A Wonderful Night

It took the rest of the day and more money than they wanted to spend, but Laura and Dan got what necessities they needed to spend their first night in their new apartment. It was nearly ten o'clock when they sat down to eat microwaved mac'n'cheese out of pink plastic bowls and cheap spoons, washed vigorously, from a dollar store.

"I'll get the space by the wall," Dan offered as he eyed their inflated bed pushed up against the corner wall. Their pillows, cheap feather ones from Big Bucks, had one of her oversized shirts wrapped around it so they wouldn't have to sleep on the abrasive covering of the pillow.

"No, I'll take that spot. I don't move as much," Laura said as she tried to pull the last oversized shirts over her body. The snug top underneath felt tight and uncomfortable, but she didn't want her girls falling out in front of her son. The extra layer would help with the cold.

"If you say so," Dan quipped.

Laura was tired, physically and mentally. She found the air mattress uncomfortable, but the warm body near her lulled her into a light sleep. She could tell Dan fell asleep before her. While she didn't dream, she felt happy and loved for the first time in months.

The warmth across her chest disappeared at some point, rousing her from a light sleep. "I slept well," Laura remarked as she stretched on the mattress. It made an ominous creaking sound, making her freeze, mid-stretch. "Okay, no sudden movements," she laughed. "How did you sleep, dear?"

"Uh... good," Dan answered with a mouthful of cereal. It sounded off.

Laura squinted her eyes as she rose. "Are you sure? You look tired. Is it the new place?" she asked.

"Yeah. I'll be fine. I slept okay," he lied again.

"What time do you go in?" she asked. She didn't want to press him. He was doing so much for them.

"Ten to six-thirty," he answered.

"It's almost time to get stamps again. That'll help restock the pantry. Can... you leave me with some cash so I can pick a few things up?" Laura asked as she carefully got off the mattress.

"I'll leave you what I have, except twenty for gas. I know my tank is about a quarter-full."

"Thank you, dear," Laura said as she hugged him. "You're doing more than I have a right to ask for," she continued.

"Hey, we've been through everything together. Something like a sinkhole won't keep us down for long," Dan said back as he hugged his mother tightly.