Again, another happy chapter for -TheSingingBlob- because she asked for it and I was too lazy to write this yesterday. Um, the next chapters won't be so happy. Sorry for the shortness (as always). I hope you like it!

"How was your day Earl?" Ms. Pratt asked, scooping some mashed potatoes onto her plate.

"We got our shipment of spring animals in," Mr. Pratt answered, taking a bite out of his roll, "We got Porky back. Boy, he's gotten back. He's in the backyard right now, actually. Hey Mark-o, would you like to see Porky after dinner?"

"Um," Mark said hesitantly, putting down his fork, "Who's Porky?"

"Earl's a photographer," Ms. Pratt replied, "Each spring, they get some farm animals for the little kids to take pictures with. Porky's just the cutest little pig I've ever seen. He's part of the family."

Mark's face lit up. "Aw, he sounds cute," he said, "I'd love to see him!"

"Great!" Mr. Pratt said happily, "You'll love Porky. He's a doll. Anyway, Mark-o, you got any jokes?"

"Uh oh," I said, laughing.

"Um…" Mark began unsurely.

"Oh Earl," Ms. Pratt said teasingly, "You and your jokes. You see, Earl's always looking for a good joke."

"Well Mark-o?"

Mark smiled. "Well Mr. Pratt-"

"Earl," Mr. Pratt said, "I'll have none of that formal junk."

"Okay, Earl," Mark said, "I think I have one. Did you ever hear of the dyslexic, agnostic, insomniac?"

"No." Both Pratt's said in unison.

"Yeah, he sat up all night, wondering if there really was a dog."

Earl chuckled. "Not bad Mark-o, not bad at all. I'll have to tell you the other ones sometime."

Mark blushed and I sighed contently. This was the kind of family Mark belonged in.

Break Here

"Here," Mark said, "Lemme help you with those dishes."

"I won't hear of it," Ms. Pratt insisted, "Go meet Porky. You'll like him."

"Alright," Mark said, defeated, as he followed Earl into the backyard.

Suddenly, a little blob of pink came running, snorting and jumping all over them.

"Mark," Earl said, "Get acquainted with Porky here. I'll be right back."

Mark nodded and the man walked off.

"Hi Porky."

Snort.

"What's up?"

Snort.

"Cool."

Porky snorted once more and jumped up, knocking Mark to the ground. As soon as he fell, the pig climbed on top of him, covering the boy's face with slobbery kisses. Mark rolled around on the lawn, laughing.

"Ah!" he called through laughter, "Help! Stop!"

Through the bushes, I saw Mr. Pratt smiling, taking pictures with his camera. I smiled. Good old Mr. Pratt. Mental note to self-

1. Get a picture from Mr. Pratt when this is done.