"So the high school english teacher Laura Scott is having a small party at her house after school next Friday." Lena said as she and Stef were putting groceries away. "Her book just got published and she's invited a few of us over for tea and snacks. Anyways, she has a son a little older than B and since he stays with me after school she invited me to bring him along. Is that okay with you?"
Stef turned from stacking packs of bacon and ham in the freezer to find Lena looking back at her, waiting for an answer.
"Yes." Stef said and watched as Lena smiled and went back to putting things in the pantry. "You don't have to ask me." Stef continued and saw Lena turn back with a frown on her face. "You can take him wherever you want. You don't need my permission." Stef clarified.
Lena wasn't sure what to say. She knew Stef trusted her with Brandon and she had taken him to several places but this seemed different somehow. Sure, Mike took him places and only ever told Stef where they were going, never really asking for permission but he was Brandon's father and Lena didn't feel she had the same privilege.
"You aren't just his baby sitter Lena." Stef went on when she saw the confused look on Lena's face. "You're like a parent too and I trust you with him completely."
Lena smiled widely in pleasure but couldn't help teasing Stef a bit. "So I can just say 'Hey Stef, I'm taking B to a bar tomorrow night, we'll see you Sunday morning?" Lena smiled teasingly.
"Sure." Stef answered, putting the milk and orange juice in the fridge as though they were talking about he weather. "See you straight at the station, it'll save me from having to drag you there." She teased as she dug her cuffs out of her belt and tossed them across the table at Lena. "Cuff yourself too, would ya? She requested emotionlessly.
"Really?" Lena teased back. "I thought you'd enjoy cuffing me." She said with a suggestive growl.
Stef turned to face Lena again with hunger in her eyes as she swallowed a lump that had quickly formed in her throat. Her eyes darkened and her center clenched involuntarily at the image that Lena had painted.
"You have a point." Stef said, sauntering over to Lena and grabbing the cuffs back but keeping a hold on Lena's wrist. "We should practice." She said before lifting a squealing Lena off the ground and quickly heading for their bedroom before Brandon came back from an afternoon with Lucas.
Lena and some of the other staff from school along with a few of Laura's friends sat in her living room discussing the book while seven young boys played in the back yard. Lena watched as nine year old Matthew and his friends kicked a soccer ball around and she watched as Brandon tried desperately, but failed, to keep up.
Soon, just as expected, Brandon wandered into the house in search of Lena.
"I'm hungry." Brandon whispered as Lena lifted him and set him on her lap. "Matthew said there were cupcakes."
"In the kitchen." Laura said with a wink and got up to get a few for the boy.
"Just one." Lena said as she Laura set a plate of three down before him. "You can have another after the sandwiches."
Brandon obeyed and sat on Lena's lap munching happily on a chocolate cupcake with a mountain of cherry frosting on top.
"Gosh, I'm so glad that Becky told her boss off." One of the women commented of the lead character in the book. "I wish I had the guts." She laughed and was soon joined by the others.
"No one has the guts." another woman commented. "The grouch has evil super human powers." She said in a witchy voice.
"Luckily she's just the vice-principle." Laura said, thankful that the principle was a fantastic man and a wonderful boss.
"Amen." Lena laughed and took a sip of her iced tea.
The conversation went on and soon the other kids came in and sandwiches were served. Brandon got another cupcake and then they all left.
The weekend went off lazily and Lena never gave the visit another thought until Monday afternoon when Brandon came to get her after his music class.
"LENA!" Brandon yelled excitedly as she ran full speed into the administration office. "Lena, guess what." He said excitedly, nearly banging into Mrs. Grant.
"Walk, Mr. Foster." Mrs. Grant said with frown on her face. "You're a young man, not an animal."
Brandon looked up at her and studied her for a moment before he opened his mouth and caused havoc throughout the room.
"The teachers are right, you are a grouch." He said matter-of-factly before turned his attention back to Lena, completely oblivious to the nervous silence that filled the room.