Yesterday was deadline day for our Dragon Con schedules. Things are a bit complicated for me because I have all the films to program, and their placement depends on if I need to leave time for filmmakers to speak, and that requires the filmmakers to tell me if they are coming which they never do on time–so I get a bit of leeway. But, basically, I still need my programing in by midnight.
In past years, this was a very stressful time. By the time 8pm rolled around, I was sweating, swearing at my screen, with 4 or 5 spreadsheets up, two or three browser windows, and tons of emails. During all this, Eugie would sit quietly on the chaise, reading or perhaps writing, her computer in her lap. She’d never leave. I hear that some spouses do that. Luckily I have no first hand knowledge of it. She’d stay close, just a few feet away. Every so often she’d rise without a word, and get me a cup of coffee or tea. Come 10pm or so, when my swearing and teeth grinding had reached a crescendo, she’d slip behind me, kiss my head, and ask if there was any way she could help. I’d say no, as always, and she’d suggest some little thing to take some pressure off me–to check through my descriptions for spelling or grammar issues, to cross check guests with their panels, etc. She’d do whatever she suggested, and get it back to me in record time, then return to her spot.
Come midnight, the database was locked, and I would sit back and sigh, done, whether I wanted to be or not. And I’d finally look over at where I last saw Eugie, an hour ago or more. She’d still be on the chaise, now tipped over in some awkward position, sleeping. She’d waited for me. She always waited for me.
I would gently move her to the bedroom–a move she rarely remembered. And there we’d be. Never alone. And that is one of the ways Eugie was spectacular.