Stef sat in her apartment which was essentially empty and was bored to tears. Mike had B this week which made things even more boring. When she wasn't a working, or with B, she really didn't know what to do with herself. She would pace, or read or turn on the TV, but there wasn't much that satisfied her anymore.
She really didn't think it would be like this. She was never someone who thought she needed to be with someone, or who fretted about dying alone, but this life of solitude was really, really an adjustment. She didn't want to go back to Mike, but she needed something. Mike was not an option as their marriage had completely dissolved, and she wasn't even the slightest bit attracted to him anymore. All of the sudden, her phone rang.
"Hey Stef," Mike said. "Can you do me a favor and run B over to that school we were supposed to check out tomorrow? I got stuck with a graveyard shift tonight, so I can't. It'd really be helpful."
"Sure Mike," Stef replied. The two had a very nice and civil relationship and there wasn't much bitterness…yet.
"OK," Mike answered. "It's that new age-y school, Anchor Beach Charter…we've both driven by it on our beats. You know where it is?"
"Yeah, I remember," Stef said. "Anything else?"
"No, that's it," Mike said. "Let me know how it all goes."
Stef arrived at the house she and Mike used to share and greeted the babysitter who Stef relieved. She then saw a smiling and happy B and lifted him into her arms and gave him a big, long, lovely squeeze. She loved these times with him, and at this point, they were truly irreplaceable.
"Where are we going, mama?" Be asked cutely.
"You know!" Stef said. "We are going to see another school….you know you have to go to a new school next year…."
"Yes mama…." B said. "But when is all this going to be over?"
"When you find a school you like!" Stef said as she reached over and tickled B's stomach, causing him to laugh in an insanely cute fashion.
Just as she said that, they arrived at Anchor Beach. Stef liked what she saw initially, very welcoming environment, kids playing outside. So far, so good. She and Mike were very particular about what they wanted for B, so finding the right school for him was very, very hard.
As they sat in the admissions office, smiling and enjoying each other, fate struck once again. Stef heard a voice, and it was a voice that was certainly not mistakable.
"Why hello there," Lena said as she walked over to greet both of them. "It's nice to see you, Ms. Stefanie Foster….Again!"
Stef laughed as she couldn't believe it. She had run into Lena Adams once more, this time on her turf.
"Wow," Stef said. "I can't believe you work here. Just unbelievable."
"Third time's a charm," Lena answered. Both she and Stef got the joke immediately.
"Yes, well I teach math here in the high school, but our we're short on admissions staff today so I'm giving some tours. And who do we have here….?"
"Well, this is Brandon," Stef said, rubbing B's hair. "And he's very excited to meet you…"
Lena sensed the sarcasm in Stef's voice. She was a natural with kids, so she had this.
"Hi there Brandon," Lena said. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Lena. And I'm going to make sure you have the best time here….I know you've probably been to soon many other schools, so we just want to make sure you're time at Anchor Beach is fun. Does that sound OK?"
"Yes!" B said, grabbing Lena's hand.
"Well OK then, let's get started. We'll run by a Kindergarten class first."
They walked through the halls and Lena talked about the school, which Stef seemed to like, and then found a kindergarten class, where Lena introduced Stef and B to the teacher. The teacher, Mrs. Simms was a lovely middle aged woman with tons of energy who welcomed B into the classroom with open arms, and allowed him to sit in the circle and read aloud during story time. B had a smile on his face the whole time, which was a huge relief to Stef.
"Funny seeing you again, Officer Foster," Lena whispered. "I was wondering when I'd see your beautiful face again….."
"Well, it looks like my son has brought us together again…damn him…" Stef whispered sarcastically. "I had no idea you were a teacher. And seeing you with my son? I have to say, that was pretty sexy."
The two exited the classroom, leaving B to spend the rest of the morning with the kids there. Lena then went in to full on attack mode. There was no way Stef was leaving the school without agreeing to go on a date with her.
"Officer Foster (Lena loved calling Stef that, even though she knew her first name now) I haven't stopped thinking about you since that first night you well…arrested me. You've been on my mind over and over and over again, and I have to say, no woman has ever done that to me."
Stef gulped. She felt the same way, as she had Lena on her mind too.
"So I hope I'm not out of line in saying this…but, would you like to get a drink with me?"
This was so interesting as Stef had never been asked out by a woman. She was very shy about her sexuality, as it had been repressed by her father over a decade ago. The biggest reason she and Mike had split up was because she couldn't fake her attraction to him anymore. She knew she liked women, but she never knew how to act on it. Suddenly, the perfect guide was standing right in front of her.
"Wow," Stef said. "Lena Adams, you sure are…something"
Lena's heart raced as she anticipated Stef's answer. She had no idea if she was gay or straight, but got a vibe from her from all of their interactions.
"I'd love to have a drink with you," Stef continued. "Just let me know where and when."
Lena's heart raced as they hugged and Stef gave her her number. She went back to the classroom to say goodbye to B, who was having an awesome time, and that she would be back to pick him up at the end of the day. What a day. Maybe a new school for Brandon and maybe a new girl for her!