Gladiator

Seven times – I counted – woken in the night. Between Puck and Crackers… Whenever El Oso goes out of town, Puck likes to abandon the twin-sized bunk and take advantage of extra space in the king-sized. Like converting from a neighborhood to a city. So between Puck tugging on the comforter, Crackers scratching at the door, Puck talking in his sleep, and laughing in his sleep – several times … I still got some sleep.

It was early in the afternoon that I finally finished catching up with everything. Puck had spent his morning mixed between some Minecraft, spelling, math, and a few hours running around outside with the neighbor kids. One time I looked out the window, and he was walking down the street in his top hat, followed by a gaggle of girls in a wagon.

Rose had a spare ticket to see “Gladiator” at the Symphony that night. So I left Puck with Carrie to watch “Benji” while Rose and I tagged along with Mom and Dad, who also had tickets.

On the drive, Rose enlightened us about recent events at work.

“…then I told off the Air Force this week. Because they were being dumb… Oh, and the Navy. They were really annoying me.”

After parking, we walked a couple of blocks down from the Symphony to The Best Steak House, Mom’s and Dad’s restaurant of choice prior to any Symphony or Fox production. I still ordered a grilled cheese and root beer.

Then a cold walk back to the Symphony. November has arrived.

Three years and nine months later I stepped back inside the old palace of chandeliers and red velvet. The place I used to pretend I owned as a kid. Popcorn and boxes of M&Ms in the foyer. Drinks upstairs in the cocktail lounge. But none of us felt the need for in-movie snacks.

Balcony: front row. It was good. There were times I forgot it was a live orchestra. Except for the mournful cello solos. I like those, and remembered to watch. Also, the vocal soloist in a silky blue and green gown. And about eight Chinese gongs, which I never noticed any of them being used. Rose also was proud to point out that the inscription on the emperor’s chair read – in Latin – “P – IMP.”

Intermission. Rose counted bald heads below us. Mom walked over from their side of the balcony. After the blood, guts, and gore of the first half, she had one question.

“What happened to his pet dog?”

After three hours and two standing ovations – I’d say that’s probably about standard – back into the cold night.

Adoption Status Estimate: Down: 5 yrs, 2 mo.; To Go: 1 yr, 10 mos.