My conversation with Jackson went like this; I went into the room, asked him if we could chat, and he shut down on me. Pushing would only lead to arguing, so I sat in silence, and waited for him to reach out to me. We stayed like that – him facing the opposite wall, his body curled into a ball, and utter silence surrounding us – and it felt like an eternity, but after ten minutes I stood. When I reached the door, I put my hand on the knob, then turned.

"I'm not going to push you." I kept my eyes trained on the dark wooden door. "But when you're ready, I'm here. Okay?" My voice chose that moment to break. "Always will be." Then I removed myself from the room.

It's now been three days since the incident and I'm at my breaking point. It's the last day before Tara leaves for vacation. I'm working tonight, and she has been coming to the house to take care of him, instead of me taking them to her. My boss, being the kind hearted man he is, gave me the next three days off, and while I'm grateful, I keep cringing as the bills come in each day.

Annabeth comes skipping out of school. Her pigtails swinging back and forth, and a smile grazes her beautiful little face. She opens the door and slides into her booster.

"Someone has a bright smile today."

"Well," she says, straightening her shoulders as she buckles up. "Remember how you promised me a strawberry shake from the cute little cafe in town..."

My eyes meet hers in the mirror. She bats her lashes and pushes her bottom lip out. "Yeah. If you got a good grade on your math test." I'd been so wrapped up in Jackson's behavior I almost forgot about the test.

"Mommy, you'd be pleased to know that I got a one-zero-zero." She holds up a finger, then makes two circles with her whole hand. "And five extra points for bonus. I'm a number bond champion!"

She lifts her arm, making a muscle. A proud grin spreads across her face. My attention shifts to Jackson. His lips twitch like he wants to smile but is holding back. I glance over my shoulder at Anna.

"A deal is a deal."

While my wallet might be a little dry this week, I never back down on a promise. That score is enough to be worth two shakes, but we'll start with one.

Anna squeals and she does a little happy dance, wiggling her arms.

"Hey, Jack did ya hear that?" she asks, nudging him.

I turn my attention to the road to try and get out of the lot, but every few seconds I allow my attention to flicker to the two in the back.

"That's really great, Anna. Told you, you could do it."

Jackson's encouraging statement warms my heart to the point where my eyes prick with warm tears. A few escape and I try to hide it with a sniffle, hoping they don't catch it.

It takes five minutes to reach our favorite little cafe. It's nothing like the big chain stores, it's got a hometown feel that we all love. While I know Jackson shouldn't be rewarded, I think we should all celebrate small victories, and his enthusiasm towards his sister's achievement is the most positive thing I've heard from him in weeks.

Pulling into the lot, the kids get out and we make our way inside. Anna dances around beside us, her cheeks pink. Her mood is contagious, and I can't help smiling. The cafe has a distinct scent of vanilla. It hangs in the air, and filters outside when we open the door. Small round green tables are set up around the small shop. This place has been here for many years, and the wear and tear of the chipped white and black tiled floor shows that.

The second we get up to the register, Anna bounces up ahead of me.

"Strawberry shake, please," she sings. "And my mom will have one too, and..." she looks at me, asking for permission for Jackson. I nod. "And my stinky brother, who's actually pretty cool, will have..." she taps her lips. "Mint chocolate chip, right?" she asks, turning to him.

He gives her a hesitant nod, and his eyes find mine. "It's okay," I say. "It's for a special occasion."

Jackson doesn't say anything, but he takes two steps towards me, then stands so that the side of his arm touches mine, like he needs some kind of reassurance that we're okay.

The man standing behind the register, stares down at Anna, a sparkling smile lighting up his summer day blue eyes.

"And are you paying?" he asks her.

She shakes her head. "I mean my allowance would probably cover only mine, so no – that's all her," she says, pointing with her thumb over her shoulder.

Even Jackson laughs at that. I don't want to step out of line away from him, but I have to pay the man. I reach into my bag, and swap spots with Anna. My wallet of course as usual has fallen to the bottom. When I pull it out, I go through the main pocket only to find it is void of cash. The sign on the register clearly states they are a cash only establishment.

"Shit," I whisper under my breath.

I hold up a finger, letting him know that I'm still digging. I try the zippered compartment and inside is only a single dollar and a bunch of random change. Definitely not enough for the drinks. My face burns. There's probably a line behind me, I can't even look. How could I not have enough money to pay for these drinks?

Anna tugs on my arm.

"Mommy."

"Hold on a second, sweetie." I look up at the man, and he's impatiently waiting for me, but holds his customer service smile. "Let me check one other place."

I dig my hand deeper into the bag, moving things around, only to come up empty handed.

"Baby, I'm sorry. We are going to have to come back..."

Anna glances up at me, her wide twinkling eyes make my heart break. This was poor planning on my part. I haven't carried much cash in a while because I've been relying on my debit card.

I can feel the tears fighting their way to the surface. I've failed them once again. First, when their dad left, then when Jackson got into the fight, now I can't even get them a special drink.

"I'm sorry," I say to the man. "I – I don't have the cash. There's no way to..."

"Sorry," he says, his voice low and thick. "Cash only."

He's understanding and doesn't seem annoyed. I apologize again, and he waves it off like it's nothing.

A hand slaps a fistful of money on the counter.

"It's on me."

That voice, that leather covered arm, and those large familiar hands. I turn my neck to find Lawson now standing beside Anna. Anna's smile returns. "You're the man that held up the pick-up line."

She crosses her hands at her chest, while the man behind the register starts to fill our order.

Lawson chuckles, giving Anna the friendliest smile. "Yeah, that was me."

"You know you should be thanking me, because I told mommy you needed help."

He holds his hand out to shake hers, and she takes it. He lifts her hand to his mouth and presses a kiss to the back. "Thank you, my lady."

Her cheeks turn red, and she glances up at me, a giddy smile on her face. Then her eyes flicker between us, when his attention lands on me.

"Hey," he says.

"Hey."

Then he turns to Jackson. "How are you holding up?" he asks.

At first, I think Jackson is going to lash out like he did that day in the principal's office, only he doesn't. He shrugs his shoulders, keeps his lips in a pressed line, but doesn't give any attitude.

"Hope I'm not stepping on any toes buying you all drinks," Lawson says, only he's not talking to me, he's talking to Jackson.

"It's fine." Jackson lowers his gaze, unable to keep it on Lawson.

"Are you guys hanging around? I'm by myself and don't mind the company. If it's okay with you?" Again, he's talking to Jackson.

Jackson lifts his chin and lowers it slightly again. "It's okay."

"Great."

"Mommy! It's ready!" Anna cries out grabbing her strawberry shake.

We take our drinks and head over to the far corner of the cafe. Jackson helps Lawson bring over some extra chairs, and we all take a seat. Jackson is closest to the window, his attention floating out there, as he sips on his shake.

"So, what's the occasion?" Lawson asks.

"I got a one-zero-zero on my test AND a bonus of five points. Amazing, right?" Anna says, taking a long sip.

"Ahhh." She pauses. "Refreshing."

"Well, congrats on your test."

She throws him a happy glance and then goes back to drinking. Lawson's eyes meet mine from across the table. I'm beside Jackson, and Anna is next to him. There are so many things I want to say, to tell him, there's a questioning gaze in his eyes.

"I didn't see you sitting over here when I walked in..." I say, instead of thanks.

"I was hiding behind my newspaper. I lowered it and there you were."

The heat rises up my neck, and back into my cheeks again. I shouldn't be embarrassed in front of him, he's the least judgmental person I've ever met. The man still went above and beyond to call me after my child hit his. Maybe I'm missing something, like he can't be this perfect. I keep digging for a clue that tells me he's not. What did his ex-wife think of him? Men are never this nice, not even Jackson and Anna's dad. He and I fought constantly, in fact our engagement was brought on by a huge argument and the fear that he was going to lose me. Guess the joke was on me since he's the one who left.

"I heard the big spring carnival is coming to town in a few weeks."

I'm grateful for him trying to keep the conversation going. Tonight, when the kids are in bed I'll call him, tell him how grateful I am for everything, but here at the table is not an appropriate time to bare my soul. Not in front of my kids. They don't need the worry of me struggling.

"Yes! Mommy and I always ride on the Ferris wheel. Although it's kind of scary because it creaks and makes weird noises."

Lawson laughs. "Yeah, that happens with those rides. What about you Jackson?"

He's quiet, staring out the window again. The hint of a smile I saw earlier has diminished to nothing, and now I'm wondering if I was imagining it all.

"Whack a mole, right Jack?" I try to fill the silent void that has come over the table. "We always go head-to-head with each other. He wins every time."

Jackson nods. "And don't forget basketball," he says. "Mom really sucks at that one."

"I do not!" My voice squeaks. I smile at Jackson, bumping my arm into his. "I'm always right behind you in points."

"Mom, the number of times it bounces off the rim doesn't count." He gives a slight grin, then goes back to sipping on his drink.

My eyes meet Lawson's, and with the kids distracted by their drinks, I mouth the words thank you. We spend the next half an hour talking with Lawson before he has to leave for a gig a few towns over. He walks us to the car. Anna gives him the hardest high-five I've ever seen her give someone. He gives a fake pained expression. I'm convinced that he's actually hurt when he winces after she gets into the car.

"Hey, uh-thanks for the shake," Jackson says.

"Anytime." Lawson pats him on the back, and Jackson slides into his spot behind my seat.

Once both kids are in the car, and the doors are shut, Lawson turns to me.

"You didn't have to ... pay for the drinks, let me pay you back-"

His hand reaches out, touching the bare skin of my arm. The spring weather has kicked it up a notch, and today's a bit warmer than usual, but under his touch it feels like summer heat.

"It's fine. Really. It's on me."

"I feel like I owe you..."

"Then go out with me, on a date. The works, just like I said."

I can't resist the smile on his face. I love how it leaves tiny crinkles at the corner of his eyes, and how his cheeks grow more rounded as they get pushed up by his lips.

My gaze lands on the backseat of the car. Dating is a level I have yet to unlock. It's been years. And what about Jackson and Anna, how would they feel about it? I hate saying no, but maybe it's still not a good time.

"I see the wheels turning. I'm sorry I pushed. I should get going."

He lets go of me, and a cool spring breeze makes my skin feel like winter. A soft whispered goodbye leaves his lips as he begins to walk across the lot. His shoulders sag with each passing step. I'm doing this for my kids. It's the right thing to do, right?

I'm still observing him as he reaches his truck a few rows over. I sigh, then give a tap on the back window of my car.

"Be right back," I say, through the glass.

Neither of them care, so I click the lock and start jogging towards Lawson. He's about to get into his truck, but I call his name. At first, he doesn't turn, but then I yell out again, and when his eyes meet mine, I feel like melting into a puddle of relief. There's no hint that he's upset with me. In fact, his whole face lights up as I close the gap between us.

"Okay," I say.

His right dark brow raises. "Okay?"

"You know what I mean," I say, pushing at his chest. The feeling of his hard body under my fingertips shoots bolts of electricity through me.

He chuckles and crosses his arms in the same spot I touched. "No. You're going to have to say it out loud."

Narrowing my eyes at him, I scowl. "Okay, Let's go out, but we have to wait until after my sister comes back from vacation. So, can you wait a week?"

He looks up towards the cloudless blue sky and grins. "Oh, I dunno... I'm an impatient guy."

"Next Saturday, take it or leave it."

His lips pout as he contemplates my offer. He's making this way too easy. I search his eyes for some kind of indication that this might end badly, but I see nothing, only the man who has saved me over and over.

"Alright. I'm in."

"Good."

I raise a brow, then twirl in the opposite direction back towards my car. Gathering some courage, I make a flirty exit. I sway my hips, and throw a quick glance over my shoulder. He's watching, a smug smile on his face. Maybe things are looking up after all.

Prompt # 15 There's Not Enough Money