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sat with boredom as the diner had no business at night.

Evelyn used to think she loved having the solitude, but truthfully, she didn't. Sometimes, if it's quiet too often, one can go crazy because they'll start hearing voices. Just to make themselves feel like they have company, but in the end it's always weird.

Sighing, she furiously wiped another table as the time ticked agonizingly slow towards 1:00 am.

"Honey you okay?"Aubrey asked resting a comforting hand on Evelyn's shoulder.

Turning to look at her, Evelyn forced a small smile. "Yeah why do you ask?"

"Well," Aubrey started as her eyes flickered down to the squeaky clean table, "You're wiping down tables you already finished with. Something distracting you? You seem lost in thought." Her voice was concerned and gentle, coaxing Evelyn into revealing what's left her in dismay.

"I'm not sure," Evelyn quietly mumbled, "I'm just exhausted of everything I guess."

Nodding her head, Aubrey pursed her lips, "How about you go home? I'll lock up today."

Immediately Evelyn's eyes widened and she shook her head, "No no no it's fine. It's my day today anyways," she finished with a reassuring smile.

Aubrey playfully scoffed, "So what? Friends cover for each other. Go home Evelyn, you need rest."

Aubrey was convincing, but in the end, Evelyn was still adamant on being the one to close up. Evelyn knew she worked herself too much, but she also knew that if anyone needed to take an earlier shift so they could be home earlier, it would definitely have to be Aubrey.

"Aubrey," Evelyn started as she took her hand, "It's fine."

As Aubrey opened her mouth to interject, Evelyn cut her off. "I know you have to study for your makeup test tomorrow. The professor let you off with a warning last time, but if you don't do well on this test then it might be it. Plus you should get home to Riley. He won't be able to fall asleep without you and I know the babysitter left as soon as she put him to bed. No doubt he's sitting on the couch trying to stay awake in time for you to get home."

Pausing, she squeezed Aubrey's hand.

"Go home. I'll be fine I promise."

Letting out a deep breath she'd been holding, Aubrey blinked and shook her head.

"Thank you for worrying and caring Ev," she said as her smile quivered, "but I'm not leaving you alone. How about we both finish together so the job will be done quicker? And you can stay over too, god knows Riley won't be happy about me needing to study so you could keep him company," she said with a shrug.

Biting the inside of her lips, Evelyn contemplated the invitation. She didn't see any reason not to stay over with Riley. It was a Friday anyways and Aubrey probably needed someone to look after Riley while she's away taking her test tomorrow. Evelyn could just babysit him if she was already there. No fuss, no hassle.

Her eyes gleamed as she looked back at Aubrey, "Why not?"

Squealing, Aubrey started chattering about how much Riley missed Evelyn. Laughing lightly, her heart swelled knowing there were few people who she had befriended and who had the guts to befriend her, but those people were genuine and kind. They didn't leave her behind.

"—and then he started crying when I said you had to cancel because he knew you were bringing his birthday gift and he's a spoiled brat who really wanted his present."

"Why am I not surprised," Evelyn said as she tried not to laugh again. Taking the soaked towel, she wrung it over the bucket before slapping it back on the dirty table. Rubbing at a mark that just won't go, she groaned in annoyance.

Coming up beside her once again, Aubrey watched as she rubbed at the spot, "Just leave it."

Throwing the towel down in exasperation, Evelyn nodded in agreement.

They gathered the cleaning supplies before putting them into the cleaning closest. Grabbing their things and hitting the lights, they walked out. Locking the door, Evelyn jiggled it a little to make sure it was firmly in place before walking over to Aubrey's beat up car.

The poor thing looked like it had taken enough beatings and one more would probably cause the truck to break down.

But they both knew it was strong enough to withhold almost anything. Somehow the truck got through every shit-storm that hit it.

"Sorry about the mess and subtle smell of vomit," Aubrey started rambling, "Riley's sick and he threw up today morning and I barely had time to properly clean it. I will when I get home though. I'm also sorry if the ranch is a mess, I try to keep it in place bu—"

"It's fine Aubrey," Evelyn stressed, "don't worry about it. You have a kid. It happens."

Swallowing hard, Aubrey stayed quiet as she continued towards her home. As she turned into her driveway, a kid ran out of the little ranch.

The engine of the car filled as Aubrey got out in time to be pushed back by her hyper son. As he hugged her tight, she picked him up and whirled him around, "I'm home!"

Riley squealed excitedly as he yelled 'wee'. Chuckling, Evelyn got out of the car as Aubrey put him down. His gaze found hers and he gasped in dramatic shock.

She came closer with a smile and opened her arms expecting a hug as enthusiastic as Aubrey's.

Instead, Riley let out a 'hmph' and crossed his arms in stubbornness, "You don't get a hug," he said with a clipped tone.

"What why not?" Evelyn asked in mock sadness as she put her hands on her hips.

He stuck his tongue out, "You didn't come over on my birthday."

Pretending to feel horrible about it, she slowly walked over to him and kneeled, "I'm sorry darling. I was busy and I couldn't get out of my commitment."

Staring at her for a few seconds as she pouted, he dramatically sighed and threw his hands up in the air, "I forgive you."

Smiling for a second, she brought her hands closer to the side of his torso before diving in to tickle him. He fumbled around screaming in laughter as she picked him and they made their way into the ranch following Aubrey.

Sitting him on her lap on the couch, a serious expression made its way to her face. "Now look here mister. Your mother has an important test tomorrow and she needs to study. Don't disturb her and I suggest you go off to bed. It's late and I can see the ugly dark circles under your eyes."

Leaning closer to where Aubrey was, Evelyn stage whispered, "He definitely needs his beauty sleep."

Aubrey cackled as Riley gasped and dazzled them both with his award-winning smile.

"Now time to go to bed," Evelyn sung out.

Riley hopped off her before waving a good night to both of them and heading off to his room.

Evelyn watched him go with a smile on her face. He was an adorable kid and she wondered why anyone would pass up the opportunity to get to know him.

Yes, she was referring to his absentee father.

Aubrey collapsed on the small couch beside her and closed her eyes. She pinched her nose to try and relax a little.

"Why don't you just sleep?" Evelyn exhaled as she watched her friend struggle to cope with the life she had.

Shaking her head Aubrey mumbled, "I can't afford to do bad on this test. It's my only chance. Som—sometimes I just can't deal with all this," she mumbled as her voice broke mid speech, "it's hard and occasionally I wo— I wonder if I made the right choice with Riley."

Evelyn's head snapped towards Aubrey's direction as she heard her words, "What do you mean?"

Aubrey looked at her under her eyelashes, "I just—," she swallowed hard and looked up at the ceiling. "I can't provide for him Evelyn," she whispered quietly, "I'm tired and I'm trying, but I wonder if I made a mistake."

"You love him Bree. That's all that matters. As long as you keep that in your head, you'll always get through it," Evelyn said comfortingly.

Aubrey's eyes watered and a tear fell as she blinked.

"I love him with all my heart," she struggled to continue, "but he deserves the best. He's a good kid. He's all I need, but I'm not all he needs."

Evelyn knew where Aubrey was heading and she looked down as the sympathy radiated off her for her friend.

Aubrey got pregnant young. At the age of 17, she didn't know what to do. Her parents were powerful like everyone else in the town, but the news that their daughter had been impregnated so young had them fuming. They turned their backs. They hadn't come to visit when Riley was born, when the father left all the weight on Aubrey's shoulders, when Aubrey fell into depression.

Aubrey had no one but Riley. Evelyn started working at the diner at 14, needing the money to keep herself afloat since her family never tried to provide her much. Evelyn never talked to anyone at the diner, but one unfortunate day, Aubrey needed to get home immediately. She was arguing with someone on the phone in the back room and Evelyn had overheard. As she heard Aubrey cry, she went into the room to comfort the sad stranger who sat before her.

"I'll cover for you?" she asked in uncertainty. She didn't want to overstep her boundary.

Aubrey hiccuped as she stared at the girl in front of her.

"You heard my conversation didn't you?"

"I didn't mean to though," Evelyn quickly tried to retrace her steps, "I heard the yelling and I was curious to know what was happening and well...yeah I heard it," she sighed in defeat.

As Aubrey wiped her tears, she looked back up at Evelyn, "Will you really cover for me? I'll give you my shift's money."

Evelyn shook her head and smiled slightly, "It's fine. Keep the money. I'm happy to be helping."

Smiling at her in relief, Aubrey sniffled before getting up and dusting herself off.

"Thank you so much. I don't mean to leave so early, it's just my son's father left unannounced and he needs someone home right now," she said, her voice getting quieter until it reached a bare minimum.

"You don't have to explain," Evelyn kindly responded, "Your son is a priority."

They stayed quiet for a few minutes looking at each other, an understanding passed through them.

"Well um I should get going," Aubrey spoke with a regretful and thankful smile.

Evelyn followed her out of the back room as she took over the cashier. Aubrey looked back at Evelyn as she left the diner. Waving goodbye, Evelyn went back to her job.

Ever since, they had been quite good friends. Evelyn met Riley about a week after befriending Aubrey under the pitiful circumstances. She got to know both him and his mother and after three long years, she was basically family.

Shuffling closer to the tired girl on the couch, Evelyn rested her head on Aubrey's shoulder.

"Don't you ever say that," she stated, "he loves you and I understand that if his father was around then maybe things wouldn't be so hard, but he left. I know it's obvious, but yeah he left and you're still here after three years, learning to cope. You're strong and you persevere Bree. And I'll always be here when you need me."

Another tear rolled down Aubrey's cheek and Evelyn wiped it away. Soon she was crying quietly as she curled into Evelyn's comforting hug. She needed a support system and no matter what Evelyn had going on, she did a good job at being there for her. Constantly.

Her tears soaked Evelyn's flimsy shirt and she was shaking in pain.

"God Evelyn you have no clue how much I love you. How grateful I am for you," Aubrey quietly said, "You've been there since the day he left. Before even knowing me, you helped."

Evelyn playfully slapped Aubrey's arm, "Stop it. You'll make me cry and I'll turn into a blubbering mess like you."

Laughing in the midst of crying, Aubrey accidentally snorted. Bursting out laughing, Evelyn could barely contain herself as Aubrey joined in.

Sobering up, Aubrey got up.

"I should really go study," she mumbled in exhaustion, wiping away her tears.

"I'll sleep," Evelyn concluded.

As Aubrey said goodnight and walked towards the dimly lit dining room, Evelyn spoke up.

"Bree?"

Turning to look at her, Aubrey cocked an eyebrow, "Hmm?"

"You guys are my family. I'll always be here. If you need rest, don't overwork yourself. I'll come and take care of everything," she said reassuringly, "Plus, I made a friend who will probably help out if needed."

Smiling, Aubrey whispered a 'thank you' before walking off.

Getting up, Evelyn yawned before stretching to loosen her limbs. Walking into the narrow hallway and into Aubrey's room, she rummaged through her friend's small closet before changing into a pair of pajamas.

Sighing, she walked over to the bed before getting in. Turning to her side to get comfortable, she closed her eyes.

For Evelyn, things would be hard.

But she'd make sure they weren't hard for anyone else.

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