Unusual Circumstances

Mayani was in the kitchen, heating up some clam chowder, while Kaylin sat at the table doing paperwork. When her cell phone rang, Kaylin picked it up and answered. A moment later, a smile spread across her face—beautiful, Mayani thought, with wide lips and perfectly even, white teeth. “Oh, wow, you’re in town…? Great… Oh, okay. Just you and the kids? How long are you staying anyway…? Yeah…? Oh, don’t bother with a motel. Let me put you all up here for the night. You and Shastina can squeeze into the spare bed, Wyatt can take the couch, and Mayani can go in with me…” Mayani’s heart leapt. She almost couldn’t believe it. You mean she was actually going to sleep with Kaylin? What a deal! “She’s just a girl who’s temporarily staying with me,” Kaylin explained, catching the look on Mayani’s face. After a few more minutes of conversation, Kaylin hung up and looked at Mayani. “An old friend of mine and her two kids are in town for a wedding. They’ve come from California and plan to leave after the wedding tomorrow. In the meantime, they’ll stay with us, and I don’t want any problems. Got it?” “Got it, boss.” “And I don’t want you playing with the dog in the hallway like I know you’ve been doing when I’m in the shower or not here. Now go get your laptop and phone out of your room and bring them into mine.” “I’ll get right to it,” Mayani said, barely able to hide her excitement. She ran to her room to gather her things. It was the first time she’d ever been inside Kaylin’s room, and she paused to take it in. Simple, modern, and inviting: a double bed with shelves behind it, a nightstand by the door, a long dresser opposite the bed. All the wood was whitewashed. Lace curtains of white and pale pink framed the two windows, while the sky-blue and lavender comforter on the bed complemented the plush mauve carpet. “You have a lovely bedroom,” Mayani said. “Uh-huh. Come on, get to it. Put your stuff on the dresser or the floor by the far side of the bed. I have to get things ready—they’re on their way.” “Can I help?” “Get a clean set of sheets from the linen closet and change your bed while I make up the couch,” Kaylin instructed. By evening, Mayani had made up the bed with fresh floral sheets. She was straightening the comforter when the doorbell rang. She heard Kaylin greeting her guests as she walked toward the entryway and saw a plain, chubby woman in her forties with two children. “Hi,” the woman said pleasantly, smiling at Mayani. “Hi,” Mayani replied. “This is Annie,” Kaylin introduced. “And this little one is Shastina.” Mayani smiled at the shy girl of about eight. “What a pretty name.” “And this big guy is Wyatt,” Kaylin said. Mayani nodded at the boy, who seemed bored. “This is Mayani,” Kaylin told Annie. “Oh, what a pretty name,” Annie said warmly. “Mayani, please show Annie and Shastina to the guest room while I get Wyatt situated in the living room,” Kaylin instructed. “Sure. Just follow me.” Mayani and Annie chatted in the bedroom while Annie rummaged through her suitcase. Shastina sat on the edge of the bed, braiding her Barbie doll’s hair. “Are you from here, Mayani?” Annie asked. “No, I’m from Connecticut. Been here just over a year now.” “You like it?” “It has its pros and cons, but yes, I like the Southwest better than the Northeast. Are you related to Kaylin?” “No, we’re just old friends. We used to be neighbors when Kaylin and I lived in the Desert Townhouses near the big mall. Then I moved to Needles to be closer to the kids’ father on the rare occasion he drops by.” “Needles?” “Yes. Near Laughlin.” “Laughlin?” Annie laughed. “I can tell you’re unfamiliar with the Southwest.” “That’s true.” “Needles is just over the California border, and Laughlin is over the Nevada border,” Annie explained. Kaylin’s tall figure filled the doorway. “Everything okay in here?” “Just swell,” Annie said. “Is Wyatt behaving himself?” “He’s already engrossed in the TV,” Kaylin replied with a smile. Annie chuckled. “That boy is one serious couch potato.” “Anything special you need while you’re here?” Kaylin asked. “Mayani and I can run to the store if you’d like.” “Oh no, thanks. We’re fine. We’ll just catch up, shower, and get to bed early. We leave first thing in the morning to make a few stops before the wedding.” “So it’s your niece that’s getting married?” Kaylin asked, leaning against the door frame, arms folded. Annie nodded. “Yup.” Mayani decided to step into the kitchen. Wyatt didn’t even notice her as she passed the living room. Kaylin and Annie followed shortly after, chatting about work. Annie mentioned being a dental assistant and recounted a funny story about a nervous patient named Tom. “Want to play a game?” Shastina asked suddenly, holding a board game. “Sure. Let’s set it up on the living room floor.” Wyatt continued watching his movie while Mayani and Shastina played, laughing whenever the dog wandered between them. “Hey,” Kaylin said, stepping out from the kitchen. “I’m glad you’re having fun, but let’s keep it down, okay?” “No problem,” Mayani said. “Anyone want a drink?” “No thanks,” the kids chorused. After putting the game away, Shastina sat by her brother while Mayani grabbed a drink in the kitchen. “Hi there, Mayani,” Annie said. “That kid of mine didn’t drive you too crazy, did she?” “Oh no, ma’am. Not at all.” “How’s life with Kaylin?” she asked, nodding toward her friend. “Oh, it’s been great. Wonderful,” Mayani beamed, prompting Kaylin to quickly change the subject. “Did I remember to put extra towels in the bathroom?” “I believe you did,” Annie replied. Mayani stepped just outside the kitchen, sipping her smoothie and glancing at the TV. “I’m so glad you’ve met someone,” Annie whispered, though not quietly enough for Mayani to miss. “There’s a lot of love between you two. That’s obvious.” Kaylin snorted. “Annie, she’s my client,” she explained, aware that Mayani had overheard and was barely containing her laughter. “Oh! I thought—oh, I’m sorry…” Annie stammered. “Don’t sweat it,” Kaylin said, running a hand through her hair. “Mayani?” “Yes, honey?” Kaylin’s dark eyes hardened. “Let’s get you situated for the night.” She motioned down the hall. “Sure thing, sweetie.” As soon as Mayani reached the master bedroom and Kaylin shut the door behind them, she burst into laughter. “That’s it,” Kaylin said. “Get it out now, because I don’t want any crap later.” “With all the love between us? I wouldn’t dream of it,” Mayani said, laughing more. Kaylin leaned against the wall, lips firm, clearly annoyed but not angry. “Okay, Mayani, I want you in bed…” “This early?” Mayani protested. “Can’t I at least poke at my laptop?” “No. I want you in bed, in a long T-shirt or nightgown. Now get changed,” Kaylin said, emphasizing the second now. “I didn’t bring any clothes in here. Let me grab my nightgown.” Kaylin pushed off the wall and opened the door, ushering her out with one long sweep of her arm. Mayani went to the guest room, fetched a sleeveless yellow cotton nightgown, and returned. “Not very sexy, but comfy, don’t you think?” “No touching anything or leaving the room except to use the bathroom,” Kaylin warned. “No snoring or lying on my hair.” “Now crawl to the far side of the bed and sleep,” Kaylin ordered before leaving the room. Mayani lay awake, excitement and anxiety swirling. She listened as others moved about the house, imagining Kaylin sliding in beside her. Later, a light clicked on. Half-asleep, Mayani opened her eyes to find she had actually slept. She moaned softly. “Hush and go back to sleep,” Kaylin whispered. Mayani shut her eyes again. Kaylin observed her, golden hair spread like a halo, and felt a surge of desire to hold her, to kiss her… Mayani watched discreetly as Kaylin changed into a nightshirt, then slipped quietly into bed beside her. They both fell asleep, Mayani occasionally pressing against Kaylin, Kaylin wrapping an arm around her back. By morning, Kaylin awoke with Mayani nestled against her front. She lifted her arm and rose.