Angela grabbed the two mugs of coffee and placed them on the table in front of the tv, she then went back to the kitchen and plated a small handful of homemade biscotti. Placing them next to the mugs she noticed Maura was pale and trembling. "Maura, are you alright?" She questioned the younger women.
Maura tilted her head to the side while she pondered Angela's question. Maura knew what she was feeling however, she was concerned about increasing Angela's anxiety level if she was completely truthful with the older woman. She hesitantly began speaking, "Angela, truthfully I am very concerned for Jane. Those people at Walter Reed are desperate and really don't have much to lose. According to the news reports most of them are blue collar essential workers who have not had the luxury of staying home. They have watched their family and friends fall sick, some have died. Now there is a vaccine they are unable to access for political or socio-economic reasons."
After a brief pause, Maura began speaking again, "what concerns me the most is what will happen if Jane is injured. Unless there are life-threatening medical concerns a hospital is really the last place anyone should be right now. If Jane is injured we are all stuck here and there will be nothing we can do for her. That thought alone is very troubling. This is all so much, especially in light of the conversation we had earlier. I feel like Jane was so close to coming home to us and now everything is just unknown."
Smiling softly, Angela led Maura back to the couch and sat her down. She handed her a mug of coffee and a biscotti on a small plate. "Maura, welcome to the worry about Jane Rizzoli club, you have just been upgraded to a lifetime membership. We typically hold meetings in ER waiting rooms, more frequently than I would like. I know you two have been best friends for a very long time, since this last year of separation hasn't fractured your relationship, I don't think anything will."
Angela had a far-away look on her face as she continued. "My Janie has always been equal parts headstrong and reckless. Did I ever tell you she began walking at 10 months old? As a first time mother, I believed the baby books that told me she wouldn't hit that milestone until she was a year. One day, Frank was eating a cookie in the kitchen and Jane saw him. She began making excited noises and Frank dangled the cookie in front of her asking if she wanted it. Without any hesitation Janie stood up, toddled a few steps and swiped the cookie right out of Frank's hand. I am not sure which of the three of us was the most surprised by this. After a few moments of surprise and pride, the panic began to set in. The house was not baby proofed for a walking child. My only respite was when she was in her crib. At least there I knew she was safe and couldn't get into anything dangerous. Then, after only 3 days she learned how to climb out of her crib. It was so hard watching her fall, or bump her head, or scrape her knees. Nothing I tried could contain her. Soon I realized it was pointless to try to keep her safe, I was only smothering who she was."
Maura looked over at Angela and frowned. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped herself and closed it again. Still frowning, she sat there silently. Then Angela interrupted her thoughts "Maura, I can see that you have questions. Go ahead and ask them, I promise I won't be offended".
Looking at Angela, Maura began to speak, "Why? Why did you push her into leaving her job at BPD? If you knew that would be smothering who she was, why did you do it?"
Angela replied without hesitation, "I did it for her. When Alice Sands had you kidnapped Jane was frantic the whole time you were gone. If something awful happened to you the guilt would have destroyed Jane. She already blamed herself for the other times you were hurt or threatened. First Hoyt and then Dennis, along with the incident with your leg. Jane could get past her own injuries, kidnappings, and even sexual assaults at the hands of a deranged baker. However, if harm came to you because of her Jane would not survive. I pushed her to find a new job before something else happened to you that she shouldered the blame for. My Janie feels deeply, she doesn't always show it, but she does. Ever since she was a little girl she took on the role of protector. She protected her brothers, cousins, and her friends. Never, have I seen her protect someone as fiercely as she protects you."
Maura interrupted the older woman before she could continue, "But Angela, most of those things weren't even her fault. She was not responsible for the actions of others. Those events could have very easily happened even if she wasn't in my life. I don't always need protection. You make it seem like I am some damsel in distress. I am strong and can take care of myself. Sometimes, when she lets me, I even take care of Jane."
Angela replied, "I know that Maura, but Jane needed to learn it for herself. I never would have encouraged her if I knew this was how the year would turn out. Unfortunately, I don't have a crystal ball and I don't believe anyone could have predicted the last year."
Before the conversation could continue they were interrupted by the sound of running little feet. Jack and TJ came skidding around the corner. Jack put on his most angelic face and held up his arms. "Up Mah rah," he demanded. "We hungy now."
Scooping up Jack in one arm and TJ in the other, Maura brought them in the kitchen and set them down at the table. While Maura settled the boys Angela cut up a banana and an apple for the boys to share. "Alright, here is some fruit for you hungry boys," Angela stated.
"When you are done eating we will brush your teeth and you two will go back to bed," added Maura as sternly as she could manage.
Maura was true to her word and hustled the little boys back to bed as soon as they finished their snack. It took her 15 minutes or so to get them settled back into their beds and then she rejoined Angela in the living room. Maura could tell something was amiss as soon as she entered the room. Angela was staring at the television with a hand covering her mouth and her eyes filled with unshed tears.
"What has happened? Angela, please tell me, what happened?" Maura demanded.
Angela's reply terrified Maura. " The news is reporting that multiple gunshots have been heard along with a small explosion in the lower levels. Oh, Janie! What have you gotten yourself into this time?"
