4 The Getaway

Jane smacked the nightstand and turned off the alarm as quickly as possible. She was regretting the invitation she made to Constance since it required such an early wake up call. Maura had barely stirred in Jane’s arms the entire night. Jane wished she knew what caused the outburst of tears the previous night, but perhaps Maura would be able to tell her today.
Jane started dicing fruit and put coffee on. She planned on making muffins as well. It was almost impossible to get the thought of Maura sleeping in her arms out of her mind. She was stirred when Angela came in to start the coffee, which was already brewing. Likewise, Angela was surprised to see Jane up and cooking on a Saturday morning.
The moment Angela heard that Constance was coming for brunch, she shooed Jane out of the kitchen and declared, ”Fruit and muffins, really, Janie? That won’t get anyone’s motor going. I can throw together a quick quiche and some bacon. You go check on Maura. I am sure she will want to be dressed when her mother comes over.”
”Thanks, Ma. She had kind of a rough night.” Jane headed back to the master bedroom and her mother bit her lip briefly. She knew that Jane must be sleeping with Maura and it was something she was trying very hard to overlook. It was certainly her daughter’s choice, but she wondered just how stable this kind of life could be. They shared a bed, what else was she supposed to think?
Maura was attempting to turn over on her back and Jane put her arm around Maura’s waist and helped her flatten out.
”Do you want a couple pillows under your leg?” Jane was still laying close to Maura on the bed and trying not to let her libido beat through her chest.
”No, I need to get in the shower and wake up for Mother’s visit. I never meant for you to have to cook this morning, Jane. I really appreciate it.”
”Actually Ma took over the kitchen, and wanted me to keep an eye on you in the shower,” Jane almost blushed as she hurriedly corrected herself, ”help you out that is, so you don’t fall.”
Maura raised her eyebrows at Jane at first, but then turned her head away quickly to conceal her grin.
Maybe there was something to the feelings that she suspected Jane was having. She decided to spare Jane humiliation and had her bring an armload of towels in to put down in the shower before she got in. Then Maura removed the walking cast and got into the shower. After closing the door, she threw her nightshirt out over the top almost hitting Jane square in the face with it. Jane caught it like a bouquet and chuckled to herself at the thought of Maura doing a striptease. There was a momentary lapse into the thought of smelling the nightshirt since it had been against Maura’s skin, but Jane resisted.
”Jane,” Maura posed.
”Uh, yeah, you need something Maura?”
Maura bit down on her lip to keep herself from inviting Jane into the shower with her. She shouldn’t because of the leg. Otherwise, there was no earthly reason for her not to. She hated admitting the possibility that her mother was right.
”Can you hand me two more towels over the top? I need to put one on and one for my hair.” Jane complied obediently and then offered Maura a hand as she came out of the shower already wrapped and covered in towels. She sat down and retrieved the boot, and told Jane she would be able to slip on a robe for her mother’s visit then figure out clothes afterward.
”I am going to have to call the housekeeper and let her know we will be home all week and will need her after all.”
Jane realized she would need to call the bed and breakfast at Block Island and cancel their reservation for the week.
”And after our mom’s leave I am going to take off this damn boot. It is too cumbersome.”
”Are you sure, honey?” Jane was worried about Maura gimping around without it and making the hairline break worse. At that instant, Jane realized she was going to be Maura’s caregiver for the next month and at some point would most likely see her naked. Possibly on a daily basis, and Jane had not been able yet to tell Maura how she felt about her. There certainly would be plenty of time for them to discuss it now.
Jane had chosen Block Island, Rhode Island because it was a perfect quiet getaway. Slightly romantic with a hint of tourism due to the sailboat races scheduled for the following weekend. The island was the perfect size for bicycles or walking and the beachfront looked very clean.
Angela hollered down the hall and announced Constance was there. Maura hopped to the kitchen with Jane in tow and saw her mother making espresso.
”I hope you don’t mind, dear. I don’t have a lot of time so I thought I would jump on in the kitchen too.”
”No, mother, that’s fine. Help yourself, or ask Angela. She knows where most everything is.” Jane pulled out a chair for Maura at the table and then grabbed the plates and flatware.
”This smells divine, Angela,” Constance nodded toward the quiche. Oh God, Jane thought. Here we go with the quiche story for the eighty-ninth time.
”Well, thank you. I haven’t been making them very long actually. Janie and the boys took me out to brunch for my birthday and I ordered quiche. Of course, I was mortified that a slice of egg pie was seven bucks, so I picked at it with my fork and then looked up the recipe. Eight eggs and cream in a pie crust and then any leftovers you want to put in, meat or vegetables. Maura always has a pile of groceries here, even though the girls eat out pretty often.”
”Espresso anyone?” Constance poured two cups, sure Maura would be up for one. Jane declined, but Angela accepted. They all chuckled when Jane forewarned her that it ”would put hair on her chest.”
”Not like I am getting any action anyway,” Angela mumbled.
”Ma,” Jane whined. Maura smiled, because she had similar thoughts to those of Jane’s mom. She told herself to be patient. Her leg would not be broken forever and then she had every intention of making her move on Jane. She only hoped Jane would reciprocate.
”Maura,” the sound of Jane’s voice drew her back into the conversation. ”Ma’s gonna’ make your med run. Is there anything else you want her to grab?”
”Well, Jane, you have clothes here from our trip. I am so sorry we have to postpone. I will make it up to you.” Both of their mothers were completely caught off guard, hurriedly picked up brunch dishes and took them into the kitchen.
”Angela, just grab a six pack for Jane and my meds. Then I can make a shopping list for later since we will be here all week.”
”Jane, that was so nice that you invited Maura away for her birthday. What did you book?”
”Boat races in Rhode Island,” Jane confirmed.
”That sounds lovely. Have you ever been?” Angela was rather anxious to hear the answers to Constance’s inquiry as well.
”No, one of our co-workers recommended it and then I looked it up online.”
”Well, surely, they will let you reschedule,” Constance consoled.
”If not, we will find something to get into. Just have to make sure Maura’s leg heels.”
”Angela, maybe a huge bag of ice, like 15 lbs., or so.”
”You planning a party, Maura?” Angela inquired. This time Constance’s eyebrows were raised.
”No, Angela, I just want to put ice on my ankle all week. So, if we buy a bag then I will not wear out the freezer making it.” The explanation made perfect sense to everyone and it wasn’t completely untrue. Maura was anxious for their mother’s to leave before explaining it completely to Jane.
Constance made her exit shortly after ten and Angela left right behind her.
”So, milady, would you like a spot on the couch or back to your bed to put your leg up.”
Maura smiled, ”the couch is fine for now.” Jane helped Maura to her feet and Maura used the crutches to get to the couch and plant herself.
”Let me grab you some bed pillows for your leg.” Jane started up the hall and Maura shouted, ”Guest room, please” behind her.
As much as Maura loved having Jane as a guest, this entire week would be a test to their compatibility under one roof. Maura didn’t know if she could ever admit how much she loved sleeping in Jane’s arms all night and how loved and safe she felt. She hoped Jane had forgotten about the tearful breakdown and wouldn’t mention it again.
”I love our mother’s,” Jane noted, ”but…..”
”I’m with you,” Maura inserted. ”Have you called the Inn yet?”
”Yes, as soon as I woke up this morning,” Jane replied. ”They basically said we could come back anytime they weren’t already booked full. So we just need to let them know.”
”Can I get you anything else?” Maura nodded and Jane slid down onto the couch carefully so as not to disturb the cast.
”Jane, I need to come clean with you about something.” Maura scooted up on the couch a little, and Jane lay her hand over on the good leg while she waited for her friend to confess. Was this it, the way they were finally going to profess love to each other?
”I saw you changing last night and those bruises on your ribs look horrible. You should have been checked for fractures or breaks. The ice is for you.” Maura reached over and raised the ribbed t-shirt exposing the bruises.
”Oh, Maura, they’re no big deal. I feel fine.”
”Bullshit, Jane. I am a doctor, unless you’ve forgotten.” Maura was steamed. She just hadn’t wanted to draw attention to Jane’s injuries in front of Angela. However, if Jane didn’t comply with the limited medical treatment Maura could provide, she would consult Angela for backup.
”No, Dr. Isles, I have not forgotten. You were far more injured than I and I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” Jane’s eyes pleaded and Maura melted into their warm chocolate, so she decided to table the conversation until Angela returned with the ice. She gently tugged on the t-shirt and pulled it back down.