Mockingbird

Part 2

"Why is Mr. Radley such a..." There were many words Madison wanted to add, but that wouldn't be very ladylike, so she sipped her tea and broke off there.

Miss Stephanie Crawford giggled a bit. "I don't think anyone will ever know!"

Miss Maudie shrugged. "Well, if I had a family to care for and no job I'd be upset too."

"Wait, a family?" Madison felt her eyes grow wider.

Miss Stephanie nodded and held out her hand to count. "There's Mr. Radley, the grumpy old man with no job-"

Madison nodded. "I was acquainted with him earlier."

"Then there's Mrs. Radley, another old hag. She waters flowers sometimes, or at least she used to. Then they have a son, named Nathan. Nothing wrong with him, actually, but he moved away. And then there's Boo Radley." Madison noticed Stephanie's eyes light up from mentioning his name. "That boy hasn't come out of that house since over twenty years ago! People say when he was in his teen years he locked a man up in his basement for a whole week, and plenty of other things, until his father punished him. Hasn't shown himself ever since."

Madison opened her mouth to respond, but Miss Maudie interrupted. "Oh, don't listen to her! He was a troubled boy, yes, but I'm sure there's nothing wrong with him!"

"You seen him the past twenty years?"

Miss Maudie ignored the question. "He's shy." Was all she said.

Madison had another question. "What do you all know about Jack Starly?"

Miss Stephanie seemed to faint. "Oh, what a fine specimen of a man." She fanned herself with her hand. "Why, he's one of the richest bachelors in town! Why?"

Madison shrugged. "Just wondering. I met him." Before she could explain, they explored other subjects.

The morning after, Madison kissed her terrier, Stella, and headed out her door. As she stepped on the patio and was stopped by a flicker of color on her doormat. She kneeled down and picked up the small, bright red flower. "Hm." She looked around, as if someone may claim it, but found no one of suspicion, not even a nearby bush with the same looking flowers. It had to have come from someone, it was impossible for it to have blown perfectly onto her doorstep.

Madison walked through town and into a store that sold glass carvings. "How beautiful." She murmured to herself, passing a dragon sculpture.

"Yes. Just like you." She jumped and turned around to find a familiar face bent over hers. "H-Hello Jack. You startled me!"

Jack grinned and stepped back. "I'm sorry, little lady. It's mighty nice runnin' inta you again." He eyed her up and down. "You've never been off my mind."

Madison faked the best smile she could, then realized he stared at the flower she had put in her pocket. It was him! She put her hands on her hips. "I found your little gift you left for me."

His eyes grew wide. "You uh... you did?"

"Yes." She crossed her arms. "The flower was greatly appreciated, but why?"

Jack's gaze lingered on her, then to the flower, then her again. "Oh! Uh, I thought you might like it... and it may bring up conversation, maybe lead to us gettin' together sometime for-"

"Thank you, really, but I'm not really looking for a relationship right now."

Jack narrowed his eyes and stood up to his full hight. He was a large, strong young man of about thirty years, and Madison struggled not to tremble. "Oh." He stared at her. "Well, then... if you ever change your mind..." His voice shrunk away, and the rest of him followed away from her and out the door.