The Brooch

The Whereabouts pt 2

"Look... yo mumma came to me a couple of months ago. And she shocked me by askin me for her forgiveness, for all them years back for swearin me to secrecy on yo behalf. She knew whut that did to me." He said looking Maple deep in her eyes...

Uncle Jeffy, continued to wipe the tears from his niece's flushed cheeks as he continued on...

"She told me, she repented to you. And it was my turn. Course I was lost in a stupor." He said. "The purist Scar, my big sister, apologizin and admittin to none other than me, that she's wrong? Why I thought the trumpet done sound and we got left behind with that sudden revelation." Uncle Jeffy said. "Nonetheless, she was sincere. So I knew I had to be as well.."

While Maple did her best to clear up her tears, Uncle Jeffy continued...

"If you must know, I didn't tell yo mumma where Tator was at. I wasn't sho whut she would do with that information. You know yo mumma."

Maple nodded in agreement...

"But I took what she said and I mulled over all that she disclosed to me. And I prayed about it." He earnestly said.

"And whut was yo conclusion?"

"Well hun-nay, to be honest, I knew you weren't ready jest yet to know whut I knew."

"Why?"

"Cause even you said yourself, you needed to heal."

"And how do you know I am healed?"

"I know you're not." Uncle Jeffy admitted. "That's the thang." He said. "Cause I know the way you love is jest like me, yo mumma, and my mumma... it's never ending..."

Uncle Jeffy could see the tears welling back up in Maple's eyes, as he said.

"Nonetheless, you are right, that you are more happier these days, than you have been in a long time. And that does my heart some good!" He smiled. "Cause it's been a long time comin. Perhaps that was all the more reason I held off tellin ya anythang just yet..."

"But why?"

"Cause I didn't wont to be the one to ruin yo happiness." He said. "After all this time, I didn't know how you felt bout Tator. Especially after the trial and all. Moreover Andrew. But for the time bein... we'll leave that one alone. For all I knew, he was someone of the past. And you wonted to keep him there. Nevertheless, I also know for a fact, you are one of the strongest wild hearts, on God's green earth. Whether you like it or not." He winked. "You have proved it time and time again. Especially knowin you've faced some trauma in yo young life, to last a lifetime. Twice over. But I also know you deserve a bit of happiness. Whether it is with or without Tator."

"So where is he?" Maple said biting her lip.

Uncle Jeffy cleared his throat and said...

"Here's here."

"Here where?"

"Here's, here, here... in Ponchas. Well in the in between. And has been for the past three years..."

Maple's mouth dropped to the floor....

"No." She said in disbelief . "How is that even possible?" She said shaking her head in confusion. "This is a small town. And everyone knows jest about everyone! Nothin gets passed by many in this town. Not even a soul passin to the city of gold! And someone surly would have said they seen him in passing."

"Not if he didn't wont to be seen." Uncle Jeffy replied.

"But surely I, and of all people, Mrs. Crowder, his own nebbie, knowin all the town's secrets, Nana,  would have definitely noticed! I've not seen him once since I came back. Not once. And I know mumma and daddy sure as heck haven't! I would have never heard the end of it, if so!" Maple replied perplexed.