Unusual Circumstances

Kaylin could find no place in the house that didn’t seem to hold Mayani’s presence, even though the girl was gone. Out back, she saw her playfully splashing in the pool, running around the yard with the dog. She was in the kitchen tidying up, in the living room telling her about a new book idea or some recent win. Kaylin even heard her laughter, and the occasional shit fits she’d throw, calling her a bitch—amusing when the one she went off on was a whole head taller. The girl had guts. No doubt about that. She saw Mayani at the desk in the spare bedroom, propped up in bed. “Have you come to tuck me in?” she remembered Mayani asking, impish grin in place. In the bathroom, Kaylin paused at the bath towel Mayani had left hanging on the rack. She lifted it to her face, inhaling. The fragrance of Mayani’s honeysuckle shampoo lingered. In the bedroom, she recalled Mayani standing at the foot of the bed, having just changed into the yellow nightgown the night Annie and the kids stayed over. “Not very sexy, but definitely comfy, don’t you think?” How did you get to me, Mayani? Kaylin wondered. She’d sworn she’d never let anyone crawl under her skin again—but Mayani had. And now she was gone. She thought of the time Mayani had called her “sweetie” and “honey” in front of Annie. Kaylin had been annoyed at the time, but later she’d laughed at the memory. At least two things brought Kaylin solace: Mayani’s sentence would soon be up, and she knew where the beautiful blond lived.

Mayani went through her days mechanically, working on the computer as best she could amidst the constant noise. She even missed Poochie; Ellie only had a pair of angelfish. Not very exciting. Ellie’s boyfriend spent more time at the apartment, and Ellie herself increasingly spent time at his place. Quieter there, yes, but that meant more time for Mayani to endure the anklet and the chaos around her. Hurry home, Ellie, she thought one humid evening. This is really getting to me. The key turned in the door. “I don’t fucking want to hear it!” Ellie screamed. Oh, oh. It may be a while before I’m cut free. “I already told you this, girl,” Les said. “No kids if we get married, and yes, you’re going to work. This isn’t the fifties. I told you.” “I’ll work, but I won’t marry you if you won’t let me have kids.” Les sighed. “I should never have told you I didn’t want kids.” “And do what, Les? Trick me into a childless marriage? Get out! All you wanted was a second income and a pussy to stick your puny little dick in. Get out!” “Ellie, please,” Les pleaded. “Don’t Ellie me! Just leave! Getting smashed with your buddies matters more to you anyway.” The door slammed. Ellie’s footsteps approached. She wasted no time using Mayani as a sounding board for her complaints about Les. Mayani remained polite, nodding sympathetically. “It’s not like I’d have wanted a family right away or even in a few years, you know?” Ellie ranted. Dutifully, Mayani nodded. “Actually, I’d have waited until my forties to have a life first. Learn, see, save, spend a little on myself. But whatever. Les sucks in bed anyway—no loss.” Another polite nod. As if she had the slightest clue what Les was like in bed. Ellie noticed Mayani’s bummed expression. “Hey, you alright?” “Yeah… I’ll live.” “You look so sad. But why? You’ve only got two weeks left, and tomorrow we see your grandmother. Why the sad face, kiddo?” Mayani shrugged. “I guess… just bored.” “It’s Kaylin, isn’t it? She got to you, didn’t she?” “Yes. Maybe in another life we’d meet under different circumstances.” “Maybe,” Ellie said, smiling. “In this life, they’re either straight, taken, crazy, famous… or someone I meet in unusual circumstances like this.” “You can’t win them all, hon.” Ellie turned to call her circle of friends, recounting the fight with Les. Mayani collapsed on the couch, blanket over her head, crying silently.

Later, Mayani and Ellie prepared to go grocery shopping. The air was already heavy with the monsoon season. “Before the store, I want to stop by the station. There’s a detective I need to talk to,” Ellie said. “Okay,” Mayani replied, a spark of hope lighting her chest. “Think we’ll see Kaylin?” “Possible, if she’s at the station, in the right area. Get over her, kiddo. She’s done with you. You’re done with her. Move on.” “Easy for you to say.” “Why? I’m doing it with Les.” “That’s you and Les.” “Did anything happen between you two?” Ellie asked, curiosity piqued. “No. Kaylin was by-the-book, not interested in a relationship with anyone, no matter the circumstances.” “Well, her ex shafted her good,” Ellie revealed. “I used to see her regularly when she worked vice. He cheated on her practically under her nose, bringing in women—and sometimes men—for quickies while she was away.” “That’s terrible,” Mayani said. “It is. And you didn’t hear it from me.” “Nope. Didn’t hear a thing.” “She was possessive and jealous, too. Being a detective means weird hours. Every time the phone rang, and Kaylin had to leave, she’d pitch a fit. When she discovered him cheating, she tossed him out for good.” “Good for her,” Mayani said. Though they went through the violent crimes unit, Mayani never saw Kaylin. After finding that the detective was called away on an emergency, they left the station. Mayani wanted to cry—she had hoped against hope to see the tall brunette she had come to love, even for a brief moment. Two days later, Ellie would run into Kaylin—but Mayani wouldn’t be there.