The Brooch

Unsettled

Later, that very Wednesday evening, Jeffy found his way back to town and knocking on his sister's door.

"Jeffy!" A smiling Fred said opening the screen door. "Cmon in! What you doin here on a Wednesday?  You come to see Scarlet? You know she ain't home yet from her high society meetin."

"Oh that's right. I forgot." Jeffy woefully replied.

"Mmm hmm, every Wednesday night. But you know that."

"Uh yeah but umm... can't say I really came to see sis, tonight. Was actually looking to talk to Maple."

"Ha! Well you're outta luck. Tonight, Scarlet thought it would be fun to take Maple." Fred laughingly replied. "Heck you shoulda seen the look on my child's face when Scarlet dragged her out the door with her. You woulda thought, Scarlet was gone feed Maple to the dogs!"

"Oh well uh, maybe it's best she ain't here, right about now. Maybe I'll come back tomorrow."

"Nonsense." Fred said plopping down to his favorite chair. "Sides the game's on. And I rather sit here and watch with you, than go next door to Clarence's house, as I originally planned. Swear that man can get on my ever lastin nerve sometimes." He mumbled.

"Nah Fred. I'm afraid, I wouldn't be much company tonight. Not to mention, I do gotta get an early start and actually make an appearance at work tomorrow." Jeffy said walking back to the front door. "Sides, I ain't really have much of an appetite right about now."

"Suit yo self. Funnay... that ain't normal for you... Guess I'll have to eat all these tasty, juicy fried wings on my own. Mmm! Mmm!" Fred blissfully replied licking his lips as he took the stack of home fried chicken off his coffee table. "Yes suh. Every last one to the bone." He said putting his napkin on under his chin.

Just then Clarence walked in the door.

"Well hey Jeffy!" Come for the game?"

"Nah. I was actually just headed out." Jeffy replied.

"Ah too bad." Clarence said patting Jeffy on the back. "I was jest waitin for Fred to stop by. But looks like I missed the memo and we are hanging out here tonight. Yes suh! I could smell that chicken clear cross the way next door! I swear it was callin my name! Scarlet sho does make the best fried chicken in the world! Much better than whut my wife fixed me before she left! But you didn't hear that from me. He said giving a sour expression. "But all the moe betta!" Clarence uttered playfully nudging at Jeffy's side. "Im ready to chow down and get this game started." Clarence said stretching out on the couch and making himself comfortable. But not before he took Fred's plate out of his hands.

Fred grumbled at his sight, knowing not only was Clarence there to talk endlessly through the game, but to help eat him out of house and home. And starting with his sweet fried chicken, Scarlet had just made for him before her meeting. Fred no longer looked like the chipper brother in law, relaxed and ready for to chow down as a very solemn Jeffy walked out that door. Instead his expression was now the look of discontent. Almost as if he was given a swig of castor oil in a jar of eggs. Last thing Jeffy heard as he was hopping into his beat down truck was...

"Say Fred? You got anymoe of that there coffee cake?"

"It's mine!" 

You could hear Fred hollering so loud in the background. In fact the entire neighborhood could hear him scrapping as Jeffy pulled away....

That night Jeffy tossed and turned in a cold sweat. It was evident he was restless as every time he closed his eyes, all he saw was Tator Tot and his hot breath. Restless, He knew he was forced to face a dilemma he didn't want to have to choose. One way or the other. He knew no matter the outcome, no one would be truly happy. Seemed like it was the worst night of his life, knowing no matter what, in the morning, he would have to talk to Maple. And he knew, she was going to be anything but happy...

Thursday day came... Jeffy couldn't catch his nerves. It took another day and a half, for Jeffy, to finally break down to go back into Ponchas Row. In fact he hid out purposely in Orange Haven, not wanting to face a very unsuspecting Maple. But he knew the weekend was coming. And he knew he had no choice. Tator Tot, after all was still waiting to hear back from Jeffy. And the sooner the better...

The time finally came for Jeffy to have his talk with Maple. He found her on that Friday afternoon hanging out with her best friends, Leslie Anne and Josephine, in Miss Millie Wexler's backyard, underneath the shade of her umbrella table, just sowing flowers and preparing for Beth Anne and Annelle's upcoming wedding. Maple was shocked to see her Uncle walking up that back trail way.

"Uncle Jeffy? Whatchu doin here? Mumma blackmail to help or some em?" Maple teased at the thought. "What she got on you naw?" Maple cheesed.

"Ain't nuthin yo Mumma got on me. Sides I actually came to see you."

"Why?" Maple wondered.

"Naw can't I come to town just to see my sweet baby niece once in a while?"

"Ha!" Maple laughed. Then she stopped as quickly as she started. "You done some em!"

"I ain't done nothin Maple."

"Liar..." Maple scowled at her very sweaty and uncomfortable looking Uncle.

"Look Madge... can we talk? I need to talk to you... alone." He said gazing at Maple's curious friends.

"Hmm emm..." Maple refused. "See... you ain't here just to be wantin a talk. You done got me all unsettled just by that look you giving me rat now. You up to some em. And it's clear you want me to get involved."

"Naw Maple Joelle__"

"Nah Uncle... whatever you are a part of I want nothing to do with. Not today, naw git." She groaned putting her head down as she continued to sew her flowers together.

"Naw don't that beat all!" Jeffy fussed! "When you want me, I'm available. But naw that I need to talk to you..."

"It's that look Uncle Jeffy!" Maple interjected!

"Whut look?" Jeffy fussed!

"That look on yo face that says talk to me and your world will end! I can't! Not today!" She fussed. "You know I have too much on my plate from helpin Mumma stay sane with Beth Anne and Annelle's double weddin! And the way they actin nutty as the day gets closer for them to be Mrs. themselves. I ain't got time. The house is crazy! Mumma crazy! So why come at my place of serenity?"

"Would you just stop bein so over dramatic and jest talk to me?"

"Give me one good reason why? Sides..." Maple paused. "Jest the way you lookin at me naw, I jest know some em sour in the air. And it ain't jest Leslie's breath."

Leslie Anne gasped! "Waaaa... Maple Joelle..."

"Sorry Leslie," Maple apologetically uttered to a now mortified and very upset Leslie Anne as she realized she said that comment out loud.

Leslie Anne stomped off in a fury! It was evident she left the table to go hide underneath a rock and maybe even freshen her breath while she was at it. An amused Josephine quickly followed Leslie to comfort her. Besides, she could see Jeffy really wanted to be alone with Maple. So she excused herself for the time being.

"Naw look whut you done!" Maple fussed in a whisper to her Uncle Jeffy.

"That was all on you baby girl. Sides her breath really was kickin. I just some em died in the yard." Jeffy said plopping down next to Maple fanning the air. "Naw can we talk?" Jeffy pleaded.

"Say it ain't nuthin that's gonna turn my stomach for the ware and I will."

But Jeffy said not a word.

"Oh glory alive!" Maple cried! "No... hmm emm! Come back Sunday when I'm used to seein ya, at daddy's and maybe by then, my nerves will be calm."

"You ain't got to the weekend huney." Jeffy replied...