Yesterday morning, as I was toting groceries into the
house, I noticed a young girl huffing and puffing on the
sidewalk. When she got level with my driveway, she said,
"Can I ask you for a favor." I replied that it depended
on what it was. She said, "I am late to work at the Sonic
and if I give you gas money will you take me?" I told her
to get in the car and twice she offered me money which I
refused. As we chatted, she mentioned that she was staying
with her aunt. It so happened that her aunt was Dakota's
mother and Dakota was at my house a lot when he and
Adrienne were an item.

She told me that she had a baby and she certainly did not
look old enough for the responsibilities of motherhood.
Especially as she confided that she could not afford
to be sick or lose her job. It made me think of how
hard it must be to try and raise a child with only a
minimum wage job.

Due to falling oil prices, Oklahoma is cutting all
services. Medicaide has taken a big hit. It makes
it so hard for people with low paying jobs to live
decently and provide for their families.