Amy's phone had been buzzing all day. It began to ring again when she was lugging an amp over to the stage in preparation for the evening show.

She put the amp down, ignored the call and replied with a text "prepping for tonight's show. Will call you back after"

Meg looked over at her. "Man for someone who is single, you're pretty damn whipped." Amy rolled her eyes but she couldn't disagree. She had felt like she was at Karma's beck and call these last few days.

"You know how much I hate to say this," Laura began, "but Meg is right. If it's going to be like this, you might as well have gone home. Your mind definitely did."

Amy sighed. If she ignored Karma, she was the girl who ignored her best friend while her mother had cancer. If she took Karma's calls, she was the weak lesbian who fell back into bad habits. Lose-lose.

"Can you both just mind your own business?" she muttered.

"Jeez, someone's uptight," Laura commented.

"Someone needs to get laid," Meg added." Amy rolled her eyes and went back to set up for the show.

It was 1:30 am when Amy finally got a spare moment. "You still up?" She texted Karma.

"Yup," Karma replied. She wondered if Amy was wishing she were asleep. A moment later Karma's phone was ringing.

"Hi," she said.

"Just checking in," Amy replied. "How is everything?"

"It could be worse. My mom has surgery on Friday and they're hoping if it goes well then they might be able to avoid chemo."

"That's great, Karma." Amy said trying to sound positive. It was hard to be positive. It all sounded scary to her. "Will you call me when the surgery is over?" Amy asked.

"Of course," Karma replied. "I'll call you as soon as I hear anything."

"Thanks. Is there anything I can do?"

"A hug would be nice."

"I'm sorry. I wish I could. Just three more weeks." Amy said. It sounded too long. It felt too long. It was too long.

"I know. 3 weeks." Karma repeated.

"And then I'll be at your doorstep with cookie dough."

"And ice cream?" Karma asked.

"And ice cream," Amy assured.

"Thanks Amy. Good night."

"Good night, Karma," she replied. "I love you."

"Love you too."

*********************************

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Amy asked, after Stacey had tossed her the keys to the van.

"It's your turn," she replied, "it's only fair."

"You'll be fine," Laura said, "your shift is 4 hours of highway driving and it's 5 am in the middle of nowhere."

"Alright," Amy said hesitantly and got behind the wheel.

"I think Amy's just nervous to go 4 hours without being able to text," Aubrey teased holding up Amy's phone.

"I know..." Meg joined in, "what if Karma calls!"

Amy rolled her eyes. But she knew they were right. She'd already texted Karma to let her know she'd be away from her phone until 9:00.

Despite a few close calls changing lanes, which resulted in Amy yelling expletives at the car in front of her, she'd survived her first van driving experience.

"Nice work," Aubrey said, taking the keys from Amy and giving her back her phone.

Amy relaxed in the passenger's seat. She had two messages already. Both from Karma.

Karma: I know you're driving, but my stomach is in knots
Karma: two hours until the surgery. I took off work today but now I'm just alone with my brain. Helppp.

Amy texted back.

Amy: I'm sorry. There's a new episode of Cupcake Wars, can you watch that to distract yourself?

Karma: Already did.

Amy: Hang in there. Love you.

Karma: Love you too. And proud you didn't kill anyone driving. I assume?

Amy: Nope, no fatalities.

Karma: Nice work, Raudenfeld."

Amy chuckled and said goodbye. She put the phone down and started to think about Karma waiting at the hospital during her mom's surgery. She had her dad, who wasn't the best in times of crisis. And Zen, who never offered Karma much comfort. She wished she could be there. She wished someone could be there. She knew Shane was working and Liam was away for the summer. It only left one choice.

Amy picked up her phone again and pressed the number. "Lauren, I have a favor to ask..."

So Lauren awkwardly showed up to with Twinkies in hand.

"What are you doing here?" Karma asked as Lauren stood in front of her, handing over the Twinkies.

"Being a good step sister," Lauren informed, "I'm your substitute Amy for the afternoon." She said and plopped herself down in the chair next to Karma. "So what would Amy do?"

Karma laughed. "She's help me finish this whole box of Twinkies."

"Ew."

"And she'd hold my hand and I'd rest my head on her shoulder," Karma continued, almost dreamily.

"Not happening." Lauren replied. "How about this, I brought my iPad and I'll pull up Netflix and we can watch whatever you want," she proposed, offering her one of her earbuds.

Karma smiled. "That sounds great, actually," she admitted. Feeling thankful for her Amy substitute after all.

About halfway through Mean Girls, Karma started to drift off. From the anxiety keeping her awake to talking to Amy at all hours of the night, she hadn't been sleeping much. Eventually, her dad came over with a doctor and Lauren nudged her awake.

"We can go see her now," Karma's dad said.

Karma stood up and looked back at Lauren. "Thanks for coming by. You were a good substitute." Lauren nodded and headed out. Karma took her dad's hand and they headed in to check on her mom.