“Are you sure he’s okay?”

Gemma felt like total shit for not knowing her baby was hurt and at the hospital. She didn’t have a cell phone. That was an expense that she had on her wish list, right after a better place to live, new clothes for Dash, and a stockpile of food so big she wouldn’t have to worry for a year.

It had been over two hours from the time Jamie called to when Gemma took her first break. By the time she was able to reach Jamie, they were back home. Jamie’s husband Evan worked as a housepainter and was able to drive them to the hospital from his job in town.

Evan was a straight-up kind of guy who worked hard at a job that wasn’t always steady. He took care of his wife and adored his baby girl Kiki. She was grateful that there were people in the world who let someone leave work for a family emergency.

Her boss would fire her on the spot. He was a dick and Gemma had to take a huge load of crap from him to keep her job at the diner, but sadly, the tips were worth the hassle. She would have left and figured out another job if her baby had needed her.

She felt guilty for not worrying about losing her job, but she also was thanking her lucky stars that her son was covered for healthcare through the state. There were some things she wanted to do on her own, but medical coverage for her baby was non-negotiable.

“Don’t worry about it. Once the doctor showed up and started doing funny voices, Dash forgot all about it. He did give me some medicine for him and said you should wake him up regularly tonight to make sure there aren’t any signs of a concussion,” Jamie said.

“Have I told you lately how much I love you?” Gemma sighed.

“Uh, yup, this morning when I said I would feed Dash so you wouldn’t be late for work,” Jamie said seriously.

“Well I do, tons,” Gemma said honestly.

“I know. Don’t worry, your little man will be here when you get home. By the way, you missed some serious sexy doctor action today. Hello, hottie!” Jamie said, giggling.

“Oh yeah, I’m in the market for a sexy, successful doctor. Let me guess, his last name was Rochon?”

Everyone in town knew that last name. Hell, half the town had that last name. Gemma figured they were the usual rich family in a small town that ruled like local celebrities. Instead, the longer she’d lived there, the more she came to realize that the Rochons were like the town’s saints. They sponsored everything – the local hospital, fire station, and the library. Several charities were run by the family, including the one she frequented for pantry items. They employed most of the other half of town, too.

“Well, sign me up, sister. I’ll just let him sweep me off my feet and take me away from my reality of single mom-hood.”

“You never know… Dash has a follow-up with him next week,” Jamie said in a sing-song voice.

“Which you know good and well I probably won’t be able to make. Argh, it’s so frustrating!” Gemma banged her head against the wall next to the phone in the diner.

“That’s why you have your fairy godmother. Me,” Jamie said.

“I will someday pay you back; you know that, right?” She didn’t want Jamie to ever think she was taking advantage of her. Gemma appreciated everything she did. Jamie was a lifeline in her dark world.

“We will work it out. Now scoot off, finish your shift and we’ll be here waiting for you,” Jamie assured her.

“All right, can you put Dash on?”

“Sure, one second,” Jamie said with some rustling sounds.

“Mama?”

“Hey, big man. Sounds like you had an exciting day! Jamie said you were so brave, baby.”

“I was! I got blood on my shirt. Dr. Eddie gave me lots of sugar. It hurt, but I only cried a little,” Dash said.

“Oh, wow – sugar. Awesome.” Gemma never went too overboard on keeping Dash from sugar. She knew that sweets often made a dreary day a little brighter.

“Well, you rest up. Don’t be too crazy this afternoon. I’ll be home soon. We can have potato soup for dinner.” It was one of his favorites.

“Yum, with cwackers?”

“Yes, baby, with crackers,” she promised.

“Bye, Momma!” Dash shouted before the phone disconnected.

“Bye, Dash,” she said into the dial tone.

Placing the phone back on the receiver, Gemma took a moment. When life got scary, or overwhelming, or just plain shitty, Gemma took a moment. She used the time to think of everything that wasn’t shit in her life.

Her list always started with Dash. He was like Teflon; nothing stuck to him. His sunny disposition often kept Gemma from sinking into a depression due to their circumstances. She knew she had a roof over her head. It might not have been a nice roof, but it wasn’t the worst she’d ever slept beneath.

Her car was still running, for now. Her tips from the day would keep them fed until payday. The truckers were feeling generous today. And although her son was injured, he was going to be okay and seemed to be facing this challenge like everything else. A little man rolling with the punches.

Today was a bad day for Dash, but she’d have her baby in her arms soon.