Page 46 of Scorched Hearts

She and Colin laughed. Maya could only look at them and feel her chest grow warm. “We’re the stereotype, Elle,” she said after a while. “We’re the gay aunts.”

“Wouldn’t prefer to be anything else,” Elle said to her warmly.

“Wouldn’t you..?” Maya asked, but the question escaped Elle’s attention.

Sometimes she caught herself imagining scenarios she wouldn’t feel brave enough to ask Elle about, definitely not so early on in their newly renewed relationship. But the image of her, Elle, and a child sometimes did creep up in her mind. It was a distant and abstract idea, and yet. She was afraid Elle would never consider it seriously, so she preferred to think of it as something abstract and extravagant, a fancy she wouldn’t ever consider bringing into reality. She shook her head, wanting to be present in the moment.

“Elle, I hope you’ll come around sometime for a barbeque or something. Are you still good with a grill?” Colin asked.

“Well, as soon as I can walk,” Elle replied jokingly, though Maya could see the thought cut through her joy and reminded her of her miserable state of affairs.

“Shit, I’m sorry, I forgot.” Colin scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m sure you’ll recover, though. Your care will be under the watchful eye of Maya, and she won’t let anyone bullshit you.”

“Then you don’t bullshit me and say things that may not come true.” Elle looked at him seriously. “I’m dying to meet Alexei, though. As soon as I’m out of here, we should plan something together. And yes, I am amazing when it comes to grilling.” Her expression softened with a playful smile.

Once Colin and Elle said their goodbyes, Maya left to walk him out of the hospital.

“I’m glad you two are still getting along great,” she said proudly.

“Yeah, she hadn’t changed at all.” He smiled. “Really glad you guys are back together. You seem to fit each other pretty well.”

“You’re right, as always.”

Outside the door a chilly morning awaited them. Lazy clouds spread all over the bright blue sky, and Maya thought of the approaching autumn. She couldn’t wait to see it. Autumn in Phoenix Ridge was the most beautiful season with its golden leaves carpet-like decorating the streets, the autumn sun shining through the bare branches of trees. She couldn’t wait to experience it again with Elle by her side, doing all the nauseatingly couplish things together in their spare time.

Maya and Colin hugged each other goodbye and he was off, looking for his car, having forgotten where he parked it again. She watched him walk around the lot, lovingly amused. He never remembered where he’d left his car. Sometimes, she thought, people don’t change and don’t have to.

Going back inside the hospital, she knew she’d soon have to say goodbye to Elle and was trying to push the moment as far away in her thoughts as possible. She couldn’t agree with Colin regarding Elle – Elle had changed, for the better. She was more open to talk about her feelings with Maya, more open to being vulnerable with her than when they’d been together before. That made her feel proud. Elle was ready to work on herself and change for Maya, putting in real effort to be with her.

“Hello again.” She walked into the room where Elle was waiting. “How are you feeling? Do you need anything?”

Elle didn’t look good. Her eyes glanced around nervously and she appeared to be glistening with sweat. Maya stopped at the threshold, worried.

“I feel stressed about something, like—really stressed. Do you feel as if I’ve forgotten something important?” She looked at Maya. “My chest is tingling.”

Maya came up closer, wanting to comfort Elle. Brain injuries could cause random waves of stress, and she knew how frustrating it would be for Elle to learn she was feeling this way for no real reason. She sat on the edge of the bed, taking Elle’s hand.

“Everything is all right. You didn’t forget anything.” She traced Elle’s knuckles with her fingers. “You may start feeling this way sometimes without any actual reason. I mean, there’s a reason, but it’s a physical one. It’s from your injury, and it can fuck with you like that from time to time.”

Elle tried breathing in, but her breath seemed to crumble somewhere on the way to her lungs. She closed her eyes. “And what can I do when this happens?”

“Anything you normally would when you’re stressed. Anything that will help you relax.” Maya kept talking in a gentle voice. “You can also ask the nurse for a sedative. They can give you that.”

“Hmm…” Elle looked at her. “In a moment, maybe. Can I kiss you?”

Maya’s lips spread into a little smile. “Is that what you do when you’re stressed?”

“Always,” Elle said, pulling her in for a kiss.

Their lips met tenderly, slowly exploring each other, taking their time to savor the kiss. Maya could feel Elle relax a little, and she put one hand on Elle’s neck, wanting to draw her in closer. They remained this way for a while, simply breathing in each other’s existence, forgetting again that they were in a hospital.

“Baby, we’re forgetting ourselves again.” Maya slowly pulled away, leaving a kiss on Elle’s forehead.

“Only you can call me Baby without it sounding strange, do you know that?”

“Well,” Maya smiled mischievously. “I’ll make sure to make use of the privilege.”

They spent the hospital breakfast together, then kept prolonging the moment of parting ways. Their time together felt pleasantly sticky, like honey during summer, glistening in the sun and making children’s fingers stick to each other. Maya felt powerless to drag her limbs away from the hospital, felt as if she could make the minutes last longer if only she tried.

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