Lawrence was awoken on Sunday morning by a phone call from Hector. "Lawrence, I need you to meet me at the hospital. Can you be there in 15 minutes?"
"Sure," Lawrence replied. "But why?" But there was no answer to his question, Hector had already hung up.
When Lawrence arrived at the hospital, he found Hector standing in front of the building. Hector explained, "I just found out that Mr. Stuart had a heart attack yesterday afternoon. I thought we should pay him a visit. Too bad I couldn't have been there when it happened and rushed him to the hospital instead of Andrew," he mumbled.
Clifford was awake when Lawrence and Hector walked in. The two young men barely had time to say hello when Mr. Townsend joined them.
"How are you feeling, Clifford?" Arthur asked.
"I've been better and worse."
"Hector, Lawrence, would you mind giving us a moment to speak privately?"
"Sure," Hector replied, smiling as he ushered Lawrence toward the door. As they were nearly out of the room, Hector glanced behind him to make sure the bosses weren't watching and then motioned for Lawrence to go on ahead, while he ducked behind the curtain to eavesdrop.
"So, what's going on, Arthur?" Clifford asked.
"I don't want you to worry, but we need to decide what we're going to do about the company while you're recovering."
"Oh that's right. You're going to be out of the office this week."
"I don't have to be. I can reschedule my meetings and postpone the trip."
"No, this business trip is too important to the company," Cliff said. "Go ahead and go. One of the younger guys can take over while you're away and we can move up Lawrence to fill in for him."
"You're right," Arthur agreed. "And it will be a good chance to see how well the man we choose can run the company before I retire and he has the job permanantly. I would ask who you had in mind, but I know your choice is Andrew and not Hector."
"Yes," Clifford replied. "I know we both agree that Hector is better qualified and that he can do the job, but I just don't trust him. And I don't want someone who I don't trust in charge of the company, even temporarily."
"I see. I'm just worried that Andrew won't be able to handle the job."
"I think he can and this will give him a chance to prove himself."
"Sink or swim?" Arthur asked and Clifford nodded. "Alright. I'll let him know before I leave."
"Good. I'm sure I'll rest easier with that settled."
Arthur said goodbye to Clifford and left the hospital room, not noticing Hector who ducked out of sight as he walked past. Arthur was on his way out of the hospital when Lawrence approached him.
"Mr. Townsend, can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Can it wait, Lawrence? I have some errands to run before I catch my plane this afternoon."
"No, this is important," Lawrence insisted and Arthur stopped to listen. "It's about work. I've been noticing some letters in the mail room have been moved around over the last week. I know I didn't misplace them, not that I think any else would have any reason to move them, or that they would, but I thought you should know, just in case anything goes missing."
"I'm sure it's nothing, Lawrence," Arthur said reassuringly as he was already starting to walk away. "If you're still having a problem we can talk about it when I get back." Arthur walked towards the door leaving Lawrence behind. Before he got too far away Arthur stopped and turned around. "Oh, and by the way, Lawrence, you'll be filling in for Andrew next week. He and Hector will help you with the job."
After Arthur was gone, Hector came storming across the lobby, mumbling to himself angrily as he walked past Lawrence and out of the hospital.
"Sorry, I'm late, honey," Andrew greeted Amanda when he arrived at her mother's house for a Sunday night dinner. "I was visiting Mr. Stuart at the hospital."
"Oh, how is he?"
"He's still weak, but he's doing much better. And I have great news. Next week while Mr. Townsend is away and Mr. Stuart's still in the hospital, I'm going to be moved up to head the office."
"That's wonderful," Amanda hugged him. "Maybe you will get the promotion after all."
"That's what I'm hoping for."
"Oh me too. Well come on in. I have dinner almost ready."
Amanda led Andrew into the living room and introduced him to her elderly mother and her older sister, Alma. They sat in the parlor, talking until dinner was ready, then they moved to the dining room.
Andrew was eager to impress his girlfriend's family and was on his most polite behavior. His efforts paid off because Amanda's mother seemed to be pleased with him. Alma, however, was less impressed.
After dinner, Mrs. May decided to retire for the night. While Alma was helping her to bed, Amanda and Andrew went out to the front porch for some fresh air.
"I don't know if you could tell, Andrew, but Momma really liked you, which is rare. She hardly ever likes anyone."
"I'm glad," Andrew replied, looking relieved. "I was nervous about coming here tonight and finally meeting your family."
"You were?" Amanda laughed. "I guess you would be, it took long enough for you to meet each other. I wish I could have invited you over sooner, but Momma hasn't been well."
"I don't. I think this was the perfect time," Andrew said. "I feel like everything in my life is finally coming together. I think I'm really going to get this promotion over Hector and I've got a great girlfriend whose mother approves of me." Amanda laughed. "There's only one more think I could hope for."
"What's that?" Amanda asked.
Andrew lowered to one knee and reached into his pocket. Amanda gasped and took a step back. "Amanda, we've been going out for a long time and since we first met I couldn't imagine anyone I'd rather share my life with. Will you marry me?"
"Oh, Andrew, this is so unexpected," Amanda replied, laughing nervously. "I can't believe it. Of course, I will. Yes."
Andrew stayed on his knees just long enough to slip the ring on Amanda's finger before jumping to his feet and taking her in his arms.
After a lingering goodnight to Andrew, Amanda happily ran into the house. "Alma, look," she said giddily, showing off her engagement ring. "Isn't it wonderful! Andrew asked me to marry him."
Alma stared at the ring, at a loss for words. When Amanda pressed her to say something she her only response was, "Oh."
"What's your problem?" Amanda demanded, disappointed in Alma's lack of enthusiasm. "This is the happiest night of my life and you can't even pretend to be a little happy for me? Your own sister?"
"Oh please, Amanda. I'm sorry if I'm not jumping up and down because perfect little Mandy gets what she wants again. Fine go ahead and marry him. I'm going to bed. Goodnight."
Alma stormed up the stairs leaving a bewildered Amanda alone in the living room.
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