"Thank you, Monique, but I don't need a menu," Clifford said to the waitress. "I'll just have the usual. You know what I like," he added with a wink.
The waitress grinned and turned to Andrew, who closed his menu and handed it back to her. "I'll have the same."
"I'll be right back with your drinks," she said before walking away.
"That Monique. She's a nice girl," Clifford remarked once she had left the table. "Did you know she's trying to become an actress? I might speak with some friends of mine about getting her an audition."
Andrew cleared his throat. "Speaking of promotions . . ."
"I know that's what my late wife would have done if she was still here," Clifford continued. "She was always looking out for other people before herself," he said sadly, his expression looking far away. "Lucy takes after her more every day." Suddenly he snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Andrew. "I'm sorry I wasn't listening. What were you saying, Andrew?"
"Nothing important," Andrew lied. "I was just going to say that we had a good golf game this week. I think my score has dropped from last week, thanks to your pointers."
After the meal was over and the plates had been cleared from the table, Clifford didn't get up from his chair.
"Mr. Stuart?" Andrew asked tentatively. When he noticed that Clifford's face looked pained and he seemed to be having trouble breathing, he asked, "Are you alright?"
Clifford shook his head. "I think I need a doctor."
A few hours later Craig and Lucy arrived at the country club restaurant on their first date. They were having a great time, talking and laughing until the maitre'd approached their table.
"I'm sorry to interrupt Miss Stuart, but everyone has been wondering how your father is doing."
Lucy looked confused. "Fine as far as I know."
"I'm glad to hear it. We were worried when he left for the hospital earlier."
"What?" Lucy exclaimed.
"You didn't know?" the maitre'd said. "He wasn't feeling well so Mr. Martin asked me to call for an ambulance."
"Oh my gosh!" Lucy gasped. She dropped her napkin and arose quickly from her chair. "I've got to go." Almost as an after thought she remembered her date. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Craig."
"Don't be. I'll drive you to the hospital."
As Lucy walked into the main lobby of the hospital with Craig, she felt like she was in a daze. She didn't know where she was going or what she was doing until Andrew called out to her.
"Lucy. I'm glad you're here."
"I came as soon as I heard," Lucy replied. "Where's daddy? What happened? How is he?"
"Your father had a heart attack," Andrew said gravely. Lucy gasped. "He's not well right now, but the doctors say it was only a mild one and he should be better again soon. They say he'll have to stay in the hospital for awhile. You can talk to Dr. Wilton if you want details. Now that you're here I should get home."
"Oh thank you, Mr. Martin. Thank you for everything."
When Lucy saw her father lying in the bed unconscious she immediately started to cry, "Oh, daddy."
Seeing Lucy in so much pain broke Craig's heart. He stepped forward and set a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. She turned to him and fell crying into his arms.
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