It's so much easier to blame the grownups than to be one

 "Ma, I just don't think I can do it without you being here." Millie felt like crying, but she knew that wouldn't be adulting. Why did CW have to make her so miserable?

"You wanted this job," her mother reminded her. "No job is perfect."

Of course, her mother thought CW was fine. "He just needs you to need him, and I think he thinks you don't care about him or his job."

"Oh, Ma!" Millie scowled. She went to refresh her mom's coffee as they were at the counter during the lull of the morning. "How can you be on his side?"

"He just needs someone," she sighed. Now her mother looked like she might cry. "He needs friends."

"Oh, really," Millie wasn't so sure she believed that. He was grumpy and probably needed to live in a forest. Maybe even in a cave. Millie fretted.

"Have you thought about fixing him up on a date, or maybe, you know, invite him over for game night," her mother suggested as she sipped her black coffee.

"I would not. Who does things like that, Ma?" Millie hugged herself, giving her mother a serious look.

"You don't know what it's like to make friends when you're all alone. He's trying to stay away from the wrong crowd. He's afraid," Her mother made it all sound so grim.

Millie winced. She wasn't sure how she had friends, herself. They were just there. She'd always known them. Oh, she didn't want to take a walk in CW's shoes.

She raked her fingers through her fluffy blonde hair, trying to think. "I haven't a clue what to do." Her small, round frown persisted. "Do I have to invite him over?"

She'd never thought of such a thing. She blew a breath. Maybe KC could help. She winced. "I'll just ask Junie and Derry over. We'll have game night."

About then, Crystal, the new waitress, showed up. Millie smiled. Yes, maybe she could round out the group. She hoped Crystal and CW got along.