Charlie: Anne was playing peek-a-boo with Lupe. Anza was stirring laundry and checking a pot with something good in it. Charlie was sitting on the floor, abandoned by a dog. Tragic, Charlie, tragic.
Anne said, “oh, Lupe! Look! Tío Charlie looks so sad! Do you think he needs a hug?”
“¿Que Mama?”
“Abrazo, niña.”
Oops – a step too far. Lupe giggled and went for Mama’s skirts again.
Anne: Poor Charlie. First Josiah, then Collins, and now Lupe… your day wasn’t going well, was it?
Charlie: It wasn’t!
Anne: Shhhh, niño…
Charlie: If I didn’t know what was coming, I’d have worked up a real pout! I would have! And what’s this “niño”? When did I become “niño”?
Anne: Shhhh, querido…
Charlie: Now I’m listening…
Anne: Despite what that person says, Charlie really was on a bad luck streak. Josiah knew Charlie was avoiding whatever Josiah was trying to ask him, Collins wasn’t going to be Charlie’s best friend, Lupe voted “no” on the hug. Rejection, human and canine. Poor Charlie… Who didn’t know that his loving wife (I really am her!!) had a Plan.