Unusual Circumstances

The next day moved at a more leisurely pace. Mayani felt it was best to give Kaylin some space, especially after spending so much time with her the day before—far more than what was usually allowed for visits. She spent most of her time in her room, working on her book and entering sweeps. By early afternoon, she received a win notification: a DVD box set. Excited, she ran down the hall to the living room and told Kaylin. “Oh, how neat,” Kaylin said from the couch, lying back comfortably. “It’s to be delivered to Nana’s house, of course,” Mayani assured her—just as the doorbell rang. Kaylin rose to open the door. It was Terri, accompanied by her girlfriend, Angelina. Angelina was about Mayani’s height, with hazel eyes and deep, dark coppery-red hair that fell nearly to her waist. Though long, it seemed thin and wispy compared to Mayani’s hair. Introductions were made. “Well, I’ll leave you all to chat. Nice meeting you, Angelina,” Mayani said. “She can’t sit with us?” Angelina asked Kaylin. “Well,” Kaylin said hesitantly. “It’s okay. I’ve got work to do. Maybe I’ll stop in and say hello a little later,” Mayani offered. “Okay,” Kaylin said with a smile as the three moved into the kitchen. Mayani returned to her computer, listening as occasional laughter drifted down the hall. After half an hour, she went to the kitchen, ostensibly for a drink. “Happy belated birthday, Tsunami,” Terri said. Mayani thanked her as Angelina cracked up at the nickname’s pronunciation. “You going to join us now?” Terri asked. “Sure,” Mayani said, grabbing a soda and taking the empty seat between Kaylin and Angelina. Kaylin kept her gaze mostly on her laptop while the foursome made small talk, which eventually turned personal as Terri and Angelina revealed they were trying to start a family. “And I thought trying to conceive the old-fashioned way was impossible!” Angelina exclaimed. “So you’ve been with men before?” Mayani asked. “Oh, yeah. Been married twice.” “Let me guess,” Mayani said, “they were violent, cheaters, or didn’t want kids?” “They weren’t violent. As for faithfulness… hard to say. I became pregnant by the first guy I was married to. When he found out, he ran. Four months later, I miscarried, and he wanted to come back. Naturally, I told him to go to hell.” “And hubby number two?” “That one? He claimed he wanted a family, but after three years of him insisting we use birth control and me asking point-blank when we’d start trying, he told me I was manipulative—and he was getting a vasectomy.” “And you?” “I told him that if trying to make a husband stick to his word makes a wife manipulative, then I didn’t want to be anyone’s wife. While he went to the doctor, I went to my lawyer. Women are the better-looking species anyway, and artificial insemination is so much simpler.” “True,” Mayani agreed. “How are your folks taking the idea of you having a child?” Kaylin asked. “Mine are okay,” Terri said. “Angelina’s… not so thrilled. Maybe because we’re both women.” “Nah,” Angelina said. “We’re just living in a time when being a mom isn’t as trendy as being a career woman. Screw the world’s trends. Do what’s best for you.” “So when will you start?” Mayani asked. Terri and Angelina exchanged glances. “Originally, we thought next June—so I wouldn’t be too heavy during the heat,” Angelina said. “Are you going to a doctor for artificial insemination? I thought Arizona was prejudiced toward gay couples with kids,” Mayani asked. “No, we’re using frozen sperm we ordered online. That way, Terri can impregnate me, not some potentially biased doctor. But after nearly a year, nothing’s happened. I wonder if something’s wrong with me. What kind of God would do this to someone who wants children so badly?” “Not a very empathetic one,” Mayani said, earning disapproving looks from Kaylin and a raised eyebrow from Terri. “It’s strange,” Angelina said. “You hear so much about a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy, yet I’m on the other side, fighting for the right to conceive. I trust in intuition—I believe I’ll conceive eventually. I’m your age, Mayani, and Terri’s thirty-one. If I’m not pregnant by forty, we’ll consider adoption or foster care.” Terri noticed Mayani glancing at Kaylin, a dreamy look on her face. “It’s got you thinking, huh?” Mayani blushed. “I’m not saying anything.” “How many kids would you want?” Terri asked. “I don’t know,” Mayani admitted. “Let’s see if I have just one first, then I’ll decide.” “How many would you want, Kaylin?” Angelina asked. Kaylin looked up from her laptop. “Oh, I don’t know. One to ten, maybe.” The others chuckled.

By now, Mayani was halfway through her “sentence” with Kaylin. Not much had changed—day-to-day life was comfortable. Kaylin remained distant, though far less strict or moody than before. She had come to trust Mayani, who never tried to manipulate her. If Kaylin said “no,” it was final. For instance, when Terri and Angelina visited, Angelina suggested Mayani walk to a nearby fast-food place to get burgers, fries, and shakes. “It isn’t that I don’t trust Mayani,” Kaylin explained. “It’s just that if someone from the department saw you two out, that’d be my ass. And Mayani’s too.” Terri chuckled. “Even though Kaylin’s point is valid, I doubt she’d run—even if she had a place to go, right, Tsunami?” “Right,” Mayani said. Terri winked at Kaylin, who gave her a look that said, Very funny. Later, after Terri and Angelina left, Mayani slipped outside to play fetch with Poochie while Kaylin watched TV. The dog’s barking soon drew Kaylin outside. “What the hell are you doing? Have you lost your mind?” Mayani froze. “What are you talking about?” “You know I don’t let you be outside alone. Now get back in!” “Oh, I forgot,” Mayani giggled. “Totally forgot. I’m really sorry.” “Yeah, well, let’s see how funny it is when I write you up. I will the next time you do something this dumb, you hear?” “But no one from the department would happen by the backyard!” “I’m from the department, and I happened by the backyard. Get inside, or I’ll write you up right now.” “And toss me in jail too?” “Get in here, Mayani,” Kaylin said, exasperated. “And for the millionth time, leave the dog alone.” Mayani scurried off to her room, knowing better than to argue with the firm, yet undeniably attractive officer.