Unusual Circumstances

Mayani awoke after 10:00 to find the house empty. She barely remembered Kaylin yanking down the covers to snap the monitoring anklet on a few hours earlier. Not long after fixing herself a light breakfast and settling at her computer with a cup of coffee and the dog curled up at her feet, she heard the hum of the garage door opening. Her anxiety and excitement both began to rise. Footsteps followed the opening door. Mayani nearly fainted at the sight of Kaylin. The officer was in full uniform and looked mighty fine. “Well, hello there. Don’t you look just fine in uniform,” Mayani said, unable to hide her admiration. “Thank you,” Kaylin said almost curtly as she removed Mayani’s anklet. “I thought you were undercover only,” Mayani remarked. “Not when I have classes to teach,” Kaylin replied. “Well, you definitely look great out of cover, Officer Bennet. Totally hot,” Mayani giggled, drawing a subtle yet sharp look of warning from Kaylin. “I’ll be in the shower, then I’ll be in my office. Meanwhile, if you need the bathroom, do it now,” Kaylin instructed. “No, I’m ok. If the urge hits from this coffee, it can wait,” Mayani said. After Kaylin showered, she entered the kitchen where Mayani sat on the floor scratching the dog’s ears. Mayani rose immediately at the sight of Kaylin, who began fixing a sandwich just as her cell phone rang. “Hello?” Kaylin answered, running long fingers through her damp hair. “Yeah, alright, I’ll fire up my computer.” She left the kitchen for her office. Mayani glanced at the sandwich fixings on the counter. Once she made a turkey, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, she brought it on a paper plate to Kaylin, waiting in the doorway until Kaylin noticed before placing it on the corner of her desk. Kaylin looked up with a mix of surprise and pleasure. Just as long as she doesn’t get upset with me again, Mayani thought hopefully, returning to the kitchen to tidy up. A few minutes later, Kaylin came in to thank her for the sandwich. Before she could say more, the doorbell rang. Kaylin headed to the door, with Mayani following several yards behind. At the door stood a woman who resembled Kaylin—tall and dark, with the same boyish figure and mannerisms suggesting she was gay. She was also a detective, Mayani could tell by the badge clipped to her jeans and the gun at her side. Mayani found her borderline appealing, but she didn’t quite make the grade. Her hair had a curl that Kaylin’s didn’t. “Ah, you finally made it back in town,” Kaylin said with a smile. “Finally,” the woman replied, emphasizing each word before her gaze settled on Mayani. “Who’s this little cutie?” Kaylin glanced back at Mayani, as if she’d forgotten she was there. “Oh, just someone in the new house arrest experiment they started last year.” “She’s adorable. Look at that long, thick mane of golden hair. I wish Angelina could grow hair like that. Don’t tell her I said so,” she added in a conspiratorial voice. Kaylin said nothing. “I’m Terri. What’s your name, sweetie?” “Mayani.” “Mayani? That’s quite a name.” “Yeah, well, she’s got work to do, don’t you?” Kaylin said to Mayani, her tone urging her along. “Oh, yes,” Mayani nodded. Then, focused on Kaylin, she added, “Gotta enter more sweepstakes. Maybe I’ll win a trip to Hawaii and get out of your hair for a while.” Terri laughed, but Kaylin just shook her head and rolled her eyes as Mayani headed down the hall. “Nice meeting you, Tsunami.” “Mayani,” she corrected, moving toward her room at the end of the hall. This time, Kaylin laughed, though briefly. In the kitchen, Terri asked in a hushed voice, “What the hell did she do?” “Just stupidly bummed a ride from the wrong person. Some pothead, from what I gather. Guess she never assumed they’d get pulled over and that she’d go down with them.” “She’s awfully cute,” Terri said suggestively. “Oh, come on, Terri. Don’t start. It’s hard enough as it is. I should never have taken her in the first place. Don’t know where my brain was at the time.” “Probably buried by your libido. That’s okay, you can’t stay alone forever,” Terri countered. “Well, if I were smart, I’d surely try to.” “Kay, you and I have been buddies for nearly a decade, so trust me when I tell you: there are times to be smart, and times to cast your cares to the wind and let fate play itself out. Even if the object of your desire is probably straight.” “No, she’s not,” Kaylin said. Terri looked surprised. “Really?” “Really.” “Wow. You don’t meet too many of our kind that are that feminine, but that’s what I said when I met Angelina and learned she was a lesbian.” “How are you two doing anyway? Any babies on board yet?” Kaylin asked. “We’re working on it. As Angelina says, though, we’re going to dry up the entire sperm bank before anything does hatch.” They chuckled. “So,” Terri said, lowering her voice again, “how do you know she’s a lesbian?” “She told me. Very outspoken, I assure you.” “Is that so?” Kaylin nodded. “Sure is. Although she’s anything but loose, she’s already decided she wants to marry me and bear my children.” Terri roared with laughter so loud it echoed painfully off the kitchen walls, stinging Kaylin’s ears. Down the hall, Mayani had to press a hand across her mouth to suppress her own laughter. Kaylin and Terri obviously didn’t realize just how good her hearing was—or how loud they’d gotten.