TRUCKER

Somehow the faith, loyalty, and wisdom of a child makes a girl not want to half-ass her way through life.

Diane Ford (Michelle Monahan) is never going to be named mother of the year, and from the looks of things, she's not interested in the title.  For the most part, Diane is content to lead the independent life of a trucker, always on the go, in a different town and a different bed.  The one constant in her life is her home outside of Los Angeles, and the friendship of her neighbor, Runner (Nathan Fillion).  Obviously there's no room in this equation for a child, but Diane does in fact have a son, and when his father (Benjamin Bratt) falls ill, it's her turn to take responsibility.

Ostensibly, it seems as though her son, Peter (Jimmy Bennet), wants as little to do with Diane as she wants with him.  He freely refers to her as Bitch, as though this were simply her first name, and he makes it clear that he's not super-impressed with her track record as a mother and a human being.  What he can't shake is the curiousity we all feel about our blood relatives.  Who is this person who shares my genes?  Where did I come from?  Will I be like them?  As much as Peter may hate to admit it, he'd really like to know his mom.

Though Diane takes Peter in and drags him along for one of her runs, she treats him like a dog who can be told to sit or stay and made to sleep any old place. The revelation that he’s an actual person with his own mind and his own will is not exactly a welcome one, but the fact that Diane can’t anticipate what Peter will say and do is one of the best surprises of her life.  It turns out that Peter can actually be really fun.  And interesting.  And thoughtful.  She’s taken aback at the depth of feeling he actually has for her, and moved by the fact that he really does have her back.  Maybe he’d be okay without her, but Diane really does need Peter. 

For the first time in her adult life, Diane begins to see the purpose of commitment and stability.  It’s the sort of lesson only a child could have taught her.  And though it’s entirely possible that Runner (the only glimmer of consistency in her old life) will fit right into this picture, he’s going to have to deal with his own loose ends before they find out.  Somehow the faith, loyalty, and wisdom of a child makes a girl not want to half-ass her way through life.