A New Call
Chapter One
Jane continued to root through the box of miscellaneous items, most from her desk drawers, but some were odds and ends from her old office at Saint Bridget's that just found no better home than this box. The last box on the truck and now the first to be unpacked. Every move has a box like this, one that is filled with Nick-Nacks, mementos, those little pieces of the past that spark one to remember. Those treasures that open the flood gates of memories. "Mother Jane?" Jane paused and looked up on hearing the deep male voice of the church sexton. "I'm sorry I must not have heard you come in." The sexton just smiled politely "I have the remaining boxes for your office." Jane noticed the dolly with the other three boxes that the sexton was guiding through her office door "Oh, here let me help you! They go over here, by the bookshelves." Jane moved around the desk to help with the boxes, grabbing her cane to lean on. "Don't worry Mother I got this! The books, they go on the shelves I presume?" The sexton was very efficient, this was not the first assistant priest he moved in to this office. He knew the drill, books on the shelves, vestments in the sacrasty, and the box of memories on the desk for the new curate to unpack and make the office her own. "Is there anything else you need Mother Jane?" No, thank you Bill I can take it from here."
Jane returned to her box. The first items she removed were several framed photographs. The photo of her and her family and friends at her graduation from Episcopal Divinity School, the photo of Jane and her mother from when Jane was in the hospital after the shooting, and of course the silver double framed photographs of Maura and her on the beach in France and on their wedding day at the cathedral. Jane paused and smiled as she looked at the two photos that represent the happiest days of her life. She also took out the new photo of her and Maura on her ordination day, standing in front of the altar at the cathedral, Jane in her vestments and Maura holding the crisim stained linen purificator that symbolizes her sacrifice a symbol of their new life. Then of course came the cards and letters that she saved up over the years. Jane set them aside to take out the toy robot and place him on the corner of her desk. She laughed to herself as she remembered opening her eyes in the ICU and seeing an exhausted tear stained and blood stained Maura asleep in a chair by her side and the robot standing like a sentinel on the tray table a sign that her brother Frankie was nearby. Jane caught the tear at the corner of her eye. The snipers bullet had been intended for Maura but Jane shielded her with her body. Her bullet proof vest was no match for the .30 caliber NATO round and it ripped through her leaving her physically broken and near death. That was her last night as a Boston Police Officer.
Jane stopped her walk down memory lane for a moment to glance at the time, Maura should be here by now. The beauty of being at Saint Andrew's is how close to home the parish is being that it's in Beacon Hill. When she was a deacon and assigned to Saint Bridget's all the way out in Roxbury she rarely saw Maura during the day, but now with Jane's parish being a few blocks away from the police precinct the hope is lots of long lunches are on the horizon again. Jane checked her phone, mumbling to herself in a faux whiny voice "oh come on Maura, you know I'm no good at this decorating stuff!" She glanced at the text from Maura "Working late, I will meet you at the Dirty Robber in an hour. " Jane noticed the text was from ten minutes ago, probably came through as she was shelving books with Bill the Sexton. She text Maura back and went to the closest to grab her long black coat. Jane looked in the mirror as she quickly fixed her hair. She cut an impressive figure in her clericals with her black suit and shirt with white dog collar. The black overcoat just added to the look, like she walked out of an episode of Grantchester. Jane reached for her cane and was about to leave when she paused remembering she almost left without her stole. Another memory, Father Joe gave her his reconciliation stole as an ordination gift. The Rizzoli family was Roman Catholic, but Jane and Maura became Episcopalian when both of their families insisted they have a church wedding instead of the magistrate wedding they had in Paris. Years later at Jane's ordination Father Joe her family's catholic parish priest from when she was growing up was there in the first pew to cheer her on. She was surprised when she saw him sitting there next to Maura. Especially since she never thought he really got over Tommy running him over! Though in reality it wasn't really that surprising, he was there for her during the long months in the hospital, and during the depression that almost ruined her life. Later he said he knew he would get a vocation out of the Rizzoli family and it was his honor to give his blessing to Jane's ministry. More surprising was this was the first time she walked without crutches, and now years later the cane is more a comfort object then an absolute necessity. Jane lovingly slipped the stole into her coat pocket and headed out the door.
Chapter Two
Maura had fibbed. That's why she had text Jane instead of calling her, so she could avoid the hives. The surprise was always the hardest part of a surprise party for her because of the little white lie it takes, but the text worked, and she was able to meet Angela and Nina at the Dirty Robber with plenty of time to spare. Maura was proud of Jane for following her dream and building a new life after her injury, and now that she was starting her first call as,a priest she wanted to celebrate. Maura had to chuckle to herself that she had never thought in her wildest dreams that she would ever be a minister's wife. As a physician she found it difficult to believe in God most days. Though she loved Jane and would follow her anywhere even into the church. Maura had to concede that even she turned to prayer in those dark days after the shooting, and her prayers were answered.
She was glad to have the help of Angela and Nina in pulling this party together. Angela made sure they had all of Jane's favorite foods and Nina had the decorations, Maura had picked up the cake and the DVD of the Vicar of Dibley for the gag reel. She loved making Jane happy but being seven months pregnant with their first child she was beginning to feel tired. Vince held the door open for her as she brought the cake in from her car. "Kekie just called and said she's picking up the gift now and then she'll be right over." Maura smiled as she took off her coat and hung it up on the coat rack. "Thanks Vince. Does everyone know about the party?" Vince poured Maura a club soda and dressed it with a piece of lime "Frankie took care of that, he told all her friends at the precinct, and Angela took care of the rest." Maura smiled and thanked Vince for the drink and went to find Angela. Vince took the cake and put it in the kitchen.
As Jane walked up to the door of the Dirty Robber she was looking forward to a quiet dinner with Maura... SURPRISE ! Jane smiled as she stepped into the bar room and saw her family and friends standing there and clapping as she walked in. Maura walked up to Jane and hugged her "congratulations on your first call. Come and sit." Maura leads Jane over to the corner table as Jane can't help but burst out laughing as she notices that all the television screens are playing scenes from the Vicar of Dibley, Vince brings over a pitcher of beer and sits down next to Kekie and Nina. "Thank you everyone, you didn't have to, really." Vince pours a beer for Jane, "it was Maura's idea, we're just the willing participants. Here's to Mother Jane congratulations!" Vince raises his glass and everyone else joins the toast "Congratulations!" Angela and several waitresses start bringing out the food and more drinks, Maura snuggles next to Jane and rests her head on Jane's shoulder as Jane plays with he hair. The perfect end to a perfect day. Out of the corner of her eye Jane notices Nina texting with a slightly annoyed look on her face. "Nina, where's Frankie hiding?" Nina closes her phone, "he just arrived at a crime scene, he said he'll be here as soon as he can and to save him a piece of cake." Jane takes another sip of her beer "I remember those nights, it's not his fault, it's the job."
Maura smiled as she stood up "Jane we have some presents for you!" Jane hated being the center of attention, homiletics was her worst class in seminary, she just felt like she would like to run and hide each time she would mount the pulpit to deliver a sermon. She felt like that again now. Vince brought out a large box and set it in front of Jane "It's from all of us. " Jane slipped of the ribbons and tore off the wrapping paper and opened the box. Her eyes grew to the size of pie plates as she started into the box at the richly embroidered chasuble Angela chimed in "It's for your installation this weekend, we figured you'd need something decent to wear." Jane continued to stare at the vestment for several more seconds "this is more than decent, thank you, but really it's too much." Nina looked over at Jane "Nonsense we're your family, and we're proud of you, so are you going to model that poncho for us or what?" Jane laughed as she stood up "It's not a poncho it's called a chasuble." Jan slipped it over her head as her friends cheered and Maura snapped a picture. Nina jokingly quipped back "hey don't forget I'm a Baptist, we don't wear ponchos." Jane gave the obligatory twirl before she lovingly slipped it off and returned it to the box "It's beautiful, thank you, really thank you."
Maura walked over holding another box. The box was unwrapped and obviously very old and worn. "This gift is from me and it comes with a story. Jane, you are not the first member of the Isles family to join the church. My great uncle Percival Isles was actually a priest in the Church of England. My father would occasionally tell me about uncle Percy and his parish outside Winchester. I never met him, but I know I would have liked him because my father's stories of Uncle Percy remind me of you Jane. So I called my father and asked him if he had any momento of Percy? He spoke with his aunt and, well this is for you Jane. These are my Great Uncle Percy's stoles." Maura held out the box, and Jane just stopped and was awestruck as the words registered in her mind. "Maura you never cease to amaze me." Jane gingerly took the box from Maura "are you sure?" Maura just smiled and nodded. Jane opened the box and stared at the antique stoles lovingly wrapped in tissue paper years ago by Maura's great uncle. "Thank you, I'm humbled to just see these treasures let alone wear them."
Vince ordered another round of drinks as Jane sat back down. Maura reached into her purse and pulled out her beeping phone "Sorry it's work I really need to take it. " Maura answered the phone and even before she could say a word she was greeted by a very upset Frankie Rizzoli "Maura can you get somewhere private, I need to tell you something but Jane can't know." Maura immediately started walking to the kitchen "Hold on!" Maura looked at Jane "I will only be a minute, promise." Maura ducked into the kitchen "Okay Frankie, what's wrong and why aren't you here at your sister's party?" There was a long pause then Frankie spoke "Maura, I'm at Saint Catherine's, it's Father Joe, he's been murdered." Maura realized why Frankie didn't want Jane to hear this, but she also knew she couldn't hide it from her either.
Maura drove as fast as she could though she could sense that Jane was wishing she was driving. As they turned onto the street they could see the police cars in front of the community center across the street from the church. The community center was in the old school building and was a very important ministry of the vibrant Catholic parish. Maura parked the car and pulled her ID badge out of her purse as they walked toward the police tape. Jane caught sight of Frankie out of the corner of her eye "Frankie! Frankie!" He turned his head on hearing his name and saw Jane and Maura at the police tape and ran over to the uniform officer who was checking Maura's badge. "They're both okay, chief coroner and the priest is for last rites!" The uniform officer lifted the yellow tape so they could pass into the crime scene. Jane paused and looked at Frankie "Where is he?" Frankie put his hand on his sister's shoulder "he's in the lobby, by the base of the stairs. Follow me, I'll take you to him."
Mother Jane quietly approached the body of her friend and mentor who still laid where he died in the middle of the lobby floor. She used her cane to steady herself as she kneeled beside the body, then she set the cane beside her as she reached in her coat pocket for her stole. " Gee Joe, when you gave me this stole did you know we would end up like this?" Jane kissed the embroidered cross on the back of the stole and placed it around her kneck, she pulled out the small green book from her purse that contains the words for the sacrament she was about to perform along with the oil for the anointing. She found her place in the book and made the sign of the cross as she began the prayers, and read the traditional words from the Epistle of St. James, then paused as she placed her hand on his cheek and prayed silently for his soul. She instinctively opened the oil and dabbed some on her thumb as she continued to pray and drew the sign of the cross on his forehead and the top of his hands. Jane closed the vial of oil and then pronounced the words of the pardon and final benediction. Jane paused for a few more moments and said goodbye to her friend, then removed her stole and returned it to her coat pocket. Maura walked beside Jane and extended her hand to help her up. "Are you ready?" Jane nodded, "let's go home."
Chapter Three
Jane awoke to Maura calling her from the kitchen. She grabbed a pillow and held it over her ears and let out a whiny no, so Maura knew she was awake. After a minute or two she got out of bed and put on her robe and went downstairs to the kitchen to find Maura loading a coffee pod with beans. Jane began the morning ritual the two of them had perfected over years of practice. "No not the coffee porn, I need coffee now!" Maura smiled to herself as she continued to load the coffee maker. "Jane you can wait a few more minutes..." "Now Maura or I'm going for the instant." Maura spun on her heels and put her arms around Jane "maybe I can distract you from ruining your pallet with that awful instant coffee." Jane smiled "you're right, we had some doughnuts didn't we?" Maura laughed as she playfully slapped Jane "Okay, okay, I'll wait for the coffee." Jane sat at the table as Maura brought over their coffee cups. "How are you feeling this morning Jane?" Jane paused as she smelled the aroma of the coffee rising from her cup. "I'm fine, really. I'm sad because Father Joe was a mentor, he was one of the reasons I went to seminary." Jane took a sip of coffee "I will miss him, but I'm okay because I know you'll always be here to ask me if I'm okay and torture me with coffee porn." Maura hugged Jane "I'm just trying to take care of you."
The door to the kitchen opened and Angela walked in, Jane looked over towards her "Ma, don't you knock!" Maura walked over to help Angela with the boxes she was carrying. "Well you two left so quickly last night that you didn't have any cake, and Jane you left your gifts." Maura set the boxes down "Angela, Father Joe died last night." Angela walked over and hugged Jane as Maura poured another cup of coffee. "I know, Frankie called me." Jane squeezed her mother's hand "Thanks Ma, I'm okay. I'm going to take a shower and get dressed now." Jane went upstairs leaving Maura and Angela alone in the kitchen. Angela paused to make sure that Jane was out of earshot before speaking in a low voice "Maura, is she okay? You know I worry about her, and now Father Joe being murdered and all." Maura sipped some coffee from her cup "She's fine." Angela stared at Maura for a long moment "How come you don't sound convincing." Maura looked into Angela's eyes as she reached for her hands and cupped them in hers "She's fine, we're not in any danger of sliding back into that dark place, and even if we were I wouldn't let it get that bad again, I love her to much to let that happen to her. I promise."
Maura climbed the stairs to their bedroom, she could hear that Jane was out of the shower, "Jane, I'm getting ready to leave, do you need anything before I go?" As she rounded the corner she saw that Jane was almost completely dressed in her black clericals. She could tell that Jane was even more impatient than usual because she had put on her shirt before inserting the small brass collar studs that she affixes her white clerical dog-collar to. Jane had both hands behind her head, one holding back her mane of long brunette hair, the other aimlessly fumbling with the stud. Maura couldn't help laughing. Jane just looked at her with a pleading look of exasperation on her face. "Its not funny Maura!" Smiling softly Maura walked over to Jane "Here let me help you. Where is your collar box?" Jane pointed to the leather case that was sitting on the corner of the bed. Maura deftly inserted the stud into the neckband of Jane's shirt, and then removed a collar from the box and affixed it to the studs. "There you go, do you want a necklace while I'm here?" Jane smiled, she liked it when Maura pampered her, "the silver cross, the one you gave me." Maura found the cross in Jane's jewelry box and fastened it around her neck and adjusted it so it looked right with her collar. Jane turned and kissed Maura "Thank you, I hope you have a great day. Will I see you later?" Maura kissed her back "Sure if you want to buy me lunch." Jane smiled and kissed her again.
Jane parked her car in front of the rectory of Saint Catherine's, and walked up to the door pushing the button on the callbox to the right of the doorknob. "Yes?" Came the muffled voice from the speaker "Hi, I'm Mother Jane and I'm here to see Father Dominic." There was a brief pause "welcome Mother, Father Dominic will see you in the parlor, top of the stairs and turn left." Jane walked into the parlor, a sea of dark red velvet Louis the 14th furniture and ornat framed portraits of bishops. Jane only had a brief moment to admire the artwork before she heard Father Dominic enter the room. "Mother Jane, it is so good to see you." Dominic held out his arms outstretched to give Jane a hug. Jane had known Dominic for years. He served as Joe's assistant for several years but had been a priest in the Boston diocese for decades. Dominic eased his way across the parlor towards Jane being careful not to bump into anything. Jane knew that Dominic has been legally blind for sometime now and mused that is why he was sent to Saint Catherine's as an assistant. Jane warmly hugged the elderly priest "I just wanted to stop by and offer my condolences." Dominic cupped Jane's hands in his "Thank you Mother. I know Joe thought highly of you. It means a lot that you were there for him at the end." Jane smiled as she thought of Joe, but her voice cracked as she became choked up with emotions "he was more than a friend, he was a teacher, a mentor, and my confessor. I will miss his quiet confidence, curmudgeon humor, and hot dogs." Dominic motioned for Jane to sit "hot dogs? Joe isn't supposed to eat hot dogs, not with his cholesterol." Jane let out a stifled laugh as a knowing smile flashed across her face. When I was doing my hospital training I would see Joe every morning as he came to see his parishioners. He would always ask me if I shined any halos? He would always say Rizzoli, keep those halos shiny, you hear. He taught me so much that summer. You know I still use this trick he showed me about how to baptize a premie baby in an incubator. Well he'd always have lunch in the hospital canteen, two hot dogs. I'd see him and say hey, Father Joe, you're not supposed to be eating those, but he'd just laugh as I sat down and hand me one. It was our little ritual, our time together." Dominic looked into Jane's eyes "Please accept my condolences as well, we both lost a great friend last night." Jane dried her eyes with a tissue "Dominic, can you think of who might have wanted to hurt Joe?" "Jane, he can be a curmudgeon at times, but people generally liked him. The only trouble I can think of was with the vandalism at the community center." Jane perked up "vandalism? Can you tell me what happened?" Dominic shifted in his chair "sure, it started several weeks ago a youth gang has been harassing some of the local shops and actually was intimidating some of the people going to the community center the other day." Jane thought for a moment "did anyone contact the police?" Some of the shopkeepers did early on, but it didn't help. Joe called the Vicar General, but that call just left him frustrated. Seems the diocese was looking at selling the property." Jane was shocked that the diocese would even consider closing the community center. "Dominic, I thought the center had an independent board?" He nodded in agreement "I know, that's why Joe was frustrated, the Vicar General wanted Joe to convince the board to accept the offer. I don't know how it turned out, but it was the only time I think I've ever seen him mad." Jane let the words sink in for a moment. "Thanks Dominic you've been really helpful. I fear I've taken to much of your time." Dominic smiled as he led Jane to the door"not all Mother, you're welcome anytime."