Between Us

17. Friday introductions

Maura wakes up before me and makes us breakfast, pancakes, orange juice and smoked bacon. Maura drives me to work and comes inside.  Jane set up  the room for park scene."  " Joey I will do that, but I want you to meet someone. " Joey looks up and gets up and walks towards us.
" I am assuming you are Maura.  I  have been waiting to meet you.  I  know you're important to Jane which means you are important to me. I know how things ended with Samantha. You both don't have to worry. Us Hough's know how to move forward just like when she broke her engagement.  Jane I am saying this in confidence so you can understand why she fell for you hard. Let's  take a seat. I need to make a quick phone call. Sammy , I  will have to reschedule the shoot.  I  apologize but something unforseen came up. Thank you. The next one is on the house of taking photos only. "  Joey hangs up. " I DIDN'T want to rush this. I will drive so we can talk away from here. Joey drives us to the pier. " I know she never told you why she broke her engagement and why she only comes here with me even though you have  asked her to come-  several times. Betty was her first love like Maura is yours and I am going to guess still is. Betty was a veteran and came back from the gulf and never was the same. Samantha did everything to help her. Samantha returned one day to find Betty with another person in bed. I renovated your place big time because your photography room was the spare bedroom she came back to and found her in bed making love to this other woman. Samantha left heart broken. Betty found her later and explained to her this other lady was someone she met in the gulf and they were intimate during their entire tour. Betty ended it but the lady followed her back to Pennsylvania and wanted one last time with her when Samantha walked in on them.   Samantha broke her engagment because of the infidelity even though they weren't married.  Betty later wrote her a note as a dear John letter and later killed herself and they found her body here. She blamed my sister for her infidelity and what she was going to do to herself. Jane have you ever noticed that the picture you had of Maura on your laptop still that my sister is real quiet and walks away.  She hadn't dated women in a long time only men. You were the first woman, since Betty. I  was afraid that how close you got to her in heart so quickly may backfire on her and it has. I  saw the spark in her that has been missing for several years. I  just hope to see it again." Jane hugged Joey. " I still love her and finally told her that last night but I cannot continue the way I am going.  It is physically painful as well as emotional.  I  promise I will still be her friend.  Just give me time and maybe if she comes with me on some shoots, it will help us both. I  won't give up on her. You two are too important to me. You are like family to me. "   " Joey thank you for trusting Jane and I.  I will help in anyway I can." Maura and Jane hugged me.
" We better get backed or I will be doing another free shooting.  I  love my job but also love making money. I  need to be able to do more today to meet my monthly quota in donating to the hospital fund I donate to several times out of the year in memory of our parents." " Jane I will be back at 6 to get you. love you." "Love you too buddy. "  Joey helps me set up for the next shoot. " I  am happy for you Jane and I am also sad for my sister.  Maura seems to be a good woman. "   "She is Joey and thanks."  We finish the two shoots.  " Joey my salary today,  please donate it to your hospital donation." 
" Jane are you sure?  I know you are saving for your honda."   " Yes, I am sure. "  Maura comes in and hands Joey an envelope.  " I spoke with my parents.  This is an anonymous donation from them that is why it's in cash. There is ten grand in there so you don't have to count it. Tomorrow email my parents with your parents name etcetera.  They are going to add them to their yearly list of donations they do every year in you and Samantha's name anonymously.  They just wanted you to know so they part is not anonymous.  My dad told me once he receives the account and its verified he will donate to it three times of the year.  My family adores Jane too and appreciate all what you have done for her. Mrs.  Rizzoli was happy even though she drilled you per my mother. I am asking your sister doesn't know that is coming from me. I  don't want her to misconstrue my families intentions. No, I didn't tell them anything you told us about Betty. Jane tells me  you go out alot for dinner that is not healthy.  Here is healthy meal. Just bring Jane back her dish. I don't need her getting mad."  "Very funny Maura. "  " I will and thank you." Jane and Maura leaves. Jane loves what I made. Maura I know its late but let's go swimming.  If you don't have a swim suit , I can loan you one or give you  a shirt to wear. We go swimming just as we did as kids. I  am still struggling not to kiss Maura and I know she is too, but we get passed it.  We go inside.  I take a shower and she takes a bath.
I dry off and Maura looks at my tattoo.  We need to update our tattoos to say friendship first. How about on Sunday we do that?" Jane kisses me on my forehead.  " yes.I know of place.  Samantha told me about when she got one that says family matters." I explain to Jane what I had in mind for my addition.  "Maura I love it, but I need to tell you that is the same as Samantha but with different words. Maybe this is why I was attracted to her too but denied because she reminded me of you. Don't wig out I am being honest." " Thank you but still going to get it in my side don't say its there too." " Jane tightens her lip and doesn't say anything.  " Its okay Jane its not changing my mind."