Tumbling into the back seat, Stef pulls Lena to her. Clammy palms together, fingers intertwine, nerves scintillate, a heart catches in a throat, a breath stops. Stef kisses the place behind Lena's ear that reminds Lena how much she misses Stef's touch.

"I couldn't take my eyes off you all night," Stef says in Lena's ear. "You're so beautiful."

Stef releases Lena's hair from the elastic band that holds it up. "As beautiful as the day I first saw you." Stef kisses Lena again.

"That's not true," Stef corrects. "Even more."

- Flashback -

The lights in the cafeteria always seem brighter on "Meet the Teachers" night at Public School. Parents and teachers mill around exchanging strained smiles, extending hands to shake, and nodding with acknowledgement as parents introduce themselves. Whether or not the teacher hears the parents' names or is able to discern who's child this mother, father, or couple belongs to is irrelevant, the teacher nods anyway.

After a terse and tense teacher conference with Brandon's Kindergarten teacher and Mike, Stef just wants to go home. Mike already left for the evening having had enough of airing out his and Stef's differing education philosophies in front of Brandon's teacher, unwillingly having her witness the fallout and one of many symptoms of his and Stef's separation.

"I'm leaving," are the last words Stef hears Mike say as he walks heavy-footed down the hall towards the parking lot.

They were words she had said to Mike just a few months earlier but for different reasons. Reasons that make her doubt her decision every time she explains to Brandon why she and Daddy no longer live together and reasons that challenge her integrity every time Stef's father asks her if she is sure. She and Mike had agreed to separate for a few months to figure things out. She wonders if or when it will be okay between her and Mike. She just wants it be okay when they talk to each other, when they talk about Brandon, and when they talk about what happens now.

Stef can't go home just yet. She needs to decompress from the earlier meeting. Staying at the school, she walks into the cafeteria under the glare of its florescent lights to meet Public School's faculty and auxiliary staff.

An eager hand is thrust into Stef's palm before she knows who it belongs to. It's the music teacher talking excitedly about "Brandon's potential", about his "natural talent" and if she and "your husband have considered getting him piano lessons." Barely able to make the emotional transition from the disappointing show of her and Mike's best attempt at parenting together apart to receiving Mr. Music's enthusiasm (she can't remember his name), she mirrors his smiles and nods and agrees with everything Mr. Music says. Stef is doing everything she can to keep tears from falling. Her nerves are raw.

Mr. Music moves on and Brandon's best friend's dad, Paul, approaches her. He's a prosecutor. He's genuinely happy to see Stef, it has been awhile. He asks her about work, an area of her life she feels confident about and takes a lot of pride in. She regains her footing again as she tells him about her precinct leading the sting that finally put an end to the meth lab on the other side of town.

"Lena," a voice calls out over the din of conversation. It's Principal Chapman beaconing someone from across the room. Stef looks away from Paul – who is in mid-congratulatory sentence – as if her own name has been called. It's not the name that catches her attention. It's the way it sounds, like a bird call that would raise a rare specimen out of a thicket. And a rare specimen it is.

A slight woman appears – slim, lean – from what appears to be out of nowhere. Stef hadn't noticed her this evening or over the past few weeks that she has been bringing Brandon to school. The woman's gait is effortless – back straight – reserved elegance radiates from her. She holds a gentle smile on her face and a brightness suffuses her eyes. She smiles with her lips – not a toothy smile – which are full and lightly glossed, not gaudy. Her hair is breathtaking; totally different from Stef's blonde, straight hair. This woman's hair is full, curly, dark, really curly. It rests like a billowing cloud on her shoulders; a soft, airy halo, highlights of light brown and red. She shakes the hands of the parents that Principal Chapman introduces her to. They engage in conversation.

Stef is aware that Paul is still talking to her; in fact, his wife has joined him now. She nods in their direction and politely smiles although she doesn't quite know what Paul is talking about. Stef glances past Paul and his wife.

The woman who Stef watches has the poise of a consummate professional, like she is used to doing this, shaking hands and greeting people all day. Yet there's an eagerness in her face and she has the courtesies of someone being introduced to others for the first time; making their first and best impression.

Stef hears Paul and his wife suggest a playdate for their boys in the near future, "maybe on Saturday". Stef agrees. When she looks past Paul and his wife again, the woman is gone. Stef discreetly scans the cafeteria looking for her all the while still trying to look engaged with her present company. Is she a new parent? A new teacher? Administrator? The lunch lady? Stef thinks.

"Paul, Katherine, Stephanie," Principal Chapman approaches them. "I'd like to introduce you to Lena Adams, she's our newest addition to Public School now that Ms. Harper has extended her sabbatical. Ms. Adams has a Masters in Education, she'll be teaching 4th grade, and she also began the principalship track this year. We're happy she's here."

Handshakes are exchanged, smiles and expressions of 'ahh' are shared, "It's a pleasure", and hospitable 'welcomes' are said. Stef notices how warm the color of the new teacher's hand feels in hers.

Later in her car, as Stef drives home, the comfort of Lena Adams still lingers in her hand.

- Flashback ends -