Chapter Text
Amanda-June McKenzie Rollins. That was Amanda Rollins' real name. And... she hated it.
Why? Because it reminded her of home, down in Loganville, Georgia. She never wanted to go back. Ever.
Between the murky waters in her old unit and its general sexist atmosphere, Amanda chose to leave. The place had been killing her. And slowly. However… One big reason remained about why Amanda had cleared out of Georgia completely.
That reason’s name was Theo.
Exactly who was she? Amanda’s mother. She was even a living southern stereotype.
Theo Rollins checked off many boxes: a very heavy accent, a proclivity for hiking boots and shorts, being more street-smart than book-smart due to being a high school dropout, shopping mostly at the local K-Mart, and (at least in Amanda’s memory) she had always lived at the local mobile trailer park. Theo also possessed some poor vices. And knowledge of how to fire a gun.
However... Just like any other bottom-of-heap southern motor park, not many of the residents tended to stray far. Which made Amanda the first person from Rolling Hills to do so in a very long time. Its residents responded by circling the wagons. Permanently.
So in an effort to start a new chapter, the detective’s move was to go legally by Amanda Rollins. Wherever possible. Amanda feared that if any of her colleagues found out her full name or where she’d grown up, she’d crawl into a hole. And never come out. Probably.
Little did she know everything would still become known, anyway.
Today was a very quiet day in the bullpen.
It felt unusual, to say the least. Amanda was just thankful because it afforded her some time to process a new situation that she’d found herself in. And it was of the life-altering variety. Her next step was discussing this revelation with Nick. ASAP.
Someone’s voice called to her, disturbing her thoughts. “Amanda? Will you please join me?”
She looked around to see that Olivia was watching her from her office doorway. It was nearly clock-out time, but the look on the sergeant’s face told her that this couldn’t wait. So Amanda chose to oblige Olivia. But her trepidation just increased when her boss closed the door behind her and sat on the edge of her desk.
Gently, Olivia said, “Hey. Are you alright?”
“I beg your pardon, sarge?” Amanda said in actual confusion.
“Well… I’ve known you for a few years now and can read you like a book. But you are the closest I have to a daughter. You aren’t in trouble. That’s a promise.” now Olivia motioned for her detective to sit in the chair before the desk. “All I want is to just talk as friends now. You've earned it with me.”
Amanda still had a moment of pause.
Which thought would she bring up? It wasn’t like there was only one big one floating around in her head today. There was more than one. And now Olivia was offering an olive branch because she actually liked her.
The other woman continued to be kind. “I know that you’re done with your gambling. And I’m so proud.”
Amanda finally spoke. “Thank you.”
Offering her a smile, now Olivia said, “I can also tell that something else has really had your head up in the clouds today. And should you choose to say it…”
Amanda arched one eyebrow. “And you say that we’re having this chat as friends?”
"Uh-huh. From your lips to God's ears. And mine, I guess.” Olivia shrugged.
“As ever…” Amanda gave an audible exhale. “My timing is not the best… But I just learned this morning that the stork has been by, for me.”
Amanda had no idea what Olivia would say. But what she did not expect was for her to hug her close. Amanda sank into her hug and returned it. Being loved by Olivia was everything. She represented a port in a storm.
Once the moment passed and they’d straightened themselves out, Olivia said, “Hey. Does Nick know?”
“I… What…?” sputtered Amanda.
“Please.” her boss laughed. “Everybody knows that I see every move in my little realm out there.”
Feeling amused, Amanda spoke the truth. “No. I haven’t mentioned anything to him yet. There just hasn’t been time. But you’d’ve noticed if I had had that conversation already.”
“Okay. Good point.” Olivia decided. “When did you start suspecting?”
Amanda said, “The same day as Noah’s adoption party.”
“Wow.” Olivia remarked. “That was nearly a week ago.”
Amanda nodded before heaving a sigh. “Don’t I know it…”
“Yes…?” Olivia gently prodded when Amanda’s words trailed away.
“I’ve also been thinking about how Nick has two kids on the other side of the country.” Amanda confessed. “It is what it is with Zara. The situation with Gil, though, makes me sad for Nick.”
“I am a vault.” Olivia reminded Amanda. “But does it go that Gil’s mother ended up starting over altogether and asked Nick to stay away? Outside of child support?”
“Uh-huh. That really is what happened. Just knowing any of that makes me feel as if I’ve gotten stuck in a soap opera.” now Amanda grazed her knuckles against her lower middle. “I care for Nick. And he cares for me. Sometimes it feels like we’re married. But… What if he doesn't want another kid? I have another half-decade left before I hit the big 4-0. And what if... he rejects us?”
Olivia paused.
Fresh in her mind was the memory of Nick telling her he was considering early retirement and relocation to California so he could be relatively closer to Zara and Gil. Being hit in a courtroom shootout had caused him to reevaluate his life choices. Now Amanda had presented her with her own.
But she chose the high road.
“I will help you in any way that you need from now on. Just ask.” Olivia told her. “Alright?”
Amanda said gratefully, “Thank you very much.”
Olivia held Amanda’s hands in her own. “I’ve also noticed that when it comes to the people he holds closest, Nick does nothing but love deeply. Am I wrong?”
“Nope.” Amanda replied.
“Then I know that he’ll be happy when you tell him the news.” Olivia said firmly. “He’s going to do everything to make things work. I see how he looks at you.”
Amanda felt relief.
As usual, her boss was right. Amanda also knew that she was the first person whom Nick had been in some kind of relationship that hadn't treated him poorly. Amanda had been helping him repair his shield while reminding him that he was a wonderful person. Life had steamrollered him.
But remembering herself, Amanda finally said to Olivia, “Thank you. I really do feel better.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” Olivia smiled at her again. “Do you have anything else to discuss before you clock out?”
A sharp electronic DING! sound from Amanda’s phone cut through the air.
“Ugh. And I was having such a nice day…” groaned Amanda when she checked the screen.
“That bad, huh?” joked Olivia.
“That text,” sighed Amanda. “Was just sent by my mom.”
Olivia’s curiosity piqued at once. Despite the fact that they’d already encountered Amanda’s younger sister before, none of them knew anything about the rest of the Rollins clan. Including names.
Now Olivia said, “When was the last time you talked to her?”
“Just after my sister cleaned me out. Things really didn’t go great.” Amanda recalled. “My mom hasn’t thrown me much in the way out of niceties after I got the hell out of dodge.”
“Hm. I see.” then Olivia pointed to Amanda’s phone. “Well? Are you going to reply? She is your mother.”
Playfully petulant, Amanda asked her, “Do I have to?”
Olivia said seriously, “I’ll answer her for you if you don’t read that text in the next five seconds.”
“Fine.” Amanda huffed. “But I’m going to read her message aloud. Okay? Then we can learn together if she’s dropping some kind of bombshell on me. Activities like that really are in her wheelhouse.”
Suddenly wondering what Amanda’s growing-up years had been like at all, the sergeant said, “Okay. That’s fair.”
Amanda opened the text. “Here we go: ‘AJ, I'm in town right now, and I really need to talk to you right now. Spagoli's at 6:30? Please?’ Not a bombshell, but I don’t know how to answer…”
“Just why is that?” Olivia wanted to know. “Please tell me.”
Amanda found herself going scarlet. “I can’t keep this quiet forever, but… I come from a family of almost stereotypical Deep South white trash.”
Olivia was truly taken aback. “Huh. Is that right? Please, continue.”
“I’m really the only good one. My sister is just the more unbecoming reflection of it all. We Rollinses are from a very poor trailer park in Loganville, Georgia.” Amanda said.
Now Olivia shook her head in amusement before looking at Amanda’s phone again. The thing remained open to the text from her mother. Olivia momentarily thought about the damaged relationship she’d had with her mother until they’d successfully mended their bridges. That was worth it. Even through the stormy weather.
“Amanda, listen. You are being offered an olive branch.” said Olivia. “I was about your age when my mother offered me one.”
“Really?” Amanda said.
“Really. Take it.” urged Olivia. “It’ll do a lot of good. Please trust me.”
“I do. And with my life. But…” Amanda seemed to still be dragging her heels through the mud. “Last time we spoke… My mom slung terrible names in my direction.”
Olivia put her hands on her hips. “Then please do it for me, instead.”
Amanda caved before seeing her mother a quick answer. Be there soon.
Ignoring the feeling that she’d put something into motion just now, Amanda shook herself out. She had not seen Theo Rollins in person since leaving Georgia. Now she had no idea what to expect.
Olivia’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Hey. Did you hear what I just said?”
Tuning back in, Amanda said truthfully, “No.”
“If you leave now, you can be on time for your mother. Okay?” now Olivia straightened her detective’s appearance out again. “But… She called you AJ?”
“I was wondering when that would come up. My full name,” the detective lamented. “Is Amanda-June McKenzie Rollins.”
“Hm. That’s different.” Olivia mused. “Your service record says ‘Amanda Rollins,’ though. Why has this never come up?”
Amanda said, “The truth is on my permanent record at 1PP. Still, I go by ‘Amanda Rollins’ because everything else is long and ridiculous enough.”
“Okay. Then does anyone else besides your mother call you ‘AJ’ at all?” asked Olivia.
“No. Even my sister knows better.” Amanda replied.
“Then what’s up when your mother does pull that manuever?” said Olivia.
“She’s up to something. And I never know just what until…” Amanda sighed for the umpteenth time. “We finally start our conversation.”
“Dually noted.” Olivia opened the door for her detective. “Please go play nice.”
Amanda promised she would try.
SPAGOLI’S DINER
6:30 PM
The place that Theo had requested was a family-friendly restaurant not very far from the station. Amanda knew at once that her mother had chosen it because it served as a neutral zone. Which they’d need. Majorly.
Amanda played things close to the vest regarding her family for another embarrassing reason. Both she and her sister had been born to their mother during her early teens. Their bond with her was atypical. Everybody saw it.
The detective still found her mother quickly in the restaurant’s early dinnertime crowd. Seated at a booth near the back of the place, Theo Rollins just seemed lost in thought while she looked out of the window beside her.
“Mama?” said Amanda as she approached the table. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you outside of Loganville before!”
Turning to face her firstborn, Theo gave a wink. “Hm. Then I guess you could say there’s a first time for everything, no? Turning over new leaves and all that. Been pinching myself all day.”
Even in the face of Theo’s words, Amanda still knew her mother well enough to know that she’d be hard-pressed to forget their last real interaction. But it hadn’t escaped her notice that Theo was dressed nicely. And she hadn’t stood up. Yet.
So Amanda said, “Theo? Is everything okay?”
Unfazed at her firstborn addressing her by name, Theo said, “I’m fine. Thanks. But… I have to show you the first part of why we came here. Please back up a smidge. Okay?”
The detective did as asked but became curious about Theo’s use of ‘we.’ Her thoughts left her head almost immediately in the very next second when she found herself gasping at the sight of her mother. With reason. At age forty-eight, Theo Rollins was very pregnant.
She offered her firstborn a sheepish grin. “Surprise?”
Amanda sank into the seat opposite. “God…”
But Amanda didn’t get a chance to say anymore. The other half of Theo’s ‘we’ was revealed. Finally.
Beside her was a tiny blonde girl, no more than three-years-old, or close to it, sitting in a booster seat. Amanda could only stare for a few moments. Clean, dressed in a cute outfit that had undoubtedly burnt a hole in Theo’s pocketbook, and groomed nicely, this child looked picturesque. Amanda’s heart even skipped a beat when she noticed the child wearing brightly-colored hearing aids.
What caught Amanda’s attention the most was that this girl bore a strong resemblance to how she’d looked at this age. Now the detective just had a hard time wrapping her mind around the concept.
Now the little girl spoke in a trilling tone. “Hi-hi, my AJ!”
She found herself enough to talk to her. “Hi, angel. What’s your name?”
But the girl could only giggle before looking at Theo. Even Amanda followed her example. The other woman could be seen leaning back in her seat and sighing.
Amanda spoke to Theo cautiously. “Exactly who is this?”
Quite calmly, Theo answered, “Her name is Marigold Liv Rollins. And… She’s your sister.”