The Brooch

A Recess Scuffle

The judge called a short recess while the defense prepared to call their last and final witness...

As the crowd gossiped amongst themselves, Mama Woods was escorted to the back. Daddy Woods followed to keep her company. Grandmama, on the other hand, stayed to care and keep company with her two granddaughters, Beth Anne and a morning sickness, Annelle.

Maple on the other side of them all, got up to leave the courthouse for some air and to stretch her legs.

The grass was a different kind of green back in those days. It was cavernous and almost seeming to be like walking on emeralds of the sea. Moreover, it was soft enough to dream away in. The air was still moist and young. The sun was strong and shining bright, making the air just right. It wasn't too warm and it wasn't too cold. Even the freshness of that sunny afternoon was soft and sweet, with a crisp smell, that breezed in the air. And on any other day, one would have called it beautiful. But Maple felt that day, to be anything but...

Even just standing there in that, what would seem like a serene atmosphere, Maple felt institutionalized... Imprisoned with the thoughts of her own mind. And aching for the freedom of her mother...

Taking a step forward, Maple just wanted to escape. Even if it were only just for a moment...

"Maple?" A voice suddenly calls out as she halfway down the steps of the courthouse.

"Not naw." Maple replied. She kept walking not once turning around.

"Maple please...."

"Whut do you wont Tator?" Maple hissed knowing the sound of his voice.

"Where ya goin?" He said finally catching up to her.

"Ta get some air." She sighed. "Naw please leave me be."

"I'll walk with ya." Tator replied keeping up with Maple's fast pace stride.

"I don't wan to talk."

"We don't have to." Tator replied.

As loving and gentle as possible, Tator reached for Maple's hand...

To Tator's surprise, she didn't reject it. In fact, she did quite the opposite, she held on. And she held on tight, as his strong hand covered hers. The two said nothing. They just kept walking up the green hill from the courthouse and out of everyone's sight. Everyone's, but Andrew...

"Maple?" Andrew shouted not too far behind.

"Oh dear Lawd!" Maple anxiously sighed.

Andrew came briskly running up that hill, not even giving Tator any alone time with Maple. At least not enough. Especially in his eyes. An apparent frustrated Tator, held on tighter to Maple's soft brown hand, as Andrew quickly approached. But an uncomfortable Maple... released herself and let go.

Maple in her sunflower dress, nearly tripped as the strap to her sandal suddenly popped loose as she was pulling away from Tator. As Tator reached out to catch her, Andrew raced to do the same and rescue her before she could fall and hit the ground.

In that moment, they were both holding onto a trembling Maple. Neither one was gonna be the first to let go. So Maple did.

"I'm fine!" She fussed pulling away from both of them.

"Where ya goin?" Andrew curiously asked.

"Nowhere with you!" Tator boldly stated.

"I wasn't talkin to you!" Andrew hissed.

"But I'm answerin!" Tator exclaimed staring deep into Andrew's gray eyes.

"If You thank I am jest gone let you walk somewhere alone with Maple... you got another thang comin." Andrew said walking up on Tator.

Tator not backing down replied... "And if you thank I am gone let you take her away from me, ever again... you, my friend got another thang comin! 'Sides I was here first with her. And whether you like it or not, I always will be."

"And whether you like it or not, she's my girl. And I ain't lettin her out of my sight, especially with the likes of you!"

"Why I hate ta break it to ya, Wellington... She ain't yo girl!" Tator growled.

"Hmph! Is that right?" Andrew said getting closer in Tator's face.

"Most definitely." Tator replied with not one flinch.

"She is more mine, than yours!" Andrew boldly proclaimed.

"You care to wager that?" Tator argued.

Andrew and Tator aggressively stood toe to toe. Before Maple knew what was clearly happening, the two young men were now scuffling right before her eyes...

Maple tried to stop it. But they were so riled up, and entangled with each other they both forgot Maple was there. Maple tried her best to stop the fight, but was sadly tossed her to the side, like a paper bag to the trash...

Startled and ashamed the men stopped as they realized Maple was on the ground. Both rushed to help up a now very ire Maple...

"Don't!" She exclaimed pushing them both away.

Wiping the dirt off of her dress, and swiping her soft dark curls out of her face, a crimson faced, Maple huffed as she tried to fix her now other broken sandal.

"Well don't that beat all!" she growled!

Both Andrew and Tator stood before Maple gazing deeply into her eyes. Just then both men reached their hand for her to take. Maple was so frustrated, she didn't know what to do.

"I don't won't yo help!" She fussed to both men. "You have already done enough!"

"Andrew..." a vexed Tator grumbled... "Look at whut you done!"

"I didn't do it alone!" Andrew fussed back.

"No." Tator replied you jest made matters worse. So why in hells fire, are you here?" Tator hissed.

"I like the ask the same freakin question, why the heck are you here!" Andrew ranted.

"Why are you both here?!? Oooo!" Maple scowled!
In haste and in a serious huff, she brushed past both of them frustrated and stomped away!

"Where are ya goin?" Andrew called out.

"Back!" Maple hissed. "I rather be in the skunk-da-fied courtroom  starin down Mrs. Crowder, than on this hill with you two."

With her sandals straggling, Maple did as she said. She headed back down to the courthouse and far away from both Tator and Andrew...

"All wuz fine befoe you got here!" Tator growled shoving Andrew.

"Wuz it?" Andrew smirked. "You actually thank with this trial and whut yo grandma is blatantly doin to Maple and her family... she's gone wont anythang eva to do with you? There's no way you kin make matters better. In fact I thank yo presence is onlay makin it worse. If you ask me, there ain't nuthin you kin do to help her... but step aside and leave." Andrew boldly stated. "Why I thank when this is all over, she is gone be back in my arms. And I will take her away from you... forever." Andrew confidently spoke, shoving Tator as he scurried back down that hill to try and catch up with a very upset Maple..

Unfortunately for Andrew, he was too late. Uncle Jeffy who saw everything had stopped Maple as she was hastily heading in. Doing what he did best, He took her in his arms and wiped her tears, as all Andrew could do was stand there while uncle Jeffy consoling her took her away. And from out of his sight...

A vexed and beyond perturbed Tator, now stood alone up on that hill. He was so upset you could hear him hollering and kicking at a tree!

You would have thought, that Tator would have rushed back down to find Maple as well and keep her away from Andrew... Perhaps even try and console her himself. But instead he did something else.

He just abruptly left...

Court was being called back into session. And as all whom remained took their seat they all heard...

"The defense calls Mrs. Scarlet Woods to the stand."