The Brooch

A Makeshift Rejuvenation

And just like that, the trial was over. Mama Woods was home.

Months had passed. Seem like that little ole town of Ponchas Avenue Row was going back to the good old fashioned norm. Why Mama Woods appeared to be yesterday news...

As odd as it seemed, seemed like even crabby ole Mrs. Crowder had excepted the fact that the brooch was no longer of her possession. But some say she would still be caught driving by that little cabin at the end of the road where the Woods resided. Peeking in windows of course. Trying to catch eye of her once owned precious brooch. But to her failure, the brooch was never in sight. And Horace, Clarence loyal sheep dog, would always catch wind of her and without fail, always seem to run Mrs. Crowder off the premises and back into her automobile where Cleava would just be waiting and tickled pink by the chase. Moreover,  just how fast Mrs. Crowder's feet would make it leaping in just edges from being bit as Clarence smirked on in the background. Some say he would release Horace on purpose. Just long enough for her snooping and prying eyes and her short feet to be edging over the window. But we'll leave that judgment up to wondering minds. But I think we all know...

Still... life seemed to go on. Mrs. Lexington returned back to Orange Haven. Her health even seemed to get better day by day. She, after all had the help of her great grandson Malcom. And then there was her faithful friend, Olivia, whom returned on occasion. Temporarily of course, to care for her dear friend. You would think, Grandma Hastings would have held a grudge against Mrs. Lexington with all the revelations that occurred that stormy day in that courtroom. But instead she found forgiveness in her heart. And she felt it was her God's honest duty to care for an ailing soul. She refused to let the past taint her soul. Sides, her children and grandchildren were now doing just fine. With that, she pressed on. Course she would return to her quaint ole town of Everly, every few weeks to care for her brand new great grand babies and the other on the way. Seemed Grandma Hastings heart was full.

So what about Mama Woods? Well, Mama Woods, even learned to smile again. With Fred by her side, how could she not? She was a even too busy to keep her own self on her mind. Being as she was a new grandmother to two precious baby twins. A boy and a girl. Sides on that top of that, she was far too busy planning and preparing her little brother Jeffy's wedding to one sweet Ms. Cornelia Pumpkin Lee. And with the pantry full and Clarence stuffing his belly by his side, why how could Daddy Woods be anything other than content? It didn't hurt that his beautiful wife, Scarlet was back by his side and back in his arms... Why it put a different complexion on things.

But what about Maple? How was she? I mean really? She did after all have full possession of the brooch. Uncle Jeffy had after all fixed up that brooch as brand new. With the exception of the extra backing. He made sure all, especially Maple could see the engraving of her great grandfather Julius. For all to see. She even wore her precious apple crumb brooch out in the open. She promised herself and her mama, she would never, ever keep it hidden from the light of day ever again. And knowing Mrs. Crowder dare not defy the judges orders. Or that of Mrs. Lexington silent promise, why she wore that brooch proudly, like a badge of honor. And Mrs. Crowder couldn't do a darn thing about it. Especially with the words she shared with her mother after the trial. But that's another story for another time. Nonetheless, Maple no longer needed to keep an eye on her own back. With all that said... you would think, Maple's dream coming true to have her Mama freed, and that precious brooch back in her possession, all would seem more than well right?

Well if you thought that, then apparently you forgot about one little thing. Or should I say two... Andrew  Wellington the third. And Malcom Tatorsen. Aka Tator Tot..

You didn't think that dilemma was so easily solved now did ya?

For Maple, that conundrum was only the beginning. A beginning she wanted to end...