners still suffered great losses!At that time...the two people who died at that time were her husband Frank Kennedy and Fanny's husband Tommy Wellborn!

That's a really bad memory.What's more, Scarlett was only thinking about Ashley's injury at the time, and she didn't even find out about Frank's death until Rhett reminded her, let alone Tommy Welburn, who didn't submit many episodes.However, after that, when she was tortured by the fear of going to hell, when she was hated by Fanny and other Atlantans, the name of Tommy Wellburn echoed in her ears again and again—because Her audacity will cost Tommy his life!

Holding the dim candlestick, Scarlett carefully looked at the sleeping Tommy on the operating table, this six-foot handsome boy.His blond hair was dirty and was plastered to his forehead with sweat.Even though he was in a state of embarrassment at the moment, he could tell at a glance that he was a superior person.He has a handsome face and a strong body.The dull blood-stained plaques were scattered on the torn gray military uniform.The frayed military uniform was pushed up above his knees, and Dr. Meade was working on his injured calf.There's a rotten piece of meat in there.

Tommy didn't sleep well.There was always an expression of pain on his face, condensed on his dry lips with deep lines.Who would have thought that this heroic southern officer did not die on the battlefield in the end, but in the chaotic conflict after the war?And in order to protect everyone, he had to cast the reputation of "dying duels for whores"?Looking at him, Scarlett suddenly had a strange idea in her heart: she insisted on driving alone, but was attacked by black people, which led to the revenge of the Ku Klux Klan, and Tommy died.So in this life, if she doesn't go that way, Tommy can avoid that death?The logical relationship here is so clear that Scarlett's simple mind can figure it out directly.Take away the premise that she was attacked by a black man, and Tommy would never—at least not die in that situation at the time!In other words, her rebirth can indeed change people's future!Mom——Mom must be able to survive, too!

The more she thought about it, the more she believed it.The restless mood that had tormented her for a long time gradually subsided.When Scarlett saw Tommy's face again, she also felt a little guilty.After all, she had killed him once, and if she had a chance, she would have to make up for it, even if it was just for the sake of making herself feel better.The thought came to Fanny inadvertently. Scarlett vaguely remembered that she and Tommy met after the war, and now Fanny was still thinking about her lover who died in the Battle of Gettysburg!I had no choice but to give up the compensation idea of ​​helping the two of them match up in advance.However, it is not urgent.

Standing with a candlestick in hand, occasionally handing out scalpels and bandages, is actually a bit boring.Although this is an indispensable help for Dr. Meade, the operator of the operation, Scarlett's thoughts still can't leave the operating room and diverge.The familiar face of Tommy Wellborn reminded her more of him.

He was one of the few people who, after the war, reconstructed positively and optimistically.Compared with Hugh, Ashley and others who are in a daze, Tommy is full of energy.This young man who dreamed of becoming a doctor before the war did not hesitate to make a living in real estate after the war, and he did it very well.Like her, he created a new path after the war, instead of being trapped by face and old traditions.Back then, when her lumber factory was short of people, she thought about asking Tommy Welburne for help!It's a pity that people have their own business and refused.By the way, Johnny Galleger, a shrewd Irishman, was still helping to build the house at that time!In the end, Scarlett had no choice but to find Hugh, a good old man. As expected, a lot of profits slipped out of her hands.In this way, she wants a capable person even more!Almost at the same moment when she thought of this, Scarlett looked at Tommy on the hospital bed with special eagerness.

The immediate difficulties always have to be overcome, and such capable people will be hard to find if they let go!

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"...my injury is not serious, and I am currently receiving treatment in Atlanta. The doctors and nurses are very attentive, especially Miss O'Hara, who is ghostwriting for me. I have been taking care of her in recent days. Please rest assured that you don't need to give me Write back, as my injuries are indeed not serious, and I will be leaving Atlanta soon for the battle. I will write to you again when I confirm the new unit designation. Don't read. Son Tommy Welburn is sick. Dictate."

Scarlett wrote the last line, handed the paper to Tommy to check for mistakes, and got up to get the paper and wax.When she came back with the letter paper and wax, she saw Tommy smiling and handing back the letter paper. His blue eyes were full of friendliness: "Thank you, Miss O'Hara. I'm really grateful for taking care of me like this." .”

"This is the duty of a nurse." Scarlett said modestly.But in fact, because of the guilt of having indirectly killed Tommy, she did take extra care of Tommy among the patients she was in charge of.She pretended to be relaxed and said with a smile: "But next time, don't praise me in the letter. I feel embarrassed to write those words by myself."

Tommy laughed too, neither good nor bad.After a while, Scarlett complained to him: "Mr. Wellborn, you have described your injury too lightly. No one knows better than me what you have suffered these days, so many The wound, I feel pain when I look at it."

This is the truth.But Tommy wrinkled his nose and said lightly, "Compared to many people, I'm lucky. Why worry the family?"

So far, the topic has been light.But looking at Tommy's always smiling face, Scarlett suddenly wanted to ask him, does he still believe that the South will win?Is he still full of hope for the future now?Did he—did they really believe that bravery and loyalty could protect everything in the South?In her previous life, like everyone else, she firmly believed in the words of victory, so she naturally didn't think too much about these brave and optimistic smiles.But now, but now—

She suddenly realized that she had already asked the question.

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"Do you really think we can still win?"

Scarlett's question surprised Tommy.Hesitation flashed across his face, but soon, he replied firmly, "Don't worry about anything, Miss O'Hara."

"—We will fight for you, for the South, at the expense of everything." His tone was low and serious, but it did contain solemn determination, as if he already understood what the future he was facing, "You don't need to worry , this is a man's responsibility."

He did show the courage of the southerners, but the sense of tragedy in it frightened Scarlett.At Christmas, Ashley had prophesied "it's all over," and now Tommy's words—oh, why, why can't the miserable things be broken!Is there really no hope at all?Scarlett thought again of the first time she had seen Tommy after the war—it had been Fanny's wedding, and Tommy was alone . . . the letter she had just ghostwritten to his parents!His parents were gone by then!

Yes, maybe his parents are gone by now.But he doesn't know yet.He was still trying to hide his injuries from them.This hospital, too, will be destroyed soon, and she still clearly remembers the splashed glass when the window was smashed by the shell.It was so unreal, she saw two pieces of glass at the same time, one whole and one broken.She also saw two Tommys at the same time, one smiling at her and telling her that nothing would happen, and the other lying in a pool of blood with a pistol tightly in his hand-she knew that the latter scene was her fantasy, because she Tommy's body was never seen.But at this moment, the two scenes are so real that it almost makes people tremble and burst into tears.Scarlett bit her lower lip tightly, the smell of blood saved her.She opened her eyes—Tommy was looking at her worriedly, he had pulled himself up after lying on his side with his shoulder injury.

"I'm fine." Scarlett said first.

Tommy was silent for a long time.Then he asked softly, "Are you scared? Scarlett."

All ethics collapsed during the war, and the inappropriate thing of getting married within two weeks of knowing each other happens everywhere nowadays.But even so, this was still the first time Tommy called Scarlett's name.

"No, I'm not afraid." Scarlett organized her words, how could she be afraid?She still has to support Tara!She can't be afraid of anyone.She didn't respond much to Tommy calling her name.After all, after getting acquainted with each other in the previous life, they always called each other by first name.Tommy kept calling her "Miss O'Hara" now, which made her uncomfortable. "I don't think it's because of fear—at least not at all," she said softly. "I just don't understand why everyone is suffering so much, now and in the future. I don't want to pretend to laugh, I still have to guard mine Man, I know I can get through this. But I still feel bad. Tommy, how would it be better without all this?"

Tommy, an old lost friend!A real insight!Courageous, vital, aggressive—Scarlett knew he could understand, and she desperately needed someone to talk to, to draw on that vitality and courage, to see the hope of the future.In this gloomy hour!With his hands, Tommy started a new life, just like her.He was like a visible, truly inspiring future, proof that the path she was going to take, though extremely difficult, was not without companions—even though she had done everything for money in her previous life and lost all her friends in the end.

"Scarlett." Tommy hesitated, but still called her name.He considered for a moment, then said slowly: "You may not know why many things happened, but they happened. In this case, we can only fight for our beliefs."

"Anyway, don't lose hope, don't lose faith. We all have things we want to protect, and that makes us strong. War takes many things away, but some things it doesn't. The South will always be there— At least in part. The war shook the South, and our lives were forced to change, and we didn't know how much it would change. But as long as we live, we will not give up hope of life. Therefore, there must be hope in the South —and now we have to fight for her."

Scarlett's lips parted slightly, and she looked at Tommy Wellborn in surprise—the man who said that just now, this man who was only two years older than her, already looked calm, steady and trustworthy.She wanted to ask her if the war and the sacrifice were worth it, but what was there to ask after his stirring words just now?She already knew their answers.

"Thank you, Tommy," was all she said finally.