You and your husband have been married for years. It didn’t take long to notice that he was reserved and didn’t exactly enjoy engaging in conversation…unless he was sick. The moment your husband developed even a small cold, his ability to do anything on his own would perish.

You took a few days off work to look after him and make sure he got better. You cooked soup, gave him medicine, and tucked him into bed, per his request.

Tonight you gave him the thermometer and told him to take his own temperature while you went to get a cold cloth. He complained and said he was too weak and that he needed you to do it.

An exhale escaped your lips as you sat on the edge of the bed with the thermometer.

“Open your mouth and put it in.” You said.

He replied with a voice of no emotion. “That’s usually my line.” And placed out the thermometer in his mouth with your hand holding the end of it, his eyes piercing yours.