Another night in a hotel

Dan napped on his bed until his mother woke him with her musical laugh. "What's up?" he asked, trying to sit up on the bed to look at the television.

"Oh, sorry, it's been forever since I've seen this show. I didn't mean to wake you," Laura said as she looked him over. "You look a little more rested. Hungry yet?"

"Eh, I could eat," Dan answered as he looked back at the screen. "Oh, I haven't seen this since I was a kid. Any ideas what you want for dinner?"

"I honestly want to sit down somewhere and eat. It's been a while, and... well, I want to get out of here for a bit."

"Okay, where do you want to go?" Dan asked, thinking of their dwindling money supply.

"How about Jake's Diner? It's cheap, fast, and has good food."

"Works for me, it's just around the corner. I'll get my pants back on."

"I really want to wash the clothes we got, but... well... I guess they'll do for tonight," Laura sighed as she eyed the bags on the table.

It didn't take long for the mother and son to get ready and head out to dinner. The waitress, Tina, by her nametag, seated them with a wink.

"I think she was winking at you," Dan commented with a laugh after the mocha-skinned woman flounced off toward the kitchens.

"I noticed," Laura muttered before her frown turned into a small laugh.

Dan couldn't help but smile. His mother knew how to pick out clothes. She'd gone with an attractive red blouse and form-fitting dark pants that she could use for interviews. Overdressed for the establishment, she stood out amongst the crowd. Dan on the other hand looked like he was dressed for work at Big Bucks, a polo and slacks.

"What would you lovely couple like to drink?" a redheaded waitress asked as she stopped by the table, her notepad poised in her hand. She froze, as her eyes flicked between them. "Oh, I'm sorry. You... uh... what you would like?" she tried again.

Laura's face flushed a little as she smiled. "Water if you will and the Blue Plate Special. Double green beans, please," she answered after a moment.

Dan fought not to laugh. "I'll just take a double cheeseburger, fries, with a Coke, please," he ordered.

"No problem, it'll be out in a moment," she said in a professional voice before moving off toward the back.

Dan heard a distinctive, high laugh come from the kitchens. He turned to see Tina come out a moment later. She winked at him and laughed before going over to the counter to greet a family of four standing by the door.

"That was embarrassing," Laura said into the silence.

"No, I think the first waitress, Tina, played a trick on our server. Anyway, what's the plan for tomorrow?"

"I'm going to look around for somewhere to live while you're at work. Full day, right?" Laura asked.

"Yeah."

"Then I'll focus on finding an apartment and hopefully get somewhere with the insurance company. If I keep trying, something will come of it."

Dan wasn't so sure, but he didn't want to say anything that might discourage his mother. The food wasn't bad as the pair ate quickly. Their waitress kept their drinks filled and asked if they needed anything more than she might have normally. Dan made sure to tip well as they left, to show he had no hard feelings and because his mother raised him to tip the wait staff of any restaurant.

"You know, I might ask the manager if I can borrow their washer and dryer," Laura mused two hours later as they sat in the hotel room, staring at the television.

"Want me to come with you?"

"No, I can do it. Thanks," Laura said as she slipped back on her shoes. "Be back in a few." Twenty minutes later, Laura came back with a big smile. "I can. Rosa will show me where everything is, as long as I don't mind their detergent. At this point, I'll take anything," she confessed as she gathered up both of their clothes. "Off with what you're wearing. Might as well get everything washed while we can."

Dan watched the news for a bit before just relaxing in bed. He played on his phone while he borrowed his mother's phone charger to make sure he had a full battery for the next day. It took a while before Laura came back, carrying a laundry basket.

"That went well," she commented with a sigh as she dropped the clothes off on her bed. "Here, come help me fold these."

"Sure."