Distant Cousins
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101st Precinct
Mary Margaret Skalany slammed the file to the desk. It was all she could do to keep from swearing. First Caine disappears from an accident scene and is gone for several days. Then Henry McLean Caine, a visiting cop who turns out to be Caine's cousin disappears within 24 hours of Caine's disappearance. Then Peter disappears hours after trying to search for Henry. Then without notice, Caine comes back, and without so much as an explanation, he leaves again. And all this time, she's had to tell her mother that everything was going to be all right, and continue to promise that she would meet her future husband. At this point she was beginning to wonder if falling in love with a Shaolin priest was worth it.
Mary Margaret buried her face in her left hand and rubbed her eyes. The headache that was forming felt like it was going to require more medication than there was in the world. She was about to reach for her bottle of ibuprofen when a pair of hands rested on her shoulders and began massaging her taught muscles.
"Oh, that feels good," she sighed and closed her eyes. She leaned back into the warmth spreading through her body. Then a snicker caused her to open her eyes.
"I see someone else isn't the only one whose got a lover in this precinct. Keep it to yourself Skalany."
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
The hands that had been on her shoulders a moment ago lifted and the warmth was suddenly gone. Skalany looked around to see Caine standing behind her.
"Hi," he said.
"You owe me an explanation," Mary Margaret stated. "My Mother will be going home on Sunday, and she's almost given up on meeting you. She thinks I've been lying and don't really have a fiancée."
"I will come with you after work and meet your mother," Caine stated.
"No matter what happens?"
"Peter can handle things for a few hours."
"That's what you said the last time," Mary Margaret exclaimed.
Ignoring the jibe, Caine reached into his pouch. "I have something for you. I did not have it before because I needed to get it sized."
Caine pulled out a small red velvet box. Skalany turned her chair and Caine bent down. He opened the box to reveal a very ornate but tasteful silver ring.
"My Grandfather had it made for my mother. He gave it to his wife and in turn it was passed to my father. It was given to me when my mother died and in turn I gave it to Laura."
"Where did you find it?" Mary Margaret asked, taking the box from Caine's hands. "I thought she would have been buried with it."
"The ring has been passed from Father to Mother to Son to Wife from each generation. Each has been proud to wear it. Laura would have wanted it to go to Peter but she was not able to give it to him when the time was right. I wish you to wear it. Peter will still receive it in time when he is ready to marry."
"Well that might be a little difficult. I may want to keep it, but I'll keep it for him until he's chosen that special person, too."
Mary Margaret waited for Caine to place the ring on her left finger.
"Hey, Skalany," Jody Powell called out. "Let's see it."
Mary Margaret beamed as she showed the ring to her female colleagues.
"You call that an engagement ring," Jordan's words were sarcastic and bitter. A hint of jealousy could be heard in the woman's voice. "If that was me I would expect at least a full carrot diamond."
"You'd expect a 10 carrot diamond if you'd have your way, Jordan. But you still wouldn't have gotten it. You'd be wearing this if you could have hung on to my soon to be stepson,' Mary Margaret replied in kind.
The remark shut Jordan up and she left in a huff.
Mary Margaret saw the disappointed look on Caine's face. "Don't worry about it. She's not worthy of Peter. He could do better, and I love it. I'll take you to lunch. But I've got to finish up this report first. I'll meet you at the Harvest Moon."
Caine brushed his fingers along the edge of her jaw line. "I will be there, I promise."
Mary Margaret watched Caine leave then turned back to the next file on her desk. She opened it to read its contents then hesitated as her eyes caught the gleaming surface of the ring that now rested on her left hand. She stopped and traced its intricate detail with her other finger. Two cranes in flight, their wings poised in a dance of joining. Small sapphires had been set in for the eyes. It was a fitting gift. The Crane now had a mate.
Mary Margaret started when she heard, "Congratulations, Skalany. Whose, the lucky fella?"
"Hey Kermit, welcome back. Oh, just one of our resident Shaolin."
"It's about time."
End
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2003.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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