Forever Friday by Timothy Lewis Read Free Book Online Page A

know that.”
    Clark raised his chin and leaned forward. “I think since I went to all the trouble of escorting you here, you’d want to honor my suggestion.”
    “Fine.” Huck was too tired to argue. And after the day she’d had, she’d rather talk than eat anyway.
    The waiter returned, took their order, then spun on a heel and marched away. Huck continued her story. “As I said earlier, I’ve been teaching my classes how to properly diagram sentences.”
    “That’s nice, not that they’ll find it useful in a career.”
    “And what do mean by that?”
    “Oh, Huck, don’t come undone. This is the age of science and industry. Do you think the Wright brothers invented flight by defining subjects and predicates?”
    “Of course not, but they had to succinctly write about their discovery.” She paused. “And since we’re on the subject, what does banking have to do with our modern age?”
    He laughed. “Finance controls everything. Without the proper backing, no great invention would ever make it out of the laboratory. Successful industry depends not only upon investors who believe in science but us banking wizards who are savvy enough to make a profit for all concerned.”
    Huck stared past Clark and considered the great author who had inspired the restaurant’s name. His brilliant prose still lived, unhindered by the boundaries of the modern industrial age, while encompassing the heart and soul of all mankind.
    “Speaking of banks,” Clark said beneath raised eyebrows, “guess what happened at work today?”
    Huck frowned. “It got robbed and there’s no more money for science and industry?”
    “Absolutely not.” Clark glanced about the room and lowered his voice. “Please consider the ramifications of your words before speaking. That’s how rumors get started.”
    “Clark, dear. I wasn’t being serious.”
    “Obviously.” He cleared his throat. “You weren’t being smart either. Don’t turn around and look, but I think one of our shareholders just walked in. He’s liable to recognize me and drop by our table.”
    “You’ve nothing to worry about.” Huck smiled sweetly. “I’ll make sure to speak on his level of understanding.”
    “See that you do.” Clark paused, then sighed and wagged his head.
    When the man didn’t appear, Clark frowned. “You insist on being facetious when I’ve got monumental news to share.”
    Huck leaned forward. “News?”
    “Well …” He grinned. “I’m being promoted to senior vice-president.”
    “Oh, Clark. That’s wonderful.”
    “My salary will double, plus I’ll be vested. Naturally there’ll be added responsibilities,” he continued, explaining each one in great detail until the food came.
    “Which means we can get married sooner than planned,” he finished as soon as they were alone again.
    Huck stared down at her plate and felt slightly nauseous. “I didn’t think we’d set an exact date.”
    “Correct. Now we can.” He began eating.
    A definitive date was the last thing Huck wanted to discuss, butClark seemed intent, which was probably the main reason he’d insisted upon dinner. Perhaps she could redirect their conversation.
    “So?” he said between bites. “How about—”
    Huck spoke up. “Before the wedding, I was thinking about cutting my hair.”
    He swallowed. “Your hair?”
    “Into the latest flapper bob. It’s all the rage.”
    Clark turned redder than the beef. “I forbid you to snip a single strand,” he said abruptly.
    “You what?” In all her growing-up years, she had never heard her father “forbid” her mother to do anything. He might strongly disagree, citing various reasons, but ultimately the decision was her mother’s.
    Clark continued. “My future wife will not look like a floozy. I won’t allow it.”
    Huck slowly stood and undid her bun, letting her hair fall down her back. People stared.
    “What are you doing?” he whispered. “You’re embarrassing me. I demand you sit at