You Are On My Mind

Is This True?

Linda grabbed a strawberry from the container as she walked through the kitchen. It was summer time, and her favorite fruit was finally in season. She grabbed an old rag from the shelf and the furniture polish. The windows were opened and a nice breeze blew through the house. She switched on the stereo, Donnie Wahlberg loudly declaring his affection for his cover girl.
An hour or so went by before her eye caught something. She put down the cleaner and rag, and picked up the paper. She swore she stopped breathing when she saw the words she hoped she'd never have to see.
***********
Days later, Linda couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed the piece of paper and walked to the basement. For a few minutes, she watched her husband beat the punching bag. She closed her eyes, pushing the tears away. She opened her eyes when she heard her husband hiss. She watched him shuck off his gloves and rub his left hand. "Danny?"
Danny turned around, unaware until she spoke that Linda was there with him. His half smile faded when he saw her face. He watched her hold out a piece of paper.
"Is this true?" Linda barely whispered.
Danny sighed and nodded his head. He walked over to Linda and hugged her as she cried. She violently shook in his arms, inadvertently crumpling the paper in the process. He guided her to the couch, and wiped her tears.
"Where? Where is it?" She choked out. She prayed it wasn't somewhere fatal.
"On my hand." Danny held out his left hand. He watched as his wife inspected it, one by one running her fingers and thumb over his wedding band.
"When did you find out? About the...."
"The pre-cancer?"
Linda nodded, her throat feeling like a desert. She knew the family's history with the awful disease. She wasn't ready to lose Danny. She wasn't she she'd ever be ready to lose him.
"A few days ago. I went in for a normal check up, and the doc wanted to look at that lump we thought was a colorless mole?" He didn't mean for his voice to go up in pitch. "So I went to the skin doctor. And they removed it and sent it to the lab.... the results came back a few days ago."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
He shrugged, "it was stage zero. Still is. I didn't want to worry you."
"Me? You could die. I can't lose you. I can't. And hate to make this all about me, but who am I s'pposed to talk to? What am I s'pposed to do if there's no you? And I'm being so selfish right now and I hate myself for—" she was cut off by his kiss.
"Linda, it's okay. It's alright." He wiped his thumb across her cheek, catching a tear. "I'll be okay. I just have to be careful about going out in the sun and whatever." Danny watched her shake her head, babbling about how she couldn't go on without him. "Linda. Linda, baby.... sweetheart."
She sighed deeply, trying to compose herself.
"Listen. It's not cancer." He shook his head, watching her follow his movements. "It could just turn into cancer. That's why they're getting rid of it."
"But-"
"Don't worry about it."
"But—"
"No, Linda. No buts."
"How can you be so calm? Don't you wanna cry an' scream an' shout an' just break down?" Linda squeaked on the last word.
"Where would that get me?"
"It makes you feel better."
"Thatta fact?" Danny smirked, secretly wanting to do what Linda had asked.
"Yes."
"Listen, baby. It's gonna be okay, I promise you.... have I ever broken a promise? Ever?" She shook her head. "No. Right. So it's gonna be okay. Don't worry."
Linda nodded, then hugged him. "I'm still gonna worry. You're my husband. It's in my contract to worry."
Danny smiled as she quoted him to him. "Whatever happens, we're gonna go through it together."
"Through thick and through thin. All out or all in."
"Yeah, in sickness and in health."
"For better or worse."
"For richer or poorer."
"Till death do us part." They finished together, pressing they're foreheads against each other.
Weeks later, both Linda and Danny were relieved to find out it was nothing serious. They were told the cancer could come back, but it was unlikely. Linda had to smirk when Danny needed clarification. She and he thanked God that they had more years together.

A/n
Based on when Donnie Wahlberg said he had had skin cancer in his hand. (Said so in an Insta story). And when my grandpa had possible cancer. He's alright now, and tells me not to worry.
I still do though... but he's good.
Happy reading