Mayani’s body tensed. “What about Nana? What’s going on?”
“I’m sorry,” Kaylin said softly, her eyes heavy with empathy.
“Where is she? Is she home?” Panic edged Mayani’s voice as she tried to rise. “Take me there now.”
Kaylin gently pulled her back down, wrapping her in her arms—something she had dreamed of for what felt like forever, though she never imagined it would be under such circumstances. “I’m so sorry, baby. Last night, after a few days during which Bella said she seemed drained and incoherent, Nana and Bella were watching TV. Then Nana started muttering things that didn’t make sense. She tried to get up, but collapsed. It was a massive stroke, but she didn’t suffer. She passed suddenly.”
“Sh-she’s dead?” Mayani’s voice quavered on the edge of hysteria.
Kaylin nodded gently.
“No!” Mayani cried. “Not Nana! Not now!”
Kaylin held her tighter, rocking her slowly.
“She’s all I’ve got left,” Mayani sobbed. “She can’t go! I’m alone. She can’t leave me! I need her. She needs me.”
“Hey, hey,” Kaylin murmured, stroking her hair. “Nana knew you were there for her. She had a wonderful last few years because of you.”
“But I wasn’t there in the end. I should’ve been. Instead, I was stuck in the hospital because of that sicko. Makes me wish I could resurrect him just long enough to kill him myself,” Mayani sobbed against Kaylin’s shoulder.
“I know, sweetie,” Kaylin whispered, “but she knew you would’ve been there if you could.”
Mayani continued to cry.
“I spoke with Bella before picking you up,” Kaylin said gently. “She’s got everything under control. Funeral arrangements are handled.”
“When’s the funeral?” Mayani asked weakly.
“Thursday. For now, since it’s only Monday, we can go over there when you feel ready and pick up anything you want to keep.”
“Not now. Will you stay with me?”
“Of course,” Kaylin assured her.
Mayani pulled back slightly, studying Kaylin’s eyes. “I’m sorry you have to go through this, too.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me,” Kaylin said, holding her close. “We’ll survive this world together, okay?”
Mayani nodded, exhaustion pulling at her. “I’m so tired… so sad. I could sleep for years. But don’t stop holding me.”
“Well, then how about this,” Kaylin said softly, “we get you into something comfy, have a bite to eat, and snuggle on the couch?”
“I’m not hungry. But I’ll change,” Mayani agreed.
She showered, changed into a long, sleeveless shirt so nothing snagged her bandages, and lay down on the wide, plush couch with Kaylin. Kaylin convinced her to sip some fruit juice. “You can’t lose strength now. The better you take care of yourself, the faster your arm heals.”
Mayani, too heavy with grief, barely cared. She wanted only to remain cocooned in Kaylin’s arms. The TV played unnoticed; she slept on and off, only rising to sip juice or use the bathroom.
Late afternoon, Bella called.
“I’m sad about Nana, my arm hurts, but I’m grateful for Kaylin,” Mayani told her. “Who knows what would happen to me without her?”
“I’m glad she’s there for you,” Bella said. “I’ve talked to your landlord. Since you’re paid through July, take your time clearing out.”
After promising to call if needed, Bella hung up. Kaylin persuaded Mayani to share a pizza, though she managed barely more than one slice.
Later, Kaylin carefully unwrapped the bandage from her arm. “Don’t scrub it too hard,” she warned. “You don’t want it bleeding again.”
“I won’t. Where’s the ointment?”
“I’ve got it. I’ll apply it after your shower.”
The shower felt good. Her life was changing rapidly: days ago, she lived in a dump with her ninety-year-old grandmother; now, she was in a beautiful home with a gorgeous young woman.
Afterward, bandages replaced, Mayani asked, “Do you think Nana’s watching us?”
“I’m sure she is. Especially you.”
Back on the couch, Mayani teased, “She’d laugh at the fact that as much as I love you, I know almost nothing about you—just that you’re a thirty-year-old detective from Mississippi who’s been burned by a cruel bitch.”
Kaylin smiled.
“Tell me about your family.”
“My parents still live in Laurel. My sister Kamaria moved to Alabama because her husband got a better job.”
“How old is she?”
“Twenty-eight.”
“What brought you west?”
“Just wanted a change. Came out with a friend ten years ago. She left; I stayed.”
“Do you visit family?”
“About once a year. They fly here sometimes, too.”
“Kids?”
“None.”
Kaylin tilted her head. “Ready to tell me about your family?”
Mayani hesitated. “You really don’t know, do you?”
Kaylin shook her head. “I figured you’d tell me when ready.”
“My parents fought constantly. One night, it escalated—my father shot my mother, then himself. I was found scrubbing dishes in shock after the neighbor called the cops.”
Kaylin’s face reflected shock, sorrow, and empathy.
“See why I don’t tell my story to anyone?”
“You’ve turned out okay despite it,” Kaylin said quietly.
“I still have nightmares. But honestly… I’m glad they’re gone. I’d probably have nothing to do with them anyway.”
“Sounds like they weren’t happy people.”
“Definitely not. I swore I’d stay single. Casuals only, nothing serious. Then I met you. I tried to picture casuals, but I couldn’t. I know I love you, Kaylin. Always have.”
“But I do,” Kaylin said softly.
“Huh?”
“I love you. I didn’t want to, but I do.”
Mayani’s heart fluttered. She sighed softly, smiling.
“I’m glad I followed my heart,” Kaylin said. “Best decision I ever made.”
“Me too,” Mayani whispered. They hugged fiercely.
Poochie returned, ID bracelet in mouth.
“Come on in,” Kaylin called from the poolside.
“It’s late November,” Mayani said.
“But the pool’s heated,” Kaylin reminded her.
Reluctantly, Mayani descended the steps and joined Kaylin. They embraced and kissed passionately under the late-autumn sun.
Pulling back, Kaylin asked, “Now that you’ve finally won that ocean cruise, think you’ll want to start a family afterward?”
Mayani considered the withering rosebush. She remembered friends’ regrets, lost sleep, and dirty diapers. She weighed honesty with Kaylin against her own desires.
“To be honest,” she said, “I’m not sure a child is what I want.”
Kaylin’s hopeful expression faltered. “Why?”
“Children strain relationships. And how would I get any writing done?”
“Perhaps,” Kaylin said thoughtfully. “Let’s just wait a while. We’re young. Plenty of time.”
“Okay.” They kissed again, and Kaylin’s hand slipped beneath Mayani’s bikini. Heavy breaths, determined movements—then Poochie barked, interrupting.
“Go away, boy!” Kaylin shouted.
“What’s he got?” Mayani asked.
“Who knows?”
Mayani retrieved a folded paper from his mouth. Her alarm was immediate. She handed it to Kaylin, who read aloud:
“Thanks to you, my son is in jail, and my husband is dead. Who would you like to lose first? Mayani? Your dog? Or perhaps your best friend and her little wife?”
Kaylin scanned the yard, tense, then looked at Mayani.
Mayani frowned. “I think it’s time to get that Hawaiian cruise booked. We’ll need it.”
ns216.73.217.39da2
and then Add to home screen.