Chapter 20

Busted

When I got home, my mother wasn't looking very well. She seemed upset for some reason.

"What is going on, Ma? Did somebody die?"

"Not yet," she answered me through greet teeth and I instantly knew something was bothering her. She was angry at me for some reason. "You should be ashamed by yourself, Jane Clementine Rizzoli!" she scolded me, looking at me with blaming look like I had done something wrong. "Don't you have any shame!?"

"What are you talking about? What is going on?"

I had no idea why she was so mad at me. I thought with horror that she might have found out about Maura and our relationship with her. But then I repressed that thought, trying to put it away. There was no way she had found out about us. I was just being paranoid. Probably it was something entirely different and it had nothing to do with Maura.

"You had a date, huh?!"

"Yeah, I told you about it. What's wrong? I am not coming too late, am I?"

"And who is that mysterious girl?" she asked seemingly agitated about something. "Care to share with me?"

"You don't know her," I answred nervously, feeling a bit panicked. Maybe she did find out or at least she suspected something. Otherwise she wouldn't be asking so many questions.

"Actually I do. I know Miss Isles. Or did you forget that she came home?"

I couldn't believe that she knew about it. What was I supposed to do after that? I had no idea how to react and what to say. Maybe I should deny it? What should I do? I didn't know whether my mother knew for sure and what exactly she knew about us.

"Ma, I..."

"Don't you dare deny it or lie to me again!" she yelled angryly at me, interrupting me. "I saw you with my own eyes. You were kissing her! How could you do this? With your own teacher!" Her tone was deadly cold and serious, cutting like a knife. I felt so bad. How did she find out?

"Aren' t you going to say something?"

"I don't know what to say..." I murmured, looking away. I didn't want to see the dissapointment on her face.

"You know, Jane, when I saw you together... at first I thought to myself that maybe your mysterious girl didn't show up, you know, she stood you up or something. And you probably saw your teacher there so why not watch a movie together. There's nothing wrong with that. But then I saw you kissing. You were kissing her, Jane! And just then I realized that she is your mysterious girl. And everything made sense. You - hiding it from me, not wanting to talk about her. I should have known something was wrong. I should have suspected something a very long time ago. I even knew her name! But can you blame me?! Never in a million years would I think that this is possible. She's your teacher, for God's sake!"

"I am sorry..."

I just didn't know what else to say so I kept apologizing, hoping that my mother would calm down soon.

"Look, Jane, I don't blame you for what you did. I could never do that," she explained with a warmer tone, taking my hands in hers. She soften a little bit. "You are just a teenager. But that teacher! She is the adult here, she is supposed to be the mature one. Wait and you'll see how they gonna fire her when they find out."

"No!" I yelled and pushed my hands away from hers. I couldn't let her do that.

"Her behaviour is unacceptable. What is she thinking? She and her fancy clothes, and elegant composture. She thinks that she can seduce my little girl and get away with it!"

"It's nothing like that, Ma. She didn't seduce me."

Actually it was the other way around. Because I was the one flirting with Maura, trying to to catch her eye. Or seduce her as my mother put it.

"Now everything make perfect sense. All of your lies. I just knew that these shoes weren't yours. And they seemed strangely familiar. I should have known back then. Was she in our house or did she forget them or something? I just knew that you woldn't order so expensive shoes over internet. You couldn't possible save that much money and spend them on shoes. And you acted so strangely back then. How could you lie to me like that? All these lies you said to me... You should be ashamed! Tell me something, did you two have sex? Oh my God, please tell me that you haven't slept with her, Jane."

"Calm down, will you?" I asked, waiting until she looked at least a bit better. "Now I wanna know how did you find out about us?" I asked her calmly though I was anything but calm at that moment. But I was just trying to be reasonable. It was my turn to ask the questions.

"I followed you. You wouldn't say anything about this mysterious girl you are dating so I decided to find out. You left me no choice, Jane. You never share anything. And now I see why."

"You followed me?"

"Yeah. And don't give me that offended attitude like I am the one to blame. You've been going out behind my back, telling me all these lies. How could you do that!? Tell me something, how long have you been going out with her behind my back? And why did you have to lie to me in my face? I didn't raise you like that. I am so disappointed in you."

I could see how disappointed she looked and it really hurt me deeply. I didn't want to do any harm. I never did actually. And I still didn't see what was so wrong about going out with Maura. But my mother was furious at me. She needed to calm down but she just wouldn't stop talking and blaming me. And I didn't know for what she was madder at me - for going out with Maura or for hiding it from her all this time.

"I could barely stand looking at you with that teacher. When I saw you together I almost ran to you. I was ready to drag you out of the cinema and not let you go but I stopped myself. I didn't want to make a scene. You were in public and I didn't want to embarrass you. But I can't tell you how much it costed me to walk away like that. So I just came back home, waiting. It was pointless to interrupt your date because I realized that was not the first time you were together."

"I am sorry," I apologized once again. I had nothing else to say, no excuse came to my mind.

"You didn't answer my question though. Tell me Jane, did you sleep with your teacher? She was in the house when everybody were out so you were all alone with her, weren't you? And you have even spent a night in her house when there was a storm. Were you dating her back then? Tell me, Jane, did you have sex with her? Don't make me get a confession out of you, just tell me the truth. You know I could tell if you were lying just by running my fingers across your palm. Don't make me do that."

"Ma, I am not buying that crap since I was like five."

"Jane!" she used her threatening tone on me and I knew she wouldn't leave me until I answer her.

"OK. No! I haven't had sex with her. See?" I showed up my palms to her to make her see I wasn't lying though it was a little unnecessary in my opinion. "Are you happy now?"

"Not really. Now I need to know everything," my mother continued. "But first, I just need an explanation."

"Ma... I... I just-"

"Not from you. I am going at your teacher's house. She has a lot to explain."

"No, Ma. Don't do that. Maybe Maura is not even at home. Don't go, please. It's already so late..." I tried to reason her but she didn't listen to me.

"I am going and you're coming with me. Come on, let's go together."

I needed to do something. I had to think of something to prevent a big scandal. I quickly sent Maura a text: "Get out of your house. IMMEDIATELY!"

When we got to Maura's house I wished she got my message in time and she was already out. Mother made me go first while she hid herself behind the door so I knocked at the door with thrembling hands, praying Maura has got my massagge and went out. Please, don't be at home. Please. But the minute she opened the door, cutting out abruptly my silent prayer, I began to panick.

"Hey, Jane. I just saw your massage. Sorry. I was preparing my lessons for tomorrow so I didn't see your text earlier. Why are you asking me to leave my house?" she asked and even laughed at my silly request. "What's the matter? You don't look very well," she stated and put her hand on my forehead as to check my temperature, looking concerned about me. "Are you all right?" she asked, caressing my cheek as she smiled at me. I wished she didn't but it was too late. My mother showed up and Maura suddenly got paralyzed, her hand frozen on my cheek. I quickly pulled away, scared that my mother would be furious to see that show of affection from Maura.

"You should be ashamed by yourself!" my mother started with her usual speech even before Maura invited us in.

"What's going on?" Maura asked, confused.

"You should tell me," my mother demanded. "What is going on? What is wrong with you? Huh? How could you go out with my own daughter behind my back!?"

"I think you should come inside," Maura suggested, trying to stay polite with my mother in spite of her accusations. Maybe she didn't want to disturb the neighbors because it was late and my mother was talking way too loud. She obviously understood the situation quickly and wanted to keep calm.

We went inside, going in Maura's living room and I was still thinking how to calm my mother. I felt helpless because I just couldn't do anything.

"So are you going to explain?" my mother asked obviously still furious. "How come you go out with your own student? Can't you see that this is wrong? But maybe Jane isn't your first student. How many students have you been intimate with?"

"Would you care for a hot beverage? A tea perhaps? Or something else to drink?" Maura was trying so hard to be polite and calm. I admired her strengh. She didn't let my mother get under her skin with her offending questions and blaming tone.

"I thought that you would act like an adult and tell me about it," my mother continued blaming Maura, looking at her so sternly. I just wished I could do something, defend Maura somehow but my mother was death for my pleads and my words. She was talking to Maura, ignoring me completely. "Don't you think that I deserve to know the truth? Didn't it occur to you?"

"I am so sorry, Angela. It's all my fault. I... I just-"

"It's Mrs. Rizzoli to you!"

I was surprised that Maura didn't tell her the truth. Because actually it was my fault. She wanted to tell my parents about our relationship but I was the one who refused. I was the one to blame. And yet Maura didn't justify herself by telling the truth. She took the blame. I felt so bad for her. My mother was being too hard on her but I couldn't do anything. She just wouldn't listen a word I say. So I didn't interfere, hoping that Maura would understand.

"You just say you are sorry!? Don't you have anything else to say?" asked my mother. "Some explanation perhaps."

"I am so, so sorry, Mrs. Rizzoli. I don't know what else to say... There is no way I could justify my behavior, it's probably unacceptable... And I have no excuse for what I did but I don't want to do that... I don't want to make any excuses. I just want to tell you that... I don't expect you to understand but I love her. I love Jane."

"I don't know about your feelings and I don't give a damn but I want you to stay away from my daughter," my mother threatened her and exited her house. I had to go and follow her. She was furious I could tell that but I think she was overreacting. I had no other choice but go with my mother even though I thought she was wrong. I just hoped she would calm down later. Maybe tomorrow she would see things differently. She didn't take the news very lightly to put it mildly but maybe if she sleeps on it she will come to her senses. At least I hoped so.

AN: Just so you know, the next chapter will be the last one. I hope you're waiting for it. Let me know what you think about this chapter.