Story time.

An adrenaline pumping tale of indifference, near-tragedy and redemption.

This is the story of how I knew I was capable of great love with a pair of freshwater shrimp.

A thread. - K

Marty is the big one. Sal is the smaller one.

Before anyone gets snickety- yes they are in a Pyrex bowl. It is temporary housing until luxury digs come on the market. I’m working on it.

Background-I teach abt arthropods (animals with exoskeletons & jointed legs.) During #StayHomeSaveLives time I have been doing online workshops with my arthropod zoo.

I was buying crickets at my local pet store & someone mentioned freshwater shrimp.

I was all I’ll take two.

They are Amano shrimp. Very popular and hardy algae eaters for freshwater aquariums.

I thought- I can teach with them!

They were impulse shrimp.

I’m not really a “whatever” kind of person. But with the shrimp for the last two days I was like

This morning I went to clean their water. I used a small ladle to scoop them into a new bowl so I could clean their other one.

The initial transfer went perfectly. I am exceedingly good at this I thought. 12/10

The transfer back went...sideways.

Sal was an angel, honestly. He ladled like a champ and then looked up at me with those stalked eyes like - I’m here. I’m ok.

But Marty. He was in the ladle. He was there. I swear. He’s translucent but he was secure.

When I brought the ladle between the two bowls. He shrimp-flopped. This is a science word.

Onto my kitchen counter. This is a manky vanilla pudding colored tile. We rent.

Something you should know about Amano shrimp. They are translucent.

This was the moment.

The moment I realized I love these shrimp.

I scream- MARTY!!!

My heart is racing. I find him inches from the bowl on his side on the tile. Near some spilled coffee.

No I scream. Marty! I choke on a sob.

I’ll get you!!

At this point, my manpanion @PeterCBlanchard is yelling from his office. What’sWrongAreYouHurtWhoIsMarty????

I touch Marty’s little shrimp body with the edge of the ladle to try to scoop him up. My hands are shaking.

Help me I squeak. I only JUST realized I LOVE HIM.

Peter is a steady dude. Peter is looking at me like- you’re the person I’ve chosen?

Marty has shrimp-flopped again, off of my fingertips and dangerously close to the edge of the counter.

I. Am. A. Mess.

If Marty splats on the floor my dog will maybe eat him. He is ready. He is always ready.

Time is of the essence. Peter grabs a metal spatula and I tightly say- he has translucent legs and two pairs of antennae! He is a crustacean!!!!

Teaching is not something you do. It’s who you are.

Together, with my fingers on Marty’s cold carapace and Peters expert spatula-ing. We scrape my freshwater shrimp off of the counter and into the bowl.

I throw my arms around Peter squealing. Quarantine has done things to my emotions that take...adjustment.

I am almost in tears, thanking him and saying over and over- I didn’t know. I didn’t know.

Love is curious. It can sneak up on you.

It can fill you up with unexpected joy if you’re open to it.

Marty & Sal are gonna get the sweetest aquarium.

On a side but related note- I think I should start meditating.

Marty & Sal are doing great. I’m gonna learn everything I can about them.

~Fin~