Stephanie heard a car pull up in the driveway. Through the glass in the door she saw a black town car come to a stop. The driver got out and opened the door for Randy, who stepped out of the car and headed up the walk. He was gorgeous in his Armani tuxedo. Much prettier than she was, Stephanie thought. She looked down at the wedding rings, slid them off, and left them on the table in the foyer. She opened the door, just as Randy was about to ring the bell.
“Oh my God, girl. You are astonishing,” Randy said, stepping back. “Stand there and let me take your picture.”
Stephanie smiled. “You look pretty good yourself, handsome.”
Randy fished his phone out of his pocket. Stephanie posed and managed a smile, but her eyes were on the driveway, praying they could leave before Mo showed up. Picture taken, Randy extended his arm for her to take and helped her down the steps.
Stephanie cautioned, “I’d rather you not send that to Mo.”
“Oh, but it would be such a good way to begin the negotiations,” Randy countered. “It’s a look what you had and lost kind of thing. Focuses the opposition right from the start.”
“Don’t do it, Randy, please,” Stephanie pleaded. “I’d rather not antagonize her.”
“Okay,” Randy acquiesced, “but I’m sending it to your Mom and PJ.”
“All right, if you simply must share,” Stephanie said. Then wanting to move on, she added, “The town car is a nice touch.”
Randy chuckled. “I had a hunch we’d be needing a ride home. This feels like a night to remember in the making.”
“I could use a good time. I slipped up and told Colt what Mo did. He hates me,” Stephanie said, sliding across the back seat of the car.
“Have you told Mo?” Randy asked, sitting down beside her, while the driver closed the door.
“No. I really don’t want to talk to her, yet. Please, let’s have a great evening and not talk about my problems,” Stephanie pleaded. “This might be the last good time I have for a while.”
The driver interrupted, “Sir, there’s a car waiting to turn into the driveway. Should I wait?”
Stephanie looked out the rear window. Mo’s Jeep Cherokee sat with its turn signal on. The town car was in the middle of the driveway, blocking both sides. Randy looked too. He turned to face Stephanie and raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to make the call. Stephanie was sure Mo could not see her behind the tinted glass. Her heart beating hard against the wall of her chest, she hesitated for only a second.
“I’m not wasting this dress on her. Let’s go.”
Randy leaned up and told the driver, “Take us downtown, Max.”
The big black car backed slowly out of the driveway and drove past Mo. Stephanie could see Mo in the shadows, peering into the dark glass of the town car. From somewhere deep in the recesses of the killing pain she held at bay, the anger rose quickly. Stephanie hit the window control button, lowering it just enough to get her hand out, and gave her wife of seventeen years the one finger salute that said it all.
“Fuck you!”
#
Downtown Durham watched the birth and the death of Big Tobacco. King tobacco built and ruled these streets for many years, and then abandoned the red brick warehouses and manufacturing buildings to blight and ruin. A revitalization of the area in recent years turned these old structures into commercial and residential properties. The bright-red brick iconic smokestack, emblazoned with “LUCKY STRIKE,” looked down on the American Tobacco Historic District that only a few years ago was a derelict eyesore. Now, it was the centerpiece of Durham nightlife.
Stephanie loved coming downtown at night. She worked in the hustle and bustle of the day on these busy streets, but at night the mood changed. The amber glow of the streetlights cast shadows on the sidewalks and pavement. Smooth surfaces sparkled with the reflections of multicolored neon signs, just starting to come to life in the twilight. She had been quiet since leaving the house. Randy patted her leg, understanding what all this meant. Stephanie was stepping out, out of her old life, and symbolically out of her marriage.
As they wound through the timeworn warehouses lining the streets, the air filled with change and possibility. She smiled over at Randy and took his hand.
“Thank you. Of all the things I have believed in my lifetime, knowing I can always count on you has been the one true thing.”
Randy showed his perfect white teeth and dimple. “You know I would marry you, if you had a dick.”
Stephanie did not miss a beat. “Well, you know we can buy one of those.”
The driver stifled a laugh. Randy’s head tilted to one side, as he sat back and examined his oldest friend.
He pursed his lips, studying her, and then said, “I think I like this Stephanie. A little sass goes well with the new look.”
The car slowed to a crawl on a narrow street lined with parked vehicles on both sides. Near the entrance to one of the old warehouses, white-jacketed valets exchanged tickets with guests and then sped away to a nearby lot. Men and women in evening attire, ranging from classic black to artsy flamboyant, walked toward a large open garage door located in the side of the red brick building. Stopping at the entrance, the driver got out and opened the door for his passengers. Stephanie suddenly remembered the invitation she left on the foyer table, next to her rings.
“Randy, I forgot my invitation.”
Randy stood up from the seat and extended his hand to Stephanie. He grinned at her. “Honey, wearing that dress, you don’t need an invitation.”
#
Stephanie stood alone looking up at a large painting suspended from the ceiling. Durham’s art crowd milled about the vast warehouse, converted to gallery. Lauren Smith’s paintings covered the walls and hung from wires throughout the room. The interior of the structure was left in its natural muted state, juxtaposing the fading paint, chipped bricks, and concrete floors against the colors from the art. The gallery was chic and simple at the same time. The crowd was rather large for a gallery opening, but then who could refuse an invitation from Martha Anne, or Lauren for that matter. The Smith women were alluring.
Randy left to retrieve drinks from one of the open bars situated around the room. Caterers buzzed about tables filled with hors d'oeuvres. A DJ played jazz and blues softly, but the giant speakers and wooden parquet dance floor portended there would be different music later. Stephanie could use a twirl or two, if she could manage it in these shoes. If she had to, she would go barefooted. It looked like it was going to be quite a party. Stephanie was crowd watching when the painting caught her eye. She moved over to stand under it.
Stephanie stared up at a ten-foot-tall naked woman, sleeping on her side. She was painted in different color blues, greens, and coppers, marbled together. The glossy finish made the paint appear wet, as it swirled around the woman’s body, a liquid storm of emotions filling her soul, seeming to drain to her toe and drip off the canvas. The woman was painted on what looked like a solid black background, but if Stephanie moved to the side she could see the word ‘PROMISES,’ repeated in the pigment.
“Only a woman who knew great pain could look at this painting with your expression.”
Stephanie turned to see Martha Anne Smith standing beside her, admiring the painting.
“It’s quite moving, isn’t it?” Stephanie said, looking back at the painting. “So much emotion, I can’t imagine the hurt that inspired this.”
“Oh, I think you have some idea.” Martha Anne stepped back examining Stephanie. “My word, that’s quite a transformation from the other day. If this isn’t a crisis makeover, I’ll give you my tee time at the club.” She leaned in with a grin. “And I hold that as dear as my daughter.”
To Stephanie’s great relief, the artist appeared. Lauren Smith, five-foot-seven inches of curvaceous, golden haired, blue-eyed, sweet Carolina girl beauty, stepped up to her mother’s side. Stephanie knew Lauren and her partner, Dr. Shelby West, from the academic circle social events she attended with Mo. Although She
lby taught at a different university, they were often at the same fundraisers.
Martha Anne slipped an arm around Lauren’s waist. “Ah, and here she is. Lauren, you remember Stephanie Austin.”
Lauren smiled and extended her hand. “Of course I do. I think the last time we saw each other was at the film school benefit, a few years ago. Is Mo here with you?”
Stephanie was going to have to get used to answering this question, but since Mo wasn’t really aware that she was being divorced yet, she thought it best not to explain.
“No, she’s flying back from LA tonight. I’ll tell her you asked about her.” Stephanie changed the subject. “Your artwork is amazing. This one drew me from across the room.”
Lauren looked up at the painting. “That was a dark time.” She chuckled. “Glad that’s over.”
Martha Anne touched both younger women on the arm, as she passed in front of them, saying, “I see someone I must talk to. You two can make arrangements to discuss which pieces will go in my buildings. I’ll catch back up to you later, and Stephanie, I hope you have the evening that dress deserves.” Martha Anne winked and strode away.
Lauren looked at Stephanie’s dress. “It is stunning. I watched you turn every head in the room when you made your entrance. I’m sure Mo likes it.”
“She hasn’t seen it,” Stephanie answered without thinking.
“Not sure I would let Harper out alone, dressed like that,” Lauren said, winking.
“Harper?” Stephanie was confused.
Lauren saw the puzzlement and answered, “Oh, that’s right. I was still with Shelby when we last spoke. Harper is the new love of my life and I think I got it right this time. That’s her over there.” Lauren pointed at a tall, athletically built blonde, almost as good-looking as Lauren herself. “We’ve been together a little over a year now and I’ve never been happier.”
Stephanie couldn’t cover her shock. “Wow. I thought you and Shelby were so perfect together.”
“Appearances can be deceiving,” Lauren answered. Her words were cold, whispering of a romance ending in one concise sentence.
“Tell me about it,” slipped from Stephanie’s lips.
The expression on Lauren’s face said she comprehended more than Stephanie had meant to imply. Randy sauntered up with two flutes of champagne, saving Stephanie from having to expound on her meaning.
“Hello Lauren,” he said, handing Stephanie a glass. He offered the other to Lauren. “The belle of the ball should have a champagne flute in her hand.”
Lauren laughed easily. “No thank you, Randy. I need to stay relatively sober, at least until the dancing starts.”
“The gallery is fabulous.” He looked up at the woman in the painting. “This one is very powerful.”
Lauren flashed a smile. “I’m glad you like it. You’ll be seeing a lot of it. Molly bought it. She should be here tonight.”
“How do you part with that much of your soul?” Stephanie asked, and then all of what Lauren said processed in her brain. “Wait, Molly is coming tonight?”
“Yes, she should be here any…” Lauren looked past Stephanie toward the door. “Well, speak of the devil.”
Stephanie turned around to see Molly Kincaid coming toward her. She was dressed in a black, high collar, tailored jacket and matching slacks, with a white silk pleated blouse. Molly looked like the expensive lawyer she was, as she confidently strolled toward Stephanie’s group, her eyes settling on each one in turn. When her gaze fell on Stephanie, she stopped in her tracks. Stephanie saw the recognition hit Molly and then her smile broaden into a beam, before she continued toward them. This was not lost on Lauren and Randy. Stephanie caught them exchanging looks out of the corner of her eye.
Molly arrived and accepted a hug from Lauren.
“Molly, I was just telling Randy and Stephanie you should be here soon and here you are. They were admiring your new acquisition.”
Molly pulled out of Lauren’s embrace. “Well then, I arrived right on cue. The gallery looks magnificent and you look as beautiful as ever.” She turned to Randy. “You know I only hired you because you look good in a tux.”
Randy laughed. “I thought you were still in Texas.”
“I came back this afternoon. I couldn’t miss Lauren’s big opening.”
Lauren kissed Molly on the cheek. “You are very sweet.”
Just as Stephanie was beginning to wonder if Molly was going to speak to her, Molly faced her. She could see the desire in those steel-blue eyes and Stephanie heard it in Molly’s voice when she spoke.
“And you Ms. Austin, I see you’ve made some changes since I saw you last. I love the hair and that dress is, well, that dress should be illegal, at least on you.”
More looks passed between Lauren and Randy. Stephanie felt the rush of the blush and knew she could not hide it. There was more exposed skin than not, and she was sure she would begin to glow any second. For the first time in seventeen years and to cover her reaction to Molly’s loaded compliment, Stephanie flirted shamelessly with a woman other than her wife.
“If I decide to commit a crime tonight, you’ll be the first person I call.” She paused, lowering her voice for effect, adding, “I have your number.”
Stephanie heard Randy comment, “Girl, I know she does.”
She could see in her peripheral vision that Randy and Lauren were now leaning shoulder to shoulder, watching her exchange with Molly. Randy’s statement was loud enough to draw Molly’s attention, as well. Her eyes darted to him, with a “don’t go there” look that warmed into a smile. Even Molly could not resist the smartass grin on Randy’s face.
While this was going on, Stephanie was going into panic mode because she didn’t know what to say next, or what old doors she’d just cracked open. She hadn’t meant for her voice to sound so seductive, or had she? Molly was obviously still attracted to her, and Stephanie had been wildly in love with her once, a very long time ago, but then she met Mo and all that changed. Dare Stephanie play around with old embers? Molly was most definitely hazardous ground and extremely hot in her tailored designer suit.
To Stephanie’s relief, Lauren started speaking. “Molly, let us find you some champagne. I have to rescue Harper anyway. She doesn’t much care for the artsy crowd and appears to be surrounded and in some distress.”
Molly winked at Lauren. “She liked you well enough.”
Lauren beamed with pride. “Yes, she did, didn’t she?” What Stephanie thought was a rescue was really a ploy to leave her alone with Molly. Lauren tucked her arm in Randy’s. “Come on handsome, help me liberate my scientist from her torment.”
Randy slid up close to Stephanie on his way by and whispered, “Don’t make the same mistake twice.”
Stephanie watched him walk away, stunned by his comment. Once again, it was clear that Molly heard what Randy said. If her facial expression wasn’t enough, her comment was.
“Sometimes I’d like to wring his pretty neck, but he amuses me, so I keep him around.”
Stephanie chuckled. “I feel the same way.”
Stephanie was overcome with the bashful shyness of a first date. The sensation puzzled her and, truth be told, excited some long lost young woman inside. The evening had been filled with looks of desire from both women and men alike. People stopped talking when she walked by on Randy’s arm. The open-mouthed expression on some faces had actually made the two of them giggle. He enjoyed their entrance as much as Stephanie did. Several times, Stephanie was sure the elbow jabs and whispers were about her handsome companion, but the look in Molly’s eyes was just for her.
Molly seemed a bit shy herself, looking away from Stephanie to the painting. “I can’t believe I bought that. I mean I love it, but it’s going to take the right room. Look at it, it’s gigantic.”
Stephanie chuckled. “You probably should have thought about that before you purchased it.”
Molly grinned at Stephanie. “Impulse buy.”
“Hell of an impulse.�
�
“I saw it,” Molly explained, “and when Lauren said the proceeds from the sale were going to her inner city art foundation, I bought it.”
“So it wasn’t the subject matter that grabbed you, just your philanthropic heart strings,” Stephanie teased.
Molly faced Stephanie, her usual air of impenetrable confidence waned. “No, I know a thing or two about promises broken. That’s what drew you to it, wasn’t it, the palatable pain of betrayal?”
Here it was, the unfinished business. Things were left unsaid in the past. Stephanie knew she broke Molly’s heart, but she was so infatuated with Mo, she walked away without looking back. One quick conversation, a few tears, and Stephanie went out the door. Apparently, old hurts did not go away, but could she ask for forgiveness? A week ago, it would have been automatic, but now that Stephanie understood the weight of that question, it took courage to ask.
“I’m sorry, Molly, I truly am. Can you forgive me?”
“I forgave you years ago, Stephanie, although that was partly because I could see how happy you were. I’d see the pictures in Randy’s office of you and Mo with Colt and think I made the right decision not to fight for you. Now, I’m wondering if that wasn’t a mistake.”
A waiter interrupted them with a tray of champagne. Molly took two glasses and Stephanie put her half-empty one on the tray. The waiter left. Stephanie raised her glass with Molly following suit. Stephanie made a toast.
“To no more mistakes.”
They sipped from the glasses. The awkward silence returned, causing both of them to speak at once to end it.
Molly started, “Randy sent me a memo-”
Stephanie’s words overlapped Molly’s. “I need to thank you-”
They laughed together. Molly held her hand out indicating Stephanie should continue.
“I need to thank you. Randy tells me that Mo is out of her contract with a healthy confidentiality settlement.”
“You’re welcome. You shouldn’t have any more problems with Michaela, in that regard anyway.”
Before It Stains Page 17