His phone buzzed another few times. In a daze Gage lifted it and woke the screen. The Single Dads had continued the conversation.
LoveHarley: And then there’s all the accidents or unexpected circumstances that happen when you have a little kid. Like, getting tonsils/adenoids removed, or broken bones at soccer practice, or if you’re anything like I was as a kid, all those high-speed stunts you get up to on a normal, crappy bike not equipped to handle them.
xVerity: It’s a lot to worry about. TD, I know you’re probably freaking out right now, but all of us are here for you. We’ll figure out something together.
Gwynning: You guys are so chatty tonight. Alex keeps giving me the evil eye every time the phone buzzes
LoveHarley: omg Gwynn! You’re back!
LoveHarley: I feel like TD now, celebrating you haha. We’ve all missed you lately! Anyway, we were just talking about TD and medical bills. His baby needs some tests done. They still don’t know what’s wrong. We’re trying to figure out how to get him on insurance or what to do about it. Any ideas, oh brilliant mathematician, or… whatever you are? Lol. Numbers are kind of your thing.
Gwynning: @TeenDad2, what are your job prospects like? Is there any chance you can find a job with full benefits?
Gage swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth and replied. His fingers moved sluggishly across the screen, often missing the correct letter. He hadn’t been so uncoordinated since he’d gotten drunk off the free champagne at one of Alex’s exhibitions.
TeenDad2: no. I dropped out of college before I even went to a single class because I found out I was pregnant with Bo, and I knew there was no chance I could study full-time and still support him
Gwynning: What about other skills?
TeenDad2: no
LoveHarley: what about personal connections? Do you know anyone that could hire you even though you’re not really qualified?
TeenDad2: No.
It wasn’t the entire truth, but Gage didn’t feel like trying to explain himself. Alex’s mother—his sort-of aunt by marriage—could have found a job for him within her company, Synecta. Even if it was mopping floors, or manning a desk, or shredding paper, Gage knew she would have taken him on. But the problem was, she didn’t know about Bo. None of his family did. If she’d found out, she would have told Gage’s parents, and word would’ve spread. Aaron’s family would have discovered the truth, Aaron’s fathers would have pulled him from university and brought him back home to take responsibility for the life he’d helped make, and Aaron’s future would have been shot. All of his hopes and dreams would’ve shriveled and died. Gage didn’t want that for him, and he’d promised Aaron that he could be strong while they were apart. So he’d hidden himself away in the city, told his family he was too busy with school and work to come back to visit regularly, and made short holiday visits when it was necessary while Mal watched Bo.
The options he could have fallen back on under regular circumstances weren’t available to him—not if he wanted to keep his promise to Aaron.
LoveHarley: Okay, so, crazy idea but bear with me here. If YOU can’t get a job with health insurance, why don’t you marry someone who has it?
xVerity: Oh my god, we are not going to advocate fraud in this group
LoveHarley: I’m sorry, xV
xVerity: I mean, I guess, considering the circumstances, it’s not a BAD idea, but morally, it’s dubious.
LoveHarley: …so are you on board the insurance fraud train?
xVerity: I’m not.
LoveHarley: I bet Knot would be. Paging @KnotMyProblem
A potently bitter taste spread through Gage’s mouth. KnotMyProblem had been increasingly absent from the group chat since Gage had confronted him earlier that week, and tagging him in a post made Gage nervous that he’d say cruel things out of spite. Having KnotMyProblem call him out in front of the other Single Dads was the last thing Gage needed.
TeenDad2: It’s okay you guys. I know I’m screwed. You don’t have to take sides on this…
But as he hit enter and sent the message, KnotMyProblem had already started typing.
KnotMyProblem: I’m been summoned by Harley, no less. What’s up, Dads?
LoveHarley: Knot, do you think that Gage should marry someone so he can get on their insurance?
KnotMyProblem: Hell yeah, I do. Your kid is sick, TD. You’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. Doesn’t mean you’ve got to be in love with them or have a relationship or anything.
LoveHarley: I think so, too. And hey, all of us are single except for Gwynn… maybe we should set up a Single Dad Insurance Fraud Ring
xVerity: Oh my god, Harley, are you serious?
