The Brooch

Mrs. Crowder And Her Sticky Fingers

Now what you need to know about Mrs. Crowder, was there no denyin she a crabby old woman. Seemed older than the town of Ponchas itself. But the most peculiar thing to me, was She was a widow from the sweetest mayor of our town. A righteous God fearin man. One you would never suspect to be married to a crabby soul like hers...

Still... there was a time, they said she was just as sweet. Though I Neva had the privilege of seein. Not up close and personal that is. They said she was almost as plum happy as Mrs. Santa Clause herself. I swear they be talkin about a whole otha Mrs. Crowder... but no, some of the older town folks swear by it. They say after the mayor's passin some em in her passed too. Sides that, being left all alone and her children now grown, married and in other places, she felt she needed a whole new callin. So Mrs. Crowder seemed to be all about the business. Any and everybody's personal business that is.

Still, though she seemed like that most nebbie and crabby woman to ever walk the planet... Mumma always seemed to somehow treat Mrs. Crowder with high regards... That was just Mumma. But Mumma, also kept her distance as far as she could from Mrs. Crowder. In fact she only associated with her at the ladies meetings. Out of respect. And sometimes church. Other than that... Mumma kept her distance. And so did I... So it was odd, when Mrs. Crowder showed up on Mumma's porch that day...

It seemed even more odd, how she had been in that bathroom what seemed like for an eternity. So I decided to knock on the door. To see if she was okay of course...

Hoping she hadn't passed out from the heat. Or worse blow it up. Not enough matches could clear the air if she did. I'm only sayin... But what was peculiar to me was... it wasn't even that hot. At least not in the house with all the windows open and the wind breezin right in... But still... ya Neva know...

Taking a deep breath in to prepare my ooor nostrils for the worse, I took her overflowin suga sweet lemonade with me, I started to walk down that long hallway, ready to knock on the doe... But just before I reached the bathroom, some em told me to go up stairs... So I did...

I released my breath and tipped up them stairs like a ballerina at a ball... I made sure not to make one mention of a noise. I had my reasons... And there it was... Mumma's sewing room door cracked open. I edged to the door.... and sure enough she was there...
                     Caught In The Act

"Whatchu doin in here Mrs. Crowder?" I questioned. I startled her so bad she squealed like a live pig on a grill!"

"Landsakes child!" She squeaked! "Didn't yo mama teach you not to sneak up on yo elders? Glory alive! I swear my heart is fallin out my chest!"

"Whatchu doin in here Mrs. Crowder?" I said ploppin her iced lemonade on the shelf. "I told you the bathroom was down the hall... not up the stairs..."

"Well... I... I... got lost is all..." She said with her eyes lookin like they were wanton to pop outta her face. She seemed quite nervous and clutchin her hands tight.

"Well ain't nuthin up here for ya Mrs. Crowder. I'll show ya the bathroom. Naw come on down stairs and... Mrs. Crowder?" I suddenly said distracted by her funny posture ... "Say what's that in yo hand?" I asked as I seen her chubby fingers clenched tightly shut. She dint answer.

Just then, I looked upon that sewing shelf. Right then and there I knew... but I wanted her to tell me... at least I gave her that chance to.

"Naw Mrs. Crowder..."

"Never you mind..." She quickly replied flustered. "Me oh my! Would you look at the time?" She said... evidently trying to distract me and change the subject. "I appear to be feelin much better. Sides you startlin me that is. Nonetheless, appears I won't be needin that lemonade after all. Or the powder room. She nervously chuckled. "Guess I'll be on my way. Be a dear and Tell your mama, I said hello.

But I stood between her and the now shut door.

"Naw... naw, you jest move out the way child." She trying to pass me by.

"What's in yo hand Mrs. Crowder." I boldly asked.

"How dare you? You dare tryin to keep me captive gal? Naw you jest open that there door right back up!" She fussed! "And Is that any way to talk to yo elders?"

"It is when you in my house! Moreover you in the wrong room. And on the wrong floor. With yo fist clutched tighter than yo handbag!" I hissed.

"Yo mama is gonna hear how you talkin to me."

"With curiosity and respect?" I quickly replied.

"You call that respect child..."

"With all do respect Mrs. Crowder, you're the one trespassin! And if anythang, you're disrespectin me... and my family's home... Naw I'm gonna ask you again... What's in yo fist?"

"Well..." She nervously huffed. "You know I don't have ta stand here and take this! Let alone from a spoiled self righteous likes of you! Shame on ya for talkin to me in that there sassy tone. I'm gonna have a talk with yo mama and yo daddy about proper manners! Now before you say or do some em else. You git! Move out my way child!" Mrs. Crowder squawked...

"Not till you put back what doesn't belong to you! And I'll forget it ever happened. And I won't tell Mumma you were thievin!"

"Lookie here child! I am not thieving! If anythang... I'm taken what's rightfully mine!"

"How dare you!" I hissed!

All of a sudden Mrs. Crowder, came at me like a bull and a matador! I swear she lost her ever lovin mind! She came alla hoot hollerin... claimin what was in her hand was stolen and how it was stolen...

Now I don't know what got into me... but right hen and there at the very moment, I could feel the red in my ears! Almost as if at that very moment, I turned in Sampson fightin the lion! It was almost as if I roared! And I could see myself outta my body gawking and attacking Mrs. Crowder to the floor.... It was like I couldn't help myself. Her lies found me in rage. And her fearin for her life! And as she should in that moment for what she had said about my Mumma!

Honestly, I don't even remember snatchin Mrs. Crowder's wig... and Lord knows what else.. But I do recall tryin to stop her as she managed to momentarily slip from my hands as she shoved me on by, but not before me clutching onto her hand! Right then and there... what hit the floor and broke into two pieces was my apple crumb brooch!

I looked at Mrs. Crowder with what felt like fire in my eyes! Ya know I did not know for a woman her age and size, she could move that fast. Cause somehow she got past me. But I was on her tail! I don't know what I was gonna do! But I was on her tail! And she wasn't bout ta find out!

I swear I don't remember anythang much else... except her lie she told me about Mumma. And it inflamed me so much... and her screams, hollerin for the hills! I really don't know what I was gonna do if I caught Mrs. Crowder and her sticky hands again! All I remember is runnin after her. And landing outside as Mumma caught me in the act!