All week at work, Mr. Stevens piled my desk with work. Every time I thought I saw a light at the end of the tunnel, the pile grew. I watched as other employees didn't do as much work as I did. They got to take lunch while I sat at my desk and scarfed a sandwich quickly while I tried to complete the tasks.

It got to the point that everyone left, including Mr. Stevens, while I stayed and tried to finish up. I even tried to come in early but found it difficult because I had to take care of Kami. I didn't want her to suffer, but I didn't want to lose my job either.

Ben stepped in to help, but I felt like I was again failing at life. I was starting to fail at being a parent. Great, another thing I was becoming terrible in my life.

One night, I came home to spend time with Kami and was able to read her a bedtime story since Ben was able to pick her up for me. I was missing our bedtime stories.

After I finished, I kissed her and turned off her light. I walked out of her room and closed the door. I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Ben poured both of us a cup of coffee. We sat down at the table and talked.

"Lina, what's going on with you lately?"

"Ben, please don't start with me. Work has been terrible, and I'm barely holding it together," I said, taking a sip of coffee. I was on the verge of breaking.

"Talk to me," he coaxed.

"My one-night stand turned out to be my new boss."

"Oh," he said, a bit surprised.

"Yeah, he asked if he knew me, and I lied. So, he said I was doing a good job and dismissed me. Then he's been giving me more work than anyone. Ben, I don't understand. How can one person be such a failure in life?" I sniffled.

"Who says you're a failure?" he asked me.

"You divorced me, so I wasn't a good enough wife. I slept with my new boss and was stuck in the same position that I always had been in while everyone else benefited. Now, I'm barely there for our daughter. Epic failure," I said as I broke down and cried out of frustration.

"Lina, you know none of that is true," he reassured me.

"It doesn't matter," I sniffled. "I'm just going to stick with my date night with Ben and Jerry and romantic movies. Maybe by watching them, I won't feel so alone," I said, wiping my eyes. I was never one to wallow for very long. It does nothing for you. I decided this weekend would be just me, Ben and Jerry's, and romantic movies.

Ben left, and I finally went to bed. I decided to suck it up and keep plugging away. Whatever I didn't get done at five, I would wait. I wasn't going to sacrifice my daughter anymore. She deserves better than what I have been giving her.

*******
Around five on Friday, I stopped working and turned everything off. I got up and pulled on my jacket as Mr. Stevens approached the doorway to his office.

"All finished?"

"Nope, but I figure it can wait until Monday. I got a date," I smiled.

"Oh?"

"Yep, it's just Ben and Jerry, along with my favorite romantic movies. My mom is taking my daughter for the weekend, so it's just me, myself, and I," I explained.

"Daughter?"

"I have a five-year-old daughter. My ex and I shared custody of her," I said as I grabbed my purse. "Well, Goodnight," I told him.

"Goodnight, Carolina," he said as I turned and walked away.

I walked to my car and got in. First, I was going to grab some takeout, then when I got home, pop in a movie, and for dessert, I had my favorite Ben and Jerry flavor.

I ordered some Thai and went home. I came in and set my keys on a hook and my purse on a table by the door. I removed my coat and went into the kitchen. I set my dinner down as I went upstairs and threw on comfy sweats and slippers. I put my hair into a clip, came downstairs, and grabbed my dinner off the counter.

Once I got situated, I settled in and turned on Sabrina. I ate as I watched the movie. "Oh, Sabrina, Lionel is so in love with you. Can't you see it?" I yelled at the TV. It was my thing.

I heard a knock at the door. Who the heck is interrupting my date night?

I walked over and opened it to find Tara and Kara there.

"See, I was telling you she was having her usual date night," Kara said, smacking Tara.

"Ow," she said, smacking her back as they started slapping at each other.

I finally interrupted them, "Would there be a reason why you two decided to interrupt my date night with Ben and Jerry?" I asked them.

"Glad you asked," Kara said as she walked in.

Tara rolled her eyes. "Fair warning: I had nothing to do with this. This idea is all the twin and Kelly's idea." She walked past me. I closed the door.

I walked over to them.

"Girl, you're coming to a barbecue tomorrow," Kara said.

"It's March," I said.

"So?"

I walked over to the curtain and pulled it aside. I pointed outside, "There is snow on the ground."

"Who cares? There is never a bad time for a barbecue," she shrugged.

"No offense, but I want no part of your planned setup. All I want to do is hang with my boys, Ben and Jerry," I told her.

"See, I told you both were acting like fools," Tara told her.

"I'm telling Kelly you called him a fool. Good luck with walking for a week," She retorted.

"You wouldn't?"

"I would," she smirked.

Tara turned to me, "You're coming to the house tomorrow."

"But."

"No buts, I am not dealing with punishment from Kelly. Thanks to big mouth here," she pointed to Kara.

"I don't have a big mouth. I speak the truth."

"The truth of throwing me under the bus," she huffed.

"Eh."

I looked at them. It didn't matter how much I protested. I was so not getting out of this.

"Fine. But I swear it better not be a setup," I told Kara and Tara.

"What setup? Did we say anything about setting up?" Kara asked Tara.

"This girl is crazy. We didn't say anything about a setup," Tara agreed.

It was such a setup. I could smell it. I shook my head.

"Okay, we are leaving now. See you tomorrow. Dress nicely," Kara said, pushing Tara towards the front door.

"Why are you pushing me?"

"Because your feet aren't moving, fool," Kara countered.

"My feet move just fine, unlike your mouth, which your gums are always flapping," she retorted.

"That just means I have an outgoing personality," she added as they bickered leaving my house.

I shook my head. Well, Ben and Jerry, it looks like our annual date night is going to wait. I'm going to a barbecue in March.

Dress nice? Do sweats count?

Maybe Mel has something I can borrow. I called her and needless to say, within ten minutes she was at my door with some dresses. Has a fashion emergency? Call Mel.

I will pick one for tomorrow and told in no uncertain terms we were going shopping soon. Ugh, I don't have the first clue about fashion. My fashion consisted of sweats, leggings, hoodies, and office clothes. I'm a mom, and I don't date. Ben and Jerry don't seem to mind my sweats. Sigh.

It had better not be a setup. I swear.