Nobody Knows Middle Child Syndrome Like Suellen O’Hara
It’s so unfair!
When the subject of “Middle Child Syndrome” comes up, my name should be the first on everyone’s lips. Yet, I’m not mentioned. Why? Because as Suellen O’Hara, I am forgotten. Everything’s all about Scarlett, Scarlett, Scarlett. It’s so unfair! If only Mother were here …
Mother lies in a grave after succumbing to typhoid and stealing all the attention from me. I survived, but still, I’m expected to work in the fields since those loathsome Northerners ravaged everything we own. I refuse to pick cotton and explain for the umpteenth time I have lingering effects from the typhoid that leaves me in a weakened state. It’s like no one notices me suffering here.
I feel invisible most of the time, lurking around in the gigantic shadow of Scarlett’s miniscule waist. No one tries to comfort me when Scarlett steals my fiancé, Frank Kennedy. Not even Mammy! Scarlett claims she married Frank to pay the taxes on Tara, our beloved plantation, and everyone acts like she’s a hero.
When I try to save Tara, everyone makes me out to be a jerk. Sure, I get my dementia-suffering father wasted to have him sign the Iron Clad Oath, which claims the staunch and loyal Confederate is actually a Union sympathizer. Okay, I admit, it’s a bit of a stretch, but we’re broke! The Slattery’s and MacIntoshes signed it and were well paid! Desperate times call for desperate measures!
True, Dad’s pissed when he sobers up and tears the precious document to shreds. But it’s not my fault he jumps on a horse and gallops off at mad speed! How can people blame me when the horse stops short of the fence, throws Dad, and the fall kills him?
I mean, that’s not how the plan is supposed to go.
But Scarlett’s plan to steal my man? That’s what you call premeditation! Why isn’t anyone pointing fingers at her?
Somehow Will Benteen, a deathly-ill, one-legged Civil War vet finds his way to Tara. We take him in and nurse him back to health. Men are scarce and this one falls in my lap. Just as I’m about to stop whining about everything, I find out Will is in love with my little sister Careen. What about me? How unfair! If only Mother were here …
It’s a good thing for me Careen loves Brent Tarteton! He doesn’t survive the war. I’m a little nervous Careen may fall for Will on the rebound. Lucky for me, she decides she can’t love another and runs off to a convent. Thank God!
Only when she’s out of the way, Will notices me. See what I mean? The middle child is always neglected! He announces our engagement at Daddy’s funeral. No one makes a fuss about it. Instead, they’re all crying into their handkerchiefs over Daddy. I suppose my big moment is no big deal. It’s so unfair! If only Mother were here …
After we’re married, we’re saddled with Scarlett’s two kids as she runs off to Atlanta. It’s like I’m just here to serve Scarlett! Wade Hampton Hamilton, her eldest, seems relieved to be with us. I think he’s afraid of his mother. I don’t blame him. She scares me, too. Did I tell you she slapped me one time? Right across the face! And never got in trouble for it. It’s so unfair! If only Mother were here …
Then there’s Ella Lorena Kennedy, Scarlett’s second child, whose father happens to be Frank Kennedy who is now dead. (I had him first!) Nobody feels bad I’m caring for the child my sister had with the man she stole from me.
I sympathize with Ella. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s going to be the middle child, too. My guess is she’s going to have a rougher time than me. Ella’s not very smart and Scarlett doesn’t think too much of her. Wait until the precious Eugenie Victoria “Bonnie Blue” Butler is born. Ella’s screwed!
I can’t help but seethe over my position as middle child. Everyone swoons when Scarlett holds up a clump of carrots and vows to never go hungry again. I know where I’d like to stick those carrots!
My life as the middle O’Hara daughter is pathetic and sad. And so unfair! If only Mother were here …
All I can do is sit and pout.
And throw around the “F-word”.
And I don’t mean fiddlesticks or fiddle-dee-dee.