"Hey, Jonah," Lucia smiled, sitting down in her normal seat. "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"Good," Lucia nodded. "Denny will come sit with us as soon as he finishes work. Monica's out with her boyfriend."

"Are you and Denny really together?"

"What?" Lucia laughed. "Denny's basically my little brother. We aren't dating."

"Oh, I see."

"I only said that we were because I didn't want that cocky Kyle guy to know that I'm single."

"Oh."

"Something the matter?"

"No, no." Jonah picked up the newspaper.

Lucia sighed and checked her phone for messages. "Oh my god."

"What?"

"M-my dad's in the hospital," Lucia stammered. "I have to go."

Jonah stood up. "Need me to drive? I'll come with you."

"Thank you," Lucia nodded.

Jonah and his friend quickly left, got in his car, and drove to the hospital. He dropped her off at the front before going to park so she could get a head start.

Lucia ran inside and went to the front desk. "Hi. I'm looking for Leonardo Matthews' room."

"Down the hall. Second door on the left."

"Thank you," Lucia nodded, hurrying off. She ran to the door and peeked in. "Hi, Daddy," she said softly. "What happened?"

"Fell down some stairs," Leonardo shrugged. "The maid heard the crash and insisted that I come here."

"God, Daddy, you could have killed yourself," Lucia sighed.

"But I didn't," Leonardo chuckled. "Besides, I don't really need to be there. The hospital just wants to rack up my bill."

"You should put it on Denny's tab," Lucia giggled.

"I would if I weren't terribly rich," Leonardo laughed.

"Then you could help Denny out. We've been here so much," Lucia sighed. "I'm so glad you're okay, Daddy."

"Thank you, Sweetheart," Leonardo smiled, hugging her tightly.

Jonah knocked on the door before entering.

"Daddy, you remember my friend Jonah, right?" Lucia smiled.

"I do. It's good to see you again, Mr. Swinson."

"Hello, Mr. Matthews."

"Jonah, could you call Monica and Denny and let them know where we are?" Lucia sighed.

Jonah took his cell phone outside and made the calls quickly before returning.

"Thanks, JoJo," Lucia smiled.

Jonah winced and nodded.

"Something wrong?" Leonardo chuckled. "JoJo?"

Jonah huffed.

Lucia laughed quietly. "Is Denny coming?"

"Yeah. His shift ends in an hour."

"And Monica?"

"I left a message. She hasn't answered the last few times I called."

"Figures," Lucia sighed.

"But she'll get it."

"I hope so."

Jonah shrugged. "She doesn't pay attention to me like she used to."

Leonardo chuckled knowingly.

"Shh," Lucia said to him, laughing slightly. "You promised you wouldn't say anything."

"And I haven't," Leonardo smirked.

Jonah looked between them. "What?"

"Nothing," Lucia chuckled. "It's a private thing."

—————

"I got here as soon as I could," Denny said breathlessly.

"Thank you," Lucia sighed, hugging him tightly.

Denny hugged her back.

"Fortunately, it isn't anything serious."

"Oh, good."

"Yeah. He fell down the stairs and sprained his wrist. Thank god that's all he did."

"Oh, goodness."

"He's being discharged in an hour. Hey, have you heard from Monica?"

"No, I haven't."

"Great," Lucia sighed. "I have a feeling that Kyle's behind this."

"Maybe she just didn't have her phone on her?" Jonah shrugged.

"Monica?" Lucia frowned. "Monica Carlton going two hours without checking her phone?"

"I know, but it could happen."

"Not very likely, though."

"True."

—————

Lucia sat down on the couch and pulled out a book, eating from a bag of barbecue flavored chips as she read.

Just then, Monica came through the front door. "Hey."

"Hey," Lucia mumbled, not paying her much attention.

"You reading?"

"Mhm."

"What're you reading?"

"A book."

"Oh, goodness. What's the title?"

Lucia didn't respond and kept reading.

Monica rolled her eyes and went to the kitchen to get a sandwich.

Lucia sighed. "The Great Gatsby," she answered finally.

"Oh, fun," Monica nodded, coming back out and sitting beside her friend.

"Mhm," Lucia nodded, shutting her book and setting it aside. "Where were you today?"

"What do you mean?"

"Jonah, Denny, and I all tried calling you and you didn't answer. Where were you?"

Monica looked at her phone. "Oh, sorry...I was with Kyle at the museum. What was so important?"

"Nothing," Lucia sighed, getting up. "I'm going to bed. Have a good night."

Monica nodded. "Night."

Lucia went to her bedroom and flopped down on the bed. "Ugh." She pulled out a piece of paper and wrote:

Dear Potato Guy,

Yes, Jonah was at the gathering. He seemed a bit jealous about Denny and I. I cleared it up today, though, before he drove me to the hospital.

Oh, yeah. My father fell down the stairs and sprained his wrist. Jonah and Denny were there with me, but Monica was too busy hanging out with Kyle.

Do you see what's happening here? Kyle is ruining my friendship with my best friend. I just don't understand this. And more importantly, why is she letting him get between us? I promised that I'd try my best to like him, but I honestly don't know if I can.

Sorry my letter was shorter this time. I'll make my next one longer, I promise.

I hope your mother's okay. Send her my love.

Lydia

Potato Guy's letter came a few weeks later. It read:

Dear Lydia,

I'm glad to hear that you sorted out the mess with Jonah, but it looks like you have something else brewing. My advice? Wait to see the pattern. You may want to jump into action, but it could be a coincidence. Also, could it be that she doesn't see it happening? I'm not sure, but my hope is that it all works out for you.

Momma is doing a little better. Pray it's going to stay on the upward curve.

Potato Guy

P.S. Don't worry about the shorter letter. I didn't have much time to write either. Can't wait to hear from you again!

Lucia set down the paper and gave a sigh. There was still something about Kyle she didn't like.