It's gonna be One Of Those Days I think.
8:18 a.m., I stumble to the kitchen and pour my first cup of coffee.
A big white GMC rolls past the kitchen window on its way to the back.
You gotta be kidding me.
It's the guy who promised to be here before 6:30 last night after dropping off swing arm covers and an air filter lid for a Rush Job. And didn't show up or even call. I waited til 7 and closed up.
Knowing its ring is imminent, it lights up "incoming call" and I answer before it wakes up Billy.
"I'm here to pick up those parts."
"Seriously? I'm in my pajamas and have been out of bed not even 10 minutes yet. I work late, remember? The shop opens at 10:00. What's your schedule later?"
< pause >
"Whaddya mean, LATER? I'm here right now. If your shop is open I can just go grab them and leave the money on your bench."
I'm thinking, 'Like hell you will.'
"Give me a minute to put my shoes on."
I do not change out of my Muppets Animal pajama pants or the 3x Garfield t shirt, or even brush my bedhead hair. As a one-time customer before, he already knows my schedule and needs a reminder. A big one.
Too bright to look east at the crack of my dawn, I walk to the shop waving him in as I pass the truck.
And then sit there ... while he finishes a phone call.
He exits the truck and hits the ALARM, immediately waking up Billy's Doberman still asleep in the house .... as if my rural 5 1/2 acre yard has furtive thieves hiding in the trees over there or something.
He doesn't even open the wrapping to look at the finished parts. "Here's the cash. I appreciate you busting them out so fast."
"I appreciate your business!"
And vrooommmm, he's gone.
My coffee was cold without even a sip.
I swear, the more I get to know people, the more I love my cats.