Unusual Circumstances

For what seemed like an eternity, Mayani teetered on the edge of consciousness, drifting in and out. In those brief moments of clarity, she caught fragments of voices: the doctor explaining to Kaylin how lucky she had been to escape serious injury, Kaylin sobbing softly and muttering apologies for failing to protect her. The guilt in Kaylin’s voice hurt more than the pain in her arm. She wanted so badly to sit up, to open her eyes and tell Kaylin it wasn’t her fault. No one could have predicted what happened. Still, Kaylin had voiced the guilt she felt over and over, and Mayani knew it weighed heavily on her. When she finally opened her eyes, Kaylin was standing at the window, gazing out with nothing in particular in mind. She had changed into denim overalls, giving her a tomboyish look that somehow made her even more appealing. Her hands were tucked into her pockets as she leaned casually against the side of the window. Mayani moaned. Kaylin’s head snapped toward her so quickly that her straight, silky hair bounced across her shoulders. “Mayani? Mayani,” she said, smiling. “Hey, Boss,” Mayani croaked hoarsely. Kaylin’s smile widened as she hurried to the bed. “How ya doin’, sweetheart?” “I need some water.” “Some water?” Kaylin grabbed the pitcher on the nearby table and poured a cup. “Sure. Here, sweetie. Try to sit up a bit.” She slid a strong arm behind Mayani as she shifted forward, holding the cup to her lips since her right arm was heavily bandaged and her left hooked to an IV. Mayani moaned after a few sips. “That arm doesn’t feel too good, does it?” Kaylin asked, eyes soft with concern. “Not especially. Can you ask the nurse if I could have something for it?” “Of course. I’ll be right back.” A couple of minutes later, Kaylin returned with a plain-looking blond nurse and a warm, professional Asian doctor. “Hi there, Mayani,” the doctor said with a smile. “I’m Dr. Wong.” “Hello,” Mayani murmured. “How are you feeling?” “It hurts, and I feel pretty weak.” “You lost a lot of blood and had a transfusion,” Dr. Wong explained. “But you’re a remarkably tough and fortunate young lady. You’ll likely be discharged tomorrow. All you’ll need to do afterward is apply ointment and change your bandages daily—best after bathing.” “Ok,” Mayani said, nodding. “The nurse will give you something for the pain now, and later tonight we can remove your IV.” “That’d be nice,” Mayani said with a small smile. “Then at least I’ll have one useful arm.” The doctor and nurse chuckled, along with Kaylin. “Won’t that be nice?” Dr. Wong said. After confirming she had no questions, the doctor left the nurse to inject medication into the IV, while Kaylin settled into the chair beside the bed. “Oh my God, Nana!” Mayani suddenly exclaimed. “Has anyone contacted her?” “Yes, relax. I’ve filled her in, as well as her friend Bella,” Kaylin said. Mayani leaned back against the pillows, smiling gratefully. “Thanks for remembering them. How’s Nana?” “She’s a little strained these days, but there’s good news.” “Yeah?” Kaylin leaned closer, whispering in her ear. “You’re off probation.” Mayani’s joy was immediate—but then her face fell at the thought of never seeing Kaylin again. Kaylin caught the change. “Hey. No worrying. Everything’s fine. Think I’d deprive Poochie of seeing you again? After all, I can’t entertain him as you do.” Mayani beamed, and Kaylin joined in the smile. “And also,” Kaylin added, “someone’s gotta laugh at me for getting sprayed with those damn hoses when they burst.” Mayani giggled. The nurse finished the injection. “You may feel drowsy. Lunch will be served soon. Yell if you need anything.” “Lunch?” Mayani asked, surprised. “How long have I been out?” “Since yesterday,” Kaylin said. “My God, I thought it was just a few hours!” Mayani exclaimed as the nurse left. Kaylin shook her head. “Mayani, I’m so, so sorry. I…” “Don’t you dare blame yourself. It wasn’t your fault.” Mayani reached for Kaylin’s hand, and Kaylin squeezed it affectionately. “If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be dead right now. What the hell happened back there anyway?” Kaylin drew a deep breath. “Almost a year ago, I testified in court against a sixteen-year-old involved in an armed robbery.” “And?” “His father wasn’t happy about his son being in juvenile detention until twenty-one.” “So he hunted you down?” “Not exactly. His wife first tried to find me in the phone book, but like most of us in law enforcement, I wasn’t listed. Yesterday, however, he spotted us leaving the department after paying a speeding ticket. That bullet meant for me hit you instead.” Mayani thought a moment. “Maybe it’s good I took it. Who knows what he might’ve done to you, or if you could’ve handled it if it grazed your arm as it did mine.” They laughed together. “Maybe not,” Kaylin said. “You’re a tough one. I’m just so relieved you’re ok. You don’t know how relieved I was when they told me.” “I’m glad it wasn’t worse. So what about him? You fired back, right?” Kaylin nodded, serious. “He died at the scene.” Mayani exhaled. “I hate to say it, but that’s a relief. One less vengeful person. Just promise me you won’t punish yourself. You did all a good cop could do. If it weren’t for you, he might’ve fired again—and the next shot might not have grazed me.” Kaylin’s expression softened, and she took Mayani’s hand again. Mayani’s heart surged with love, gratitude, and shock. She never expected Kaylin to show her such affection, and she hadn’t anticipated developing these feelings herself. “We’re not cop and probationer anymore,” she said with a small smile. “Hopefully I’ll be out soon, like the doctor said.” “They’ll probably discharge you tomorrow,” Kaylin said, releasing her hand and standing. “You need rest now.” “Ok. Pain’s dulled at least.” “I’ll be back tomorrow.” “See ya,” Mayani smiled. Kaylin nodded, almost shyly, and left—returning briefly with Mayani’s nightgown and a stack of paperbacks. “Oh, thank you. That ugly yellow nightgown, right? Not that one needs to look nice in a hospital.” “You couldn’t not look sexy if you tried,” Kaylin chuckled, leaving Mayani grinning despite her weariness. The next day, Kaylin returned, looking unusually down. When Mayani asked, she said they’d talk once they got home, somewhere private and comfortable. “But shouldn’t we check on Nana first?” Mayani asked. Kaylin chose her words carefully. “I think it’s best if we go straight home first.” Mayani was thrilled to leave the hospital and return to Kaylin and Poochie, the quiet, orderly neighborhood, and the comfort of a familiar, welcoming home. After greeting Poochie, Kaylin led a still-weak Mayani to the master bedroom and sat her on the bed. She pulled something from her pocket. “Here, Mayani. Your ID bracelet. I cut it off while you were out. Thought you might like to keep it.” Mayani smiled and set it on the nightstand. “Some keepsake, huh?” Kaylin smiled faintly and took Mayani’s hands. Mayani’s heartbeat quickened. “What’s wrong, Kaylin?” “No easy way to say this… so I’ll just say it.” “Say what?” Kaylin cleared her throat. “It’s your grandmother, I’m afraid.”