Larry, The Maintenance Guy

Last night, my furnace stopped working. So today, I called my crusty old maintenance guy, Larry (I live in a townhome, where maintenance and yard work are part of the deal). I say crusty because I have only seen him around the property, never actually talked to him. He doesn't exactly seem the type for small talk. Well, Larry showed up 20 minutes later, about 9 a.m. God bless him! As he worked he felt the need to explain exactly how a furnace works. I really just wanted to watch an old movie and be warm, but I appreciate his taking the time to let me know how it all worked. He also wanted to discuss Husker football, his ex wife, his daughter, and a "bowl" game he went to in 1969, he says he will never forget it (I expect after 40 years he is also not likely to stop talking about it anytime soon either).

Honestly, the man had me in a near comatose state from all the chatter. But I figured if I sat and talked with him while he worked, I could keep him "on the ball". It didn't hurt that we were both in a small utility room either, two bodies in a small room was generating warmth.

It is now after 3 p.m. guess what? still no heat, he says he will have to get parts tomorrow. I began to wonder why it took him so long to realize he needed parts that he could not get on Sunday. I think I know. I suspect Larry was feeling a glowing warmth from treating me to the stories of his life. Despite the frigid temperature, Larry seemed radiant. With each new story he told, he seemed to become warmer, in temperature and character. He didn't resemble the crusty old guy I once thought he was.

Larry says he will be here at 8 a.m., I have no doubt he will be 10 minutes early. I will have hot coffee ready for Larry, I will wrap myself in a blanket, sit in the utility room with him, until all the stories are told and I am once again warm, both from the furnace and the stories.