Unusual Circumstances

They entered a crowded elevator and headed up to the adult probation department on the third floor. Along the way, Kaylin exchanged hellos with fellow officers of both genders, some in uniform, some not. One uniformed policeman even referred to Mayani as a “little cutie,” which Kaylin ignored. The waiting room of the probation department was crowded as well, and why shouldn’t it be? After all, this was Arizona, a state that liked to keep as many of its inhabitants as it could on probation to help pay for the constantly growing city’s needs, particularly when it came to new roads. One couldn’t drive very far without being held up in some kind of construction. Mayani thought they’d have to find a seat somewhere and wait along with all the others, but instead Kaylin led her through a door and down a long corridor. She rapped on one of the doors at the end of it. “Come in,” a woman called out. Kaylin opened the door to a small office in which a middle-aged woman sat behind a small desk. “Howdy,” said Kaylin. “Hello there, Officer Bennet. And how have you been?” “I’m doing all right these days. And you?” “Not too bad.” Her eyes came to rest on Mayani. “Who is this lovely lady?” “This here is my client,” Kaylin told her in her southern accent. “She was delivered to me today for house arrest.” Delivered?wondered Mayani. Is she going to say I came via UPS or FedEx? “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Is she here for drug testing?” “No. Actually, she’ll be residing with me for a couple of months, and I need to get her fitted with both an ID bracelet and an electronic monitoring anklet.” “All that?” Mayani asked, exasperation evident in her voice. “My God, why don’t you just handcuff me to your towel rack or something?” Kaylin turned to Mayani. “And why don’t you just hush up and behave so I don’t end up leaving you here, ok?” Hesitantly, Mayani nodded, now looking somewhat sad. The woman rose from her desk and passed Kaylin a look of amusement as she walked by her. Kaylin flashed a quick smile back as if to say, Yeah, she’s an outspoken one at times. Mayani and Kaylin followed the woman to another room. It was larger and almost resembled a workshop of sorts. Kaylin handed the woman the papers she’d been carrying. “Let me just get measurements of your wrists and ankles,” the woman said, taking hold of a measuring tape. “You sure do have slender wrists and ankles,” she added once the measurements were taken. She then typed something into the computer, though with the monitor’s back facing her, Mayani was unable to see what she was entering. She printed out a small strip of paper from a tiny printer and took what appeared to be a strip of plastic from beside the desk over to a laminating machine. The bracelet was then made up with the police department’s logo, Kaylin’s full name and badge number, as well as Mayani’s full name and inmate number. “It looks like a hospital bracelet,” Mayani said as the woman snapped it onto her wrist and declared it a perfect fit. “One down, one to go,” the woman said. “You’re not to tamper with any of these devices, as I’m sure you know.” “And I’m sure I don’t have to remind you what’ll happen if you do try to tamper with them,” Kaylin added. “No, I’m sure you don’t,” Mayani said, surprised to draw a chuckle from both women. “Let me verify the fit of the anklet now.” The woman bent down, opened a round plastic device about an inch thick, and snapped it around Mayani’s ankle. It was heavier than it looked, but Mayani didn’t say anything. Using a small key, the woman unlocked the anklet and then handed it to Kaylin. “Thank you,” Kaylin said, pocketing the key. “How’s the sniper case going?” the woman asked. Mayani had heard about the sniper on the news. An unknown person or persons had been randomly killing people throughout the city. So far, four were dead and three had been wounded. “It’s barely going, I’m sorry to say,” Kaylin replied. “We have a few leads as to the possible make of the vehicle these head cases have been shooting from, but other than that, we keep coming up empty-handed.” “It’s a damn shame,” the woman said, shaking her head dubiously. “Yes, it is.” After a few more minutes of small talk, ignoring Mayani altogether, they said their goodbyes, and life with Kaylin began, starting with her stepping on part of her sprinkler system and getting sprayed. “You think that’s funny? Huh?!” Kaylin shouted. Mayani tried to control her laughter as Kaylin shook the water from her hair and held the papers they’d gotten at the police department out to her side so the water could drip off. “Just let the papers air-dry. The water will evaporate,” Mayani told her. Kaylin glared at her, completely devoid of humor. “Piece of shit!” she spat a moment later at the hose that had ruptured near the faucet handle, spraying her when she’d gone to turn on the sprinkler out front after they’d returned home. Mayani laughed again. “Get in there, Mayani,” Kaylin ordered, motioning toward the garage, which Mayani followed her into. Kaylin grabbed the duffel bag from the back of the SUV, slammed the door shut, and headed for the door to the house. “It’s open,” she barked. Mayani opened the door and stepped inside. The cool air was refreshing after the intense heat. Kaylin followed, slapping the button by the door to lower the garage door. They were greeted by Poochie just inside the house. Kaylin bent down to scratch behind the dog’s ears. Mayani felt her amusement begin to turn into anxiety as they headed for her room at the other end of the house, the dog in pursuit. Once there, Mayani began to pull items from her bag when Kaylin snapped, “Not now. Rules first, unpacking later.” She followed Kaylin back to the kitchen, nearly having to trot to keep up with her quick, long-legged strides. The dog followed them and curled up on the floor between them as they took seats at the table. Kaylin studied her for a moment, then said, “The rules are simple. Stay out of the rooms I told you to stay out of, stay out of trouble, and don’t mess with your bracelet or anklet. You will not, at any time, for any reason, leave the house alone. Not even to go swimming out back.” Mayani tried not to squirm with discomfort. She felt like a child again, being told what she could and couldn’t do. “In most cases, when you leave the house, it will be on weekends, for visits to your grandmother and for grocery shopping only. No unnecessary trips will be taken. If you have it in mind to go shopping at the mall or dining out at Denny’s, forget it. You’ll be allowed one half-hour visit a week at someone else’s house. Your necessity shopping should take no longer than necessary. You’ll also be allowed one half-hour visit here at my home on either Saturday or Sunday, but not without my prior knowledge and approval. You cannot receive any packages or food deliveries here. If you want something like a pizza delivered on weekends, you need my permission. You will not let anyone in who comes to the door unless they’re associated with the police department.” “What if they say they’re a detective?” Mayani asked. “How would I know if they were for real?” “If you have any doubts, call me at the number I’ll give you—but don’t call unless it’s absolutely necessary. You got it?” “Got it.” “Who takes care of the bill-paying—you or your grandmother?” “We both do, but she does most of it. I can check on things on weekends, and of course, there’s Bella. She’ll make sure Nana gets things done that need to be done.” “Does she drive?” “No. Her health provider gives her a driver when she needs one. Bella drives, though, and she takes her places too. I don’t think she’ll come here on weekends. It’d be easier if I saw her at home. Once a week is enough with Bella around. She only lives a few blocks away.” “Ok. Do you think you’ll want anyone else visiting you here?” Mayani thought for a moment. “No. I spend so much time on my computer that I don’t really socialize much. I’m not a people person anyway, and I’m picky about who I hang out with.” “Good,” Kaylin said. “Now all you need to do is get picky about who you accept rides from, and you’ll be all set.” “I think I’ve figured that out by now.” Kaylin tapped her pen against the now-dry papers, looking as though she were debating whether to let Mayani in on a secret. Finally, she spoke. “For whatever it’s worth…” “Yeah?” “You got a bum deal. I’ll admit it. They should’ve slapped you on the wrist, given you a warning, and let you go. But what’s done is done. Just behave yourself, and you’ll be out of here before you know it, ok?” “Ok,” Mayani said softly, not entirely sure she wanted to be out of there if Kaylin could soften up a little. “Thank you.” “For what?” Kaylin asked. “For believing in me.” “It doesn’t matter if I believe in you. Just keep it together and do your time. I don’t care if you stay in bed all day as long as you follow the rules. It’s all here in black and white if you have questions.” She slid the paper toward Mayani and held out her pen. “Sign.” Mayani glanced it over and signed. Kaylin kept the white copy and handed Mayani the pink one. “Let’s wrap this up,” Kaylin said, rising. Mayani followed her back to the bedroom, where Kaylin began inspecting her belongings item by item. “Strip.” “What?” Mayani asked, caught off guard. “You heard me. Take your clothes off.” Reluctantly, Mayani complied while Kaylin finished checking her things. When Kaylin turned to face her, her expression was unreadable. Kaylin stared at the naked body before her. Mayani was perfectly proportioned, the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen. Her golden mane covered more than half her height, contrasting against smooth, tanned skin. She had excellent muscle tone, though perhaps a bit too thin. Her breasts were a good size compared to Kaylin’s own rather flat chest. There were no scars, tattoos, or blemishes. The fine golden pubic hair looked downy soft, sending unwanted waves of heat through Kaylin. She wanted her so badly that it made her uncomfortable. The urge to touch, to taste, to devour every curve hit her hard. “Turn around,” Kaylin ordered, forcing her voice steady. Mayani did. “Move your hair.” Mayani pulled it forward. Kaylin found the view just as stunning—the soft curve of her waist, the gentle swell of her hips. “Ok. You can get dressed now.” Kaylin left the room feeling as though the temperature had risen ten degrees, leaving Mayani to redress.