Nothing To Fear

1. Breaking the News

"Lindsey, I have to tell you something," Kristen said, sounding scared as she approached her husband.

"What is it?" he asked sympathetically, sliding his hands into his pockets.

"Um, I don't know how to say this, but I'm sick," she responded bluntly.

He was taken aback, he didn't understand. "Sick, like, how?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Please, sit," she gestured as she smoothed her dress.

He did as told, becoming nervous with each second that passed.

Sitting beside him, she placed her hand on his knee. "My heart is failing," she whispered.

"What?" he almost exclaimed. "I mean... but--"

"Lindsey, calm down. I don't want the kids to hear. I just needed to tell you, obviously," she rested her hand on his shoulder and massaged it gently.

"Well, there are treatments and stuff, right? I mean, what do you have? How long have you had it for?" he faced her a bit more, taking her hand in his.

"It is treatable," she nodded assuredly. "But what I have is very rare. It's cardiac sarcoidoses-I never heard of it until my doctor addressed it. But he said that is what the shortness of breath has been and my heart beat going up for no reason or when I get up and get dizzy. Apparently, I caught it about two years ago, but it wasn't that bad then."

He let out a sigh.

It was something he had never expected, so he was beyond shocked and at a loss for words.

"I'm sorry," she whispered---tears filling the brim of her eyes.

"For what, honey?" he turned to her fully. "It's not your fault."

"Lindsey, I'm really scared. I'm not ready to leave the kids and--"

"Who said you're leaving the kids?"

"There isn't a high chance of me making it through this," she sniffed.

"Kristen..." he said in a leering but solemn tone. "You're not leaving us," he shook his head. "We will get you the best doctors and the best medicine. I'll bring it up tomorrow."

She nodded.

"We'll get you through this, okay?"

"I love you, Lindsey," she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I love you, too," he said a little motionless to keep himself from tearing. He kissed the top of her head and he just hugged her.

He really had no idea if any treatment could save her---he was only hoping for it.

~~

The next morning would arrive and Lindsey had to be in the studio with his band.

There, he would bring up the fact that he couldn't tour due to his wife being ill. He already felt guilty about leaving his wife alone because what ifs were running his mind; if she fainted, felt sick, needed help and he wasn't there to help.

He had many thoughts roaming through his mind as he sat on the edge of the bed and one or them was staying home.

"Lindsey, go to work," Kristen said, breaking into his thoughts as she watched him ponder about his day.

She was sitting up, in bed with her knees to her chest.

"How'd you know I was thinking that?" he smiled weakly, barely looking over his shoulder.