Shopping for essentials

Dan and Laura went up and down the aisles, filling their shopping cart. Laura used an application she had on her phone to calculate a running total, with tax, so they wouldn't go over budget. Things like medicine, bandaids, and ointments were a priority. It was something they both listed.

"How are you, Dan?" Ms. Carmen greeted as she came down the aisle. "Ms. Palm," she said with a smile. "How are you two coming along?"

"Doing well, Ms. Carmen. Just getting the things we need. I saw you were busy today," Dan said with a nod. He watched his mother and his boss eye each other before smiling and shaking hands.

"We're doing well, Carmen," Laura greeted as she stepped back. "Thank you for doing what you could for us. This... well, this will go a long way to making sure we have what we need until one of us is paid."

"It's my pleasure to help where I can," Ms. Carmen said with a judicious nod. "You're off tomorrow?" she asked Dan.

"Yeah," he answered with a shrug. "Do you need me to come in?"

"No, just come see me on Thursday. I've got a short day," Ms. Carmen said before turning around and heading back up the aisle. Dan couldn't help but check out his boss' tight butt as she strode away.

"Ahem," Laura commented with a raised eyebrow.

"Right, you mentioned another set of sheets," he said to cover his slip.

"I did," she commented as she took a deep breath. "We've still got some left between the two cards. I'm getting an apron and see about a real nightshirt. The shirts I'm wearing now keep slipping."

"If you want," Dan commented with a shrug. He didn't mind it much.

"Hmmm," she hummed noncommittally. "It'll get cold soon. They were talking about it on the news. Maybe a blanket is more important," she sighed.

Dan put a hand on his mother's shoulder and gently squeezed. "Whatever you feel is best," he said with a smile when she looked at him.