Gone With the Chup

Sunday brought with it two things: A hot wind that blew all the sheets off my convenient clothesline in the backyard and my annual desire to watch Gone With the Wind. Chup has never had the pleasure of viewing, and since he went to all the trouble to buy me the Collector's DVD for Christmas I think he figured he might as well watch the darn show.

As in "Frankly my dear, I don't give a darn." (Almost quoting Rhett)

When we got all situated on our mile-long couch and plenty of pillows we started the movie. From the first scene of Scarlett's flirtatious fickleness with the Tarleton boys to the moment when she first sees Rhett and says "He looks as if he knows what I look like without my shimmy." I was enjoying myself, as usual. Then . . . there came on the screen, the serene southern gentleman . . . ASHLEY!

Wait a minute.

What is this passionate love I am suddenly feeling for Ashley? Clearly I am a Rhett Butler gal. I root for the rascal, the "nasty dark one." I love his evil smile and sarcastic ways and how he never takes Scarlett seriously unless he is mad drunk.

But oh sweet Ashley! Smart and kind, honest and humble! He has big ideas and yet faces reality with a sincere soul. And the curly blond hair, indeed.

Chup adjusts his pillows and rotates his hips just a little. And it hits me.

Chup is Ashley. In almost every way. A little bit heroic, a little bit tragic.

Since I was eight-years-old I have identified myself with Scarlett. I start to worry that Chup might realize right now--as we watch this epic on our monstrous couch--that there are Melanies out in the world. Saintly, smart, angelic Melanies who are happily married to Ashleys.

Mostly, I am afraid that Chup will come to realize the wife he is sharing the gigantic couch with is nothing more than a self-centered, simple minded, southern (Provo) Scarlett O'Hara. Will he at any moment see the comparison of Scarlett and his wife of 5 years now and say,"You still think you're the cutest trick in shoe leather." (To quote Rhett.) ?

So I start to wonder if we should stop watching. But to be sure, I ask,

"Who would you rather be married to, Scarlett or Melanie?"

Chup looks at me like I "have gone idiot." (To quote Jonas Wilkerson the overseer).

"Melanie." He sighs and starts watching again.

Oh no. I panicked inside my head. "You'd rather live with that silly little fool who can't open her mouth except to say "yes" or "no" and raise a passel of mealy-mouthed brats just like her." (To quote Scarlett.)

I know Scarlett is no character of integrity. But she's naive, willing to try anything to get what she wants and a shameless flirt. She's got a "passion for living" (to quote Rhett, quoting Ashley) and a closet full of gorgeous dresses. Me, me, me, I've got it too and so do I.

For the first half of the movie I shift and turn trying to get comfortable. I quote lines under my breath. I try to identify with Melanie in someway possible. Impossible! My only hope is that Chup won't have the desire to watch the second DVD, but when Scarlett pounds her fists and promises "As God is my witness, as God is my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again." Chup says,

"Let's keep watching."

I have a hope. Maybe the Collector's DVD has alternate endings. I will choose the one where we see that Melanie steals Ashley from Scarlett just so that she could set up a spy encampment at 12 Oaks wherein she sends sensitive information to Abe Lincoln and his Yankees about southern unrest and therein actually start the CIVIL WAR! Plus she is really married to Rhett!

This much I know, Chup can't watch more of Scarlett, he just can't! His heart will tell him that Melanie is the only way to go. Growing up, I thought I needed a Rhett Butler--and married one--only to discover that he was no good for me. Us Scarletts need Ashleys, but Ashleys find us exhausting. What is a Scarlett to do?

Just as we are putting on DVD 2 our doorbell rings.

Davey and May show up with Adelaide just in time, and Chup loves the Addie. We share a nice hour with them on the front porch. After that it was time to visit my Dad for Father's Day. When we arrive home well after ten pm, I can tell Chup is too exhausted to finish the show.

"We can finish it tomorrow." He suggests, thinking he has to be apologetic. But in my mind I am worried about tomorrow, Scarlett gets even nastier in the second half. There is nothing I can do at this point.

I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.

(To quote Scarlett.)

After all... tomorrow is another day.