Before It Stains Read online

  Mo seemed relieved. She squeezed Stephanie’s hand and winked. “We’ll hang at the party for a couple of hours. Then it’s you and me, a bottle of champagne or two, and some long overdue sheet time.”

  Stephanie returned Mo’s seductive grin. “You know what happens when I drink champagne.”

  “Yes, I do. Why do you think I brought home three bottles?”

  #

  The North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival’s Plaza Party was in full swing when Stephanie and Mo arrived. Held at the historic Carolina Theatre in downtown Durham, the Plaza Party was the premiere event to see and be seen at the festival. Mo led Stephanie by the hand toward the entrance of the theatre and deposited her next to some of the crew from the documentary Mo wrote and directed.

  Shouting over the Lady Gaga tune thumping through the plaza, Mo said, “Stay right here. I’ll go find us something to drink.” She leaned in, kissed Stephanie on the lips, and whispered in her ear, “You’re the prettiest girl here.”

  “Thank you,” Stephanie said, smiling and adding, “Just water for me, honey. I’ll drive home. Enjoy your night.”

  Stephanie watched Mo walk into the crowd. Congratulating hands reached out to her. People hugged and grabbed at her, wanting to be close to the Belle of the Ball. The hometown girl had done them proud. One woman after another kissed her on the cheek. Mo only made it a few yards before the crowd swallowed her.

  A familiar voice cut through the music. “She’s the star of the show.”

  Stephanie looked down to see Patrice Jennings, or PJ, Mo’s Director of Photography, standing beside her. PJ liked to tell people she was five-feet-three inches tall, but Stephanie doubted she was even five-two. She kept her hair closely cropped on the sides, but let the top grow into a tight rectangle a few inches tall. It helped PJ pretend she wasn’t the shortest person in the room.

  “Hey, PJ,” Stephanie said. “Everybody sure wants a piece of her these days. There’s hardly any left for Colt and me.”

  “I know what you mean. I had to make an appointment with her, just to talk about what she wants me to do with the project we planned for the fall semester. Now that she’s taking a leave of absence, I don’t know where that stands.”

  Stephanie had become well versed in apologizing for Mo. She was absent from all of their lives so much lately. “She isn’t avoiding you, PJ. I’m sure she’ll catch up with you when the excitement settles down. I’m happy for her, for all of you. It must be exhilarating to finally be recognized for your hard work.”

  PJ took a sip of wine. She raised her glass and said, “Here’s to her not forgetting the little people.”

  Stephanie put her arm around PJ’s shoulder. “You two have been together since your first year in college. She’ll take you with her. You wait and see.”

  “She already asked. I’m not interested. I like teaching. I’m not willing to play the game she’s playing.”

  The disgust in PJ’s tone led Stephanie to ask, “What do you mean? What game is she playing?”

  PJ did not have the opportunity to answer. Mo burst out of the crowd with the drinks, then led Stephanie, PJ, and the rest of the crew to a large reserved table in a private part of the plaza. The table was set up with appetizers and bottles of wine. Stephanie knew the people joining them. This was a privately funded project, with no ties to the university, but most of the crewmembers were Mo’s students. Stephanie spent weeks providing craft services while they were shooting the film. This project had truly been a group effort.

  A young man said, “Wow! We’ve moved up. How’d you swing this, Dr. H?”

  Hardly anyone called Mo by her official title of Dr. Hunt. It was Dr. H, Dr. Mo, or simply Mo to the older graduate students when they were off campus.

  Mo pulled out a chair for Stephanie, answering, “Michaela set it up.”

  “I’ll bet she did,” PJ mumbled, but not low enough. Stephanie heard her words clearly.

  Once seated, the talk turned to the excitement of having the hit of the festival on their hands. After a few minutes, Mo stood up. The table quieted as she began to speak.

  “I really want to make sure you all know how much I appreciate the hard work you put into making this film a reality. It would have never happened without the efforts of each and every one of you,” she paused, grinning, “and a sizable donation from the Smith Foundation.”

  A voice from the back sounded. “Thank God for rich people.”

  The table laughed and settled back down when Mo moved over to stand by PJ.

  “When this project was just scribbles on a note pad, PJ saw clearly what it could be. This is her moment, too. None of us would be enjoying this evening quite as much, if not for her vision.”

  Spontaneous clapping erupted. If PJ’s skin weren’t chocolate brown, she would have been blush-red from the neck up. She exchanged looks with Mo and even though they were both smiling, Stephanie read something in PJ’s eyes. Was it disappointment? PJ was Mo’s oldest friend. They met as freshmen film students, went through a very brief affair, and had remained best friends through graduate school. PJ went off to the professional film world, learning her trade, while Mo stayed behind to get her doctorate. Gradually, Mo worked herself into a tenured position. At the first opportunity, she secured a faculty position for PJ in the program. They were a team. Stephanie had no idea what happened between them in the last few days, but something was wrong. She would ask Mo about it once they were alone.

  Mo continued around the table, telling amusing stories, and thanking each person individually. She finally returned to Stephanie’s side.

  “One night, several years ago, Stephanie read an article she found online. It was about an upcoming movie. After reading the article, Stephanie turned to me and said, ‘Why do they insist a lesbian family can’t be happy without a man coming in to the picture? Can’t they tell a story about happy kids and their happy gay parents? Our kid is just fine, thank you.’ The film we made, ‘Just Fine,’ grew out of that conversation. Stephanie is and has been, for the last seventeen years, my inspiration.”

  Mo leaned down and kissed Stephanie sweetly.

  “I love you. Thank you for everything.”

  Stephanie stood to hug Mo, as clapping and shouts began around the table. A loud voice interrupted.

  “Hello, everyone,” Michaela said, drawing the group’s attention. She ignored the obvious special moment taking place, rushing straight to Mo. “I have terrific news. I had to come find you right away. I just found out,” she paused for effect, “we’re being picked up for distribution!”

  The table erupted in cheers and cries of joy.

  Michaela added, “It won’t be official until the paperwork is signed, but it’s a deal.”

  Michaela wrapped her arms around Mo’s neck and hugged her tightly. Too tightly for Stephanie’s comfort level. What happened next nearly knocked her off her heels. Michaela’s hand slid to the small of Mo’s back and Stephanie was struck by the impression that it had been there before. A thought tried to cross her mind, but she held it off. It was unimaginable. In the briefest of seconds, Mo was by her side, enfolding Stephanie in her arms. She wasn’t aware of how Mo came to be holding her. Stephanie had gone away for a moment and when she came back, everything was just fine.

  “Congratulations, sweetheart,” Stephanie said.

  Mo pulled back to look in Stephanie’s eyes. “People are going to see this movie. We did it, Steph.”

  Mo kissed away the anxiousness in Stephanie’s chest. She calmed under Mo’s touch. More cheers and hoots filled the air around them. When Mo let Stephanie go, Michaela was there to hug her, kissing Stephanie on both cheeks. Stephanie noticed the film industry people used this form of greeting regularly. It was as fake a gesture as the feeling behind Michaela’s words.

  “I’m so happy for you both.”

  Stephanie, full of the grace honed in cotillion classes, said, “We really can’t thank you enough for all your efforts on behalf of Mo and the
film.”

  “It’s my pleasure,” Michaela replied, looping an arm through Mo’s. “With talent like hers, it’s very easy to open doors.” She turned to Mo, “Now, if I can tear you away from your lovely wife, I have some people who want to meet you. You don’t mind, do you Stephanie?”

  Stephanie kissed Mo on the cheek. “Go on, honey. Don’t keep your adoring fans waiting.”

  Mo smiled. “I’ll be right back and then we’ll go home. There’s a champagne bottle with your name on it.”

  Stephanie knew Mo wasn’t coming “right back.” There had been too many parties just like this, where PJ ended up being Stephanie’s table partner, while Mo worked the room. It was the nature of Mo’s business. She was always pushing a project or hunting backing for the next one. Mo’s passions drove Stephanie to her from the beginning. Mo pursued Stephanie with the same intensity. Stephanie actually enjoyed watching Mo from a distance, her heart swelling with pride, but Michaela had whisked Mo out of sight. Stephanie sighed and took her familiar place next to PJ.

  “Hi, my name is Kayla.”

  A young woman Stephanie didn’t recognize, with large brown eyes and hair to match, leaned across the table, extending her hand. Stephanie took it and was greeted with a healthy handshake.

  “Nice to meet you, Kayla. I’m Stephanie. Are you here with one of the crew members?”

  PJ jumped into the introductions. “I brought Kayla to the party. She’ll be in the graduate program this year. Thought she might enjoy meeting everyone, before she started.”

  “Yep, I’m finally going to finish this degree. I’ve been working and saving money for two years, but now it’s time to get that piece of paper that says I know what I’m doing,” Kayla said.

  “Well, congratulations, Kayla. I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the university.”

  “I’m disappointed that Dr. Hunt won’t be there this semester. I’ve heard she really knows her stuff.”

  Stephanie smiled. “She’ll be back before you’re finished.”

  “I’m sure the university will find a suitable replacement for her,” PJ said.

  The tone in PJ’s voice was telling. She was angry with Mo and Stephanie couldn’t understand why.

  “PJ, you know she’s coming back, don’t you?”

  “No, I don’t know that. She’s gone, Stephanie. They have their hooks in her now. Mo’s already one of them. She isn’t coming back.”

  Stephanie’s face flushed hot. She shouldn’t be discussing Mo’s career like this in front of a student, but that didn’t stop her. “I think I would know if Mo was planning to stay in LA. She isn’t. Even if she gets another contract after this one, she’ll always return to teaching. It’s her first love.”

  “Yeah, you’d think you’d know,” PJ scoffed.

  Before Stephanie could react, Kayla said, “You make a beautiful couple. I asked who you were and someone told me you two were married and had a kid. That’s just so cool.”

  Stephanie forced a smile. “Yes, it is very cool.”

  “I only met Dr. Hunt the other night at the filmmakers’ party. I didn’t see you there. I thought she was with that other woman, but then someone explained that was her agent.”

  PJ stood up suddenly. “Kayla, would you come with me to find Chase? I think he must be lost out there in the crowd.” She turned to Stephanie. “Chase is another new grad student. He probably didn’t see where we went.”

  “Oh, okay.” Stephanie said. “It was nice to meet you, Kayla.”

  Stephanie was left alone for only a moment, before friends and crewmembers surrounded her, talking excitedly about the great news. She had no time to process PJ’s mood or Kayla’s comment about Mo and Michaela. Besides, Stephanie had been handling young women with crushes on Mo for years. It was harmless. Mo always came home to her.

  An hour passed before Mo returned without Michaela, to Stephanie’s great relief. She was happy that Mo had an agent so invested in her career, but the overly affectionate way Michaela handled Mo was starting to grate on her nerves. There was too much hugging and cheek kissing to Stephanie’s way of thinking. The entertainment crowd didn’t appeal to Stephanie in the least. Stephanie saw very clearly what most of them were, people willing to do anything to get what they wanted.

  Working among them had never changed Mo, but Stephanie was worried that it might. Mo showed signs of letting the newfound success go to her head. Michaela was obviously interested in more than a professional relationship. Stephanie remained quiet about her reservations. This was Mo’s moment. This was the payoff for all their hard work together. Stephanie couldn’t let a little streak of jealousy ruin what was turning out to be a profitable business tie. She reminded herself that Mo had never once given her a reason to be worried.

  “Come on, let’s go,” Mo said, pulling Stephanie up from the chair.

  Stephanie stood, looking at Mo’s cheeks covered in faint brushes of lipstick. She rubbed one particularly bright red spot with her thumb.

  “My, weren’t we the popular girl tonight. If I was prone to jealousy, we might have a problem.”

  Mo smiled at her. “I came back for you, didn’t I?”

  Stephanie pulled Mo into her arms and whispered close to her ear, “Yes, you did. Now, take me home, get me drunk on champagne, and reap the benefits.”

  Mo pulled back and looked into Stephanie’s eyes. “Did I tell you how much I love you, today?”

  Stephanie grinned. “Don’t tell me, show me.”

  #

  They finished the first bottle of champagne in bed, after barely making it in the house before the clothes started flying in every direction. They were well into the second bottle, now. It had been weeks since Stephanie had all of Mo’s attention. She delighted in it, nuzzling into Mo’s neck, careful not to spill the flute of champagne clutched in her hand.

  “Umm, you smell so good,” Stephanie said. “Is that new perfume?”

  “It has to be yours on me, because I’m not wearing any,” Mo responded, while refilling their half-empty glasses.

  “No, it’s not my perfume,” Stephanie said, sitting up to take another sip. “Must be one those women who left their lipstick on your cheeks. They don’t seem to be able to keep their hands off you.”

  Mo put her glass down on the bedside table and took Stephanie’s, placing it beside the other. She rolled over, hovering above Stephanie.

  “And I can’t keep my hands off you. No more talking.”

  Mo started kissing Stephanie’s neck and moved down her body slowly.

  Stephanie grabbed the sheets on either side of her and arched off the bed, whispering, “Yeah, no more talking.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  The phone started ringing at eight a.m. Stephanie saw the numbers on the digital clock and groaned, but knew she had to answer it for two reasons; she was the mother of a teenage boy and she was the managing partner of a property management business. Either one calling this early on a Sunday morning would not be good news.

  “Hel…” The word caught. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Hello.”

  “Stephanie, I hate to call so early, but it’s imperative that I speak with Mo right away,” Michaela said, quickly.

  Stephanie immediately closed her eyes. Glad the call had nothing to do with her, she dropped the phone on Mo’s side of the bed.

  “It’s for you.”

  She felt Mo sit up and tried to drift back off. Sleeping-in was a luxury Stephanie could not afford often. She was always the first one up, ministering to her family’s needs. Mo graciously got out of bed and left the room to have her conversation. Stephanie snuggled into the down pillows and slipped back into dreamland. She was sitting on the beach, listening to the waves, when she felt Mo kiss her on the cheek.

  “Honey, wake up.”

  “I don’t want to. We’re on the beach and it’s just us,” Stephanie said, without opening her eyes.

  “Okay, don’t wake up. I’ll leave you a note.”

  Ste
phanie opened her eyes. Mo was sitting on the edge of the bed with the phone in her hand.

  “Is everything all right?” Stephanie asked, sitting up.

  “No. I’m hung-over and don’t feel like having brunch with a producer, but apparently I simply must attend.” Mo put the phone down on the table beside the bed and rubbed her hands through her hair.

  “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “No need for both of us to suffer. You go back to sleep. I’m going to take a shower.”

  “I’ll make you some coffee and toast. You need something in your stomach.”

  Mo stood up and Stephanie climbed out of the covers. She was still naked, which was a rarity in their house with a teenage boy about. Mo, now wearing a tee shirt and shorts, grinned and slipped her arms around Stephanie’s waist.

  “Well, that’s one way to wake me up.”

  “Trust me, the coffee will be more effective.” Stephanie said, slipping away from Mo. “Somebody fed me champagne until the wee hours of the morning. I’m not up to physical activity, yet.”

  Stephanie ran by Mo into the master bathroom. Mo moved to lean on the doorjamb. After seventeen years, they were way beyond personal boundaries. Stephanie sat on the toilet while Mo talked.

  “My flight leaves at six in the morning. Are you sure you don’t want me to take a taxi, so you can sleep-in?”

  “Mo, do you honestly think I’m going to stay in bed when I know you’ll be in LA for a week? I doubt I’ll sleep at all while you’re gone.”

  Stephanie, finished at the toilet, moved to the sink and began brushing her teeth.

  Mo continued, “I hate to be gone during Colt’s tournament.”

  With the toothbrush still in her mouth, Stephanie said, “There will be other tournaments. He understands this is important.”

  Stephanie turned back to the sink and rinsed her mouth out. She washed her face and dried off with the hand towel Mo held out to her.

  “He’s going to pitch two games this week,” Mo said. “Remind him not to overuse his curveball, and make sure he ices his arm down long enough afterwards.”