"Dad, where the hell have you been?" Makayla rose to her father walking down the long corridor. She ran to him, eyes beginning to tear up again.
"I'm sorry Honey, I fell asleep at work." Garrett wrapped his arms around his daughter's neck as she squeezed him around the waist.
Makayla looked up horrified at her father. "Daddy, you smell like perfume."
"How's your mother, Honey?" Garrett pulled away from his daughter's embrace.
"You mean your wife?" Makayla had an ever-growing concern growing on her face. She stood looking at her father, yet he gave no response. "She's not good, Daddy. She, um..., Dad she may have brain damage."
"Oh God, no! What have they said? Where's the doctor?" Garrett's concern for his wife immediately kicked in.
"Daddy, I think they're in surgery. The other guy isn't good either." Makayla looked down at her feet.
"What other guy? How many cars were involved?"
"Just hers, Dad. I wanted to tell you before you got here, but you wouldn't answer you phone." Makayla looked up at her Dad's questioning stare.
"What do you mean the other guy? Did she hit someone?"
"No Daddy, she was with a man." Makayla grimaced at the thought.
"A friend?" Garrett's face flushed with anger.
"I really don't know, Daddy. When the officer knocked on the door, all I did was put on my clothes and came here. Come sit down. You look tired." Makayla motioned for him to follow her into the waiting room.
Garrett sat and looked into Makayla's eyes. "Do you think...?"
"I don't know, Daddy. Let's just think about mom right now." Makayla laid her hand on her father's and lightly traced his fingers with her nails. Without looking at him she asked, "Dad, is there something you need to tell me?"
Garrett swallowed hard and turned to face his lovely daughter. "Yes, there is, Honey. Tonight I fell asleep at work. I was exhausted with a terrible headac..."
"Mr. Conner, is she alright?" Natalie's heels clonked down the linoleum hall. Makayla's eyes opened wide is disbelief.
"Natalie, what are you doing here?" Garrett felt his body grow cold and he wondered if she was about to really do him in.
"I came in the office a few minutes ago and listened to Makayla's voice mails. Hey Kayla, sorry about your mother." Natalie glanced and made a make-shift smile and returned her focus to Garrett.
Makayla's face gave away her questioning thoughts.
"Well you didn't have to come here, you know. You could have just called." Garrett prayed a silent prayer that she wouldn't stay long enough to do any damage.
"I know, but the hospital is on the way to my house. I thought it would be nice to stop by and see how you both are holding up and see if she's okay."
Makayla glared at Natalie, realizing how much her mother hated her for working for her dad. "So, why were you at the office so late, Natalie?"
"I forgot a few things and stopped by on my way from Club Syndicate." Natalie was obviously a great liar.
"The strip club?" Makayla held her stare.
"Yes. You do know that Brittany works there now, right?"
"Brittany? She's still in high school!"
"Yeah, but I don't guess they know that--yet."
As Makayla was doubting Natalie's whereabouts, Brittany shyly walked up behind them.
"Natalie, you left your lipstick in my car. I thought I'd bring it to you before I went home." Brittany smiled, looking at Makayla and Garrett.
Natalie turned her back from Garrett and Makayla and snarled her nose at Brittany. "Thank you, Brittany. You REALLY didn't have to do that. I could have gotten it tomorrow." She glared at Brittany.
"It's okay. I just thought you might need it. Hi, Makayla. Is everything okay?"
"No, it's not, Brittany, but thank you for asking. It actually sounded genuine." Makayla continued to glared at Natalie, never taking her eyes off of her. "So, Natalie. Did you see my dad while you were at the office? You got here only a few minutes after him."
Garrett felt the inevitable bomb about to explode.
"Yes. Why?" Natalie smiled. Apparently she was about to finish screwing Garrett.
Brittany cocked her head. "You saw him? I was with you the whole time and I don't remember seeing him."
Natalie's face tensed. They could see the frustration building on her face. "Yes I saw him, Brittany. Don't be so stupid! You know you saw him too."
"Not unless I was hallucinating. You know X does that sometimes."
"Oh my God! You two are high?!" Makayla looked at her father, hoping he would end this all.
"Not anymore, Makayla. At least I'm not. Natalie here, on the other hand, seems to be seeing things." Brittany grabbed Natalie's arm forcefully and tugged. "Come on Natalie, we need to be going. They need their privacy."