Chapter 2

Jane went back to the car to retrieve Maura's bag of extra clothes, while Maura prepared their little sanctuary on the grass. Others were doing the same. The grounds area was filled with tons of families that were wrestling about with grilling, playing frisbee, tossing a football or baseball about, children playing tag, just enjoying the beautiful day and being together.

As Maura was basking in the sunlight while applying another layer of sunscreen on, instructor Alexandrea from the B.P.D. and her wife, Julie walked up to greet her.

"Hey Maura, great to see you here! You remember my wife, Julie?"

Both nodded in recognition.

"Yes, hello pleasant to see you as well. Where are your children?"

"Running around somewhere. We're happy another couple made it to this. Julie and I were worried we'd be the only ones, but here you and Jane made it, and we also ran into Bert and Ernie! How unfortunate that their names just happen to be that, but they said they're used to the chuckles they get. Oh, and there was also Bo and Lauren, Brian and Justin...oh and Root and Shaw."

Alexandrea turned to her wife, who also mentioned Gail and Holly.

"Oh...Jane and I are not," Maura was about to finish that thought, but then Jane appeared with Maura's bag of extra clothes, plopping it down on the blanket.

"I swear, Maura, you have so much stuff...oh, hey...hi Alex and Julie! See I remembered," Jane looked over at Maura for validation.

"Remembered what?" Alexandrea asked.

"Your wife's name. Maura and I argued once that I wouldn't remember, but ha...proved her wrong, thank you!" Jane replied in a victorious tone. "I hope you don't mind that I called you Alex?"

"No, not at all. Listen, we're going to head over to the sign-up sheet for softball, you two interested?"

"12 or 16 inch?" Jane asked.

"16, does it matter?" Alex replied.

"No, not really, but Maura, how do you feel about it?"

"Oh, Jane...you know size doesn't bother me, but the biggest is most effective."

Alex and Julie laughed, while Jane smirked and looked puzzled.

"Great, we'll sign you two up for our team. See ya later, bye...enjoy!" The couple walked away.

"Why do I feel that I missed something?"

"You did. They think we're together."

"What?!"

"As in a couple...lovers...sex partn..."

"Yes, Maura...I know what couple means in those terms...why...you know, forget I asked. Here, change! You have ten minutes."

"Change now? Why? Ten minutes until what?" Maura was becoming anxious.

"I stopped over and saw ma and Ron, she signed us up for the mini triathlon."

"WAIT, WHAT? Jane...what exactly..."

"CHANGE WOMAN! We're up in seven minutes!"

Jane grabbed another blanket from her overnight bag. Not having enough time to set up her tent for Maura to change and the car was too far away, Jane used her blanket to shield Maura of her modesty. Four minutes flat, Maura shed her perfect picnic dress for yoga pants and an off the shoulder oversized stylish shirt and gym shoes, Maura was ready.

Jane supplied her with a hair tie and both ladies pulled their hair back in a tight-fitting ponytail, while strutting their way to the playing field ready for battle. At least, Jane was.

"You still haven't told me what we're doing?!"

"Three races. First one is potato sack, next three legged followed by wheel barrow. First team over the finish line wins."

Other couples were lining up. Teams were stretching, bouncing up and down warming up, putting on face paint under their eyes like sports players, some chanting some kind of battle cry.

Jane looked towards Maura trying to calm any anxiety Maura may be feeling.

"Don't think about it Maur. It's just an intimidation effect."

"Jane, I'm quite aware."

"Well, are you ok?"

"NO!" Maura started to panic as if her mother was about to come for dinner.

"SHIT!"