I keep calling Mia on the phone, its thirty minutes past the time when she should be home. I’m doing my best not to panic. I know it may be nothing, but I’m worried about her. After the fifth time of calling her cell phone, I decide to call the bed and breakfast. When Melanie answers, I can’t help the gruff way I respond, “Melanie, is Mia there?” I bark out.

“Hey Cash, she was sick earlier, and they asked me to cover for her while she went to go lie down. I can wake her up if you’d like?”

“No, that’s okay. Thank you. I’ll be down there in a little while.” I respond and hang up on her.

I turn off the stove and walk to the door, quickly shoving my feet into my boots, in a hurry to get to my woman. I should have seen the signs that she was sick, her tiredness, the dark circles under her eyes, not eating as much. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before now.

I break all the speeding records known to man to get to the bed and breakfast. I park the truck and rush towards the front door. As I’m taking the stairs towards Mia’s room, I hear Melanie say hello, but I only have one thought in my head.

Mia.

I make it to her room and quietly enter and see that she’s asleep. I take my boots off and join her in bed, just holding her while she’s sleeping and wishing I could take the pain away that I can see in her face, even while she’s asleep. If feels like only minutes later, but is closer to an hour when she’s rolling over to face me.

“Cash? What are you doing here?”

“Mia, Baby. It’s seven o’clock at night. You had me worried something fierce. After I couldn’t get ahold of you I called the front desk and Melanie said you were sick. I couldn’t get here fast enough.”

“Oh, Cash. I’m so worried. What if I have cancer? What if I die like my dad? What if I can’t give you the life you deserve, because it takes me away from you?” She’s sobbing into my chest and I’m taken aback.

“Mia, what do you mean?” I’m worried now. I don’t know where this is coming from, but it must be serious to have her crying so hard.

“My dad, Cash. I have all of his symptoms. The tiredness, the loss of appetite, puking my brains out,” she cries. “I’m always so nauseous,” she cries into my neck.

I sit there and hold her. Worried about not having her in my life and if this could be cancer or something else. Without missing a beat, I pick her up in my arms and we head down the stairs. I’m taking her to the hospital now. If it’s something serious, the sooner we know the better.

“Where are you taking me Cash?”

“To the hospital, we’re getting you better now. If we have to fight it every step of the way, we will. I love you too much Darlin’. I’m not letting you go.”

I know that’s the first time I’ve given her those words and it’s not the way I ever imagined telling her. But, I love her and sometimes shit just comes out. I have no regrets saying it either.

“I love you too Cash, so much.” She sniffles as she’s saying it and I hate that I can’t take away her pain and fear.

I get her buckled, run to my side of the truck, and jump in racing towards the hospital. Praying for what feels like one of the first times in my life.