Duckie Dynasty: Denied

Today is a sad day at the Madison household. Not for me necessarily, but for my husband whose dreams of baby ducks frolicking freely about the house were crushed.

This morning as I got ready for work, I passed through the laundry room and a subtle, yet hellish stench wafted up from the incubator in the corner. The day for my husband to finally accept the truth had arrived; his eggs were not going to hatch.

According to online hatchery experts, duckling eggs typically hatch on or very close to 28 days after incubation begins. We passed that milestone on February 22nd, but my husband spoke at length about his desire that his face be the first thing the baby ducks see. As a result, he would 'imprint' on the ducklings and they would then follow him around assuming he was their mother. I just couldn't wreck his dreams.

I was compassionate but firm when I spoke with him on the phone earlier today. The dud eggs would have to be disposed of before they exploded (a real possibility). Surprisingly, he agreed, though I could tell the concession pained him.

A short time later, I received text notification that my presence was requested at the funeral service this Sunday at 1:00. We will gather at the creek and sprinkle dog food along the edge.

He's joking, of course. I think.