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End of the Bucket List 2

"Betty White?" A slimming doctor covered in white, together with the stereotypical 'stethoscope around the neck look' holding one too many clipboards, came into the room with something to tell. I don't know how doctors deal with telling patients their condition especially if it's really bad. In this case however, I can tell that it's bad, it's written all over his face.

I'm here because there was indescribable pain in my stomach a while ago. The pain was too unbearable that I wasn't even able to stand up. Alex, my newly wedded husband, had to carry me to his car and drive us all the way to the hospital where they did all these tests and blood samples.

"Yes doctor?" My husband stood up, eyes full of hopes and dreams like a little kid wanting to become a fireman or a doctor someday, wishing what happened to me was just something minor and not life threatening. He was anxious, so was I.

"I'm afraid I came bearing bad news" And that's all I heard. I can hear indistinct murmuring between my husband and the doctor afterwards, but that's all there is to it. I do not know if I should cry or mope around our newly purchased home, but one thing is for sure, I'm definitely more determined now to finish my bucket list.

"Everything's gonna be alright." Alex reassured me, though his voice clearly says otherwise, the doctor was gone. I appreciate him being strong about this but I can see through him as clear as cellophane. I know him too well, that's why I married him in the first place.

I gave him a simple glance, for one split second, I saw a shattered, weak, helpless, heartbroken man. He's hurting, yet here I am, still feeling nothing. I took my wallet then pulled out a small folded paper where my bucket list lies. I inspected the piece of paper carefully.

"Two more?" Alex spoke, peeking on my list, not caring whether I needed the privacy or not.

"Nope, just the last one." I looked up at him, half smiling.

"How about that one?" He pointed at the second to the last unchecked box. The bittersweet feeling still fresh on his face.

"I can't live up to at least 70 now can I?" I peered at him, as I struggle to put myself out of the eerie hospital bed that has been laid by hundreds or maybe thousands of people already.

"Where are you going? The doctor said you should stay in bed and rest." Alex was very caring, one of the qualities I loved about him, but I won't finish my bucket list "resting" around on a bed all day now can I?

"I need to finish the last one. Besides it won't take too long." Alex was pondering, he's been my partner in crime since I can remember, I just wish he would set aside his caring side and start thinking about my happiness and what I want for now.

"I don't know. I'm worried about you." He's turning. Now's my chance.

"I'll buy you chipotle."

"Dang it." He stomped his foot, as I stood up from the bed slightly laughing at his childish remark. "Deal." He added, giving me that smile. The one that always melts my heart, the one that makes the butterflies in my stomach go crazy, the smile that says I'm so in love with this woman.

We checked out of the hospital and bought an anti dog biting body suit on the way to the Arizona desert.

"Now could you tell me what are you gonna do with the suit out here in the desert?" Alex questioned taking another bite at his chipotle. I was being secretive about the last item on my bucket list. Perhaps, now is the time to tell him.

"I need to hug a saguaro."

"A what?"

"A cactus."

Alex was looking at me like I'm some deranged person.

"Why was that on your bucket list?" He made it sound like I was crazy.

"I don't know, ask 8 year old me." I chuckled at his demeanor.

"Okay, but why in Arizona?" He was laughing now.

"I told you, ask 8 year old me."

It was at this moment, we thought everything was fine. We were having fun, laughing, not caring about anything. It was all going well until my phone rang.

"Mrs. Betty?"

"Yes?"

Alex kept looking back and forth at me and the road.

"I'm your nurse, Jackie, from L.A. Community Hospital."

"Oh, hey Jackie, what can I do for you?"

I looked at Alex and mouthed 'nurse' at him. He responded with a nod.

"It appears there has been a mix-up with your clipboards"

"What do you mean?"

"Is your last name White?"

"Yes." I was mind boggled, why would she ask my last name? I rethink her question again, and then I remembered. No, I'm married now.

"Wait, no. Not anymore. It's actually Ernst."

"Ahh, Ernst, here you go. Your test showed you had stomach cramps. All you needed was enough rest and food in your system is all."

"Oh. Thanks." Was all I could muster up. I ended the call. Poor Betty White.

"What was that all about?" Alex looked at me.

"Guess I'm not dying anytime soon" I said smiling.

We weren't paying attention to the road until we heard a loud honk coming from an incoming cargo truck. Then I knew it was already too late.