"We're leaving now, Lucy," Eileen said as the remainder of the group stood in front of the church after the services. "Are you going to be alright?"
"Yes. Craig is going to drive me home."
"If you need anything or just want to talk, you call me anytime, ok?" Eileen said as she hugged her friend goodbye.
"Ok. I will."
Meanwhile Hector said goodbye to Arthur and told him he was taking Eileen out to dinner.
"So how's Lucy holding up?" Hector asked as he and Eileen dined downtown after the funeral.
"I'm not sure. Everything happened so suddenly. I think she's still in shock."
"Aren't we all," Hector replied. "I went by to visit Clifford on the day he died and he seemed like he was feeling better."
"That's what Lucy said," Eileen sighed. "This must be so hard for her. We both lost our mothers when we were young and I don't know what I would do if I lost my dad too."
"Your dad is a good guy," Hector nodded. "Hey," he said as he leaned closer and touched her shoulder. When she looked up at him he continued, "I told him I was taking you out to cheer you up a little and I'd hate to let him down. Let's talk about something else for awhile."
Eileen smiled weakly. "There is something I wanted to bring up," she said sheepishly. "But I hate to say it now."
"You know you can tell me anything."
"I wanted to let you know that we're going out Thursday night."
"Oh are we?" Hector grinned.
"Not really," she replied. "But if my dad asks we are."
"You haven't told him yet," he replied.
"No, but I will . . .eventually. You'll cover for me, won't you?"
"You know I can't say no to you," Hector flirted, but then added darkly, "But you really shouldn't keep secrets."
"Thanks for driving me home, Craig," Lucy said as he walked her to her front door. She sighed and put up a brave smile, "I just wasn't feeling up to facing this big, empty house alone.
"I'm glad to do it," Craig replied. He took a look around at the impressive building in front of him and the well manicured lawn that surrounded it. "This is quite a place you have."
"Thank you. My grandparents had this home built for my parents as a wedding gift." Thinking about her late family members made Lucy feel even lonelier than before. "Would you like to see the inside?"
Lucy gave Craig the grand tour, finally ending at the portrait of her late parents. She was very proud of her family heritage and couldn't help bragging a little bit about her prestigious family line. Her father's family had been very successful in business and her mother's side had founded the local country club.
Craig seemed impressed and hung on her every word. Lucy was pleased that Craig seemed so interested. Usually when she talked about her family history people were either bored to tears or interpreted her pride in her family as arrogance.
"And I'm the only one left now," she sighed. Quickly she changed her tone. "You must be tired of hearing about me."
"Not at all. I could listen to you all night."
Lucy blushed. "Why don't I make us some coffee and you can tell me about yourself?"
"Sounds great."
Lucy and Craig talked until the early hours of the morning. Even Craig, who was used to keeping late hours, as a musician, was yawning.
"I really hate to go, Lucy, but it's late and I've really got to get some sleep. I know you could use some rest too."
Lucy stood up. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to keep you." When she glanced at the clock she was surprised to see how late it actually was. "Oh it is late."
She walked Craig to the door, but hesitated before saying goodbye, as she remembered the dark, empty house behind her. "You know, Craig. If you don't want to drive home this late, you could stay overnight here, in the guest room. It's so late. You won't get any sleep if you have to drive home first."
"Ok. I'll take you up on that," Craig agreed, though he was convinced the hour had nothing to do with the invitation.
Meanwhile Arthur was awoken in the night by a strange sensation. He suddenly felt cold all over. When he turned over and pulled the blankets closer, he thought he saw a light. He blinked his eyes open and to his surprise saw a ghostly image of his late partner Clifford, sitting in his bedside chair, reading a business report.
Clifford shook his head and frowned, before turning towards Arthur. "Hector," he muttered, barely above a whisper. "Hector."
The next thing Arthur knew, he felt like he was shaking and he heard someone calling his name.
"Arthur, I heard a noise," his wife whispered as she shook him awake.
Arthur turned quickly to the bedside chair, but now it was empty. He must have been dreaming.
"Go back to sleep, dear. It's just those darn raccoons again."
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