The Brooch

I Can Never Compete With You

The wedding bells rang in a triumphant ding to the dang to the dong, as Maple and Tator were now one, and all danced to the most jubilant of songs!

In a joyous celebration of a great feast, all gathered once again at the place to be, which was Miss Millie Wexler's manner. This time, Mrs. Crowder, if you can believe, actually joined along. And merriment was her song. Not the witches cast that many thought all along... For her heart was full and finally at peace... Well gradually that is. For she really was no beast...

She even marched in the wedding parade, hand and hand with her loved ones in a beautiful serenade, to her grandson Tator and his new bride... with her sons, her daughter, and her beautiful mother, Mrs. Lexington at her side. Course her grandchildren joined in as well, celebrating their brother. They were proud... and all could tell...

Love, they say, was blissfully in the air. No sorrows, no woes, no regrets or cares... Well... that's not all true. There was one who had the deepest of blues...

For you remember Brantley Pine? Don't you? If I ain't a monkey's uncle, did that man show up to the reception. Can you believe it? Especially after he ran out of that church faster than a dog chasing a juicy bone!

Fact is, he came back alright... with his tail between his legs that is. Course with his big sister, Georgia Pine tagging along. Or should I say holding him up, making sure he was no longer a blubbering fool. A snob, he may be. But brave if you ask me. How brave? Why he actually walked up to Tator and bowed his head in defeat while shaking his hand. Course he was looking at his feet.

Nonetheless, that was a big step for him. He even kissed Maple on the cheek. Everyone knows that kiss, why that kiss, was discreet. For one lean in closer to her blossoming lips and well Tator would have punched him... probably breaking his hips. But in her eyes did he stare just a little while longer. All could tell his heart was still in somber. Still... guess there's hope for Brantley Pine. Some say he will be just fine. Others could hear him fussing to Georgia in teeniest of whines. But he quickly moved on... Dorothy Burl? Run girl run! That's all I got ta say. For Brantley Pine, looks like he came... and he came to play.

Yet there was another, in a shade of blue. Don't tell me you haven't guess it, or gotten a clue? For it was none other than Andrew Wellington the third. Yes, he came. Though some thought it was quite absurd. But you have to remember his wife was the maid of honor. He didn't runaway that quickly. He was no goner. But a man of his word... In the background he did stay. Josephine after all asked him, and he obeyed.

JOSEPHINE: "Letmee talk with em, befoe you go." She said to Andrew, as she slightly brushed her hand against his. "Please don't leave." She implored. "There is much to say... but not today.

ANDREW: "Okay..." He whispered in a gentle obey. "For you, I'll stay. But not all day."

JOSEPHINE: "That's all I ask." She said gently letting go of his firm, tanned hand. While fidgeting around with her own wedding band.

With a soft tear in his eyes of grey, he gently and hastily brushed them away, making sure none could see the ache of wonder in his eyes. It was really quite telling. I tell no lies. For his affection for Maple still rang true. But his love for Josephine was really overdue.

While the guests drank, ate, and all were merry. They gathered around Tator and Maple in a congratulatory gesture. This time it was Josephine's turn...

Temporarily pulling Maple away from Tator, Josephine grabbed her hand as they walked as they did once before. They went to the place where they once met in the hidden labyrinth in Miss Millie's backyard and right to the swing where no one could see. Just her and she. Exactly how she wanted it to be...