My husband after 50 years of marriage

I hated that tone.

“Of course.”

“Are you sick?”

The word hung there.

I patted his cheek. “I’m stubborn. That’s not the same thing.”

Before they could push harder, Mrs. Bell from choir leaned in with a paper plate.

“Did you hear about Walter?”

My stomach tightened. “No.”

“The senior golf club is honoring him Friday,” Mrs. Bell said. “Some family award.”

Jeremiah’s face changed. “For Dad?”

“Fundraisers, committees, all that,” Mrs. Bell said.

Adele’s mouth went flat. “How nice for him.”

Chanel said, “Family award. That’s rich.”

I grabbed my purse. “I need air.”

***

I couldn’t put the surgery off anymore.