Choosing Hope

Cailin nods. “I understand,” she says as she turns and squeezes Jess’s hand before exiting the
room.
After Cailin leaves, Jane and Maura turn their attention to Jess, each waiting for the other to
speak.
“You lied to us Jess,” Jane says. “You know how we feel about that.”
“I’m sorry ma, but I was trying to avoid this,” Jess says, taking her hands and gesturing around
the room. Jess pauses for a moment before continuing. “I love her ma.”
Jane looks at Jess and sighs. “How long has this been going on?”
“Just a few days. I’ve always loved her though. It’s not like this just entered my head a few days
ago. She’s amazing. This isn’t fair. Why do I have to choose?”
“Because Jess, society will not accept it. We are not trying to be mean, but kiddo, you are setting
yourself up for a world of hurt. People would talk and say hurtful things. You’re a police officer.
You have a reputation to protect. Also, not to sound selfish, but so do we. Some of the cases we
deal with, our personal lives are put under a microscope on a daily basis. Yes Jess, we never
adopted you, but your mom and I are well known in Boston and so are our children.”
Jess sat and let the words Jane said sink in. She had never thought of it that way.
“OK,” she said. “You win.”
“Jess, this is no win or lose. No one wins here,” Maura says as she looks empathetically at her
daughter. “I’m sorry Jess. If we would have caught that you two were even thinking about that
we would have talked to you.”
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