Radically Happy

Continued from Tick the Watchdog (Modern Difficult Parts)

Scene 1

I am walking Tick the puppy when I spy a small boy peering at us from behind a tree.

Earnest: Would you like to say “Hi” to my dog? He is very friendly. Well, at least he is now…

The boy shakes his head and runs away.

Scene 2

Over the next several weeks I start to see the boy regularly on my walks. There isn’t an obvious pattern, either to the time or the location of his appearances. At least at first.

But then I notice he is usually around a certain block, which I hypothesize is where he lives. Perhaps he is a “free range kid” who plays outdoors, and occasionally intersects us in his wanders.

Then I realize he is more likely to show up — or at least I am more likely to notice him — when I am stressed, frustrated, or stuck.

That’s when I know his name.

Scene 3

Tick and I are walking down the block where I usually see the boy. I spy him up ahead out of the corner of my eye. He is hiding behind a fence (“offense?”).

I often find him there. Perhaps it is his home. Or just his favorite haunt.

I do not look at him, but I stop. I wait. When I am sure his eyes are on me — or at least the dog — I speak.

Earnest: Hello, Trauma.

I sense his head jerk back in surprise.
I turn to look at him.
He stares me in the eye.
Then turns and bolts into the home behind a fence.

Scene 4

I do not see him again for over a week.
I decide it is time to do something.
I buy a small stuffed dog that looks like Tick.

On my next walk, I stop at the house.
Feeling more than a little foolish, I walk up to the door and ring the doorbell.

A woman opens the door cautiously to peer out — then flings it open with a cry of delight and gives me a hug!

Earnest: Dialogue?

She winks at me.

Dialogue: In the flesh! Why didn’t you tell Res you were coming?

Earnest: I didn’t know this was your house.

She cocks her head in puzzlement.

Dialogue: Then why… oh!

She looks at me, Tick, and the stuffed dog. Her eyes soften. She looks at me pleadingly.

I nod.

Earnest: Yes. I am here for Trauma therapy. It is time.

Scene 5

Dialogue takes me to Trauma’s room, then leads Tick away to play in the backyard. Holding up the stuffed dog to hide my face, I knock on his door.

The door opens a crack. Trauma peeks out at me. I try to smile non-threateningly.

Earnest: Hello, Trauma. My name is Earnest. I am a good friend of your parents. I brought you a gift. May I come in?

He stares at me suspiciously. Then grabs the stuffed dog I am holding out to him, and runs into the room without saying a word.

But he doesn’t close the door. I decide to take that as an invitation. I close my eyes to take a Moment, then enter.

Scene 6

His room is surprisingly neat and tidy. He sits on a low bed clutching the dog toy, eyes lowered.

I had never gotten a good look at him before. His body seems around seven, but his face looks younger.

I sit down on the floor so I am looking up at him.

Earnest: Do you like dogs?

Trauma nods.

Earnest: Would you like to meet my puppy, Tick?

He looks up at me.
I can see the hunger in his eyes.
And the fear.

I nod.

Earnest: I know. I used to be afraid of him too. But now he’s a small puppy and cannot harm you. He’s playing with your mom. Shall I ask her to carry him in?

Trauma looks me in the eye.
He wants to believe.

I relax.
I don’t try to convince him of anything.
I surrender all my goals — all my desires to fix things. To fix him.

I surrender all my goals —
all my desires to fix things.
To fix him.

Earnest

I focus on just being.
And letting him see me as I am.

He nods.

I stand up.
I reach out my hand.

He stares at it.
Finally, he reaches out.
And takes it.

Gently holding his small hand in mine, I lead him outside…

To be continued