Author's Note: First of all, thanks for the reviews and views! :) It's greatly appreciated. Now, here is my new chapter. Please, enjoy! :)
Chapter 2- A Little Exploration
Melanie Louise Graham was told to go downtown but had no idea what way she was walking. She passed dozens of house of varying sizes but all of them had a common trait; people just sitting and staring at her. She would offer a friendly wave or smile but received no response. Even the children playing in yards or street would stop just to stare at her.
"Isn't that rude? Perhaps they thought I was strange since I am new to town. I wonder how strange they'd think me if I were to just stop and stare at them too like they were the freaks. I bet they'd think me mentally off. Who is to say I'm not? Ellie always told me I was a 'queer one'. Then again, she seems to always think everyone is 'queer'. Queer, that has to be her favorite word. I could say something practical like I was going to have some tea or do something outrageous like run around in nothing but my drawers but you would just call me 'queer'. Maybe it is because I did run around just in my drawers when no one else was really around then I would just want to sit down for tea and read a good book. I guess I am a queer girl since I am just walking around talking to myself," Melanie rambled as she kept along the sidewalk.
Melanie decided the best thing to do was ignore the silent gawkers and just find downtown as soon as possible. Unfortunately, what should have been a five minute walk began a half hour journey thanks to her random twists and turns. Finally, she ended up at a house by the Dump. She had decided she would ask for help and therefore approached the obviously dilapidated house by the Dump. The yard was surprisingly clear and it looked like there were attempts of cleaning on the outside of the house. She raised her hand to knock on the door but before her hand could reach the rough wood, the door swung open letting a pair of toddler twin boys run outside. They seemed not to care that Melanie was in their way and simply ran around her into the yard. A young, sturdy looking five year old girl ran out behind the boys yelling at them. She chased those boys holding what must have been her cornhusk doll around the yard. The little boys just giggled as their older sister chased them. Surprisingly, the toddlers were much faster than the older girl. A woman then stepped to the door holding a baby. She had a pleasant enough face but unruly black curls, deep brown eyes and pallid skin. Her stomach was swollen with pregnancy underneath her gray dress that was visibly re-sewn repeatedly. A smile emerged on the woman's face and recognition filled her dark eyes and Melanie's blue ones. No words were exchanged but an embrace was almost crushing the child in the woman's arms.
"Violet Jean!" Melanie pulled from the woman's embrace in order to spare the baby.
"M-m-Melanie Louise!" Violet Jean stuttered out grinning.
"It's been so long! I thought you moved to Abbottsville."
"I d-d-did b-b-but then I m-moved to m-Maycomb. N-now I'm m-married," Violet Jean stated.
"I can see that!" Melanie laughed gesturing to the children.
"W-what are y-you d-doing h-here?" Violet Jean inquired happy but confused.
"I'm here to take care of my Aunt Daisy Brooke. She lives here in Maycomb and she is dying, but between us she looks perfectly healthy except her wheelchair. Anyhow, she told me to go downtown to look around but I got lost and ended up here. I'm so glad I did. I've missed you. How long has it been? Five, six years?"
"S-six years s-since m-m-Mayella is f-f-five," Violet Jean pointed to her only daughter.
"Mayella? That is a beautiful name! Wasn't that your mother's name?"
"Y-y-yes, it was. M-Mayella was b-b-born on M-mama's b-b-birthday."
"She is precious. What are your boys' names?" Melanie was sincerely interested.
"O-over y-y-yonder is El-Elkanah G-Greer and Al-Alpheus B-Baker. Th-this is W-Wade H-Hampton."
"All good confederate names I see," Melanie observed.
"B-B-Robert's f-family has a tr-tr-traition of n-n-naming s-sons after S-southern heroes," Violet Jean explained then asked if Melanie would like to hold Wade which Melanie accepted happily.
"He's darling. How old is Wade?"
"S-six months. Th-this one is f-f-five months," Violet Jean gestured to her swollen belly.
"How wonderful! You are so lucky to have such sweet children, Violet Jean. I'm sure Robert is very happy too."
"Y-yes, he is. W-would y-y-you like to c-c-come inside, M-m-Melanie?"
"Of course! Thank you," Melanie went into the house to see the inside was actually well kept though small.
Melanie and Violet Jean related to each other what had occurred since their last meeting when they were fourteen and fifteen, respectively. Melanie was informed that after Violet Jean's family moved to Abbottsville that her father would often go to Maycomb and would bring Violet Jean with him. She had been in the drugstore when she met her husband Robert E. Ewell. He was eighteen and handsome as could be, according to Violet Jean. For her it was love at first sight and so she began following him back towards his home which happened to be the house which was her current residence. He had caught her following him and threatened to hit if she did not tell him why she was following him. She then confessed she was in love with him which caused him to become embarrassed and he confessed he had been watching her ever since she first came to Maycomb but she had not seemed to notice him till that day. With their love confessed he asked her to marry him right on the spot though she had only talked to him once! Her father was against it since Violet Jean was only fifteen and Robert was unemployed but they were married in less than two weeks and her father gave them what could be considered a dowry. They had Mayella a year later and then the twins then most recently Wade.
"I'm so happy for you, Violet Jean. I can't wait to meet Robert. When will he be home?"
"Oh, I d-d-don't kn-know. He likes to st-st-stay out w-with his f-f-friends till d-d-dark s-sometimes."
"Ah, I see. Well, maybe when I come again I will see him."
"Y-yes! M-m-maybe to-tomorrow i-if y-y-you c-come by h-he m-might b-be here."
"Tomorrow? Sounds lovely! I'll be sure to come by and see you!"
Violet Jean and Melanie just smiled to each other before Melanie realized how long she had actually spent with Violet Jean and still had not been downtown. With the help of Violet Jean's directions, Melanie was able to depart towards downtown after swearing to come back.
Walking down the dirt road towards Maycomb's downtown, Melanie could not help humming to herself a happy tune. She was just so happy. She had finally found her childhood friend who was happily married and had children.
When Melanie finally reached downtown Maycomb she felt relieved. She finally found her destination but then she had no idea what she was supposed to do. There were a few shops downtown and a courthouse as well as a jail. She walked by each building peeking in through the windows only to be gaped at by the townsfolk. As before she smiled and waved but none responded with anything.
"One would think I was walking around naked with a chicken for a hat by the way they look at me," Melanie commented to herself sending a friendly wave to a couple of old ladies.
Tired of the unresponsive people, Melanie decided to go back to Aunt Daisy's house. She strolled down the streets searching for a way back to the yellow house with multicolored geraniums but her sense of direction got her lost again. She ended up in front of a gloomy looking house that needed much work on it when she decided she would finally ask for directions. The steps leading to the front door creaked as she climbed them. She knocked gently on the door but no one answered. She knocked a bit harder. She stood waiting but no one answered. She knocked one more time harder and stood debating whether or not to go. Perhaps she would go to a house across the street. She was about to turn away when the door cracked open. A very pale man stood at the door mostly hidden behind the door like he was afraid to have sunlight touch him.
"Hello," Melanie greeted him warmly.
"Hello," He repeated her greeting quietly.
"I apologize for bothering you but I am lost. I am looking for daisy Brooke's house. Do you know where she lives?" Melanie inquired kindly.
"Uh…no, I'm sorry," He basically whispered after some thinking.
"Oh, well thank you, Mr.-?"
"Arthur Radley," He said his name in hushed tones.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Radley. I'm Melanie Louise Graham. I'm new to Maycomb. Thank you anyway for your help. I hope to see you around sometime," Melanie forced a handshake and he smiled weakly.
"Arthur, what are you doing? Get away from that door!" A shrill woman's voice reached the door. Arthur seemed frightened yet annoyed and motioned for Melanie to leave before he shut the door. Melanie felt a bit sorry for the man but left as his gesture requested her to do. She got off the dangerous porch and head down the street some towards a rather nice gray house with gorgeous flowers and a woman in the yard tending to the flowers. She stood for a moment not really wanting to interrupt the woman but finally cleared her throat.
"Excuse me, Ma'am," Melanie said shyly. The woman's head shot up and turned to see Melanie and smiled.
"Hello, how can I help you?" She asked.
"Hello, I'm lost and I need to find Mrs. Daisy Brooke's house. Do you know where it might be located?" Melanie asked politely. The woman stood up still smiling and cleaning herself off a bit.
"You must be the infamous Melanie Louise Daisy's always talking about. I'm Maude Atkinson but you can call me 'Maudie'," a handshake was exchanged.
"Well, Miss Maudie, I am glad to meet you."
"All Daisy's been talking about for the past few weeks is having you come down here. She's been the happiest I've seen her since before Joseph died."
"Is that so, Miss Maudie?"
"Oh, yes, yes. Now I'm sure you want to get back to Daisy. Just go down the road and you'll see it!"
"Oh, thank you, Miss Maudie."
"You're welcome. Have a good afternoon."
"You as well."
Melanie went towards the direction she was pointed to as Miss Maudie went back to her gardening. Melanie kept her eyes sharp for the house she desired while humming one of Al Jolson's songs. She kicked up her feet with each step making her appear to have leg spasms. Before she knew it she was back at Aunt Daisy's house. She entered and found Aunt Daisy in the parlor reading some poetry by Shakespeare. She had Melanie sit with her as she finished a sonnet then immediately began to inquire about Melanie's afternoon which Melanie happily relayed leaving out the rude people or the weird incident with Arthur Radley but did include her reunion with Violet Jean. Aunt Daisy was happy for Melanie but then she could not help but inquire if Melanie had met up with Atticus again.
"No, Aunt Daisy, I did not. Why?" Melanie was curious as to why her aunt was obsessing over Atticus.
"Oh, I just thought you might have seen him," Daisy covered her disappointment but Melanie was still aware of Daisy's displeasure. There was an awkward silence between the two ladies as they just sat there.
"Oh, Melanie, isn't tomorrow Sunday?" Daisy finally broke the silence.
"Yes, yes it is."
"Splendid! Tomorrow we'll go to church and I can introduce you to everyone. I'm sure everyone will give a friendly welcome and we can get a seat right next to Atticus! Yes, I will make sure of it! Then we'll have the pastor over for lunch. I better go get Lorna to tell him."
So Daisy rolled herself away leaving Melanie alone in the parlor. Melanie sighed.
"For someone dying, Aunt Daisy sure is energetic," Melanie observed then sighed. All of a sudden fatigue came upon her and she could not keep her eyes open. Her weariness must have come from her walking, the heat and her not getting much sleep that morning. Melanie thought it would not be too bad if she rested her eyes for a minute but before a hummingbird could flap a wing she was asleep in her chair.
Author's Note (another): First, I promise there will be more Atticus action next chapter. 3 Second, please review! :)