Mistakes are mine. Please favorite/review.
x SW
Chapter 5: It Might Be Fun
Maura turned to look over her shoulder, although she knew exactly to whom that voice belonged. Seeing Jane all grown up was a shock and a familiarity all at once. She was taller of course. Looked to be taller than Maura even though they weren't on even ground. Her hair was still as jet black and unruly as it had been at 9 years old even though Jane was attempting to keep in pulled back in a loose ponytail. Her features were sharper than they had been as a child-high cheekbones, a strong jaw, shapely eyebrows. Her skin was even more tan. Her dress, Maura thought, left much to be desired but it even hand-me-down overalls couldn't hide her lithe figure.
"Hello, Jane. It's nice to see you again," Maura said with sincerity and a smile. It was good to see Jane again despite the apparent circumstances. Jane just stood resolutely in response and gave Maura a scrutinizing look, as if trying to see right through her soul.
For her part, she was shocked to see Maura standing on her front porch stairs. Despite only meeting Maura for a brief period, the girl had left an indelible mark on her. Of course, that was probably due to her presence at Frankie's unfortunate passing. But, it was also more than that, too, Jane knew deep inside. For a girl that had very few friends, Maura had agreed to stick with her even though she was as rough and tumble as they come. Jane had never forgotten the slippery handshake they shared and the way they held hands at the dam.
But, even with that history, she was confused at Maura's presence now and with her confusion brought out her typical brash demeanor. "What the hell are you doin' here?" Jane asked expectantly. She crossed her arms over her chest wondering why on earth this woman had made a reappearance. And, she was definitely a woman now. Her honey-blonde curls fell delicately down around her shoulders which were encased in a well-fitting dress. Even amidst her frustration and confusion, Jane could see how captivating Maura was.
At Jane's question, Maura's smile faltered slightly. "Well, your mama asked me to come to supper. She didn't tell you?"
Jane just shook her head and took a couple steps closer. "What did she tell you, Maura? Why did she just ask you to up and come outta the blue, hmm? Lord knows my Ma loves to meddle."
Maura hesitated to reply; she knew this situation with Jane was evidently delicate. She didn't want to misstep and make everything worse. "Well, I think she just wants us to be friends, Jane." She tried smiling again, but this time it was softer.
Jane just squinted at her like she had suggested they go kick a dog. "Why on God's green earth would I want to be your friend? I don't need any friends no way. I don't know what Ma told you, but you can just go on back home."
Before Maura could reply, Angela stepped out on the porch.
"Maura, I'm so glad you are here! Dinner is almost ready; Sipsey is just helping me put the final touches on it. Come on in," Angela gestured to walk back in the house. Maura, hesitated however and looked at Jane for guidance. But, all she saw was an empty yard and Jane's back running toward town.
"I'm so sorry Mrs. Angela. I think I made Jane upset, but I'll go see if I can talk her into coming back for dinner." Maura lifted the hem of her dress and hurried down the steps after Jane, not knowing exactly where she was going but determined to figure it out on the way.
Angela called after her from her spot on the porch. "She's probably goin' down to The Village." Muttering under her breath about her middle child, she walked back into the house. Hoping against hope that Maura could talk some sense into Jane.
By the time Maura, made it to the little shack of a bar, she was sweaty and ill at Jane for making her come all this way just because she had a temper tantrum. Walking through the old wooden door, she spotted Jane and her black mane at the poker table, already downing what looked like whiskey while holding two cards in her right hand. She laughed loudly at something the bigger man to her left said when Maura made her approach.
All of the men around the table grew quiet-it wasn't often that anyone of Maura's countenance darkened the doors of the establishment. Jane had just turned her head to see what all of them were looking at when Maura leaned down and snatched the cards from between her fingers. Placing them forcibly on the table, she went for the whiskey glass next.
"Sorry boys, game's over for Jane. She's gotta come back for dinner. Say goodbye Jane." Grabbing Jane's coins in one hand and Jane's arm in the other, she dragged her out of the bar.
"Maura! What the hell are you doing? Give me my money back!" Jane wrangled her arm free of Maura's grasp and made a lunge for the coins. Maura, however, was too quick and moved her hand out of Jane's reach.
"No, I'm not giving it back until you come back for dinner," Maura stated indignantly. She placed both hands on her hips. Jane just looked at her with contempt before strolling past her.
"Fine. I'll come back for your stupid dinner. Is that what you want?" Maura trailed behind her and then answered, "Yes, thank you."
They walked for a few paces before Jane asked, "Can I have my money now?"
Maura looked at her carefully before handing the money over into Jane's palm. Jane had scarcely wrapped her fingers around the coins before she was already sprinting off. Maura could only stare in shock as she heard Jane yell, "Sucker!"
Maura huffed and walked back, albeit slowly, in the direction of the Rizzoli plantation once again.
Maura found Jane exactly where Big George said she might be. Carefully traversing the top of the dam, she sat down next to Jane on a big concrete structure. It was far enough from the edge that neither of them were in any danger of falling off.
"Big George said I could probably find you here," Maura said after sitting for just a moment.
Jane just shrugged in response, but Maura pressed on.
"Jane, why do you insist on breakin' your mama's heart like you do? She loves you, you know," Maura admonished. Jane looked up.
"Breaking her heart? What are you goin' on about? I ain't done nothin' to my Ma." Jane's face turned colder.
"Yes you have, Jane. You're bein' so selfish. You aren't the only one who lost Frankie that day. But running away and turning your back on your family and spendin' time in dirty bars won't bring him back." Maura reached over and put her hand gently on top of Jane's. "What happened to Frankie was horrible, and we all miss him. You especially. But this is no way to honor his memory."
Jane slipped her hand out from under Maura's and retorted, "Is that what Ma brought you here for? To tell me to quit bein' selfish and forget Frankie?"
Maura sighed heavily. "No one is asking you to forget Frankie, Jane. We are just asking you to let us help you cope with him bein' gone. And I'm asking you to let me be your friend." At the words friend, Jane looked sideways at Maura, who couldn't help but give a small smile. Maura leaned in slightly and bumped her shoulder against Jane's.
"Come on, Jane. It might be fun." Jane just scoffed.
"I don't know why you wanna be my friend, Maura, but suit yourself. I know just the type of fun we can have," she trailed off as she stood up and reached her hand down to Maura. "Come on."
