Choosing Hope

“I’m sorry mom. I didn’t mean that the way it came out.” Jess shifted nervously from foot to
foot, darting her eyes back and forth between Maura and Jane.
“That’s the problem around here. No one seems to be using their brains.” With that statement,
Jane takes off up the stairs.
At that exact moment, Jess was wishing the floor would just swallow her whole.
Maura turned away from Jess and began helping Riley with breakfast. Jess stood still for a
moment before stepping towards the blonde. "Mom l'm sorry. I really didn't mean it." Jess waited
and when Maura didn't respond she slowly walked away and sat down at the table.
Riley silently watched the interaction she knew she probably shouldn't speak on the matter but
she couldn't help it. "Are you okay Maura?" She looked at Maura with concern while scrambling
the eggs.
Maura sighed and stopped what she was doing. "I wasn't trying to upset Cailin or micromanage
her." Maura said the last bit loud enough for Jess to hear.
"I know Maura, we all understand that you are just looking out for what's best for your sister. I
would be the same way if I had a sister who was going through something like this." Riley was
trying her best to ease the tension.
"I just wish I wasn't the one to have to tell her that she has to put off med school. I know how
much it means to her, but she means more to us and I, I..." Maura couldn't finish her sentence
before she started sobbing. She had been trying to hold herself together for Cailin and her family
but it was becoming too much. Riley wiped off her hands and hugged the blonde.
"Jeez Maura finally," she says while holding Maura tight.” You and Jane have been trying to
hold everyone together and in the midst of it all you, sweet woman, have been holding it all in."
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