I'm sitting next to Sam in the big house, watching Curious George and doing laundry. This has been a long, hard week, and I must say he's the best company I could ask for right now. He's flopped upside down, rolling around and giggling. Every once in a while he shrieks, "Tickle me!" I oblige. He's a good kid, and I really enjoy Curious George, and, as I said before, it's been a long week. It was all demands, each more difficult and unrewarding than the last. Sam's request is so small and easy by comparison- it's a relief, really, to just give a ticklish little boy his wish.

I'm shiny in the nose. I washed the stress and mascara off when I came home from Emory. My skin is oily and my hair is limp. I should shave my legs and repaint my nails. Luckily enough, my date seems genuinely disinterested in my appearance as he is in his own. Sam's and my ugly pajamas are in love with bright patterns in primary colors, they are soul mates.

This is as a good a way as any to spend a Friday night. I'm comfortable. After Sam goes to bed, in about fifteen minutes, I will open a Peroni and watch something slightly trashy on-demand on the giant flat screen monstrosity downstairs. Like the L-Word. I will indulge my smut-loving hermit side for a while.

It will be wonderful, and I will reemerge on Saturday.