Time was too brief.

Shelby finally sat down, after saying good night to her babysitter for nine year old, Ariana. The taxi and fee for her reliable neighbour meant Shelby now had specks of dust remaining in her purse. It was only the day after she had taken her earnings from her steady job as an assistant manager in the best restaurant in town. Due to her obligations, Shelby mostly worked lunchtimes and the early evenings, long hours on her feet, pleasing her customers and ordering supplies of food and liquor. She had to keep the chefs happy too, most important.

After all the bills for her flat and car had been sorted, the shopping and some joggers for the growing Ariana had taken all her income for the fortnight. As well as that, Shelby's back was aching, her feet was throbbing, her head was pounding, and her face was stiff from smiling and being pleasant to rude and ignorant people. Not one of them had asked her how was. Ariana was now in bed asleep, and Shelby wondered if this treadmill of struggling would ever be easier for them both.

She sat for a minute, wishing she did not have to be such an adult. But what else could she do? Before she was eighteen years old, her boyfriend in final year at school had got her pregnant. At the end of the football season, her one true love, Lincoln and his mates had been drinking, driving and playing chicken with another car load of teenagers. The driver of one car swerved too late, and wrapped the lads around a power pole. Lincoln's time on earth was too brief, he was not wearing a seat belt. He was thrown through the front windscreen, and that was the end of Shelby's romance. Now he slept forever, and she had been left behind. She faced down the disapproval of her parents. She had never finished high school, and was barely managing to keep afloat.

Her life was one big battle, but Ariana was her pride and joy. Shelby still believed in her early Christian upbringing. She scrimped a lot, and focused on sending Ariana to a reasonably well-respected Christian school. There she was doing really well, regularly student of the week. Shelby was still hoping to see some of her Lord's faith in action, like sending her a handsome knight in shining armour on a white stallion to rescue her. She smiled at that fantasy, which was only idle dreaming, basically harmless. At that thought, she sank into an exhausted slumber.

The weeks kept on rolling by, and it was nearly the end of term again for Ariana. The last week was spent anticipating the middle primary grades' disco evening. It was a retro eighties theme, so Shelby just knew she had to measure up with Ariana's costume. She did arrange for that afternoon and evening off work, rearranging the schedule. Shelby had volunteered to be one of the supervising chaperones at this disco queen event.

The day arrived, Shelby took some selfies of both Ariana and herself. They were both rocking the Cyndi Lauper look, even to some pink heart shaped glasses, denim jackets over mini skirts. Ariana could even sing some of the songs of that era. "Yes," Shelby told her excited tween, "These girls are going to have fun!"

At the school assembly hall, the teachers and mothers' club had done a terrific job. There was even a disco light, twinkling overhead, everyone was in the mood. Ariana raced off with her current best pal, Noa. Soon the kids were dancing and generally enjoying the fun of being young. Shelby was relating well to some of the other yummy mummies, as they sipped on the lemonade. There was that song, and Shelby was totally surprised when Noa's father grabbed her hand and hauled her aching back and feet onto the dance floor. The kids all laughed and giggled, as all the girls, old and young, spent the night having fun.

Jerome was Noa's father, also a single parent. He was not spectacularly tall, or handsome, but he was presentable. It was so long since Shelby had cast off her cares and danced. After a couple of dances, he kissed her palm and said, 'Thanks for the dance, pretty lady." His car was not even white, but no matter.

It was an early evening. Soon enough, she had driven Ariana home and chatted about the disco magic. She may have harboured a little fantasy about Jerome, basically harmless. Time was too brief, she had to keep ringing all the bells at her workplace. Shelby wondered if she could substitute her fantasy hero with real world live Jerome. But so far nothing happened. Her babysitter supervised Ariana's after school play dates and activities.

One Saturday evening at the top class restaurant, Shelby was assigned the special banquet table for the night, as there was a large birthday celebration scheduled. The tables were set beautifully, glassware sparkled, flowers were the centrepiece, matching happy birthday serviettes. The celebration was, coincidentally, for Jerome's father. The massive cake had been dropped off earlier, the candles were ready.

But Shelby was feeling a few emotions of very ignoble envy by the time all the guests were seated. They were enjoying a bit of wine tasting, studying the menu. Small talk was in. Unfortunately, Jerome had walked into the restaurant with a very hot chick in a designer red frock on his arm. Shelby wondered if she could ever afford to wear a dress like that, the cost would have fed her and Ariana for a month.

It was sort of an unintentional accident, or was it? While Shelby was taking the dinner guests' orders for meals, she spilled water over Jerome's hot chick, slightly missing her glass. Shelby blushed bright scarlet, making excuses she did not really mean, as the hot date flounced off. The waitress Shelby was sincerely hoped the manager would not take offence.

Jerome laughed, saying, "Not to worry. I hate blind dates. That was very kind of you." The meals were served, Shelby produced the cake with candles afire, and Jerome thanked her, promising to write an excellent review for such a grand evening. Somehow, he got the phone number of her mobile.

Some might say love was personified by the twinkle in Jerome's eye. He did not want to take things too quickly, but time was too brief. Ariana and Noa had a few hiccups, but did adapt to being sisters in their Brady Bunch. Thanks to Jerome, his new family enjoyed many a disco evening at home, where fun and lovelight were dancing in their eyes.