In this story, a woman faces a series of challenges related to her responsibilities as a parent. She has a young daughter named Lexi who, in a playful prank, causes her to lose her dress at the park. A stranger offers her a ride home and, after learning about her predicament, invites her to dinner. The woman is hesitant but accepts.

Later, the story reveals that the woman is undergoing a bimonthly check-in with a CPS worker named John, who evaluates her ability to provide a stable environment for Lexi. The woman, struggling with the loss of her wife and the pressures of working overtime, is worried about the possibility of losing Lexi if she doesn’t meet the CPS requirements.

In an attempt to address the situation, she proposes a bold plan: if she pretends that Ruby is her girlfriend, it might improve her stability in the eyes of CPS. Ruby agrees to help, and they present their relationship as being longer and more established than it actually is.

During the CPS visit, John questions the authenticity of their relationship. Despite Marcus’s attempts to explain, John remains skeptical and demands further clarification. The story highlights the emotional strain and ethical dilemmas involved in maintaining a stable environment for a child under scrutiny.