Some jobs are for repeat customers who have used my services before and require them again. I always give them priority and work their jobs in whenever I can, unless it's something major. Once in a while I will get a call that requires immediate attention and I do my best to get things resolved as quickly as possible.
This was one of those calls...
*****
I had been at Chrissy and Brad's house twice, once for a plumbing problem and once to replace some light fixtures. They were a nice couple in their thirties, with two kids and a small older home. It was early Monday morning when she called and left a message.
"Hi J, it's Chrissy Holden. I need your help with something as soon as possible, please call me back."
I called her back just before ten.
"Hi Chrissy, it's J returning your call."
"Oh, thank you for calling me back! I need your help again."
"What's the problem?"
"In my daughter's room the power outlet broke when she yanked a cord out. Now she can't use it. Is there any way you can fix that quickly for me? It's the only outlet in the room that is easy to use."
"The soonest I can get there would be tomorrow evening, I can stop by then."
"Are you sure you can't stop in today?" she pleaded. "I would really appreciate it."
"Well, let me get back to you," I answered.
After reviewing the day's workload and talking to the guys I called her back.
"It's J. I can stop by just after one this afternoon. If it's simple I will take care of it today, otherwise it will have to be another day."
"Oh, thank you so much! I really appreciate it!"
*****
Chrissy opened the door and invited me in, giving me a big smile, and closed the door behind me.
"Thank you so much," she gushed, wrapping her arms around my waist and giving me a hug.
"No problem," I chuckled while her head pressed against my chest and her arms squeezed.
"Oh, it's just that Brad had been gone so much," she explained while backing away. "I... uh... just didn't know who else to call."
"Well, I told you to call me any time," I replied with a smile. "So where is this broken outlet?"
She led me down the hallway to the furthest bedroom and pointed at the wall next to the bed. The outlet cover was cracked and the outlet itself missing the lower corner. I kneeled down and took a closer look as she stood beside me.
'Well, I will have to replace the outlet," I announced. "That won't take long. I do need to turn the power off to the outlets, though."
"Oh, the box is in the basement," she replied and put her hand on my shoulder. "Come with me, I'll show you where it is."
I stood up and caught her looking me and up down, her eyes pausing at my crotch.
"You look different today," I commented.
Previously she had her hair up in a bun and wore old jeans and sweatshirts. Today her hair was down, and she was dressed in a denim skirt and a pink satin top. She was also wearing makeup, the lipstick matching her top.
"Oh," she giggled. "I... I just felt like doing something different."
"You look good. I like it."
"Thanks," she replied with a big smile. "I was hoping you would notice."
"I did. Makes you even more appealing."
She giggled again and toyed with the thin gold chain around her neck.
"Thanks. Brad doesn't notice anymore," she lamented quietly. "Not that he is here much to notice."
"Working long hours?"
"So he says. I know it's more than that, but..." she shrugged. "I have two children to worry about."
I nodded and pointed at the outlet.
"Oh, yes... follow me."
We went to the basement and into the laundry room, where she pointed out the breaker box. I found the breaker and flipped it off, followed her back to the bedroom, and tested the outlet to confirm it was safe. I took a new outlet from my tool bag and replaced the broken one, ensuring it was secure in the housing, and asked her to go flip the breaker back on. After testing the outlet, I looked at the cover.