Before It Stains

by R. E. Bradshaw

  Mo winked. “The rings were a nice touch, don’t you think?”

  Stephanie felt herself giving up and letting go. She laughed and said, “You’re just glad I put them back on so Marlene won’t be chasing you.”

  Mo was distracted by something over Stephanie’s shoulder. “Wait here in line, I’ll be right back.”

  Stephanie looked on as Mo made a beeline for Jordan’s father. She saw him smile at Mo’s approach and then that smile disappeared, as Mo stood on her tiptoes and whispered something in his ear. He shook his head and said something to Mo. She smiled and walked back to Stephanie.

  “What did you say to him?” Stephanie asked, when Mo was beside her again.

  Mo leaned over so no one else could hear. “I told him if he hit on my wife again, I’d tell his wife about the college call-girl ring he supports at least twice a month.”

  Stephanie laughed. “How do you know that?”

  “Always make friends with the housekeeping staff. They know everything.”

  Stephanie raised an eyebrow at Mo. “Maybe I should make friends with the ones in your building, or pay them to keep an eye on you.”

  “Save your money, Steph. I’m done keeping secrets.”

  They reached the front of the line and the conversation ended. Stephanie made a mental note to bring the secret keeping up later. Mo bought water for everyone and a box of popcorn for her mother-in-law. Stephanie walked with Mo to the chairs occupied by their extended family. PJ stood to take the water from Stephanie and give her a hug.

  She whispered into Stephanie’s ear, “It’s good to see you together.”

  “It’s not a done deal,” Stephanie said softly, “but we’re working on it.”

  PJ released Stephanie from her grasp and smiled into her face. “You’ll get it done. I have faith.” PJ looked over Stephanie’s shoulder, speaking loudly enough for Mo to hear this time. “Don’t go too easy on her. I’m making her trade offices with me. Now, I’ll have the better view. You make her pay.”

  Mo didn’t just betray Stephanie. The whole extended family had been rocked by her behavior. PJ was collecting on the friendship faux pas, because best friends don’t lie to each other, ever. A best friend was as close as the voice in your head, knew your true thoughts, and loved you anyway. Mo broke the code. Her corner office with the tall windows was the price. She would now be marking time in PJ’s old dungeon in the basement, until someone retired and left an opening. PJ got her pound of flesh.

  Stephanie chuckled and sat down, saying, “She’s already several thousand in the hole on designer clothes and rumor has it, it’s going to cost her a car.”

  PJ laughed. “I saw the dress. Randy sent a picture. You looked fantastic, by the way.”

  Mo asked, “That dress cost that much?”

  “Don’t forget the shoes,” Stephanie teased.

  Mo mumbled, “Too bad you won’t be wearing it again.”

  Stephanie pretended not to hear. She knew Mo would never want to see that dress again. It would always remind her of the night she almost lost Stephanie to Molly. Maybe Stephanie should just leave it hanging in the closet, as a reminder that she could put it back on again, anytime. Mo should be on her toes from now on. She would never again be allowed to take Stephanie for granted. That dress wasn’t a threat; it was a promise.

  Mo clapped loudly and yelled at the field, “Way to go, Trev!”

  Stephanie had missed the beginning of the game, occupied with making note of the things she wanted to remember to say to Mo. Trevor was standing on second base, smiling back at the dugout. The first inning was going well. Mo was lost in the game, sitting up on the edge of her seat. It was probably killing Colt not to play, but Stephanie could hear him cheering loudly from inside the dugout. Everyone and everything around Stephanie was the same, as if this past week did not happen.

  Randy strolled into view, his eyes on the field. He walked up beside Mo and placed a hand on her shoulder.

  “Have I missed anything?” He asked, without looking down.

  Randy’s relationship with Mo was different from the one he had with Stephanie. He was Mo’s buddy. The hand grasped strongly on Mo’s shoulder was the buddy signal for, “You screwed up, but I’m glad you’re back.”

  Mo did not look up at Randy, or acknowledge his presence, other than to say, “Two outs. Trevor hit a double. He’s on second.”

  No reaction was part of the buddy code, as well. It meant, “Thanks, man.”

  Mo was healing relationships all around her. It wasn’t just Stephanie to whom she was answering. Mo’s acceptance of guilt and obvious remorse were winning over those she had offended. Stephanie found herself admiring Mo for facing friends and family head on. The weakness Mo had shown was passing. She was regaining her confidence, as she mended her relationships.

  “How’s the ankle?” This question Randy directed at Stephanie.

  “He’ll be fine, just a bad sprain.”

  A second after the crack of the bat, a line drive slapped into the third baseman’s glove. The top of the inning was over.

  Randy patted Mo’s back a few times and said, “Hey, let’s take a walk.”

  This was to be the buddy talk. Down the fence line the buddies went, stopping once they were alone. Stephanie watched them. Mo stood with her fingers looped through the galvanized fence, looking up at Randy as he spoke. Stephanie’s mother drew her attention away, leaning over PJ and poking Stephanie in the leg.

  Debra said, “I know you slept with her, but did you talk to her?”

  PJ burst out laughing. “You did not just say that. Woman, you are a trip. Stephanie, have I told you how much I love your mother?”

  Stephanie was aghast. “How do you know I slept with her? Have you been talking to Randy? I’m going to kill him.”

  Debra’s expression shifted to a knowing grin. “Honey, no one had to tell me. You don’t go from as wound up as you two were to sedate and calm without sex being involved.”

  PJ added, “Girl, y’all ain’t foolin’ nobody.”

  Stephanie felt the blush of heat from her embarrassment. She was close to her mother, but sex wasn’t a topic they discussed often. Smiling at her the way they were, Stephanie was sure her mother and PJ knew it had been monumental stress sex, and they each had their own experiences in that regard.

  Stephanie caved. “Okay, yes, I slept with her, but that doesn’t mean anything was resolved. We’re going to talk tonight.”

  “Do I need to keep Colt again?”

  “It’s okay, Mom. I’m not going to be throwing any more beef ribs at the walls. I think we’re past the yelling part.”

  Relief washed over her mother’s face. “Good,” she said. “Now, you can get down to the heart of it. You’re both smart and you love each other fiercely. You’ll work this out and be stronger for it.”

  Stephanie sighed. “I hope so.”

  Randy and Mo returned, smiling, arms around each other, one more bridge repaired. Mo had only the last big one to cross, the one back to Stephanie.

  #

  The rest of the game, Stephanie actually paid attention. Colt’s team came away with the tournament championship in a one to nothing victory. He wanted to celebrate with the team. She and Mo agreed to take him to Wyatt’s house, but they stayed on, knowing the pain meds and the swelling inside his cast were going to take a toll on him soon. Stephanie and Mo were able to avoid the gossip by staying close together, but Stephanie observed Marlene and Geri Lee huddled together in the corner, obviously still not buying their act. Luckily, before they got the nerve to approach Stephanie, Colt was ready to go home and ice his ankle.

  Mo got him situated on the couch in the den with ice bags and the remote, while Stephanie made him soup and a sandwich. Just once she’d like to feed him until he was full, but had yet to accomplish that. He needed to eat to take the pain pills anyway.

  Mo came into the kitchen. “He’s all set. Just hungry, as usual.”

  Stephanie was putting the
mayonnaise on Colt’s turkey sandwich. “Are you going to tell me what you said to him this afternoon?”

  “Not with a knife in your hand,” Mo said, almost seriously.

  Finished with the knife, Stephanie put it down, closed the sandwich, and then turned around. She leaned on the counter, facing Mo, and said, “Okay, no weapons.”

  Mo leaned against the refrigerator door opposite her. “I told him I made some very bad choices, not just that night, but leading up to it. I also said I was taking responsibility for my actions and I’m very sorry for disappointing both of you.”

  Stephanie asked, eyebrows raised, “Did he buy it?”

  “After he had his say.”

  Stephanie wanted to ask what Colt said, but a loud cry of “Mom!” from the den turned both of their heads. They bumped into each other running out of the kitchen, arriving panicked in the den to find Colt sitting up holding the newspaper.

  “What?” Stephanie asked, breathless. “What was that blood curdling scream for?”

  Colt held out the paper. “Look!”

  Stephanie took the Lifestyles section from her son’s hand, knowing exactly what he had found. On the page opposite the movie listings, scattered among shots from Lauren’s opening, was Stephanie seducing Molly in black and white. The caption read, “Well-known lesbian attorney, Molly Kincaid, and Durham businesswoman, Stephanie Austin, get cozy at gallery opening.” Stephanie giggled. Molly had called that one.

  Mo took the paper. Stephanie turned back to Colt, whose accusing stare made her giggle even more. It was nervous laughter, because they were both waiting for Mo’s reaction. Mo folded the paper and handed it back to Colt.

  “That’s an old friend of your mother’s and, as it turns out, a friend of mine, as well. Doesn’t your mother look pretty?”

  Colt was as surprised by Mo’s demeanor as Stephanie. “Yeah, I guess,” he answered, confused. “You’re not mad?”

  Mo walked over to him. “Why should I be mad? Your mom had a good time and she deserved that.” She tussled his hair. “Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.”

  Colt looked to his mother for confirmation. Stephanie wasn’t going to start their new lives with half-truths.

  Stephanie said, “That’s Randy’s boss. We were more than friends. I was dating her when I met Mo the first time.”

  Colt’s face broke into a grin. “But you picked Mo over her, didn’t you?” It was more of a statement, than a question.

  Stephanie had to smile. “Yes, I did. Let me go warm up your soup.” She turned to leave. “By the way, could you reserve the blood curdling screams for emergencies?”

  “I thought it was an emergency,” Colt said, and then continued, causing Stephanie to stop and listen. “I want to say something. You guys are always telling me that I have to be responsible for my actions and face the consequences of my decisions.”

  He was quoting Stephanie verbatim, which gave her hope that he did listen to them sometimes.

  Colt went on, “But you also say that mistakes are okay, if you learn from them.”

  Stephanie nodded. “Yes, that’s true.” She could only guess where he was headed with this.

  “So, when I screw up, you say I’m being punished so that I will learn not to do it again.” He turned to face Mo. “I’m going to tell her what I told you.”

  Mo said, “Okay. Go ahead.”

  Colt was trying so hard to be mature, it was cute, but Stephanie didn’t smile at him. She focused her eyes on his and gave him her attention.

  “I told Mo that I forgave her for her mistake, but if she did it again then we were done with her. I think she learned her lesson, Mom. I don’t want her to leave.”

  Stephanie let her lips curl into a smile. “It’s okay, Colton.” She only used his full name when it was serious. “Mo’s not going anywhere. We just need to regroup, but everything is going to be fine. Don’t worry.” The two of them, beaming at her, caused Stephanie to laugh. She teased them, “But she’s going to be on restriction for a while. Is that okay?”

  Colt and Mo answered in unison, “Yes.”

  Stephanie shook her head. It was no use. They were a united front against her and she could not resist them. They were her family and she loved them both more than her pride. She winked at Mo.

  “You promised him a car, didn’t you?”

  #

  Mo moved Colt’s video game console down to the den. He was surrounded by pillows, snacks, and anything else he could possibly need. He hardly noticed when Stephanie told him they were going out on the back deck. She and Mo sat across from each other at the table, a bottle of water in front of each of them, like adversaries at a negotiation. Stephanie sat firmly against the back of her chair, arms crossed. She knew from the business world that body language was important. She had the advantage here and was projecting her position of power.

  Stephanie began the conversation, “I want to make it very clear that if I thought for one minute you ever cared about Michaela, or that this was anything more than a drunken dalliance; we would not be having this conversation. You would be out of my life forever and I mean that.”

  “I know,” Mo said.

  Stephanie continued, “I’m not interested in any more apologies or groveling. You’re sorry. I get that. What I do want to discuss are some observations I’ve made over the last week.”

  Mo sipped her water, but her throat was still dry, when she said, “Okay.”

  “I discovered the shoe boxes when I was cleaning the bathroom closet. While I found the idea endearing, it also brought to my attention that there is a whole side of you of which I have no knowledge.”

  Mo tilted her head, knitting her brow the way Colt did, the expression of a confused puppy.

  Stephanie continued. “That CYA folder, I didn’t know about half of the women in there.”

  Mo knew the answer to this one. She perked up, bright eyed. “I didn’t want to bother you with it. There was nothing for you to worry about.”

  “Why don’t you let me decide what I’m going to worry about from now on? If you had talked to me about them, you would have found it easier to talk to me about Michaela.”

  Mo’s shoulders fell. She had not given the right answer. She attempted a comeback, “But-”

  Stephanie unfolded her arms and leaned forward on the table, cutting Mo off. “Women are attracted to you, I have always known that. Whether it’s adoration from a student or pure lust, it must be exciting, at times, to know you’re the object of someone’s desire, other than mine. It’s human nature to feel that way. I understand that, Mo, but if you told me about the little things, the big ones would be easier to deal with. I could have helped you with Michaela, before it got out of control. We’re stronger together.”

  Mo asked, “So, if I tell you some woman is hitting on me, you’re not going to be mad?”

  This lead to another point Stephanie wanted to make. “You have to stop believing you know what I’m going to say, before you give me a chance to decide for myself. You think you’re protecting me, but you’re not.”

  “Okay, I’ll tell you,” Mo said, acquiescing.

  “It’s not just that,” Stephanie said. “Randy told me you didn’t want a child, that you gave up your dream to make mine come true. That wasn’t fair, Mo.”

  The puppy dog returned. Mo was thoroughly confused now.

  Stephanie filled in the details. “We based our whole lives on a decision you made alone, without consulting me. What if I was scared? What if I only went through with it that soon, because you seemed so excited?”

  “Did you?” Mo said, surprised.

  “See, Mo, we both spend way too much time guessing what the other person is thinking, instead of actually asking. I’m as guilty as you are.”

  “I’m not sorry we had him when we did,” Mo said, “but I see your point.”

  “I’m not sorry, either. He’s the best of both of us.”

  Again, they became quiet, as they took in the
moment of shared pride in their creation. Colt was all they had hoped for and more. Stephanie knew they were truly blessed.

  “He sure is paying a lot closer attention than I thought,” Mo said, finally. “He really nailed me on a couple of things.”

  Stephanie grinned. She’d had a taste of Colt’s surliness. She was sure he let Mo have it.

  “What did he say?” she asked.

  “He reminded me that I always said people who use alcohol as an excuse for bad behavior are losers.”

  “Ooo, that must have hurt,” Stephanie said, making a sympathetic face.

  Mo chuckled. “Not as much as being told I was as bad as John Edwards.”

  “Oh my, he is paying attention.” Stephanie laughed loudly, and then asked, “What did Randy say to you, at the ballpark?”

  “He told me not to give up, that you would come back to me.”

  “Is that all?” Stephanie asked, knowing it wasn’t.

  Mo smiled sheepishly. “No. He told me if I screwed up again, he would personally dump you on Molly’s doorstep.”

  Stephanie laughed, which visibly relaxed Mo. The laughter settled into quiet and Mo took the lead in the conversation.

  “What else? I know there’s more than that.”

  “Yes, I have a few more items I’d like to discuss.”

  Mo winked. “I bet you do.”

  Stephanie relaxed back against the chair. “Be home when you’re home. Organize your schedule better and stick to it. We need you too, Mo.”

  Mo answered quickly. “I wanted to talk to you about that. What if I just taught during the school year? I can turn much of what I do outside the classroom over to the grad students. They can supervise the undergraduate projects. That would eliminate hours viewing video at home. I’d only have to check on them a couple of times a semester and I won’t take on any side projects.”

  “That would help,” Stephanie said. “I know you have to do some of your grading and things here, and an occasional outside project isn’t out of the question, but if you’ll balance that with spending time with us, it would make me happy. You’ll be gone this semester anyway.”

  Mo sat up taller in her chair. “That’s another thing. I’m not going to be gone this semester or any semester, except possibly summer school. I made my own deal with the production company. We all agreed this particular project was not a good fit for me. They have some things coming up that will film in Wilmington or near there, next summer. It’s only two and half hours away.”