Unusual Circumstances

Later on, after Mayani had eaten and showered, trying hard not to strike up a conversation with Kaylin, she sat in her room entering sweepstakes when Kaylin appeared in the doorway. She snapped on a pair of rubber gloves and asked Mayani to step into the hall. Mayani rose from her seat slowly, brows furrowed with curiosity. “What are you doing?” she asked. “Oh, just something I’m required to do every now and then, that’s standard routine. Come on, Mayani. Get out in the hall. I haven’t got all night.” Mayani watched Kaylin from the hallway. The officer looked both authoritative and intimidating as she searched through her meager belongings, as well as behind the furniture and under the mattress. When Kaylin was satisfied that she wasn’t going to find any contraband, she stood upright, gave one last visual sweep of the room, and then nodded toward Mayani. “Ok, you’re clear. You can go back to your computer now.” As Kaylin walked down the hall, removing her gloves, Mayani called out to her. “Kaylin?” Kaylin turned, looking at her questioningly. “Can I have a hug good night?” “No, you may not.” Kaylin turned and resumed walking. Approaching the kitchen, she added, “You’re a big girl, Mayani. You can hang in there. You’ll be back home soon enough.” Yes, she would be,Kaylin thought to herself. Is that something that would really makemehappy? She sat down at the kitchen table, prepared to write in the log that another day had passed without incident with inmate Nolen. Rules, Kaylin reminded herself. We all need to follow the rules, to be professional, to go by the book—even if it calls for a very boring life. Fifteen minutes later, she went into Mayani’s room to find the girl propped up in bed with a book. Mayani brightened at her presence. “Have you come to tuck me in?” “Actually, I’ve come to say good night.” “Oh, good night.” “Remember the rules,” Kaylin said as she turned to leave. “Don’t close your door, don’t try to run, leave the dog alone.” “Do I have permission to breathe?” Kaylin didn’t answer. She entered her bedroom and shut the door behind her, leaving Mayani to wish she could be in there with her. In her own bedroom, Kaylin stripped off her clothes and slid between the cool sheets. Darkness engulfed her, and the only sound was the air conditioner running. Her eyes adjusted to the gloom just as the faint strip of light shining under the door disappeared. Mayani was settling in for the night too, though she had long learned that Kaylin was no morning person—she’d be up long before her. Kaylin rolled over, facing the empty side of the bed. She longed for it to be occupied by Mayani’s young, taut little body and once again wondered if she should kick herself for ever taking her in. The next day was mostly like the previous one, only they didn’t go out anywhere other than the grocery store. The late afternoon was spent in the backyard, where they swam and sunbathed. Occasionally, Mayani played with the dog, casting hesitant glances at Kaylin, who didn’t seem to mind. Normally, Kaylin would find the dog’s excessive barking and a person bubbling with playful energy, such as Mayani, rather annoying. However, she delighted in Mayani’s contagious laughter and the dog’s joyful yips as he chased the ball she tossed across the yard. I could get used to this, Kaylin thought with mixed emotions. A wife, a dog… all I need is a child or two to go with them. She turned away from the playful scene and chided herself for being such a dreamer. After another hour, she rose from the chaise lounge and said, “Ok, Mayani. Time to go in. You burn too easily to be out this long. I don’t want to have to deal with you getting burned.” Mayani glared at Kaylin as she pulled herself out of the pool. Kaylin looked at her, surprised by the angered expression. “You don’t want me getting burned, so you don’t have to deal with it? Gee, thanks, Kaylin!” Mayani screamed at the top of her lungs. Now Kaylin was angry as well, even if she knew she’d sounded a bit selfish. “Go on. Get inside,” she ordered. Mayani stormed ahead, wrapped in the colorful beach towel she had chosen, knowing she liked bright colors over the forest green towel Kaylin used. Mayani crossed the kitchen and turned back to face Kaylin. “You’re such a bitch that I don’t know why the hell I ever fell for you!” Kaylin froze, fireworks darting from her ebony eyes as she stared hard at Mayani. “Get your shit together!” she shouted. “Go on. Get it all gathered up because you’re out of here.” Mayani simply stood there, eyeing Kaylin in disbelief. “I have to go to jail because you’re the one who’s selfish? No way!” The doorbell rang. They glanced toward the front door. “Saved by the bell,” Mayani said, a hint of triumph in her smile. “You’re not saved by shit. Now get in that room and start packing! I’ll bring what you can’t take to jail to your grandmother first thing tomorrow.” The look on Kaylin’s face prompted Mayani into quick action. With lightning speed, she ran down the hallway as Kaylin went to answer the door. That fucking bitch,Mayani thought. I ain’t going nowhere! My stay here with this bitch can’t be over yet. Not this fast. Voices came from down the hall near the front door. Mayani couldn’t make out the words. Footsteps moved down the hallway toward her. Kaylin appeared in the doorway, holding the electronic monitoring anklet. Noting the hurt and anger in Mayani’s violet eyes, Kaylin said, “I have to leave on an emergency. I don’t know if it’ll be a few minutes or a few hours, but you’re going to get this on and be ready to leave when I get back.” Mayani just stood there, unsure what to say. “Come on! Give me your ankle,” Kaylin demanded sternly. Mayani raised a smooth, flexible leg, and Kaylin quickly and firmly snapped the anklet around her delicate ankle before turning to leave the room, slamming the front door behind her moments later. With a sinking heart, Mayani dropped the towel and fell onto her bed, still in her damp bikini. Although tears stung her eyes, she was too numb to cry as minutes turned into hours. Eventually, she struggled to pull herself up to gather her things, just in case Kaylin wasn’t simply blowing off steam this time. Shoulders slumped, she headed into the kitchen for a glass of water. Poochie came in from outside and looked up at her sadly. She patted the dog, then returned to her room and got back into bed. Her eyes soon adjusted to the forty-watt bulb in the kitchen above the sink—the only light on in the house. She lay in the dim light, body tired, mind churning. Finally, she drifted off when the digital clock by the bed read 11:00. It seemed she hadn’t been out for long when she heard movement within the house. Her heartbeat sped up, though she kept her eyes closed and silently muttered prayers of hope. She moaned sleepily as Kaylin entered the room. She expected her to snap on the light and order her to get moving, but she didn’t. Instead, Kaylin yanked the covers down and unlocked the anklet. Mayani was afraid to utter a word. She simply moaned and turned onto her side, facing the wall, silently hoping Kaylin was too tired to take her to jail at this late hour. It had to be after midnight by now. She listened as Kaylin’s footsteps retreated down the hall into the kitchen. A few minutes later, the house went pitch black as Kaylin, familiar with the layout, returned to her bedroom. Mayani dared to roll onto her back so she could see Kaylin’s door. She expected it to be closed, but it wasn’t. The bedside lamp was on as Kaylin moved about the room. She could see shadows along the open door as Kaylin prepared for bed. When all went dark, Mayani let out an audible sigh of relief.