The Boarding House - Mina

 Mina was delighted to make Sara's acquaintance. The house was filling up nicely now. She'd been a little unsure of things at first, with just Kirby there, although he was nice enough. A perfect gentleman. But it felt a little... empty. Then Penley had arrived. And now Sara. There was another guy, too, a Fitz, but he and Kirby didn't seem to get along. Or there was tension, anyway. 

It was Friday night and the girls had gone out for fish tacos at a local place. Mina had had a beer and was pleasantly relaxed, lounging in the communal living room downstairs. It was nice to make friends. If that's what she was doing. Sara was interesting. She was doing some work with the Coast Guard for college credit and studying beach something or other, and had a boyfriend (are they a boyfriend if you only know them online? she supposed they still were) on the West Coast. She was a nice girl. And Penley was a musician. She'd been ecstatic to learn about the baby grand that Olivia had revealed in the sitting room. 

This place really was kinda neat. An old college dorm turned into a boarding house. 

Sara was on the couch next to her under a blanket and the TV was playing some old black and white movie. Mina realized she was only half paying attention. The house cat padded up and joined her on the sofa, purring contentedly as she stroked it absently. What was its name again? She couldn't remember. 

Kirby came in then. He was trying to be quiet, she could tell, but everyone seemed to still be up. Olivia had retreated to her quarters but had reappeared in the kitchen, getting a snack which had turned into a half hour conversation and a bowl of popcorn she'd insisted on making for the girls, which they were now devouring in the living room, but Olivia was still puttering in there. Mina looked over at Sara and winked. They'd been talking at dinner about how Olivia seemed to be a little taken with Kirby, which made him distinctly uncomfortable. Or so it seemed. And sure enough...

Olivia caught sight of Kirby coming in and heading right for the stairs, and she swooped out to intercept. 

"Kirb! There you are! I didn't think I was going to see you tonight!" she said with an exaggerated smile, and Mina could sense the tension coming off Kirby literally in waves. She hid a smile as the cat plopped down into her lap, making itself comfortable. Sara pretended not to notice and Penley was just coming back downstairs. "Hi Kirby!" she greeted him as she squeezed by, joining the other girls on the sofa. Watching the drama play out as intently as they were...

"Miss Olivia," Kirby greeted her back, looking flustered even as he towered over her. His discomfort downright palpable.Olivia was already practically towing him to the kitchen as Sara suppressed a giggle, but Kirby was having none of it. "Miss Olivia, I'm really tired tonight. I just want to... crash. Really." 

"Oh, nonsense, luv," Olivia cooed. "I made the girls popcorn, what would you like?" 

"Nothing, really, Miss Olivia..."

"Now, Kirby. what did I say? You just go ahead and call me Livy, okay?"

"Um, sure. Miss... um, Livy."

His discomfort was almost painful. Mina wanted to help, she really did, but what could she do?

"How about a hot toddy?" Olivia asked. "It's such a cool night out, it'll warm you right up. What do you say big guy?"

"No, Miss... um, Miss Livy, no. Thank you. I don't really... drink..."

"Sure you do, babe. You just don't know it yet. I'll make you something up..."

"No. Thank you. Really. I just need to hit the sack, I'm beat. But... thank you!" Kirby practically ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time. The girls pretending not to be watching this drama unfold. 

"Isn't he something?" Olivia purred as she came over to get a handful of popcorn from the big green bowl. "Such a gentleman... and plays so hard to get!"

Mina looked at Sara. And then Penley. 

Should they tell her?