Wildlife

     “Greg! You made it!” Katie, my sister, gave me a big hug before I could even step through the door.

     “Good to see you” said her husband Robert, peeking over her head. I shook his hand while still hugging Katie.

     “Thanks. I’m glad to be here.” I had to peel her off. “It was a long drive from Missouri.”

     “I’m sure it was,” Katie said, “but it’s your first time in Albuquerque and I have lots of plans for us while you’re here.”

     Robert picked up my suitcase and led me to the guest room while Katie told me about all the events, restaurants and historical sights she wanted me to experience. I did my best not to yawn, but I had been in the car for over twelve hours.

     “Let your brother rest,” said Robert, just before disappearing into the kitchen. “He was on the road all day.”

     “Of course, of course,” she said. “I’m just so excited to see you. By the way, did you see any Southwest wildlife while you were driving?”

     “As a matter of fact, I did.” I took off my coat and threw it on the guest bed. “There were lots of lizards, a few deer and some big birds I’m pretty sure were hawks. Oh, and I saw a meerkat run across the road.”

     “A what?” Katie asked.

     “A meerkat,” I said. “He was a furry little guy that scrambled across the road, then stopped and stood up on his hind legs.”

     Robert reappeared and handed me a bottle of beer. “I think that might have been a prairie dog.”

     “No,” I said. “It was a meerkat. I know because I saw a documentary about them on PBS.”

     Robert and Katie looked at each other, then back at me.

     “Sorry bro,” said Katie, “but I think Robert’s right. It was probably a prairie dog.”

     I shook my head. “Nope, it was a meerkat. I’m positive.”

     “Meerkats live in Africa.” Robert reached over with a bottle opener and popped the cap off my beer. “It was a prairie dog.”

     “No it wasn’t!” I shouted. “It was a meerkat, damnit!”

     I didn’t want it to turn ugly, but a guy can only take so much. After all, this was the fifth time this month somebody told me I didn’t see a meerkat in the wild.