August 29
Damn it!
Lassie broke the case wide open. He made an arrest about an hour ago.
He did it! How the hell did he do it?!
And that's not even the worst part! The broken vase…it meant nothing! NOTHING! I wasn't even close! I was just wrong! As wrong as Lassie usually is!
Oh, God. I've become Lassie.
I should just buy a collar and dog bowl and call it a day.
August 30
I can't believe he cracked the case.
It's been twenty-four hours, and I still can't believe he cracked the damn case!
Lassie won.
I give up.
August 31
I know what's wrong with me!
I haven't slept in forty-eight hours and I spent all day watching X-Files on DVD….but I finally figured it out! It's a bit complicated, Kelly, but try to keep up.
Lassie is an alien, and he's using his Mind Death Ray to screw with me!
Think about it! It explains everything! His red eyes in every picture…his unnatural eyebrows…those sideburns…the non-existent sense of humor. Not to mention the nutmeg allergy! I mean, who the hell is allergic to nutmeg?
I think I'm on to something.
September 1
I must be in bad shape.
My dad actually came by today to make sure I was still alive.
I didn't let him in. Of course, that didn't mean he couldn't pick my lock and let himself in.
I forgot the man could pick a good lock.
He was his usual jolly self.
"Shawn, what the hell are you doing? What is this? A pity party? Take a damn shower and get your ass back to work."
That part I was expecting. I always hear that part.
But I wasn't expecting what came next.
He sat down next to me.
"What the hell is your problem? You think you're the only person who's ever blown a case before? You think you're the only person who's ever missed something? You're human, Shawn. I hate to be the one to break that to you. You're not perfect."
"I'm aware of that, thank you, Dad. You never let me forget it." I snapped back.
"You still don't get it, do you, Kid? I don't care that you're not perfect. Hell, if I had a nickel for every case I screwed up on the force…not being perfect isn't the problem, Shawn. It's never been the problem. The problem is that you never own up to it. The problem is that when you're confronted with your imperfections, you run. Or make excuses. Or quit. The truth is, you've never needed me to tell you how good you are. You tell yourself that enough as it is. You know you're good. What you don't know, what you need me to remind you of occasionally, is that you're also human. So, again, take a damn shower and get your ass back to work. Because, Shawn. You're good, Kid. Too good to quit like this."
Then he left. Just like that. Not another word.
Forget Lassie being an alien. I think aliens kidnapped my dad!
