But Why Daddy?

Chapter 8

By: Lizzie

©Lizzie 2002-2004

            “What’s up chickie?” Liz asked sitting next to her at the table

            Cynthia shrugged, “I’m just curious as to how everyone knows everyone.”

            Liz scrunched her nose, “What do you mean?”

            “Well, I think I overheard Paula talking to someone named Randy before we left earlier.”

            “And you think that the Randy she was talking to is the same Randy?” Liz asked

            “I dunno.” Cynthia said with another shrug, “I know there are a lot of people named Randy, but some things are fitting right as to why she just broke up with Josh after being with him for so long.”

            “I know what you mean.” Liz said, “Ever since Randy left after Lance and I got married 3 years ago, he’s pretty much kept to himself.”

            “See, and that’s another thing.” Cynthia said, “Paula’s been keeping to herself too. She’s NEVER been like that before.”

            “Well, to be honest, I don’t know what to think about that.” Liz said, “But since you know Josh and have been spending a lot of time with him and Paula, what do you think?”

            Cynthia sighed, looked out the little kitchen window that over looked Liz’s garden and then back to Liz, “I think…”

+*+

            Paula pulled into the parking lot at The Red Lobster, parked, got out and walked into the restaurant. Randy was sitting on the side waiting for her.

            “Hey baby.” He said getting up and gently hugging her, “You look so beautiful.”

            Paula smiled a bit, “Thank you.”

            “Randy party of 2…” the attendant said into the little mic attached to the podium. Randy and Paula walked up and they were taken to their waiting booth. They were given menus, ordered and waited for the food to come.

            While they were waiting Randy took something out of his pocket and placed it next in his lap and looked at Paula, “Paula…” she looked up from menu she asked to keep, “You know that I love you with all my heart right?” he began.

+*+     

Josh looked at Lance, “You don’t think that Randy’s girlfriend is my ex…do you?” he asked in an almost child like voice.

            Lance looked up at him, “What do you mean?”

            “I mean, Cynthia asking all these questions and then you jokingly say that it’s not like she’s his girlfriend…do you know something that I don’t know?”

            Lance laughed a bit at his friend and then looked back at him, “Oh…you’re serious. I honestly don’t know what to think.” Lance said, “Paula has changed so much, so I don’t know what to think anymore.”

+*+

            Before Cynthia could finish her statement, Adriana cried out and Liz left the kitchen to see what the problem was. When she got to the living room she saw that Josh had already quieted the little girl so Liz went back to the kitchen.

            “Now, what were you saying?” Liz asked

            “I think that Paula is playing us all for fools but I need to have proof before I say anything to Josh.”

            “You what?” Liz asked, “Why?”

            “I still think that Paula is hiding something from us.”

+*+

            Paula looked at Randy and slowly nodded her head, “I know.”

            “And that I would do anything and everything for you, no matter how big or small it was?” he continued. She nodded her head as he brought the box up to the table and opened it, “will you marry me?”

            Paula looked at the ring and then to Randy. “I…I can’t.” she got up and ran the best she could out of The Red Lobster. Randy quickly got up and followed her out. He looked around for her but didn’t see her.

Paula’s mind was spinning and everything was becoming fuzzy. She wanted to sit down, she needed to sit down. She reached for the nearest bench to sit but missed it and landed on the ground.

Randy went around to the side of the building and got to Paula just as she was landing on the ground. He rushed right to her and to help her up. Oh please let her and the baby be all right. He thought to himself. A crowd of people began to gather where he was.

“Someone call an ambulance.” He heard someone say. He didn’t realize that he himself had said those words until a man tapped him on the shoulder.

“What happened to her?” the man asked

“She…she came outside for some fresh air and fainted.” Randy said. The man went back to talking on the phone and turned to Randy.

“The ambulance should be here shortly, they said to lay her on the bench and to put something under her head.”

Another man stepped forward and helped Randy pick Paula up and lay her on the bench. Randy took his jacket off and placed it under her head just as the ambulance was pulling up.

+*+

            “Hiding something like what?” Liz continued to ask

            Cynthia sighed, “I don’t know. Something that I feel could end up hurting JC a lot more than her breaking up with him.”

            They continued to talk until JC got a call on his cell from his mom saying that Paula had fainted and was rushed to the hospital. Everyone gathered their things and rushed out of the house and headed to the hospital to see her.

            30 minutes later they arrived just as Paula was being taken to a room. JC rushed in the direction that she was going and bumped into someone.

            “Oh, I’m sorry.” He said

            “No, it was my fault.” Randy said looking up, “JC, what are you doing here?”

            JC looked up, “Randy? What are you doing here?”

            “I asked you first.” He said

            “My mother called and told me that my ex fainted.”

            “Oh it’s nice to know that you’re still cordial with your ex.” Randy said, “And to answer your question, my girlfriend, Paula fainted outside the Red Lobster.”

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