"I Call Shotgun!"

I was remembering ing somewhat fondly the period of 9 month mark of when I was living at the halfway house. I was never alone (although sometimes that can be bad.) Spring was in the air, I had a local BFF, and the girls there took turns straightening my hair. One girl in particular, Lisa, started calling me mama. The girls knew I was childless and they sometimes missed their own mothers, or some never knew theirs.
  I enjoyed it. I had just gotten a car and was sick of riding the bus. In Georgia, if you don't live in the main city, Atlanta, you lose time. You spend too much time getting where you get to go. I had a job that sometimes could be rewarding paycheck-wise, but sucked otherwise and one had to clock out for a restroom break.
   After work, it was time to get ready for a meeting..something I actually enjoyed because being in that halfway house could get claustrophobic. I  got used to "Mama do you have room for me to ride to the meeting? That was my social life back then. I was starting to get back on my feet, and hope was in the air. Back when I didn't have a car, I had to beg for rides. Some of the gals charged an outrageous price for a ride.
    This time I was collecting a few dollars. I would let the newer ones ride for free as a way of paying forward my gratitude. Lisa and Brandi knew they could get away with the free rides b/c I was their "mama" and I was close to them. We all would get dolled up for our meeting and I was always looking forward to seeing Pauley or some sexy new guy who didn't look like a redneck. I guess I was a bit of a snob. But there's one phrase I'll always remember fondly that spring when I was leaving the halfway house for a meeting..."I call shotgun mama!"

More will be revealed....