Ricky couldn't believe it, and yet could believe it. His wife had snuck into the routine of "Cuban Pete" after he had already gotten a girl for the part. She was able to fit into that costume, which means that in four days, she lost 12 pounds. Leave it to Lucy to achieve the impossible, but that was Lucy for you. If she set her mind to it, she could do it.
After the number was finished, Ricky went out to take a bow and expected Lucy to follow him. He held his arm out to indicate she was coming, but she was noticeably absent from the stage. A few people gave confused looks and probably thought he was nuts.
The applause died down and Ricky was finally able to talk to his public. As he started to open his mouth, he heard a noise that aged him years. It was a sort of crash in the back hallway of the club. Ricky had a sinking feeling that something wasn't right and had a feeling that Lucy was part of it.
Running off stage and into the hallway, he discovered his wife laying unconscious on the floor. He rushed to her side and tried to have her come to. He scooped up her limp body into his lap as he sat helpless for what seemed to be forever. Finally, snapping back to reality, he started to yell for help.
"Someone, please! I need a doctor! My wife, I dunno what's wrong!" shouted Ricky to anyone that would listen. He thought that maybe he was in some kind of nightmare and that any minute he would wake up. Unfortunately, he realized that this nightmare was real.
A man from the audience by the name of Robert Jones came rushing next to Ricky and Lucy. He happened to have his medical bag, a necessity that he always carried with him. Looking over Lucy, he knew exactly what was wrong.
"What is it, Doctor?"
"Mr. Ricardo, we need to get your wife to the hospital. She's suffering from serious malnutrition and if she doesn't get proper medical attention soon, this could be fatal."
Ricky didn't understand most of what Dr. Jones just said to him, but he understood the word "fatal" and didn't want to take any chances. He didn't think it would seem right if he lived and Lucy didn't. He couldn't live without her and didn't want to even think of the thought.
After a few moments, paramedics came in and put Lucy gently on a stretcher. As they began to wheel her out of the club, Ricky held her hand and kissed the back of it softly. She moaned slightly and opened her eyes just enough to see her husband.
"Ricky..." groaned Lucy, her voice weak and scratchy.
"Honey, dun't worry. Everythin's gonna be fine. I'm right here."
"I love you," said Lucy. With that, she slipped back to unconscious world.
Ricky continued to hold onto her hand throughout the entire ambulance ride and to the hospital. Bursting through the hospital doors, he reluctantly had to let go of her hand and was left standing alone by the front doors of the emergency room. Ricky looked upward and said a silent prayer for the love of his life. He promised that if she were to live through this ordeal, that he would never take her for granted again. With that, he slumped to the floor and began to softly sob.