[ WP ] `` Every time I look at you I get a headache . '' `` Aww , I love you too , babe . ''

`` Every time I look at you, I get a headache,'' Elaine said to me, her hands on her hips, fist balled up, scowling. 
 
 I smirked. `` Aww, I love you too babe.'' 
 
 She held that stance... then she broke, grinning, as she melted into my arms and gave me a kiss, her passionate usual. 
 
 *God, I love me this woman. * 
 
 It was our little joke, her'headaches'. It was The Code for'time to sex.' 
 
 We groped, fondled, stumbled to the bedroom, ripping each others clothes off... 
 
 -- - 
 
 In the afterglow of our lovemaking, we lay there on the bed, a little spent. I asked her, `` Babe, you want some water?'' 
 
 `` Yeah, please,'' she replied breathily. She put a hand up to her head. `` And some Tylenol?'' 
 
 `` Sure thing.'' 
 
 I put on some shorts and a t-shirt, and then padded to the kitchen. I got a bottle of water for each of us out of the fridge, and the bottle of Tylenol. Got back to the room... and she was passed out, sleeping. 
 
 *Huh. I must have really been good, * I thought, and not with a little sarcasm. It was sort of late, but still... very odd. It was n't like we were doing anything too boisterous... 
 
 I looked at my sweetie... and noticed she was... well, more sweaty than usual. It was n't even hot in the room.... 
 
 `` Honey,'' I said, `` c'mon and wake up, you look like you need a drink.'' 
 
 I poked her arm... she did n't respond. I noticed then she was breathing funny. 
 
 Then I saw the blood. 
 
 `` Holy shit, what the hell?!'' 
 
 I quickly got a phone and dialed 911. `` Hello? Please send an ambulance! What? My wife is passed out and there's blood coming from her ear, that's what! Yes. Yes, that's the address, hurry up, please!'' 
 
 It felt like an eternity, but soon the ambulance arrived, and I ushered them into the bedroom. They went to Elaine's side, took her vitals, all while I was pacing and wondering why they were n't just TAKING her already... 
 
 They put an IV in... and then put her on the gurney, and wheeled her into the ambulance, and of course, I went with. 
 
 They just monitored, and talked to... whoever it was on the radio, anyway. I held my wife's hand and just prayed she'd be ok. 
 
 The ride was short, and they hurried her into the ER, where they told me I had to stop and fill out paperwork. Try as I might, they would n't let me go in with her, so... 
 
 I did paperwork. And waited. I called her folks and mine. We lived several states away from the rest of our familes, because of my work, so it'd be tomorrow before anyone would be there... 
 
... so I'm alone now. In the waiting room. I ask about Elaine, but they say nothing, preferring to let me wait, stating they ca n't really say anything until the doctor ( s ) tell them... so I'll just have to wait. 
 
 An hour goes by... then another is well under way. 
 
 Finally, a doctor comes to the waiting room. `` Mr. Hutton?'' 
 
 `` Yes, that's me,'' I replied anxiously. 
 
 `` I'm Doctor Tewes,'' he said. `` Would you come with me please?'' 
 
 I followed the doctor to a private room nearby, and we sat down. I was nervous, of course. Who would n't be after these past few hours? 
 
 `` First, Mr. Hutton, I want you to know your wife is currently out of immediate danger, and resting as comfortably as we can make her,'' the doctor said. `` But she's in the ICU recovering in an induced coma, and it's best if we just let her rest for the moment.'' 
 
 `` So I ca n't see her?'' I asked, with my eyes pleading to him. 
 
 He looked sympathetically, but firmly, back at me. `` Not just yet. We have to run more tests, and we need to keep her stable for a little bit. The best action is the coma for now. Rest assured we're going to do everything we can for her.'' 
 
 Dr. Tewes turned somber. `` But I need you to undertstand that the tests we're going after, and why we've done what we've done.'' 
 
 I took a deep breath... closed my eyes... Let the air out... `` Ok. Tell me,'' I said. 
 
 `` We found a mass. It's located near her left inner ear. It must have been a gentle pressure for her not to notice, a slow growing mass, but finally one of the feeding arteries or veins must have burst. A rarity indeed, but nonetheless.'' 
 
 I realized, `` That's why she looked a little sick, and wanted the Tylenol.'' 
 
 `` Yes.'' 
 
 I looked at him with a puzzled look, and asked, `` Ok. So.. is it cancer?'' 
 
 `` That's what the tests are for. We've done what we can tonight, but there's a decent chance her left ear will not work right after this incident. Regardless of the tests, the immediate need is to get the mass out,'' said the doctor. `` However, we're not qualified for this, as it's delicate work, to say the least, where the mass is. I'm going to recommend a neurosurgeon, due to the location, it's the best choice for her.'' 
 
 I hung my head in bewilderment, overwhelmed by all this news... and croaked out, `` Whatever it is that she needs, just make it happen, doc. I do n't want to lose her.'' 
 
 `` I'll get it set up then. The station up front will have a few more papers for you to sign.'' The doctor stood up, and extended his hand. `` Do n't worry, Mr. Hutton. She's in good hands. We'll get her fixed up. She'll be home in no time.'' 
 
 -- - 
 
 That was 5 years ago. The mass did n't stop. It was cancerous, turned out. She fought like the devil himself. Chemo, radiation, surgeries... but it was just too much for her. 
 
 I stand here before her grave... thinking about that day... Our last real'us' day, before the bad times started. 
 
 Today's our anniversary. Would have been our 8th. I need to move on, but... I miss Elane so much, and it's just hard. 
 
 My head hurts. Huh. That's convenient. 
 
 `` Every time I look at you,'' I sniffled as I tried to keep myself together, `` I get a headache.'' 
 
 I smiled as I once again read the grave marker, which had the inscription: 
 
 *I love you too, babe. *
