My-wife-knot-my-dog Apr 2026

Silence.

Well. That’s new.

CORDELIA emerges. She is absurdly fluffy, wearing a tiny cable-knit sweater. She looks at Arlo like he is a stain.

She had a panic attack. I was the only one here. my-wife-knot-my-dog

Looks at Linda.

You’re holding her.

But you untied this one.

One week. You watch her again. I’ll bring the rope.

I don’t want to fetch, Bruce. Fetch is a lie. You throw. I chase. You throw again. That’s not a game. That’s a custody arrangement.

Karen blinks. Arlo blinks. Cordelia jumps onto the keyboard and hangs up the call. Silence

Here’s the deal, sweater. I don’t like you. You don’t like me. Bruce is the only honest creature in this room. Stay on your side of the couch. We survive. Then you go back to her.

Lightning flashes. He sees his reflection in the dark window. He looks softer. Scared.

She hangs up. Arlo stares at Bruce.

(breaking) Because I can’t lose my mom and that dog in the same week. I’m asking you, as the man who used to know how to tie my apron strings.