Denny was sitting in the den late morning reading the Friday "G" section of the Boston Globe to see what was happening that weekend. It had been five days since Alan had been diagnosed with mono and although he did feel better, he was still under doctor's orders to get as much bed rest as possible so Denny was thinking he would go out for a few hours alone. Alan was starting to chafe under the restrictions and he had snapped at Denny once or twice. He was immediately sorry and apologized to Denny profusely, but Denny decided a little time apart would do them both some good. I have been hovering, he thought. Besides, the nurse is here; I'll just ask her to stay awhile longer.

After a bit of a rough start, the nurse that Denny had hired had reached a truce with her stubborn patient. She arrived each morning promptly at ten. She would check his vital signs (more for Denny's peace of mind than anything else) and then bathe him in bed. Alan had thought he would like that part until he met Mrs. McDougal. Denny laughed himself silly when Alan had complained to him, "She's eighty if she's a day! Can't I at least have a sexy little number of a nurse?"

"Of course not!" Denny had replied, "You're supposed to be getting better, not getting it on! No one is getting turned on in our bed!"

They had looked at each other for a few seconds before bursting into raucous guffaws. "Our marital bed sounds like a very sad and miserable place!" Alan had gasped out. "Oh! My sides! Don't make me laugh anymore! I'm not, haha, I'm not a well man!"

Denny had wiped tears of laughter from his eyes before reaching out to ruffle the hair and pat the face of his best friend. "You're not one hundred percent yet, but you are getting better every day. Soon, very soon, you'll be your old self again."

He smiled at the memory. Some of the best times of his life had been spent with that man upstairs who was now his husband. If anything ever happened to him…Denny stopped himself from continuing that thought. That is exactly the reason why you have an appointment with a shrink Monday, Crane! I guess it really wouldn't hurt to go, but I don't like it.

His cell phone rang just then and he smiled when he saw who it was. "Shirley! This is an unexpected surprise; what's up?"

"I was calling to find out how Alan's feeling."

"Oh. Much better; he still has to stay in bed another week so he's champing at the bit to get the week behind him. I was thinking of doing something this weekend without him. You know, get some space between us. He claims I'm acting like a helicopter."

"What does that even mean?"

"He said that what kids nowadays call parents who constantly hover around to make sure their kids are okay. Truth be told, I have been checking on him every hour lately."

"I thought you said he was feeling better?"

Denny sighed, "He is. I'm the one who's worrying himself to death. I guess I can tell you, Shirley. The reason I wanted your therapist's name is because Alan insisted I talk to someone about my…concerns regarding his health. I made an appointment to see the guy Monday."

She was silent for a few seconds and then asked, "What time is your appointment?"

"One."

"Would you mind if I came to visit Alan while you're at your appointment? I mean, if it's okay with him, too."

Denny grunted. "Are you bringing Carl?"

"Not this time."

Denny smirked, "Still can't trust yourself around me, eh, Shirley? Is that why you want to visit Alan while I'm not here?"

"No, I want to discuss something with Alan and as for Carl, he'll be at work. Oh, I didn't tell you! I gave notice to the Chinese. Yesterday was my last day. I am gainfully unemployed for the time being."

"Good for you! If you're flying solo, would you like to hang out this weekend? Maybe, see a play or a movie?"

"Thanks for asking, Denny, but no, you're on your own this weekend. Are you going to have Alan call me?"

"No, I'll send you a text. I'm sure it will be fine. Shirley?"

"Yes?"

"Are you alright? You sound…down."

"I'm fine. It just feels weird not having to get up in the morning after so many years."

"I understand. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye, Denny."

Denny put his phone down and resumed perusing the paper. There were art exhibits, lectures, new restaurants opening, but nothing was moving him. Face it, Crane, all of these things that look like they'd be interesting or fun to do you want to do with Alan! Rodeo entered the room just then to say, "Mrs. McDougal is ready to leave. Did you have anything you wanted to say to her?"

"Yes." He followed his house manager to the front hall where the nurse was putting on her coat. "How's our patient?"

"Ah, he's a fresh one, he is," she answered in a thick brogue, "he asked me if I wanted to remove me blouse while I bathed him! Said he has a soft spot for older women."

Denny laughed. "That's my Alan!" He leered at her. "Did you do it?"

The woman shrieked, "Oh, Mr. Crane! You're as bad as he is, you are! Do ye need me to come in this weekend?"

Denny thought about it and replied, "No, we'll be fine, but can you stay around for two or three hours more on Monday? I have an appointment and I'll be gone from around ten till four."

"Sure, Mister Crane, I can stay if you want."

"Perfect. Have a great day, Mrs. McDougal."

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When Shirley had hung up from Denny, she had almost called Carl, but remembered at the last moment that he was due in court. Things had been awkward since last night when he had told her how frustrated he felt. He kissed me goodnight, but then he put his back to me. And when he left for work this morning, he did kiss me goodbye, but it felt like he was just going through the motions. He said maybe we're in trouble, but there's no maybe about it. We're in trouble.