We had the plumber out today. Whereas I thought I
was going to be safe by calling the largest plumbing company in the
county, it turns out that it means it's just the largest employer of
native speaking 'Jim Bob's' in the greater Texoma region. I panicked
when my particular service provider called on the phone to ask
directions to the house – If I couldn't understand a simple
conversation including north, south, east or west, I knew we were
headed for a pickle when it came to talking technical terms.
But, you know what? Turns out he was the perfect
plumber for us. I heard he and Hydn having a full blown conversation
out Maddie's window. It lasted a good ten minutes. Maddie and I
were too busy holding our breath to be able to hear details very
well. However, from the sounds of it, they both seemed to understand
each other with minimal difficulties.
When the service provider came back in with Hy
dogging his heels, he drawled (and I painstakingly deciphered),
“Don't worry, I got a little five year old grandson with a speech
impediment too. His name is Lucky.”
Bwahahahahaha!
...except, he was serious.
Then my laugh turned into more of an embarrassed
throat clearing. The provider, with true southern charm, politely
ignored my gaffe and continued to talk. He talked, and talked, and
talked. I picked out a word here and there, and nodded my head when
it seemed appropriate.
He was very sweet.
When he left Maddie said, “Whoosh... Close one,
Mom. I thought for a minute there I was going to have to run in and
yell, “HELP! MY CAT'S IN THE OVEN! to get him to quit talking.”*
Oh gosh, just can't quit smiling over the whole
thing. The humor gods have just been too kind to me today.
*Maddie is referring to a meeting I attended when we first moved to
Durant. We were being trained on how to
avoid a mugging – or worse. A volunteer included some advice that she'd heard and planned on trying if ever needed. She said that by yelling the above statement we
would throw off any would be attacker. Because it catches them off
guard, you see. Fortunately, I've never had to test it's veracity.
