The Brooch

Not Alone

Seemed summer was ending, and fall was coming just around the bend. The sounds of carefree and happy children had filled the streets till the nightlights glowed. And the sweet fragrance of the crisp cool air filled that town, with the blissful inhales and exhales of autumn. And the bright, but oh so brilliant red and orange leaves, were once again filling the streets and grass with all its beauty.

And well for the community of  Ponchas Avenue Row, that picturesque glow, why it meant one thing... The sixty fifth annual fall festival. And this one, why it was no ordinary festival. Why it was even more special than the last. It was after all the sixty fifth anniversary of the oldest living couple in that quaint little ole town. It was none other than the parents of judge Bloomfurd, himself. And for that night the festivities were to be celebrated a little more extra and extravagantly than ever. All were excited to go. Oddly enough, even Maple Joelle.

"Maple, sugarplum?" A delicate voice is heard not far off in the distance.

A far off in mind Maple, stands off a brush away from that cabin in backfields of their home just daydreaming away.

"Maple Joelle?" The voice is heard again.

"Yes, Mumma?"

"Where you been honey?" Mama Woods questioned as she hangs out her side window to the back fields.

"I just went foe a walk?"

"A walk of all days? And with no sweater? Child!"

"I'm ain't cold mumma." Maple smiled. But the goosebumps on her arms told another story.

"Not cold my fannie hide! I ain't got time to argue with ya. Naw you jest come on in this house this instant. You know I don't like raisin my voice. Sides on top of that, we haven't got much time to get you dressed! Naw come on in here. Cmon!"

"Comin Mumma." Maple replied, gliding slow as molasses on winter's day.

While Daddy Woods was in his room downstairs trying adjust and put on his new costume, that Mama Woods craftily made for him, Mama Woods and Maple were now upstairs doing the same.

While Mama Woods mind and mouth were going a mile a minute, a peculiarly silent Maple appeared to once again heavily daydream gazing out her upstairs window. All the while watching the sun slowly begin to set...

Maple could hear every word her mama was saying but to her at the time, it just sounded like bees buzzing around honey.

"Ouch!" Maple suddenly shrieked!

"Hmph! Well it's about time!" Mama Woods snickered. "I wuz startin to wonda. Hadn't heard a peep from you in minutes."

"I'm sorry Mumma..."

"No need to apologize sugarplum. Sides I'm the one who stuck ya." Mama Woods smirked. "Not on purpose, mind ya."

"Oh sure." Maple smirked back.

"Where is yo mind honey? Cause it sure ain't here. You havin second thoughts about goin? Cause you know I'd understand."

"No mumma." Maple replied shaking her head.

"You sure?"

"Quite."

"'Mhmm. Okay." Mama Woods wondered. But she spoke not another word about it. Except... "Naw stand still, so I don't poke ya again."

"We wouldn't want that." Maple jested.

"Naw I know I said I wouldn't say anotha word bout you goin. But, I have ta say, it is beyond me, why you would decide to not to have uh escort."

"I decided to go stag Mumma. Whuts wrong with that?"

"Nothin, I guess.. but__"

"But nothin mumma. My mind is made up. If I'm goin to this festival, I'm goin at it alone..."

"Oh no you're not!" A stern voice is heard from behind.

"Grandmama!" Maple utters stunned! "Whut on God's green earth are you doin here?"

"Why is that anyway to greet yo grandma? Sides I came to be yo escort!" Grandma Hastings boldly replied.

"I thought you were in Everly tendin to Annelle and the twins?"

"Child, Annelle is a grown married woman. And her husband needs to learn how to change a diaper or two." She fussed. "Furthermore, Beth Anne needs to get practice in herself. Sides we all know she's jest round the bend from wipin some hide too. And I don't mean her husband's!"

"Mumma!"

"Oh hush Scarlet. I am onlay sayin." She replied while kissing her daughter's cheek. "Naw let me get a good look atcha." Grandma Hastings said spinning Maple around. "I swear you got more beautiful and elegant the more I sees ya." She said embracing Maple. "And there it is..." she said looking down upon Maple's chest. "The brooch." She brightly smiled as she delicately handled it. "That too is more beautiful than I remember."

"Uncle Jeffy, fixed it up just right didn't he?" Maple brightly smiled.

"So he did." Grandma Hastings replied gazing fondly and proudly at the brooch. "So he did. Welp!" She said taking another deep breath in. But just as soon as she entered, she started to exit Maple's bedroom.

"Where ya goin grandmama?"

"To get dressed myself." She smiled. "You didn't thank, I was gone ta go in jest these garbs didya?"

"I guess not." Maple giggled.

Grandmama Hastings winked.

"I'll see ya in a bit." She replied as she blew kisses to both her daughter and Maple.

And just like that, Maple's mood blossomed!

"Well I guess I do have a date after all Mumma!" Maple smiled.

"Yes..." Mama Woods gleefully replied. "A date both you and I can live with. Better yet, one I don't have ta get an eye on at that.." She grinned.

"We couldn't have that naw could we Mumma?" Maple jested.

"No we most definitely can't! Naw stand still... we are nowhere near bein done."

"Yes, mumma." Maple joyfully obeyed.

And with that, Maple's night only got better. Or so she had desperately hoped...

Now we all know, there comes a time, when one has to do things on their own. And this would have been Maple's night to do just that. It was after all, her first outing since the trial of her Mama. But one thing Maple Joelle knew that night, she would not have to go at it alone. Not with love in the form of her grandmama, now by her side...