Mary had been happily married to Tim for ten wonderful years. They did everything together—watched movies, ate dinner, and every Sunday they went golfing like a very competitive old couple, even though neither of them was actually good at golf.
One day Mary fell seriously ill. The doctor spoke gently to Tim and said, “I’m afraid Mary only has about two months left.” Tim was devastated. He went home and spent every minute by Mary’s bedside, trying to make her comfortable.
One evening Mary looked at him with soft eyes and said, “Tim, my dear… after I’m gone, will you find another woman?”
Tim sniffed, wiped a tear from his cheek, and shook his head dramatically. “Oh Mary… it will take a long, long time. But maybe… someday… if the right woman comes along.”
Mary nodded slowly and thought about it for a moment.
“Tim,” she continued, “when you do find another woman… will you let her sleep in our bed?”
Tim wiped his eyes again like a man in a sad movie. “Oh Mary… that would take a very long time.”
Mary sighed and asked another question. “And would you take her golfing with you on Sundays… like we always do?”
Tim nodded sadly. “Yes Mary… eventually I suppose I might.”
Mary looked a little uneasy now. “And… would she use my golf clubs?”
Tim paused, wiped his eyes one more time, and shook his head.
“No Mary… I don’t think that will happen.”
Mary smiled slightly. “Oh… why not?”
Tim cleared his throat and said,
“Well… for one thing… she’s left-handed.”