CHAPTER X: MISTER JJ - A MAN JEST FULL OF SURPRISES

'TDC-NATCHEZ'

The Willows Weep For Thee

CHAPTER TEN

Mister JJ...

A man jest full of surprises

Rose was able to park right in front of the big old store which sat on a corner but seemed to take up least a half block or more in downtown Natchez, and as they turned to look they could see a Negro gentleman shining shoes in front of the store.

"There he is, girls. That's JJ," Naomi said as she pointed toward the man.

"A bootblack? Ah thought you said he owns this store hawney," Ofelia said, startled.

"Oh he does, but he seems to enjoy this. Anahway, let's see if'n he knows anahthang."

They all got out of the car and headed up to JJ, with Ofelia leading the pack.

Just as they got up to him, the man whose shoes JJ had been shining got up out of the chair, paid JJ, and walked off. JJ got up and as he did so he turned and saw the herd, aka a gaggle of beauties plus two, standing in front of him and broke into a big smile.

"Mawnin' Miss Naomi. My my, Ah see you brought reinforcements this mawnin'. Don't trust me?"

He laughed, a big infectious laugh..and Rose immediately liked him. So did everyone else.

"Well, Mistah JJ, you know how you is," Naomi retorted back and laughed too.

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JJ was without question a rather imposing figure. He stood well over 6'4 and while very slender, there was just something about him. A presence, perhaps. Quick to laugh and even quicker to smile, he had the kind of contagious grin that you couldn't help but like. Soft-spoken with a deep almost melodic tone, and the traces of a southern accent of obvious long duration...he just seemed both nice and approachable. To a person, they all hoped to God he could and would help. 

Naomi had done some more filling the girls in on him on the trip downtown, and had already made clear that he was nobody's fool...

and you sensed that at once. Maybe because behind the twinkling dark eyes one could see not only serious intelligence but insight as well. Yes, Mister JJ was a very instinctive and perceptive human being. Now, as he looked over the girls, he obviously liked what he was looking at, especially Feelie.

But what really blew them all away was the fact that he seemed to know instinctively that they had not come down to the store just to shop. He sensed that something was afoot and you could see his mind working...trying to see if he could discern exactly what it was.

He spoke.

"Miss Naomi, girls, Beau, Poke, why do I gather that you are NOT on a shopping expedition. Hmmm?"

That threw Naomi off a bit, Rose and the others as well. But she knew JJ, and quickly recovered.

"JJ, we need tah talk with yah and it's rathah urgent," Naomi said.

"I'm listening."

"Not heah, please."

"Very well then, why don't you go back to the house and I will be there in a few minutes. You are at LiliBeth's, right?"

Naomi didn't know how he knew that, but wasn't at all surprised that he did.

"Okay."

"Naomi, hawney, Ah needs tah git a couple thangs, and long as we heah..." Feelie said.

"Young lady, you just come along and you get whatever you need. On me."

Rose looked at Tess and then at Naomi, and back to Feelie...and smiled.

"Oh mah lands, sech a gentleman."

JJ smiled...

"Naomi, you and the others go on back. This charming young vixen and I will be along shortly."

Rose about fell down trying desperately not to laugh. Feelie caught the look and gave Rose one of her best coy looks, which only made things worse. Meanwhile, Tess had to turn around trying to suppress a huge giggle, and even Beau and Poke were doing some serious stifling.

"Good LAWD, that woman," Rose guffawed after they had all gotten back in the car, sans Feelie. Tess broke out into a laugh, as did both Rose & Naomi. Beau & Poke were giggling big time in the back seat, while Tess finally gave it up and buried her face in Poke's chest.

HAHAHAHAHA.

It was a fun moment, and a fun moment had been sorely needed about now. 

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In less than ten minutes they were back at the house where Beau & Poke were installed as 'look-outs' while the rest headed to the kitchen to put the coffee on, and round up some treats.

That was just finished when JJ and Ofelia pulled up out front, comfortably ensconced in the back of a limousine roughly the size of the state of Alabama plus perhaps the Florida panhandle.

"Hey evahwan," Feelie declared and rather smugly Rose decided as she and JJ entered the big kitchen.

"Hey yourself. Beau? You and Poke wanna help get this stuff to the Library?"

"Sure Auntie Rose," and they did.

                ++++++++++++

         CONTINUE TO CHAPTER XI