I don't think there is any part of this novel in which the
events regarding Mayella and Tom are occurring in real time. The events are told in
retrospect, especially the chapters you are thinking of. The events of the alleged
"crime" are told through the testimonies of the characters. For example, in chapters 17,
18 and 19, we have the testimony of Bob and Mayella Ewell and Tom Robinson. When Atticus
questions the Ewells, we can see flaws in their stories and extrapolate what really
happened. You might be referring to chapter 19, however, in which Tom Robinson
testifies. When we read about his testimony, we see that Mayella has asked him several
times for help, and it appears as if she has been flirtatious with him, although Tom is
hesitant to come right out and say that she "came on" to him. However, from his
testimony as well as Mayella's and Bob's, we can infer that Mayella had most likely
"come on" to Tom and it was at that moment that her father came upon the scene. Seeing
his daughter flirting with a black man caused Bob to lose his temper and strike Mayella.
That is why her face is bruised. Atticus shows how Tom could not have done this because
of the side of the face that is bruised. Tom has a crippled
hand.
So, I think you may be thinking about chapter 19 -
with Tom's testimony, but there are also hints as to what really happened beginning in
chapter 16, and ending with chapter 19.
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