The Brooch

It Was No Accident

"Jeffy? What did you do?"

"What I had to." He said closing the glove department.

"How is this possible Uncle Jeffy?" Maple said dazed and confused. "I seen with my very own eye, you handed my precious brooch over to Mrs. Crowder!" She said intently studying the brooch in her hand.

"You saw what you wanted to see, baby girl."

"No I saw it too, Jeffy. We left that house and Mrs. Crowder still had it in her hands. So what is this? What really happened back there and what did you do? Cuz my eyes don't lie. Mrs. Crowder had that brooch in her clutches tighter than a nickel between Georgia Pine's thighs."

"Oooo Mumma!" Maple gasped.

"Whut? Oh hush. Fact is ain't no way she wuz about ta part with it after it fell into her possession!"

"Yes. I can't deny I handed over to her a brooch. But not Maple's." He said starting the engine back up. "Sides, how much of a heathen do you really think I am?" He said smiling widely at his perplexed sister.

Mama Woods, just stared at her brother in awe.

"I'm sorry Jeffy." Mama Woods sadly uttered.

"For which part? Not believing in me? Or sucker punchin the crap outta me?"

"Well you intentionally deceived us!" Mama Woods said starting to fuss again thinking about what had just occurred. "But I guess, I'm sorry... for all of it."

"You should be." He said driving off. "But I except yo apology. And I'm sorry for deceiving you and Maple like I did."

"But I still don't understand." Mama Woods uttered.

"Neither do I." Maple agreed.

"Baby girl, you asked for my help. So I gave it to ya.  Sides you think I'm just gonna roll over and let that crabby ole Mrs. Crowder take whut I know is your most prized possession willingly? And Scar, I may be your little brother. But I am your brother. I stand with you. Through thick and thin. You're my blood. And I love ya. Ain't nobody gonna mess with this here family, if I have something to say about it."

"But Jeffy, she's gone find out."

"Maybe. But not today. " He grinned. "Heck, Maple you didn't even notice."

"Cuz you didn't give me a chance to hold it or even stare at it that long."

"Couldn't. I knew if you stared deep and long, it would have been all over before I could even take another step. Why you think I folded it back so quickly? Not to mention the way you always spit polish that thang, You're the only one who truly knows that brooch to the very last detail. Even yo Mumma can attest to that. And I had to let you see it. Even if  it was just a glimpse. Cuz there was no way I could have even convinced Mrs. Crowder, otherwise, if she hadn't see that instant sparkle of joy in yo eye."

"But what about her grandson?"

"Tator Tot?" Uncle Jeffy laughed. "You think he's ever seen it? That boy didn't have a clue till a few days ago."

"Few days ago? Uncle Jeffy, I just seen him for the first time yesterday morn. And I didn't even give you the brooch till that Eve! That doesn't make any sense!"

"None!" Mama Woods agreed.

"Oh... It makes perfect sense." Jeffy chuckled. "Truth is, when you came by with that brooch, I wasn't really surprised."

"Jeffy? You better explain yo self! This here ain't makin any sense. None at all." Mama Woods fussed.

"I'll tell ya on the way. But first thangs first. We gone have to take us a little trip."