Unusual Circumstances

Mayani rose at her usual late Saturday-morning hour on her twenty-sixth birthday and stumbled into the kitchen to find Kaylin sitting at the table, working on a laptop much newer and nicer than her own. Kaylin looked up as soon as she entered the room. The dog stood, wagging his tail, to greet her as well. “Happy birthday,” Kaylin said. “Thanks,” Mayani smiled, still half-asleep. She wasn’t sure she’d remember it herself. “Well, you’re a very good writer.” “Oh, you read my stuff?” “I finished the first book this morning. Good plot, good characters.” Mayani’s smile broadened. “If you’d like, we can pick up your grandmother and bring her over for a while. You said she doesn’t drive, right?” “Right. Neither of us does. This is why I’ve been trying to convince her to sell the sedan. Nice laptop. Puts mine to shame, doesn’t it, Poochie?” She bent to pat the dog, then quickly stood. “Oops. No playing with the dog.” “We can leave as soon as you’re ready,” Kaylin said, rising to head into the living room. “No playing with the laptop either.”

An hour later, as they pulled into her grandmother’s driveway, Kaylin noticed a station wagon parked behind the sedan, leaving no room to drive in. “That’s Bella’s car—her best friend,” Mayani explained. Mayani hopped out eagerly as Kaylin stopped the car. She ran up to the house and rang the bell. A tall, heavyset woman opened the door. “Ah, the birthday girl has arrived! She’s here, Lydia. Come on in, sweets.” “Hi, Bella,” Mayani said, then introduced Kaylin. “This is Kaylin, the wonderful cop I’ve been staying with.” “So I’ve heard,” Bella said, opening the door wider. “Nice to meet you, Kaylin.” “Ma’am,” Kaylin acknowledged with a polite nod. “Your Nana’s in the kitchen, dear,” Bella said, closing the door behind them. Mayani scurried into the kitchen with Kaylin close behind. “Slow down, Mayani,” Kaylin called, feigning breathlessness. Bella chuckled and took a seat in a plush chair. In the kitchen, Mayani’s grandmother was arranging colorful candles on a freshly baked cake. She turned to face her granddaughter. “Well, hello there, and happy birthday! You’re just in time. I made your favorite—butter rum cake with caramel icing.” “Oh, Nana, you’re so sweet,” Mayani said, planting a kiss on her grandmother’s cheek. “Hi there, Kaylin. How’s it going with this little devil here?” “I’m surviving,” Kaylin replied with a smile. “She keeping you on your toes?” “You could say that,” Kaylin answered. “I’m nothing she can’t handle, Nana. How would you feel about coming over to our house today?” Nana’s eyes brightened. “To the house?” “Perhaps we could sit by the pool for a while. It’s not going to be nearly as hot today,” Kaylin said. “I did hear we’re in for a cool spell. That’s just fine with me,” Nana replied. Bella entered the small kitchen, about half the size of Kaylin’s. “They’re offering to take me to this fine officer’s house,” Nana explained to her friend. “Oh, wouldn’t that be nice?” Bella said approvingly. “She needs to get out more anyway.” “This is true. But not before we all enjoy some birthday cake with the birthday girl.” Nana carried the cake to the table. There was only room for three at the table, so Kaylin remained standing. “I’ll get a chair for Kaylin,” Bella offered. “Oh, no ma’am. I’m perfectly content to stand,” Kaylin said politely. “You sure?” “Yes, ma’am. Leaning against the counter is fine. Thank you.” Nana lit the candles. “I can’t sing to save my life, so just make a wish and blow them out, dear.” Mayani nodded, locked eyes with Kaylin briefly, closed her eyes tight, and blew out the candles. Nana and Bella clapped. “It’s getting harder to blow them all out in one breath each year,” Mayani said. Chuckles erupted as Nana began cutting the cake. “A big piece for the birthday girl. Kaylin, how big would you like?” “Oh, that’s okay. I’ll pass.” “Not even a tiny sliver? We’re a bit small here for the three of us.” Kaylin hesitated, then agreed to a small piece. “The cake is excellent, as always, Nana,” Mayani said appreciatively. “It sure is,” Kaylin agreed.

After cake and small talk, Nana handed Mayani a small box. Inside was a beautiful bracelet with multicolored gemstones. “Oh, how lovely—and so colorful!” Mayani exclaimed, hugging her grandmother. “I’m glad you like it, dear. I know you’re not allowed to have it just yet, but it’ll be here when you come home.” “There’s one from me, too,” Bella said, handing a small box of chocolates. “Oh, thank you, Bella. I love these,” Mayani said. “I’ll put the bracelet on my dresser so it won’t get lost. Come on, Kaylin.” Nana and Bella chuckled as Kaylin followed Mayani down the short hallway to her room. She stopped at a box on her bed. “Oh, the clothes I won. Can I go through them real quick?” “Sure,” Kaylin said. Mayani pulled out two pairs of jeans and three T-shirts, handing them to Kaylin one by one. Kaylin smiled. “Is there a reason you’re handing these to me?” “No, just to check them out. I don’t need to take them with me.” Kaylin refolded the clothes, placing them back in the box as Mayani arranged her bracelet and chocolates on the dresser. “You can take the chocolates with you, and please don’t kill me with the perfume this time, ok?” Mayani grinned, giving a quick spritz on her wrist. Bella called goodbye as she prepared to leave, and Mayani darted down the hallway to see her off, with Kaylin struggling to keep up.

Nana headed to her room. “I think I’ll put a swimsuit under my shorts in case I need to cool off. Is that okay?” “That’d be fine,” Kaylin said. As Nana went inside, Kaylin grabbed Mayani’s waist. “Slow down and stay in sight. I know this is exciting, but I can only move so fast, okay?” “Okay,” Mayani giggled, enjoying Kaylin’s strong arms around her. A few minutes later, Nana emerged in a polka-dotted swimsuit with khaki shorts. “I want to wrap the cake to take over as well. You can finish it there. God knows I don’t need more sugar,” she said. “Why, this is just beautiful,” Nana exclaimed as they arrived back at Kaylin’s house. “Mayani must love it here. Big house, plenty of space, a pool, a dog, and someone like you. I hate to think of the day you bring her home for good, Kaylin.” “Yes, ma’am,” Kaylin replied. Mayani said nothing, not wanting to think of leaving. “Don’t look so sad, sweetheart,” Nana said, noticing her expression. “Enjoy the moment and let things happen as they will. Everything happens for a reason.” “That’s a good way of looking at it,” Kaylin said. Mayani and Kaylin helped Nana settle on the patio in a lawn chair while they changed into swimsuits. Mayani was ready by the time Kaylin came out in a shimmering red one-piece. “Thank you for all you’ve done today,” Mayani said. “Okay,” Kaylin nodded. Mayani trotted ahead to the pool with Poochie in playful pursuit. Kaylin sat on her chaise lounge. “Hush, Poochie,” Kaylin ordered. Nana laughed. “That girl’s a stick of dynamite for the dog, isn’t she?” “Tell me about it,” Kaylin said, rolling her eyes. “They’re inseparable, though I try to keep them apart.” “Isn’t anyone coming in?” Mayani asked. “No, not right now,” Kaylin said. “I’ll wait until I get hot enough to need cooling off,” Nana added. Mayani swam laps while Kaylin and Nana watched. When she rested on the steps, Nana said, “She’s a bundle of positive energy, don’t you agree?” “Sure,” Kaylin replied. “She’s strong and mature intellectually, yet young at heart. She finds joy in things most would take for granted. She’s shown courage and resilience since her parents’ tragedy.” Kaylin frowned. “I’m not sure I follow, ma’am.” Mayani quickly turned to her grandmother. “Nana, no. Don’t say anything.” “Why not? Doesn’t she deserve to know?” “Telling people always backfires. They think I’m making it up or fishing for sympathy. Besides, it’s not a thrilling tale to hear.” “I hear you, little one,” Nana said. “It’s sad and infuriating, that’s for sure.” “It’s embarrassing more than anything,” Mayani added. Kaylin remained silent, curiosity piqued. “She’ll tell you when she’s ready,” her grandmother concluded. Mayani swam off again. A few minutes later, she pulled herself out of the pool and yawned. “Well, I do believe it’s been an exciting day for you so far,” Nana said. Mayani nodded and asked Kaylin if she could sit on the end of her lounge chair. Kaylin studied her, then said, “Yeah, go ahead.” “So have you two gotten to know each other much?” Nana asked. “She won’t tell me anything,” Mayani said. “I guess I’m here to be punished, even though Kaylin’s hardly a punishment when she’s not in a bad mood.” Nana laughed. Even Kaylin smiled. “Ask her how old she is, Nana. Maybe she’ll tell you.” “Okay. How old are you, Kaylin?” “Thirty.” “Where are you from?” Mayani asked. Kaylin shrugged. “Ask her, Nana.” Kaylin and Nana laughed. “You sound like a southern belle,” Nana observed. “Laurel, Mississippi,” Kaylin said dully. “What’s that, dear?” “She said Laurel, Mississippi,” Mayani repeated louder. The dog approached with his ball. Nana chuckled. “If you don’t miss her when she’s gone, your dog surely will.” “Can we play?” Mayani asked. “Go ahead, but today’s your only day off from the rules. Tomorrow it’s back on track, got it?” “Yes, I got it. And I’m sure you’ll remind me a million times along the way.” “I just might do that,” Kaylin said, sharing a smile with Nana. Mayani played with the dog while Kaylin helped Nana into the pool safely. “Oh, how I yearn for my younger days again,” Nana said. “Why not just sit on the steps, Nana?” Mayani suggested. “That’s a good idea. I think I will.” Kaylin leaned a few feet away. Mayani swam close to her. “You know, I am amazed at how much Mayani likes you,” Nana said. “She doesn’t take to many people, especially since the tragedy—” “Nana!” Mayani warned. “Why not?” Kaylin said. “As a detective, couldn’t I find out?” “Sure, you could. But I hope you’ll let me tell you on my own. Though at this rate, I probably never will, especially if I can’t stay here.” Kaylin shook her head, and Mayani realized she wasn’t angry. Nana laughed. “Guess you’ve been given an ultimatum, Kaylin. Stay out of it, or I’ll tell you. So, what’s a lovely lady like yourself doing all alone? Trouble finding someone brave enough to live with a cop?” “That’s part of it,” Kaylin said. “People hesitate because cops sometimes get killed.” “So do people who get cancer or are struck by lightning,” Mayani quipped. Kaylin shook her head mockingly. “You ought to listen to the girl, Kaylin. She’s smart.” “Yes, I’m sure she is.” “I think my little Mayani here likes you.” Kaylin said nothing. “I’ll make myself hate her when my time here is up, Nana,” Mayani said. “Oh, yeah?” her grandmother asked. “I’ll try,” Mayani added. “I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable, so we’ll just forget about it for now.” “Forget about what, dear?” “Everything.” Kaylin snorted. “My goodness, it’s hot and bright out here,” Nana said. “Would you mind if I went home early? I don’t want to push it.” “No problem, Nana. The last thing I want is for you to overdo it.” They left the pool and dried off.