Theo And Reed's Wedding Bells : Book 2

Chapter Twenty

Reed felt like the biggest idiot ever born. Theo meant well. He always meant well. But hearing him talk so casually about wills and dying just made the whole cancer so much realer to him. It was real yes but the will had him picturing a life without Theo and he didn't want that. In his head he had seen Theo in a casket. That scared him. So he lashed out. And when Theo said it was none of his business........ He had been hurt. But he shouldn't have said what he did to Theo. Theo didn't deserve that.

And to call a stranger for a talk. He sighed as he nursed a black coffee in the air conditioned Kelly's. He was surprised Saint hadn't hung up on him. Maybe the doctor was a real saint.

Speaking of Saint , he strode into the coffee shop and came over to Reed's table. They shook hands and Saint sat down.

" Thanks for coming, Doctor. "

" Saint, Mr. Fisher. Call me Saint. Doctor is my job. "

" Interesting nickname. Call me Reed. "

The server came over and refilled Reed's cup. She also took Saint's order for a coffee. Saint also ordered two chocolate chip muffins to go.

" My husband Matt ," Saint said," loves those muffins. He'd kill my Georgia New York ass if I came home without them. We only live a block away. So what is going on, Reed ? "

" I feel stupid. We , Theo and I, had a fight. Not really a fight. An argument. We never fight. I walked out. I didn't know what to do. I was just walking around. I don't really know many people well here. Then I remembered your number. "

Saint was silent. The server came with his coffee and the take out bag. He accepted it with a smile and a thank you. He took a sip of coffee. The server asked if Reed needed anything else. He said ," No , thank you."

When Saint spoke it was with a serious undercurrent to it. " Things must be rough. I'm assuming he's in treatment for the cancer ? You can't usually get in to see Walter so fast but I called in a favor. "

" Yes. Thank you. Why'd you do that? "

Zack was silent. Then he spoke. " Walter is an excellent doctor. I know that personally. Most of his patients are healthy, happy and climbing mountains today. Or in the case of my husband baking pies and cakes to make me fat. "

Reed lifted an eyebrow in surprise. " Your husband has cancer? "

" Had cancer. When we first got here Matt was diagnosed. Same cancer. Chronic leukemia. He took it better than me. I'm a doctor. I should have known better but I was freaking out. We hadn't been married that long. We just found each other after years apart. When I found him again he was homeless. He .... I thought I was going to lose him again. For good this time. Walter was his doctor. A very blunt man he is but we needed that. It was rough. I hated seeing him sick. And tired. And cranky. Oh yes he was cranky. I remember the infamous day I ate the last jelly bean. It was red. That was our big fight. Matt was the one who walked out but he came back. He beat it. In three months he went into remission. He's one of Walter's wonder patients. Matt can do anything. "

Reed saw Theo in his head. " So can Theo. "

" So what had you all fighting? Arguing? Did you eat the last jelly bean? If so heaven help your soul. "

Reed laughed. It had to be the first time in ages. " No. But I will try not to. Although I think Theo hates jelly beans. No. I came home from work. I'm a vet at the zoo. It was a long hot day. "

" Tell me about it. 98 they claim but feels like 115. Typical D.C. in August. Yet here we sit drinking coffee. "

" I was tired. I haven't been sleeping well lately. I came home and he tells me he went to see a lawyer about a will. "

His voice cracked just talking about it.

" That upset you?"

" Yes. "

" Why? "

"Because I don't want to lose him. I don't want him to give up. I don't want him to stop fighting. There is still time. I love him. I need him. "

Reed closed his eyes. He could feel the hot tears building up behind his eyelids. He also felt the doctor touch his hand gently.

Saint said," You might lose him, Reed. I'm not going to lie to you about that. But you can't dwell on that. Trust me. I know. You can only keep loving him. And taking care of him. And taking care of yourself. Self care, my new friend. If you ever need to talk or just hang out I'm always here. Also hide all the pillows and cast iron pots and sharp knives in the house on that fateful day you do eat the last jelly bean. It was red you know. "

Reed opened his eyes and sat there laughing with his new friend.