Routine
Veteran Willy Thomas was a man of routine. He had been through a lot in his life, and he found comfort in the familiar. Every day, he would wake up at the same time, eat the same breakfast, and go for a walk around his neighborhood.
Every day, he would end up at the same restaurant for lunch. Rufus initially thought that it was because he loved their meals.
But there was a much sinister purpose behind it.
Friendly Staff
It was a small place with a friendly staff and good food. Willy had become a regular there, and he had even struck up a friendship with one of the waitresses.
Her name was Maria, and she was always happy to see him.
She would cut up his food for him and sit with him to eat sometimes, and Willy appreciated her kindness.
Interrupted
But one day, Willy’s routine was interrupted. His son Rufus had decided to surprise him and show up at the restaurant. When Rufus walked in, he saw something that left him scrambling for his phone.
Maria was sitting at the table with Willy, holding his hand and talking to him softly.
Willy looked frail and weak, and Rufus could see that something was wrong. He rushed over to the table and asked Maria what was going on.
Suspicions
Rufus had always been a bit suspicious of Maria, the waitress at his favorite restaurant. He had noticed the way she would linger at their table, holding his father’s hand and talking to him softly. It made him uneasy, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.
One day, Rufus decided to confront Maria. He walked into the restaurant and saw her sitting at the table with his father, holding his hand just like he had seen before.
Rufus marched over to the table and demanded, “What’s going on?”
Outburst
Maria looked up at him, surprised by his sudden outburst. “What do you mean?” she asked. “I mean, what’s going on between you and my dad?” Rufus said, his voice rising.
“Why are you always holding his hand and talking to him like that?” That’s when Rufus noticed something that he couldn’t believe.
His father looked different.
Weaker
He had been full of life despite his advanced age. But ever since Maria came into the picture, he had only gotten weaker.
Maria explained that Willy had been feeling ill lately, and she had been worried about him.
She had been keeping an eye on him and making sure he was okay.
Sinister
Rufus was concerned about his father’s situation. If his hunch was right, he knew that his father needed medical attention.
He tried getting his father to come with him, but he seemed bewitched by the woman.
He would have to find a way of getting to the truth. But what he discovered would change his life forever.
William Thomas
William Thomas always wanted to be just like his father when he grew up. He remembered his dad having respect all over town.
It was because he was a veteran of the Korean War. He knew that one day, he would be just like him.
As soon as he was called to fight a foreign war in Vietnam, he jumped at the opportunity.
Scarring
But he had no idea how much it would scar him. When he got back home from the war, he expected to receive the respect his father got. But so many people were anti-war that all he got were dirty looks.
But he managed to push through and even fell in love. Fast forward forty more years, and he had a son named Rufus.
Now, in his old age, he didn’t have a whole lot to look forward to other than a diner just a block away from his home.
Regular
Rufus could never understand why he liked going there, but he was about to find out the truth. Willy had been a regular at the diner for years, and everyone knew him by name.
He would sit at the same table every day, order the same meal, and read the same newspaper.
Rufus would often accompany him, but he never understood why his father was so fond of the place.
An Ordinary Restaurant
It was an ordinary diner with a bar. He had no idea why his dad was insistent on spending every week there. He knew there was more to it than that.
One day, Rufus got an invitation he didn’t expect. His father had invited him to come along with him.
Rufus knew that he’d finally see what the big fuss was about. But he had no idea what he’d find.
Early Lunch
He decided to join his father, Willy, at the restaurant for an early lunch.
As they sat down at their usual table, Rufus couldn’t help but notice the way Maria’s eyes lit up when she saw his father.
She beamed a smile before asking what they’d like to order, and Rufus couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going on between them.
Suspicious Behavior
As they ate their meal, Rufus watched Maria laugh at all of his father’s jokes and leaned in a little too close when she refilled his water glass. He decided that he would confront his father about it.
He knew he had to find out what was going on.
After their lunch, they walked out to their cars before Rufus asked him, “So what’s going on with Maria?” But his answer surprised him.
Nothing
“Can’t I just enjoy someone finally being nice to me?” He said in a dismissive tone. “She’s kind and caring. It’s not even the reason why I go to the restaurant.”
But Rufus wasn’t so easily convinced. He was overprotective of his father ever since his mother had passed away a few years back.
He wouldn’t let just anyone sweet talk his dad.
Looking At Her Closely
Rufus wanted to watch Maria a little more closely now that he saw that she was getting close to his dad.
Was it his charming demeanor? But she was a lot younger than him.
Rufus decided that he would go to the next lunch and take a closer look at Maria. But he would only start jumping to conclusions that he didn’t like.
Surprising Him
Rufus had been thinking about his father all day and decided to surprise him at the diner. As he walked in, he noticed something that made him feel uneasy. Maria was sitting at a table with Willy.
She was holding Willy’s hand and talking to him in a hushed voice. Something wasn’t right at all.
His father didn’t look well, and Rufus could see that he was struggling to breathe. Worried, he hurried over to their table and asked Maria what was happening.
Couldn’t Wait Anymore
Rufus couldn’t wait any longer, so he decided to confront her about it. When he walked into the restaurant and saw her sitting with his father, holding his hand, he couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
He marched over to the table and asked her what was going on. Maria was surprised by Rufus’s sudden outburst, but she calmly explained things to him.
It was understandable why Rufus was concerned about his father’s well-being. But would he find the answers that he was looking for?
Mysterious Connection
Maria hesitated before speaking, her eyes shifting nervously. “Your father has been feeling unwell lately, and I’ve been looking out for him. We’ve developed a connection, and I’m just trying to be there for him,” she explained.
Rufus’s suspicion lingered, but he couldn’t ignore the genuine concern in Maria’s eyes.
Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story. He decided to keep a closer eye on both Maria and his father.
Suspicions
Rufus had been suspicious of Maria for weeks now. Every time Willy came to the restaurant, she seemed to be overly friendly with him.
She would always bring him extra food and drinks, and she would stay at his table longer than necessary.
At first, Rufus thought that Maria was just trying to make a good tip. But as time went on, he became more and more convinced that she was taking advantage of his father.
Was It Money?
Rufus was plagued by a nagging feeling that something was off. He couldn’t shake the idea that Maria, his business partner, had ulterior motives. Was she simply looking to take his money, or was she plotting something far more sinister?
One evening, Rufus made a bold decision. He knew it was risky, but he had to confront Maria and find out the truth.
Waiting until the restaurant was empty, he stealthily followed her, his heart racing with anticipation and fear.
Feeling Like A Stalker
Despite feeling like a stalker, Rufus knew that he had to do anything he could to help his father out of a difficult situation.
He had been following the waitress for a few blocks now, keeping a safe distance and making sure not to draw any attention to himself.
He watched as she carefully crossed the road and headed towards her home.
Quiet Streets
As they made their way through the quiet streets, Rufus couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt.
He knew that what he was doing was not entirely ethical, but he couldn’t think of any other way to get the information he needed to help his father.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the waitress arrived at her doorstep. Rufus watched as she fiddled with her keys, trying to get the right one in the front door.
Nothing Out Of The Ordinary
He was sure that he’d see something incriminating if he kept watching her, but to his surprise, nothing out of the ordinary happened.
She still had to be hiding something, he was sure of it.
He didn’t want to give up so easily though. He watched her walk inside the house. He decided to watch for a little while longer.
Watching Her
The man had been observing the house through its windows for quite some time, but couldn’t seem to gather the information he needed.
Frustrated and desperate, he knew he had to find a more direct approach.
With determination, he emerged from his hiding spot and made his way towards the front door. His heart was beating fast.
Knocking On Her Door
He raised his hand and knocked three times. The sound echoed through the silent neighborhood as he waited anxiously for someone to answer.
The man had been observing the house through its windows for quite some time, but couldn’t seem to gather the information he needed.
Frustrated and desperate, he knew he had to find a more direct approach.
Heart Racing
With determination, he knocked on the front door again. His heart beating fast, he raised his hand and knocked three times.
The sound echoed through the silent neighborhood as he waited anxiously for someone to answer.
His mind raced at all the ways that the confrontation could go. He just hoped that it wouldn’t end ugly.
Surprised To See Him
When she opened the door, she seemed surprised. Rufus was the last person she expected to see at her door.
But he had a good reason for it.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” he said. “Sure, what’s up?” Maria replied, smiling. “I’ve been watching you for a while now,” Rufus said. “And I think you’re taking advantage of my father.”
Defending Herself
“What do you mean?” Maria asked, her smile fading.
“You always give him extra food and drinks, and you stay at his table longer than necessary,” Rufus said. “Are you trying to take his money?”
“No, of course not,” Maria said, her eyes widening. “I just like talking to him. He’s a really interesting guy.”
Didn’t Believe Her
Rufus was skeptical of Maria’s intentions and suspected that there was something fishy going on between her and his father. Despite his doubts, he was unsure of how to proceed.
Over the next few days, he kept a watchful eye on Maria, monitoring her every move and action in an attempt to uncover any ulterior motives.
However, to his surprise, Maria continued to act amicably towards his father, never taking advantage of him in any way.
Was He Too Quick To Judge?
Despite his initial reservations, Rufus began to wonder if he had been too quick to judge Maria and her intentions.
After much contemplation, Rufus mustered the courage to confront his father about a matter that had been troubling him for a while.
He sat Willy down and recounted every detail of what he had observed and experienced.
Going To His Father
“It seems to me that Maria is taking advantage of you,” Rufus stated, hoping that his father would heed his advice.
“But I just wanted to make sure that everything is okay with you.” Willy’s face lit up with a smile. “Don’t worry about me, son,” he reassured Rufus. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”
Deciding To Trust Him
Rufus was perplexed by his father’s words, but he opted to have faith in him.
However, the haunting unease that his father was unable to perceive the lurking danger of her actions began to take its toll on him.
Despite feeling helpless, he resolved to stay put and observe what would ensue. He had to stick by his father no matter what.
Shatter His Composure
Little did he know that the events that would soon unfold would shatter his composure.
Had he foreseen the impending catastrophe, he would never have remained so composed.
It was close to the end now. He was waiting for Maria to slip up. And finally, she would in a big way. It was when he noticed that his father was ill.
Hidden Motives
Days passed, and Rufus observed Maria’s interactions with his father from a distance. There was something about the way she looked at Willy that raised doubts in Rufus’s mind.
He couldn’t pinpoint it, but he felt a lingering sense of unease.
Late one evening, as the diner began to empty out, Rufus confronted Maria again. “I appreciate your concern for my dad, but there’s something you’re not telling me. What’s your motive here?”
I’m Doing My Job
Maria was taken aback by Rufus’ accusations. “What do you mean motive? I’m doing my job. I help all my customers, but yes, I admit, I have a soft spot for your father,” Maria said.
That did nothing to appease Rufus’ suspicions. In fact, he was more suspicious than ever.
He knew now that she had some kind of hold over his poor father. Was he right?
Bewitched?
It was like Maria had totally bewitched him, and when she was around, his father only had eyes for her. And all the while, he was getting sicker and sicker.
Dark thoughts had begun clouding Rufus’ mind, and something told him not to ignore the situation.
He had seen things like this in movies, and he hoped his father was not a victim of it.
All The Signs Were There
He didn’t want to think about it, but the signs were all there. A charming young waitress helping an ailing old man.
You didn’t need to be smart to put two and two together.
Could Maria be using his father for something? Why had his health only deteriorated ever since she served him? Was it just a coincidence, or was something sinister at play?
Had To See A Doctor
His father looked nothing like he used to. What was the waitress doing to him? Rufus told him that he had to see a doctor.
Rufus knew he had to dig deeper to uncover the truth.
And when he did, it was a life-changing discovery that left a profound impact on him.
Father’s Table
His father had suddenly become frail and weak, and Rufus couldn’t help but wonder if Maria had something to do with it.
Rufus decided to take matters into his own hands. He knew he had to find out what was really going on behind his back.
He grabbed his phone and quietly followed Maria as she made her way to his father’s table.
Shocking Revelation
As Rufus discreetly followed Maria, he overheard snippets of their conversation.
What he heard shocked him to the core. “We’ll keep this between the two of us, Mr. Thomas. You have my word.”
Rufus’s heart raced as he listened to Maria promise to keep “their discussions” to herself. Rufus knew now that she was up to something.
No Proof
However, even though he was suspicious, he didn’t have any concrete evidence. Although he heard everything with his own ears, it was still his word against hers.
If he were to go to the police with his findings, they would surely laugh in his face.
He needed to get proof of Maria and his father’s interactions.
Undercover Operation
Rufus decided to take matters into his own hands and launched his own undercover operation. He started by discreetly recording his father’s conversations with Maria during their lunches.
He strategically placed a small recording device in his father’s pocket, hoping to capture any incriminating evidence.
He was sure that he would be getting something out of them this way.
Listening To The Recordings
That night, in the dim glow of his living room, Rufus listened to the recordings with bated breath.
He knew that there would be something on the recordings that would surely implicate Maria.
He listened closely, over and over. However, there was nothing on the recordings that sounded suspicious. It was then that he came to the realization.
Did She Discover The Device?
He was convinced that Maria must have discovered the device in his father’s pocket.
She probably then took it upon herself to be more careful and aware of what she was saying to him in fear of getting caught.
Rufus decided to go to the diner and try to catch Maria out himself. There had to be something.
Watching Her Every Move
Rufus discreetly positioned himself at a nearby table and began recording Maria’s every move. He watched as she served his father his meal, and then he saw her slip something into his drink when he wasn’t looking.
Rufus was shocked and angry. He couldn’t believe that Maria would do something like this to his father.
He knew he had to confront her, but he had to be careful not to be spotted.
Calling An Ambulance
Rufus called an ambulance and told the operator that his father might have been poisoned.
In the meantime, he approached his father and told him that there was no more waiting.
He explained what he had seen and his father couldn’t believe it. After a few minutes, the ambulance arrived and paramedics put him on a stretcher.
Going To The Hospital
Willy was rushed to the hospital. As Willy lay in his hospital bed, Rufus sat by his side, holding his hand.
Tears streamed down his face as he watched his father slipping further and further into unconsciousness.
He was waiting for the doctors to tell him what they had found. But once they had the results back, he couldn’t believe it.
An Unexpected Visit
While Rufus waited impatiently, he heard the sound of someone coming into the hospital room.
He whipped around and saw an unexpected visitor. His blood boiled. How dare she come here?
It was Maria, and she looked worried more than ever. “Get out!” Rufus shouted, but tears streamed down her face as she tried explaining things.
Doctor Comes Back
“No, please! You don’t understand!” She begged him, “I didn’t do anything wrong. You have to believe me.” But he had heard enough. He told Maria to leave.
But just as she was about to head for the door, the doctor came back into the room.
He was ready to give them the results. All of them waited with bated breath.
The Results
“I’m afraid your father’s health is deteriorating just like you thought. It’s due to his old age, but you’re lucky to have such a good waitress.” He said. Rufus was more confused now than ever.
“What do you mean?” He said in a confused voice.
Then, the doctor revealed the truth of what the waitress had been doing to his father’s food.
Vitamins
“Well, we found that your father had been given vitamins and minerals. You said the waitress was slipping it into his food, yes? Well, they’ve been delaying his advanced age.”
Rufus looked back at Maria, who a moment ago was telling her to leave.
He stared at her, and said, “Thank you.” But things weren’t over just yet.
The Secret Revealed
It turned out that “the secret” that the two of them kept was that Willy had entrusted Maria to give him his vitamins every day since he kept forgetting to take them.
He didn’t want his son to find out that he had been neglecting to take the vitamins.
He knew how strict Rufus was when it came to his father’s health.
Reconciliation
Rufus felt a mix of emotions—relief, guilt, and gratitude. He looked at Maria, who had tears streaming down her face, and he suddenly felt a surge of remorse for jumping to conclusions.
Apologizing profusely, Rufus thanked Maria for caring for his father.
He realized that she had only been trying to help, and the vitamins she provided were genuinely meant for Willy’s well-being.
A Son’s Gratitude
As the truth unfolded, Rufus couldn’t help but admire his father’s foresight and Maria’s genuine care.
He hugged Willy, feeling grateful for the caring waitress who had become a true friend to his aging father.
Willy chuckled weakly and said, “I wanted you to focus on your life, Rufus, not worry about an old man like me.”
Bonds Were Formed
Rufus also gained a newfound appreciation for Maria, who had gone above and beyond to ensure his father’s well-being.
The incident brought the three of them closer, forging an unexpected bond between a veteran, his son, and a caring waitress.
Maria visited Willy every day after shift and made sure to bring him a piece of his favorite blueberry pie from the diner.
Spending More Time Together
In the following weeks, as Willy recovered in the hospital, Rufus spent more time with his father.
The experience had taught him a valuable lesson about assumptions and the importance of communication.
However, Willy felt like he needed to explain one last thing to his son. Something he had never revealed to him before.
Something To Say
The room was silent until it was broken by Rufus’ father. He cleared his throat and looked at his son. He had something that he wanted to say, and no one would stop him.
Willy looked up at Rufus and said, “Son, I want to tell you something.
There is a reason why I love that diner so much. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Love At First Sight
The old man continued, “The reason is that it’s where I met your mother. She was a waitress there, and I fell in love with her the moment I saw her. I go back there nowadays and sit in our old booth.”
Rufus was shocked. He had never known the story of how his parents met.
He looked at his father with tears in his eyes and said, “Dad, I had no idea. Thank you for telling me.”
A Lot More To Say
A tear rolled down Willy’s cheek as he spoke about the past. But he had a lot more to say to his son.
He had never spoken about these things before.
Willy smiled and said, “I may not have received the respect I deserved when I came back from Vietnam, but I have something much more valuable.”
All The Respect He Needed
“I met your mother and had you, my son. That’s all the respect and love that I need.” Rufus couldn’t believe the heartfelt words.
Rufus hugged his father tightly, grateful for the love and wisdom he had received from him.
From that day on, Rufus made sure to visit the diner with his father every chance he got, knowing that it held a special place in his father’s heart.