Connor has been curious about his name lately and asked the other day, "Why did you name me 'Connor'?"
"Well, Daddy and I thought for a long time about what to name you," I said. "We wanted a name that was strong and confident and that went well with our last name."
"So, why did you name me 'Connor'?"
"Daddy picked out 'Connor.' He really liked it. It's a nice, strong Irish name."
"Oh," Connor said.
"Do you know what 'Connor' means?"
"No," Connor answered, a bit mystified. "What does it mean?"
"'Connor' means 'lover of hounds,'" I said proudly. An ironic choice, considering that Connor thinks of our beloved Trouser as more of a pest than a constant companion.
"Hmm," came Connor's reply.
Not quite the response I was expecting.
And then came a puzzled, "Why did you think I would be a lugger of pounds?"
© 2009, Jennifer Linney.
