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Chapter 2 – Introducing Stef
If you had asked Stefanie Foster how her life would play out, her current reality was not it. She was currently separated from her husband of 6 years and divorce was inevitable. He had moved out almost 6 months ago, but just recently did the last remaining evidence of him ever living there was removed. She tried so hard to be who he needed her to be but at the end of the day she just wasn't happy…although she had not truly admitted to anyone yet why she hadn't been happy.
Today was the first step in starting new and it was a big one for Stef. She was due to be at Anchor Beach School at noon to meet the administration and tour the campus. The school system ran from kindergarten to 12th grade which was something appealing to Stef. They also had great ratings and hoped when she got there she would love everything about it.
Stef arrived on campus and visually it looked like an amazing place to spend 7 hours of the day. The campus had 4 different buildings all connect by outside halls and formed a beautiful quad where it looked like the older kids liked to hang out for lunch. Stef headed towards the building where there was playground equipment surrounding it figuring that was for the lower grades.
Stef had a meeting with the principal of the school and two of the teachers that Brandon would have primarily for his first year. After that the Assistance Vice-Principal who was primarily responsible for the elementary school was going to give her a tour. The meeting with the principal went well and she received tons of very useful information. She loved the two teachers Brandon was going to have and knew her son would get along with them as well. After the meeting Stef was informed the VP was running a few minutes behind and she was welcome to wait or look around. Stef opted to look around especially since it was such a nice day out.
"I am sorry to keep you waiting…hi I am Lena Adams the Assistance Vice Principal."
"Hi I am Stef Foster," she said shaking her hand while standing up.
Stef was at a loss for words she had never seen someone so beautiful in her life. She had just met the woman, just shook her hand and the energy and warmth Lena was giving off was like nothing she ever felt. Realizing they were still shaking hands they both let out a little chuckle.
"So your son," Lena said trying to stay professional and focus on the job at hand and not the beautiful woman in front of her.
"Brandon yes."
"He is going to be starting school with us in the fall?"
"Yes he's 5."
"Great well I would be happy to give you a tour of the school and tell you a little more about what we do here….are we waiting for you husband to join."
"No, he's not my…no he's uhh couldn't make it," Stef said trying to find the right words. "Sorry," she mumbled laughing off her embarrassment.
Lena smiled hoping the stumbling answer meant the father was not actually her husband.
"Ok if you will follow me we can get started."
Stef watched Lena take a few steps before she took a deep breath and followed her.
"Well as you can see this is our primary elementary building. It houses grades K-4th but the kids are not isolated to just this building. We want all the kids to feel a part of the whole campus…we have joint assembles, a big brother/sister program where high school kids interested in pursuing teaching careers come and help with the kids in the classroom….we found that both the high school students and the younger kids love working together."
"That does sound like a great program."
"The high school kids also do tutoring for the middle schoolers…we try and show them how important is it giving back. Having everyone working together gives the school a real community feel and encourages participation and involvement in school sponsored events."
"It's great you have found a way to involve all grade levels together….that is one of the things that attracted me to this school in the first place. Does each school have a principal or does Mrs. Cortez over see everything?"
"Principal Cortez does over see everything and each school has its own Vice-Principal and Assistant Vice-Principal. I am located in the elementary building and would be one of your main contacts if you have any questions or concerns."
"Oh ok good," she said with a smile.
"The elementary school is surrounded by playground equipment that is inspected quarterly for any cracks or defects. We have our physical education classes out here as well. As you can see by all the kids running around we have summer camps that incorporate a lot of fun activities for the kids but also keeps the brain learning. We try and involved a little more teaching here then maybe a typical summer camp would offer. It way more relaxed than the regular school year but we try and encourage learning where ever possible.
Before Stef could respond they were interrupted by a little girl running towards them.
"Mommy…mommy….moooooommmmmy," Callie yelling running towards her mom the second she came within eye shot and came crashing into her leg.
"Oph…hello little miss," Lena said smiling down at her daughter. "I am sorry give just me one minute,' Lena apologized to Stef.
"Ohh no take your time, no worries."
Stef was fascinated by this knew little development.
"I miss you mommy, up please," Callie requested holding her little arms up.
Lena smiled unable to resist her daughter's polite request.
"I missed you too little miss," Lena said giving her daughter a kiss on the cheek. "But mama still has to work ok…I need you to go back to Ms. Eve while I finish and then I will come and get you and we can go home."
"I come wif you," she said with a smile.
"No, you go back to Ms. Eve for a little bit and play with your friends ok. I promise I won't be long then your stick with me for the rest of the day," Lena said attacking her checks and neck with kisses causing the little girl to laugh.
"Ok mama, wuv you."
"Love you too little," Lena said placing her daughter back on the ground and watching her run back to her little group of friends. "Sorry about that," Lena said turning back to Stef.
"Oh no worries…a mother's job is never done," Stef smiled. "She is a beautiful little girl."
"Thank you…she has come so far and really has taken to the school…which I am thrilled about."
"Come so far," Stef questioned?
"Oh I adopted Callie about 2 years ago when she was 3. She came from an abusive home and was terrified of men which is why her social worker thought I would be the perfect fit."
"No man in your life than?"
"No, I can't say my interests involve men," Lena said giving the blond a slight hint into her life without coming outright and saying she was gay.
"Well, from the 2 minutes I have witness you look like an amazing mom to her and she is very lucky to have you."
"Thanks…I am lucky to have her…she changed my life."
"I know what you mean….my little boy is my world."
"You can also sign him up for a couple days a week in our summer program. That will help him get to know some of the kids and teachers before school starts."
"I will have to check with his father about that. Brandon is currently enrolled in a summer program and I don't want WW3 breaking out over moving him."
"I certainly wouldn't want that either, just letting you know it is an option and certain going forward next summer."
Lena thought it was interesting Stef had said Brandon's father not her husband. Lena took Stef around to the other parts of the campus but focused mainly on the lower school where Brandon would be for the next 5 years. They talked about the school and the community but then started on family and interests.
"Oh my gosh it is almost 2pm I hope I am not keeping you from other appointments," Lena said looking at her watch.
"No, it's my day off. I bet your little girl is itching to get home though….tell her I am sorry I kept her mommy so long."
"I am sure she will forgive you," Lena said with a smile. "If you think of any other questions don't hesitate to shoot me an email or give me a call."
"Thank you so much for showing me around…I definitely feel better now about where Brandon is going to be starting in the fall. It really looks like a great place to learn and grow."
Lena and Stef headed back to the main office before Lena walked her out to the parking lot.
"It was great meeting you and I am looking forward to meeting Brandon in the fall…maybe before if he visits any of the summer sessions."
"It was so nice to meet you too."
Stef wanted to say something else that would leave things open to seeing her again but couldn't think of anything. She let out a nervous laugh hoping to shrug it off.
"Now get back to that beautiful little girl of yours…take her out for ice cream for me," she said with a laugh.
"Oh she would definitely love you than….not much of a sweet eater but she loves ice cream."
"Well there you have it…it really was a pleasure meeting you…and I will probably see you again in the fall."
Lena and Stef said their goodbyes both left slightly confused in their feelings from a simple meeting. Stef was just downright confused. In the way back recesses of her mind she might have given a thought to what it was like to be with a woman but never took is seriously. However, with Lena she couldn't get over how comfortable she felt from the moment they met. The hand shake she never wanted to end and if Lena hadn't noticed the time she had no doubt they would still be talking. Lena was left with some confusion but mostly about what Stef's home like really was like. Clearly she was married but something was not right and she couldn't deny the instant chemistry they shared. She hoped she would be able to get to meet her again soon.