Nothing To Fear

6. Insanity v. Rationality

"Are you okay?" Lindsey said nervously. He'd heard his wife coughing from the downstairs. He rushed to her side and sat at the edge of the bed prepared to help her.

"Yes," she assured as she let out light follow up coughs. "I was laying too flat."

"I know it gets uncomfortable sitting up but, it'll help you better," he helped her prop her pillows up. The doctors had told them sleeping propped up would be good for her lungs-less coughing and that would mean less strain on her chest.

"Here," he handed her, her glass of water that was on the night stand beside her.

"Thank you," she sipped it slowly so she wouldn't choke on it. Handing it back to him, she looked at him lovingly.

"What?" he smiled softly as he set the glass back down.

"I was thinking about something..." she trailed off.

"Hmm?" he hummed in question.

"Well, we are getting close and-"

"Nope, nope," he stood-waving his hands no. "No more arrangements."

"Lindsey, please? this is important," she added. She then put her hand out for him to come back to her.

He huffed and sat back down next to her, grasping her hand in his.

"I'm worried about you," she mentioned.

"Why?" he almost laughed.

"Because, this is upsetting and I know this. Trust me-I'm upset too. But I don't want you to be sad when I am gone."

"That's impossible," he kissed her hand.

"Look, I want you to be happy when that time comes. I want you to be with somebody when that time comes."

"What are you saying?" he asked confusedly.

"We're going to find you a wife. Someone who will love you and the kids and take care of them."

"Are you insane?" he asked, now laughing.

"No, Lindsey," she smiled. "I'm serious. I want you to be happy with someone."

"How the hell would I be happy with someone while my wife is dying?" he stood up, now pacing slightly. "Did you want your funeral reception to be a wedding ceremony?"

She tilted her head in a leering fashion.

"What?" he asked to her silence-creating eye contact.

"Lindsey, someone will love you-you will fall in love again. And when I am gone, you would have deserved the love of another woman."

"Kristen, I don't want pitty. I don't want someone to marry me out of feeling bad for me or the kids. If that was the case I want to genuinely be in love... and I frankly don't see that happening right now."

"Well, then we will make you fall in love," she leaned over picking up the house phone.

"What are you doing?" he asked-hands on his hips and a creased brow.

"Finding your next true love," she dialed a number.

"You've cracked... maybe you're just paranoid."

"Nope, I'm serious and- Hello?" she was taken by the phone. "Hi, Cherlyn."

"Oh, God help me," he looked up at the ceiling as he made his way out of the room. He was gonna go back to his studio and really question his wife's unhinged mind.

"Hold on a sec," she covered the bottom part of it. "Lindsey wait!"

"Nope, bye," his voice continued to fade as he trotted down the stairs.