What if I am not afraid. Will that just make it worse?

Oh yeah. That would scare the shit out of me.

Well maybe you can be scared for both of us then... I think that should cover it.

That was my attempt at a joke. I would have inserted a tongue-smiley emoji but my browser doesn't allow images.

I read it as a joke. My retort was in kind. Just an attempt to soothe my burnt nerves.