"That was helping, not stalking," Stef defends. As a civil servant, it's my responsibility to give back to the community. And it just so happens that education is important to me and that the educator who I was helping was super cute. And still is."
"Well I'm grateful that you relentlessly checked in on me. It was something I looked forward to everyday," Lena kisses Stef.
"It only took me forever to ask you to coffee," Stef says.
"Yes, it did…Wait." Lena says. "You asked me?"
"Yes," Stef says.
"That's not how it happened," Lena says. "I asked you to coffee."
"No, I clearly remember asking you," Stef says.
"Your selective memory is on overdrive tonight," Lena says.
"My memory isn't the only thing that's on overdrive," Stef says attempting to kiss Lena's neck again.
"Apparently," Lena says pushing Stef away. "You deny that you ever stalked me and now you believe you actually asked me out first."
"But I did," Stef defends.
"You didn't."
"Did to."
"Did not."
"Did –"
- Flashback –
Lena had offered to pick up the decoration pumpkins for Public School's annual Halloween party. Now, opening the trunk of her car, Lena is overwhelmed by the number of orange mounds – and pounds – of squash jammed in there. She calls facilities management for help to get them into the gymnasium. The line rings and rings. No answer. Looking about her, she scans the parking lot and the school yard for any sign of a co-worker who could offer the extra set of hands she needs. Nobody, not even a 5th or 6th grader, is in sight. She dials again with the same result; no answer. Exasperated, she mumbles, "How am I supposed to – "
"Looks like you could use some help," a friendly voice asks from behind her.
Lena wheels around and is perplexed by the sight of Stef standing there; her uniform more appealing than ever. Confused, yet delighted, Lena hangs up her phone and asks, "How is it that you always happen to be in just the right place at just the right time?"
Feigning bravado, Stef replies, "All in a day's work ma'am."
Lena rolls her eyes and smiles.
With great effort, a few grunts and one "hmph", Stef manages to hoist one of the larger pumpkins from the trunk.
"Are you sure?" Lena asks as she compares the size of the pumpkin she comfortably cradles in her arms with the enormity of Stef's selection.
"Absolutely," Stef says breathlessly, adjusting the weight of the squash from arm to arm.
"Okay. Don't hurt yourself," Lena warns as she leads the way into the school. Smiling to herself, Lena is covertly flattered by Stef's noble display.
When they finally put their pumpkins down in the gymnasium, Lena answers her ringing phone.
"I'm parked by the back door," Lena says to facilities management. "You're going to need a hand-truck and a couple of boxes. Yes, it's the red one, the trunk is wide open. You can't miss it. Thank you so much."
When Lena ends her call Stef says, "I never knew how much went into planning this party."
"The pumpkins are just the start," Lena explains. "Some parents volunteer their time to put up decorations, collect bags of candy and organize games. There's plenty to do."
"I'd like to do to that. Volunteer for the school. I've been going through a lot for the past year or two; couldn't focus on anything else," Stef explains. "But now seems right. This seems like the right time."
"Well you're in luck. I'm the Parent Coordinator for the PTA and it's my responsibility to recruit as many parents as possible to spearhead activities for our kids. So we should talk some more about what you could," Lena says.
Although Lena continues talking, Stef doesn't realize that she has stopped listening to her and is just looking at her. Not hearing a word that she says, but observing how her lips move, how her hands gesture, and how neatly her eyebrows are shaped. With a disruptive creak and bang, the gymnasium doors suddenly swing open and a band of maintenance men file in pushing hand trucks stacked with pumpkins.
"This clearly isn't the best time," Lena starts. "But maybe…"
"…we could go for coffee," they say at the same time and nervously smile.
"Then it's a d-," Stef fumbles. "I mean a plan. It's a plan, a good plan and uh, a good idea to talk about how we could get more involved, uh, I mean, how I could get more involved with the school and the teacher…and the teachers, all the teachers, the principal and administration and education for the good of all the children."
Stef gets progressively redder in the face.
"Where do you want these," a maintenance worker calls from across the room.
"Listen, let's touch base later in the week," Lena suggests. "Thanks again."
"Anytime," Stef says, mortified, yet trying to maintain her composure.
"They could go in the closet for now," Lena says to the maintenance team while watching Stef walk out through the gym doors. "We'll take them out later."
- Flashback Ends-