So part of Dex's extended family keeps sheep. When Nursey comes to visit over Spring Break senior year Dex knows that taking him to see the sheep will be annoying bc Nurse will be all hearteyes and incomprehensible but it's The Right Thing to Do.
When they're up there visiting it also happens to be lambing season. Which means Derek will be even more insufferable. But Dex is a good friend (or boyfriend, you decide) and still takes him out there.
A ewe is struggling with her first lambing so Dex pitches in as his Uncle and Aunt have their hands full. Which means Nurse pitches in as well. He has no idea what to do, but something about having him there steadies Will's nerves which in turn helps him help the mama sheep out.
It's about time and hooves are visible when Dex turns.
"I need a blanket."
"What?"
"Blanket."
"Where?"
"With the tack."
"The what?"
Dex realizes it will take too many words and too much time to get Nursey to understand so he just gets up.
"Stay here." Dex says. It'll be a sec. No prob.
Nurse takes up position staring at the wrong end of the ewe. And suddenly a lamb pops out into his lap with a gush of amniotic fluid and blood.
For a moment he is dazed.
Dex returns with the towel.
Derek looks up at him. "I don't believe it."
Dex hustles over and can't decide what to do so an awkward series of moments ensues where he tries to dry the lamb and clean up Derek at the same time.
Derek just keeps muttering "Oh my God. I don't believe it."
Dex replies dryly, "Don't worry, I'll replace your shoes. Everything else should wash out. My aunt knows how to get blood out of anything."
Derek looks at Dex stupefied.
"I don't believe it...” Then he grins broadly. “I'm a dad!"
"That's not how it works Nursey."
"I was the first one he saw. Imprinting. It's science bro."
Dex has regrets.
“That’s for birds and it’s not-”
”Shhhhh! Don’t startle him...he’s new to this world Dex. Everything so big and new.”
”Nursey..."
"We need to celebrate! I'm going to name him Harlem. How'd you like that little guy?"
The lamb let's out a little bleep.
"Haha! He likes it Dex!" Derek cradles the lamb now warming in the blanket. The ewe comes over and licks the lamb’s head.
"Nursey!"
Nursey’s not listening. "Wait till C hears! And you just know Bit-"
"NURSEY!"
Harlem gives a startled lamby bleep.
Nursey glares at Dex, "What did I tell you?" He begins cooing and soothing the lamb.
Dex's voice is softer now when he says, "We don't keep the males."
Nursey's face tenses and he unconsciously holds the Harlem a little closer. The ewe lets out a bleet.
"What do you mean?"
Dex struggles to find words. "We... it's breeding...and economics...and if there's too many...We can't keep the males. We can't even keep all the females, though we keep as many as we can. We have to slaughter them. Usually before they turn one.
Nursey’s face journey has gone from joyful bliss to confused to horrified. He clutches Harlem tighter.
“I'm sorry.” Dex reaches to put a hand on Nursey’s shoulder.
“No,” Nursey says shoving Dex’s hand away. “You can’t have him. He’s mine now. I mean. I’ll pay for him. If I pay for him you can’t sell him to the butcher right?”
Dex ponders this a moment, “Technically, but the sheep aren’t mine. They’re my aunt and uncle’s. You’ll have to talk it over with them.”
At this Nursey seems to relax.
“But Nurse, what the hell are you going to do with a sheep?”
“I’ll figure it out. I’ll figure it. This has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life Dex. I feel...responsible for him. You know?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Chill!”
Nursey lets the squirmy lamb out of the blanket and its mother cleans it off and it takes to suckling right away. It’s 2:37am so the guys go up to the house to get some sleep. It takes a while before they settle. In the morning they talk to aunt and uncle.
Epilogue:
Dex’s aunt and uncle agree to the plan and are supremely amused at Derek’s attachment to the lamb. They board it while he pays. Then after he graduates he writes a children’s book featuring Harlem on a whim and it’s a huge hit. With the profits, he moves to rural Maine to pursue a writing and freelance editing career and brings Harlem along. Harlem gives fine wool every spring and pretty much lives like a king for the rest of his life.
The End
Credit for the idea of Dex’s fam raising sheep goes to @randomnoteforfuturereference Thanks for the inspiration!
