Get Here
I live outside of Corpus Christi, Texas. We hold a free Jazz Fest that occurs the third week of October. It goes on for three days with three stages of continuous Jazz and Salsa. Jazz, cigars, drinks and a gorgeous fall night brought on this writing. Not to mention a little research on Boston's own Jazz Festival called the Berklee Bean Town Jazz Fest.
Please enjoy and let me know what you think.
Jazz, it moved her soul and made her heart beat faster. The syncopation of the music reminded her of the crimes she solved. The hunt for justice filled with twists, turns, and cunning were just like Jazz music. Jane walked past the many vendors of food and crafts enjoying the music and aromas drifting on the breeze. She noticed the clouds off to the west, but they weren't threatening. There was a possibility of rain, but she was hoping that would all come after her time at the Jazz Fest. The soulful tunes floating on the evening air made her want someone special by her side.
Lately, more and more that had been Maura. She had taken her best friend everywhere. They spent most of their time together. In fact, they had pretty much given up dating. Jane had come to the realization that she had fallen in love with the breathtaking medical examiner. No one else knew as much about her as Maura. She trusted her with the darkest and deepest parts of herself. In exchange, Jane had become Maura's guide in a world fraught with social interactions of unknown origin and emotions that continually challenged the young doctor.
Jane moved carefully through the crowd, dodging a few children and several inebriated men. Several men and a couple of women had winked at her as she past. One even had the audacity of grabbing her ass. He would be nursing a busted nose for a while. The Berklee Bean Town Jazz Fest was one of her favorite events. She had lucked out in not having to work security, though she could have used the extra money. But when she heard Oleta Adams was going to be on stage she had decided she needed to be a listener, not a protector.
Rizzoli could still remember the first time she had heard Oleta Adams song, Get here. The detective had been working a rather hard case recently, and had not had time to see Maura. Actually, she hadn't seen the doctor in several weeks. There was never time. All the leads and interviews. When she was off, Maura was at work. Then Maura had left for a conference in New York. The only communication had been short phone calls, texts, and emails. Jane missed the young doctor Isles. Jane would have loved taking Maura to the Jazz Fest with her. The detective had emailed Maura last night telling her about the concert. Jane had in her own roundabout way explained she would be seeing Oleta Adams and when. Jane had wished Maura could be there. The detective probably had said more than she should by email. Hopefully, she hadn't scared the young doctor away. Jane needed her more than she could tell Maura.
"Hey lady, this bracelet would look gorgeous on your wrist!" The vendor she was passing beckoned her over. Jane usually had more resistance, but she had a bit of time before the concert started. Not to mention a coming home gift would be nice for Maura. She began to examine the vendor's wares, while he attempted to get her to buy a bracelet. "My bracelets are unique. They use aged silver from silver place settings. Each one has the name of silver set and the year the silver came out. Each one has a unique design."
"These are very unique. You didn't steal these? I would think silver sets would be hard to get." Jane asked as she examined the bracelets, while eyeing the vendor.
"No, No! Man, why do I always get the cops." The middle age gentleman sighed deeply and pointed at the bracelet Jane was handling. "I became unemployed a couple years ago and had to come up with a way to pay the bills. A friend of mine dragged me to an estate sale. The silver utensils were going for a song, so I bought 4 sets on a whim. When I got home I started thinking about what I could do with them." Jane nodded as she listened, enjoying the intricate design on the bracelet. The crafting was beautiful and eclectic. Not for everyone, but Jane knew of a certain someone who would love it.
"So you use the ends." Jane was examining a Gorham sterling bracelet from the 1960's and humming softly an old Oleta Adams song.
"Yes, the rest I sell since the price of silver is so good. Sometimes I keep them and melt them down to make clips. You will notice the edges are smooth and the connections are done with magnets. I also include a charm to go where the two pieces attaché in the center," he stated as he showed Jane several charms.
"I'll take it. Do you have a card too?" As Jane pointed out a charm, the vendor handed her a card. The transaction made Jane slipped the gift into the bag she carried over her shoulder. Jane quickly located and headed toward the Natixis Global Asset Management Stage where the concert was to be held. She didn't want to be late. Even though the concert was free, she had reserved a seat in the front. Jane noticed the seat next to hers was vacant. She wondered who would skip the concert, considering she had to pull strings with an old friend to get her seat. She was ushered to her seat by a volunteer and soon the concert started.
Oleta began the concert with a couple of old rhythm and blues numbers, followed by several gospel songs, and then switched back to rhythm and blues. Her deep soulful voice fully wrapped around her audience's hearts and souls weaving a dreamscape of music. Her incredible vocal range and heartfelt lyrics convinced you she had lived through each and every song. Jane never realized when the seat to her left became occupied or who it was since she was so wrapped up in the music. It wasn't until Oleta sang, Get Here, that Jane realized someone was sitting next to her.
You can reach me by railway, you can reach me by trailway
You can reach me on an airplane, you can reach me with your mind
You can reach me by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man
I don't care how you get here, just - get here if you can
She began thinking of Maura wishing it were her next to her when suddenly a hand touched hers.
You can reach me by sail boat, climb a tree and swing rope to rope
Take a sled and slide down the slope, into these arms of mine
You can jump on a speedy colt, cross the border in a blaze of hope
I don't care how you get here, just - get here if you can
She glanced over at the person seated to her left and broke into a broad smile.
There are hills and mountains between us
Always something to get over
If I had my way, surely you would be closer
I need you closer
Maura was in the seat, her Anna Sui black dress accenting her figure, along with her Jimmy Choo's heels. "How…Where..." Jane stumbled on her words as Maura's fingers came to rest on her lips. They were quickly replaced by Maura's lips and a soft, slow, passionate kiss that spoke volumes.
You can windsurf into my life, take me up on a carpet ride
You can make it in a big balloon, but you better make it soon
You can reach me by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man
I don't care how you get here, just - get here if you can
Jane thought she had died and arrived in heaven. She never would have guessed she'd see Maura tonight. She wasn't due back for three days. Yet, the arms that were securely wrapped around her and their mingled breathe as the kiss came to an end were testament that it was real. Jane rest her forehead against Maura's as silent tears of joy ran down her face. As she pulled back, Jane whispered the last line of the song.
I don't care how you get here, just - get here if - you can.
As the applause thundered over the stage, gentle words whispered in Jane's ear caused her heart to leap for joy. "I love you too, Jane. I just knew I had to get here." As Oleta started into another song, Jane settled back into her chair with her arms wrapped around Maura, while Maura's head was pillowed on her shoulder. The cool September Boston night wrapping them in a cloak of warmth as the strains of soulful Jazz carried them off into the heavens.