The Brooch

I Followed You

Despite the drama that unfolded at that reception that one hot summer afternoon, well they say that was probably one of the most rememberable times in Ponchas Avenue Row as some continued to dance the night away at Miss Millie's home. A rememberable night indeed. It was at least for Maple...

Saying farewell to her sisters as they drove off to their soon awaited honeymoons, the Woods decided to retire the evening as well.

As Maple sat in the back seat of her parents car, with the windows down, letting the wind dance in her dark locks, her daddy did double duty. What do I mean by that? Well he still was an inquisitive daddy that gazed off and on staring, down his seemingly appearing to be for the time being, an unfazed daughter, Maple on the long drive home. And all the while, trying to comfort and tend to his wife, as she finally broke down and blubbered away at the thought of arriving home without her other two other daughters in tow. Nevertheless, if some didn't know better they wouldn't have been able to decipher if those was tears of joy, or just a mama missing her babies. You know, that empty nest thing? But she still had Maple. And from the looks of it, her focus in the future, would now be mainly on her. That and the arrival of some new grand babies. If ever...

And sitting next to Maple, was an ever so quiet, Grandmama Hastings. The whole ride, she said only four words... "Maple, we to talk."

Arriving home, Mama Woods was so tuckered out from not just crying, but from all that time of prepping for the wedding, that before she knew it, she had passed out in that car. Daddy Woods, of course, carried her off to bed. Suppose it was best for all. Because that night if Mama Woods had've been up, walking into an empty nest, well you could be for sure, she would have continued her blubber fest for all to hear the whole night long. Just as well, because it gave a still little green in the gills, Daddy Woods time to relax and to collect his still spinning thoughts.

Grandmama Hastings had still said not a word to Maple. Except to whisper one... "Later."

But Maple wondered, how much later? Seemed like Maple waited up all night. But Grandmama still hadn't come to her room. After taking a long hot shower and letting her thoughts drift away, even as far as to that last kiss she shared with Tator, she was finally prepared for bed.

Feeling a little tuckered out herself. She too, laid down and started to doze. But before she could even enter the dream world...

"Maple honey?"

Half sleep and half awake, Maple sat up in her bed. It was time... Grandmama Hastings snuggled up beside her.

"Grandmama, you thank we can talk about this in the morn?" A tired Maple yawned.

"After whut you said to me at the reception? Heck no!" Grandmama Hastings fussed. "I can't sleep! Sides you took forever in that bathroom and nearly all the hot water. So no, we ain't waitin!" She said nudging Maple to move over befor she slipped off the edge.

"Fine." Maple stretched. "But it ain't nothin really..."

"Then you let me be the judge that. Naw spill.." Grandmama Hastings said while fluffing a pillow.

Maple proceeded to tell her grandmama whut she saw and whut she heard one fateful day a few months back. An astounded Grandmama Hastings looked on. She couldn't believe of all people, Maple was the one to expose her secret....

"Don't be mad at me, grandmama, I was on my merry little way, to get Mumma some groceries at Big Brother Joe's market. But to my surprise, I saw you. I was surprised to see you away, from your home in Everly. I remember I called out your name, but you heard nuthin. And before I knew it, you were gettin into the biggest car, I have eva seen in entire life. And with a man all fancied up at that. I couldn't believe my eyes! So I followed you. Thank the Lawd almighty, he finally came to a stop, on the bridge just outside of Early. I nearly rode to the pearly gates of heaven, tryin to keep up with you. But it was worth it. Least I think so." Maple uttered as she to drift off to sleep.

Grandmama nudged Maple awake..Maple felt exhausted but knew her grandmama wasn't about to let her sleep, at least for the time being. So she continued on.

"Like I said I had nearly caught up with you." Maple yawned. "To my wonderin eyes. He left you standing there all alone. If I could have caught up with him, I would have yanked his hair, I probably would have gave him a knuckle sandwich or some em! Along with a piece of my mind for leaving you on your lonesome in such a place. It's a good thang my legs were spaghetti. Nevertheless, I started to call out again, but this time, I stopped myself. I saw you meeting an elderly woman in a wheelchair all dressed in black. And I guess her servant pushing her. I stayed out of sight. Seemed y'all walked for what seemed like miles, saying not a word till you landed at outside a cafe in Early. That was enough for me, seeing as I had to catch my last breath. I wanted to say some em I did. But my lips appeared to be sealed. I even started to walk up to you and confess. But before I knew it, I heard you. In fact, I heard it all. And I was stunned, so I hid. But just close enough to hear more. And I know the rule about ease droppin grandmama. I do. But I felt this was different. So I broke the rules."

"And whatchu you hear?" A curious grandmama asked.

"The truth..."

"And whut truth might that be Maple?"

"That you, lied to us. Moreover Mumma." Maple boldly stated.

"Maple I can explain..." Grandmama Hastings said.

"Explain whut Grandmama? That mumma really did steal that brooch? But not when she was a baby?"

"Yes..." Grandmama Hastings disappointedly uttered. "But whut I am about to tell you, you have to promise me, you can't tell yo Mumma. Swear! Or my secret, as you know it, will go to my grave."

"But I already told you I know."

"Honey, there's more. Much more. And from whut you're tellin me, you didn't even hear the half."