text: *California: October 1st. 2020, 7:50 pm* “Dog’s movin’ kinda funny doncha’ think?” Wife asked. “Nah, he’s just strange that way. You know how he is. All elbows. Let’s take him out.” You laughed. *California: October 2nd. 2020, 6:54 am* “I took him on a walk this morning and his poop was green. You think that’s strange?” Wife observed. “No. You know how he loves to eat those tennis balls. Let’s go get some breakfast.” You answered. *California: October 2nd. 2020, 4:37 pm* “Found the dog in the pond, looked like he was trying to drink his way to the bottom. Think that’s funny?” Wife questioned. “Maybe he has something in him other than collie. Didn’t think he liked to swim. You thirsty boy?” You reasoned. *California: October 3rd. 2020, 3:14 am* “The dog isn’t moving. What should we do?” Wife pleaded. “Let’s take him in. He should be OK though.” You hoped. *California: October 3rd. 2020, 12:53 pm* “Are we going to cremate him or bury him at home?” Wife sobbed. You had no answer this time. \- - - *South Dakota: September 4th. 1954, 7:54 pm* “I saw Dad touching Laurie under her new poodle skirt. The one Grandma made. Don’t you think that’s funny?” Little Sister asked. “Probably just helping her get dressed. You know how he likes to help. You want to go outside and play?” Big Sister answered. *South Dakota: November 15th., 1955, 6:42 am* “Dad was up all night screaming about ‘kamikazes.’ What are ‘kamikazes?’” Little Sister inquired. “Nothing. Just a nightmare he was probably having. We all have them. Do you want to see a new trick I taught one of the chickens? You can hypnotize them!” Big Sister laughed. *South Dakota: February 25th., 1956, 9:03 am* “I saw Dad push Mom down the stairs last night. Do you think she’s OK?” Little Sister fretted. “I bet she’s fine. Probably one of Dad’s practical jokes he messed up. You want to see where I hid the cookies?” Big Sister replied. *South Dakota: June 24th. 1956, 8:04 pm* “Dad says we don’t have any money and we’re going to have to live with Grandma while Mom’s at the hospital in Yankton. He says not to tell anyone. Dad says little fibs never hurt anyone.” Little Sister recited. “That’s right. Everything’s going to be OK. It’ll be fun to live with Grandma.... like a vacation.” Big Sister dreamed. \- - - *California: March 6th., 1985, 3:06 pm* “Your baby has a broken femur. It appears as if it’s been broken for a few days. Do you know how this happened?” Doctor inquired. “I fell on him. Tripped. You know, clumsy. He must be tough. We didn’t notice until today.” Mom fudged. You wailed. *California: July 7th., 1993, 3:23 pm* “Can I have a new babysitter? Brian plays kinda funny with me.” You pleaded. “Yes, of course sweetie. How about the neighbor girl?” Mom ignored. *California: August 12th., 2003, 11:14 am* “Why do I only look like you? I’m all Aryan, no Ashkenazi. Why don’t I look like Dad?” You laughed. “That’s ridiculous. You look just look him. You have the same exact feet. High arches. You want dessert?” Mom moved on. *California: September 26th., 2020, 07:02 am* “Just tell the workers to please not put any poison down. We’ll get those rats out. Dog probably won’t find it but you know he’s curious and too smart for his own good. No poison.” You instructed. “You got it.” Mom fibbed. *California: October 3rd. 2020, 6:14 am* “It’s just that....I don’t know if they did or didn’t.....I think the workers might have put down rat poison under the deck.” Finally, Mom told the truth. You were silent. The little fibs hurt more than Grandpa had promised they would. The little fibs hurt more than the truth.