Chapter 3 - The Hearth is where The Heart Is

Sunday, August 1, 3 PM

Allison entered her apartment and dropped right into the couch face down, her copy of Where the Heather Blooms sliding under the couch. Queenie hopped right on her back and meowed a question. “Queenie, no!” Allison tried to swat her off, but it was impossible from this position. Allison gave up, her eyes heavy and already starting to drift closed.

Paige came out of her room to see what all the noise was. Paige looked like the kind of person you immediately look for in an emergency. She had broad shoulders and the kind of stamina that came from pulling grueling twelve-hour floor shifts at the hospital. Her skin was a sun-warmed olive, and her dark brown hair was chopped into a practical, no-nonsense bob that she routinely pinned back to keep out of her eyes.

Paige’s movements were perfectly efficient, the practiced, vigilant economy of motion unique to trauma nurses. Paige’s eyes were a steady, unchanging hazel, completely devoid of panic, looking at a broken car engine, a bleeding gash, or a room full of chaotic people with the exact same calm, analytical assessment. Or exhausted roommates for that matter.

“Are you just getting home? I thought your shift ended hours ago.”

Allison muttered something into the couch cushions.

“Try that again?”

Allison forced her head up, which Queenie did not like at all and told her so with an angry mewing sound, “I had a stop to make. It took longer than I expected.”

“Have you eaten anything today?”

“I had a gummy worm.”

“Let me make you lunch,” Paige ran her fingers through Allison’s hair softly, “You can’t keep going like this.”

Allison dropped her face back into the cushions and was once again incoherent, but Paige already knew this script well, “Maya and I can take care of rent this month, you don’t need to do all these extra shifts.” 

Allison finally replied with a snore. Paige looked at Queenie, “She never listens to me, you need to talk to her!” Queenie stretched out and started to knead a bed into Allison’s back. 

Paige headed into the kitchen to make a quick lunch. Maya came in lugging her yoga mat behind her. Paige made a hushing sound and gestured at Allison sleeping on the couch. 

If Paige was bedrock, Maya was the oncoming storm. Slender and lithe, with a restless, feline grace that made it look like she was constantly vibrating on a frequency the rest of the world couldn't hear. Her complexion was a pale, freckled porcelain, completely dominated by a pair of wide, glittering green eyes that were perpetually alight with mischief, curiosity, or an impending bad decision. Maya’s hair was a wild, asymmetrical tumble of copper curls, a vibrant halo that matched her unpredictable energy.

Everything about Maya was fluid and expressive. She never just stood still; she leaned, she stretched, she draped herself over furniture, her long fingers flying through the air as she spoke. She dressed in a chaotic, effortlessly cool patchwork of oversized vintage leather, sheer fabrics, and heavy stone rings that clicked like castanets whenever she gestured. She radiated a fierce, magnetic confidence, the kind of girl who walked into a room expecting everyone to look at her, and who possessed the exact combination of sharp wit and total fearlessness to make sure they did.

Maya whispered, “Is she just getting home?” 

“Yeah. I think she barely made it in the door. She’s lucky the couch broke her fall this time.”

Maya winced, “I said I was sorry! I moved it back, even if it does really ruin the flow of the room. Are you making lunch? Let me help!” Maya joined Paige in the kitchen area, which really wasn’t big enough for two people, but Maya had a poor sense of personal boundaries, and Paige was used to it by now.

Paige poked around in the fridge, pulling out some sliced turkey. She gave it a sniff before asking Maya, “Is this still good?”

“It should be. Does she have another shift tonight?”

“Yeah, I don’t think she’s had any real time off in weeks.” 

“Do you still have those handcuffs from last Halloween? I could chain her down to the couch.”

Paige rolled her eyes at Maya, “This isn’t prom night, Maya.”

Maya stuck her tongue out at Paige, “You weren’t complaining then, North Star.”

“So mature.”

Maya stood back to admire the sandwich she crafted, “Perfection! Do we have any more of those spicy chips she likes?” 

“Top shelf above the dryer.” 

Maya stood up on her tippy toes to get the chips, her tank top and yoga pants pulling taut. Paige watched with more than a little interest. Maya teased, “I can feel you staring at me!” 

“I am. But today all I have time for is staring. I have to head to the hospital. My shift starts soon. You going to be awake when I get home?”

Maya kissed her, “Yes, I will stay up for you.”

Paige kissed her back, “Promise? Last time, you were out cold.”

“You can always wake me up.” 

“Last time I tried that, you ended up punching me!”

“I am a heavy sleeper!”

Paige gave her another kiss and headed out the door. 

Maya crept back into the living room, setting the sandwich and chips down next to Allison. “Sleep well, Hart. You deserve it.” Queenie hopped off Allison and followed Maya back to the bedroom she shared with Paige.