"So how are you feeling Suzy-Q?"  Sarah asks me over the phone.
"Not too good actually.  And not just because of AJ and me being apart; for the past week, I get really sick in the mornings."  I say.
"What do you mean?"  Sarah asks.
"Well, I get sick after I wake up.  It usually goes away by noon or so."  I say.
"Maybe you've got some weird case of the flu."  Sarah says.
"I hope not, the last thing I need right now is a sickness, when I'm trying to spend as much time as I can with Sammy."  I say.
"How is she doing anyway?"  Sarah asks softly.
I pause and then say, "Not so good girl.  She's really weak now, and she spends most of her time sleeping.  The doctor said that her time is getting shorter.  She has about a month."
Sarah yelps, "A month?  That's better than what she was supposed to be when you went there.  She was supposed to be gone in a week when you got there.  You've been their almost a month now, and she has another month."
I pause, then say, "But she's suffering.  I can tell by looking in her eyes; she's in a lot of pain."
Sarah says, "That's too bad.  I'm sorry.  Here, I'll let you talk to AJ for a few minutes."
"OK, bye Sarah."  I say.
"Bye."  Sarah says handing the phone to AJ.
"Hey Love."  AJ says.
"Hi baby."  I say.
"How are things going there?"  AJ asks.
"Well, things could always be better."  I say.  "I swear, it's bad enough that I know Sammy's dying; but to top it off I'm sick."
"You're sick?  How?"  AJ asks.
"I'm just always sick when I wake up, that's all.  The good thing is that it's usually gone by noon."  I say.
"What do you think it is?"  AJ asks concerned.
"I'd say it's probably just a light case of the flu, or it might even be home sickness."  I say.
AJ pauses, then says, "Well, either way; I think you should go to the doctor."
I say, "It's not that big of a deal sweetie.  It's not like I'm sick all the time."
AJ says, "I don't care, I want you to go to the doctor.  If I was there you know I'd make you, so act like I'm there and just go get checked out."
I say, "OK, OK, when I get some free time, I'll go to the doctor.  I swear, hundreds of miles can't stop you from taking care of me, huh?"
AJ says in a loving tone, "That's right, nothing can stop me from taking care of the woman I love."
"Not to change the subject, but how's the tour going?"  I ask.
"It's going OK I guess, it's kind of lonely without you here though.  Everyone, including me, misses you."  AJ says.
 "I miss everyone too, especially you baby.  I can't wait to be back in you arms."  I say.  "So where are you guys headed on your tour?"
"Well, for the next couple months, we'll be touring Europe."  AJ says.
"Ah man.  I swear, I would miss that trip, wouldn't I." I say with a little laugh.
"Don't worry love, I'll take you to Paris like you've always wanted."  AJ says.
"I hate to cut our conversation short babe, but I have to get to the hospital.  Sammy's going to be wondering what has happened to Tiffany and me."  I say.
"OK love, I'll call you this evening after the interview."  AJ says.
"Interview?  What interview?"  I ask.
"Oh, I though Sarah told you.  We're doing an interview and a couple performances for 'Jay Leno' today."  AJ says.
"Really?  That's so cool, now I can see you; well in a way I guess."  I say.
"Listen for a little surprise for you while I'm on there."  AJ says.
I pause then say, "What kind of a surprise?  You're not going to embarrass me are you?"
AJ laughs and says, "I can't really embarrass you unless your here, so don't worry about it."
I laugh a little too while saying, "Alexander James McLean, you better not."
After AJ stops laughing he says, "Well, I better go love.  I'll call you after the show."
"OK babe, I love you."  I say.
"I love you too sweetie.  Bye."  AJ says.
"Bye."  I say as I hang up the phone.