The Brooch

I Have Something To Say

The crowd scrambled in their Oooo's and their Ahhhs when Mrs. Lexington walked through those doors. It was an understatement to say her reputation preceded her.

Nearly everyone as far as Everly to Ponchas Row Avenue, knew exactly who Mrs. Lexington was. And if they didn't, they were sure about to find out that day....

"I will have order in my court!" Judge Bloomfurd roared!

He smacked that gavel so hard, he finally split it in half! Luckily for him, he had another near by. The crowd slightly quieted down. But you could still hear many voices buzzing in the air, like bees to a hive...

"Naw will someone tell me, jest who the blazes in hells fire this woman is?"

"I kin speak foe myself!" Mrs. Lexington blurted out. "And I am surprised you do not remember me, Jefferson!" Mrs. Lexington boldly spoke.

"Should I?"

"Should you not? Why I used to bounce you on my knee when you were jest a baby!"

"Pardon me?" The judge replied stunned.

Sticking his goggles on, as Tator began to edge and assist Mrs. Lexington forward, the judge instantly gasped as he realized just who made an appearance in his courtroom as Baliff Sanford whispered something into Judge Bloomfurd's red, steaming ear.

"Ah! Lee-Lee-Lee-Lee?" He spoke as his voice cracked.

"The one in the same." She replied.

"Why she wuz my Mumma's, cousin's, sister's, aunt, best friend's niece!" Judge Bloomfurd commented surprised. "Whut a small world?" He peculiarly grumbled.

"You are bein sarcastic..."

"Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!" Give this woman a prize!" Judge Bloomfurd sardonically sassed. "Ma'am." He tried saying it respectfully... "Sanford, my cousin's brother. And he just gave me some insight as to who you are exactly. I'm sure you did bounce me once upon a time. I was, after all adorable back in the day." He smirked. "Bu glory alive, I still don't know who the blazes you are!" He ranted!

"You will." She courageously responded. "I, young man..." She said speaking directly to the judge and standing up as uprightly as she could. "Am Mrs. Lydia Caterina Lexington. And I am the woman, who is bout to make a major impact on this case! And if you don't already know, I am the mother of that woman... "She uttered sternly pointing at a still gagged Mrs. Crowder. "That is about to make her crap her pants in my presence if she has not already!"

"Her?!?" The judge uttered surprised.

"Yes... her." Mrs. Lexington confidently professed. "And by the looks of it, I kin see, she done already started some crapola of century. "Whut have you done naw Magnus?" Mrs. Lexington scolded. "You jest sit there, young woman. And I will deal with you in jest a second."

If you had of seen the expression in Mrs. Crowder's beyond dumbfounded eyes at the appearance of her mother walking through those doors, you would have been sure, she without a doubt, was peeing her britches right then and there. Why even Judge Bloomfurd's eyes nearly popped out of his socket! He couldn't believe someone who looked as refined and spoke so elegantly could be the mother of crabby ole Mrs. Crowder!

The flabbergasted judge's mouth nearly hit the floor when he looked at Sanford as Sanford nodded his head in agreement with Mrs. Lexington.

Tator helped walk and guide his still very frail great grand to where a very stunned grandmama Hastings was standing. When Mrs. Lexington finally reached grandmama Hastings, she embraced her as tightly as she could as she whispered in her ear.

"I am sorry I am late, Olivia." She apologetically uttered. "But I am here naw. I maybe frail. And I may look broken as a smashed jar of honey. But I am tough as nails!" She said firmly kissing grandmama Hastings rosy cheek. Now looking unyieldingly into grandmama Hastings eyes, she whispered. "I told you, I would be there for you and take care of this. And I am. And I will. I will hold that promise." She said grabbing Grandmama Hastings face. "And I will take care of Magnus." She replied in an undertone scowling at her daughter. Who was no doubt shaking in her boots. 'Sides, the Lawd ain't called me home yet. Hal's jest gonna haveta wait a little bit longer." She smiled.

Maple suddenly caught Mrs. Lexington's eye.

"Why Tator, this must be her." Mrs. Lexington said looking at an inquisitive Maple. "Why honey, you are jest as adorable and as lovely as my grandson described." She remarked smiling and gazing deeply into Maple's floored eyes. Leaning back, she whispered to Tator. "Don't let her get away..."

"I won't." He boldly and confidently whispered back in her ear as his eyes stayed on a bewildered Maple.

Maple couldn't believe that not only had Tator returned. But that he had returned with none other than Mrs. Crowder's mother. But what further part of this could Mrs. Lexington give that Mama Woods had not already just finished displaying?

"I hate to break up this joyous comin together. Are we gone play future family reunion? Or are you gone to sit yo butt down so this circus of a trial so we can finish?" Judge Bloomfurd hissed.

"I am sittin nowhere but in that chair!" Mrs. Lexington dauntlessly stated. She pointed at the stand. "If young Miss Scarlet doesn't mind that is."

"Scarlet mind?" The judge uttered.

"Yes. I'm sure she has warmed that seat up jest fine for me. 'Sides, I have lots to say and I'm sho you are gone wan hear it judge!" She courageously spoke. "Especially if you wan get out of here foe yo alone time in fishin or some other." She said giving the judge back just as much sass as he gave her.

"Take a seat." Judge Bloomfurd agreed.

"But yo honor__"

"Shut up." Judge Bloomfurd groaned to a fussing Mr. Kransten. "This is my courtroom. And I am allowing it! 'Sides, I wont ta hear whut this lovely vision of a lady hasta say. You got a problem with that, Frances... tough!"

Mr. Kransten could do, nor say anything, but let Tator bring Mrs. Lexington to the front.

"Mrs. Woods, you may momentarily return back to yo chair." Judge Bloomfurd softly spoke.

As Mama Woods stepped down and began to return to her seat, Mrs. Lexington strongly grabbed her hand in passing.

"Jest as beautiful as eva." She said winking at Mama Woods.

Mrs. Lexington took the stand, as Sanford signed her in. Mrs. Lexington sat gazing at the more than inquisitive eyes that now laid upon her. She audaciously spoke...

"Well... let's get this show on the road. Shall we?"