Chapter Three
"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you?"
"Maura, you have work to do, I know you do. Besides Ma's offered and who am I to deny her a misty eyed goodbye at Logan!" Jane picked up her a large, soft bag and then her carry on. "I'll text when I land but after that I'm guessing I'll be lucky to have time to even breathe."
"Yes you're right." Maura bit her lip and looked at the floor. Jane dropped her bag and enveloped her in a strong hug.
"Back before you know it – promise." With the briefest of kisses to Maura's temple, she was gone.
Jane could only nod mutely while Angela babbled. 'Be safe, eat, email, be safe, call, text, email, be safe' were the main phrases she picked up.
"Ma. Please."
"Okay, okay, honey but I just worry you know."
"I had noticed. I'll be fine and I'll be in touch, now I need to go. Before I do can I give you Maura's birthday present." Jane rummaged in the pocket of her jacket. "I was going to give it to her today but I'd rather she had it on her birthday." Jane placed a soft, duck egg blue jewellery box in Angela's hand. "Please don't forget Ma."
"I won't sweetie, it's a lovely box." Angela's hopeful tone revealed her curiosity.
"Not a chance I'll tell, must go. Remember don't forget." Angela waved her only daughter through the gates and turned to leave. The blue box was burning a hole in her hand. Jane must have had the store wrap it as it had a beautifully tied ribbon around it and Jane never had been able to tie bows. A small cream card was tucked under the ribbon and Angela desperately wanted to read it but she resisted. As she negotiated the I90 Angela's mind wandered to her head strong daughter and her incredibly intelligent and beautiful best friend. On paper they shouldn't even be acquaintances never mind friends. Angela and everyone else it seemed were aware that Maura and Jane's relationship was unique and the dance they were doing around each other one of courtship. The fact the neither woman was aware or willing to do something about it was a constant source of confusion but Angela was a firm believer in fate. If they were meant to be then it would happen. She wondered whether the pretty blue box was evidence that her Janie was making the first move.
Maura nursed a glass of cherry red Merlot between her hands as she watched Jo Friday. The little dog had spent plenty of time at Maura's but every time she stayed she seemed to have her own ritual. She clattered about noisily, sniffed a few corners and then had a standoff with Bass. Maura was watching the standoff. Jo would touch Bass' shell then prowl around obviously waiting for Bass to do something. When nothing happened, she would repeat the process. Maura smiled she knew what was coming next. Jo gave up and looked at Maura dolefully, her eyes seemingly saying – 'this is not a fun friend'. She hopped onto the couch next and put her head in Maura's lap. She was rewarded with some absent-minded scratching behind her ears and that was fine with her. Maura was not used to feeling melancholy and she knew that the wine was not helping. The click of the front door shook her from her reverie.
"Hi Angela."
"Hi Maura honey, everything ok?"
"Yes fine, did Jane get away ok?"
"She did. New York, I will worry and worry until she's back in Boston. Silly I know but she's my baby." Angela started to potter in the kitchen. Maura found the sound and sight comforting. Angela had been so good to her, her wings knew no bounds and she'd never though twice about tucking Maura under one of them. "Do you want anything honey. I'm just making some tea but I can see you have wine."
"Actually Angela tea sounds delightful. Beautiful though this wine is I believe tea would do me good this evening." Mrs Rizzoli nodded without commenting and set two mugs down. Maura drained the last wine out of the glass and placed the still quite full bottle on the side, firmly placing a bottle stop in the top. She gratefully received the mug of tea and sipped it carefully – it was comforting.
"Jane will be fine you know Angela."
"Oh I know but if I don't worry what else would I do?" Angela smiled "She's got to do this, she needs to prove herself. I know that. Not sure why it needs to be in such a dangerous city."
"Actually New York isn't even in the top ten most dangerous cities in the country. In fact Detroit is statistically the most dangerous place to live with 2137 violent crimes per 100,000 residents."
"Well I feel better for knowing that Maura dear." Angela patted her hand, "Now unless there's anything else you need I think I'll turn in."
"No thank you Angela. This tea will more than suffice. Goodnight." Maura readied herself for bed but she knew she wouldn't yep sleep until…..her mobile flashed and skittered across her dressing table. She read the message –
Jane Mobile: I'm here safe and sound. I'm real sorry I'll
miss your birthday but really I'll just
miss you. J x
Maura smiled and placed the phone down, now she could sleep.