Thursday, December 14, 2006 | by nathan

The One Where My Little Family Totally Astonishes Me

Right now I’m in bed. I just finished writing a screenplay that, next semester, a bunch of beginning student filmmakers will turn into a somewhat-decent movie. It’s a short film; the rough draft of the play is 21 pages long; this translates to roughly 21 minutes of screen time. It’s kind of cool that I’m getting to do this, seeing as how it’s the second screenplay I’ve ever written.

Brian is installing a new sink in our downstairs bathroom, since we have been without one since May. He asked me to meet him at Home Depot to help pick one out, which I did, and then he took me to dinner at Qdoba. He amazes me.

When I got home from work today Sam was chomping at the bit to go out. I’ve had the flu for five days, and today was the first day I felt remotely well enough to walk him, and so I did; perhaps a little further than I should’ve, given the fact that he has heartworms, and the vet said not to let him go too far, or too fast. But it was a beautiful evening - warmer than it has been - and he just seemed so eager. Sam doesn’t know he has worms living in his heart. In.His.Heart. I mean - I ask you.

So after Brian started with the sink I took off to Border’s to finish writing this screenplay. I left when they kicked us all out; personally I thought it was rather sporting of them to let me stay at all, considering I only drank one measly vanilla latte, and I got a discount on that. I came home and Sam was so sweet and angelic that I let him walk around the block again, partially because I just can’t resist his eagerness and sweetness. He really is making a fantastic addition to our little family, so sweet and innocent. The other night we took him to my mom’s house. Erica and Alex came over with their dog, Petey, to whom Sam did not take well. I had to remind everyone that poor Sam has been living on the streets for God knows how long, and has probably become accustomed to growling at other dogs. But there were all these people crowded around, and all this food and excitement and fear, and poor Sam - he just peed right on the carpet in mom’s office.

"Oh, God, Sam, no!" I whispered harshly, not wanting anyone to find out.

He just looked up at me, pee streaming out of him, with this look - he has an incredibly expressive face - this look that said, "I know, I know. I’m so sorry. It just happened. I’m so so so sorry. It’s just - all those people. And that dog is bigger than me. And all these new places. God, and you’ve been so great, and here I go peeing on your mom’s carpet. I’ll understand if you take me to the pound tomorrow."

After I cleaned up the pee I just sat there and loved on him for a few minutes. I think my favorite thing about him is what a ragamuffin he is; he follows me around literally everywhere I go, but he knows better than to go up the stairs into the bedroom, or downstairs into the den. He gets sad and mopey when I call him into the office, because he knows I’m about to leave the house or go to bed. He lets me know when he needs some petting by licking my hands, gently, and he’s pretty voracious about showing me and Brian affection. He’s scared of the dark - he won’t go into a room without lights on - and he seems genuinely grateful to have been rescued.

Me, I’m genuinely grateful to have such a wonderful new addition to the family. Brian and I were pretty awesome before, and now, with Sam, we’re fucking rad.