Grace Barton sighed, glancing at the clock above her desk, and to the photograph framed on her desk. In ten minutes, she would have to leave to pick up her sons. Eight year old Jake (her little old man, worrying about things eight year olds shouldn't have to worry about) and three year old Alex, who was happy rolling with the punches. A single mother, they didn't know the half of it.
Jake had told her, the night before at dinner, Jake had told her how his friends were going out in the school holidays. "but its okay, Mum", he told her. "I know we can't 'ford it".
It had been heartbreaking, the look in his big brown eyes. so innocent and childlike, and yet so grown up. He had done a lot of growing up in the three years since his father had walked out on the family.
She began to pack up her things, ready to leave for the day. Money had been tight, even before her husband had walked out on the family, but it seemed to be getting even tighter as of late.
Somehow, as much as she wanted to, she didn't think she'd be able to take the boys out in the holidays.
She stuck her hand into the pigeon hole, grabbing the piece of paper lying inside.
It was a note, two crisp twenty dollar notes folded inside.
Grace
You're a great mother, and a great friend. Take the boys out these holidays. Have fun
Grace gasped a little- it wasn't often that you found people like that. glancing around the office, she saw Julie smiling at her. Julie knew exactly what she was going through- money was tight in their house, too, with their three young children.
Maybe she'd ask Julie if her children wanted to come over to play during the holidays. Her little old man would like that.