T-Bones and Other Dreams

Beaumont: So… I’m curious, Louise. My photo today is the same one as last Sunday, only it’s the full, uncropped version. Don’t you have one from our walks this week?

Me: Is that a trick question, Beau?

Beau: (smiling ever so innocently) Who, me? Ask a trick question? Never!

Me: Oh, good. I wouldn’t want to think you were being manipulative or anything like that.

Beau: Being manipulative is a human trait, Louise. Dogs don’t have the emotional deviousness to be manipulative.

Me: Oh. So, constantly mentioning you deserve a T-bone steak isn’t manipulative?

Beau: Nope. It’s the truth. I do!

Me: And I deserve to post whatever photo I think appropriate.

Beau: That’s where you’re wrong, Louise. Remember the name of this blog? It’s “Sundays with Beaumont,” not “Sundays with Beaumont and Louise” for a reason. I have full control over content, including pictures.

Me: Well… I don’t have a photo from any of our walks this week, so I couldn’t very well post it, now could I?

Beau: You mean you don’t have a photo of ME. You’ve got a whole slew of photos of the sea, sky, shore, trees, flowers…. (sigh) And not one of me.

Me: (hesitantly) True. I don’t.

Beau: And that’s all you’ve got to say? “True”? I know it’s true Louise. I’m the one not in the pictures.

Me: What else do you want me to say, Beau? I’ll rewind time and grab a few? (laughs sarcastically)

Beau: You know sarcasm only makes it worse, right? It does nothing to repair this broken place in our relationship.

Me: (sighing) Our relationship isn’t broken, Beau. I just didn’t take a photo of you last week that I could post.

Beau: I didn’t say our relationship was broken, Louise. I said “this broken place” in our relationship. Perhaps that’s one of the issues here, Louise. You don’t listen deeply to my words to hear the hurt beneath the banter.

Me: (slight eyeroll) If you say so.

Beau: Oh no, you don’t! Don’t roll your eyes and dismiss me when I’m sharing something that lies heavy on my heart. That’s not kind.

Me: (sighing) You’re right, Beau. It wasn’t. I apologize.

Beau: Good. And…

Me: I acknowledge I rolled my eyes and treated your feelings with disregard. I apologize.

Beau: And…

Me: To make amends, I commit to taking at least one photo of you every day.

Beau: And…

Me: And what?

Beau: (smiling sweetly) You didn’t mention a T-bone steak.

Me: True. I didn’t.

Beau: To soothe my ruffled fur and ease my pain, I think you need to.

Me: Fine. T-Bone Steak.

Beau: T-Bone Steak what?

Me: T-Bone Steak nothing. You said I had to mention ‘a T-bone steak’, so I did.

Beau: You’re really pushing your luck now aren’t you Louise. Or is it my fans’ buttons?

Me: What if it’s you pushing your luck, Beau? What if all this pressure on giving you a T-Bone is making my rebellious inner teen-ager fight back?

Beau: If that’s the case, I suggest she go back to sleep. But before she does…. maybe you could suggest she dream about a T-bone for me.

Me: Not happening Beau. Not happening.

Beau: (sighing heavily) A dog can dream, can’t he?

And so it is. Beau pushes the envelope, and I know this is yet again, another battle I’m destined to lose. Regardless, a girl can dream, can’t she?

Beau: As long as your dreams include a T-bone steak for me, Louise. Dream away!