This is my week for funny anecdotes from the shop. A customer of mine for twenty-eight years came in with her 1982 Buick Regal leaking coolant. She’s ninety-one and must wait for the vehicle to be done even if it means hours sitting in my office. Her radiator was leaking so I had to make sure it and the hoses were available for immediate delivery. The second thing I must make sure of is getting the car out at the exact time I say I will. My parts house was late delivering a battery for her car and she rode me like a hobby horse every five minutes wanting to know when it would be there. Needless to say, I am very careful about job completion time. She always brings a book with her to read. I was especially interested in seeing she had a big print Harlequin Romance but I couldn’t see the title.
I finished the job with ten minutes to spare, thank you Lord. The delivery guys arrived in very good time with the parts and all went well. While she was making out the check I managed to glimpse the title of the book. The ninety-one year old youngster was reading ‘Cop On Loan’ by Jeannie Watt. Ms. Watt has wide appeal apparently.
Couple of neat news flashes here - if we can see, we’ll still be reading at ninety-one and the ninety-one year old customer had just passed her California driver’s license test. She doesn’t jog out to her car, but neither do I. :)
10 comments:
You would think someone that old would understand the nuances of parts deliveries and such. Glad it all worked out in the end though. Interesting choice of reading material.
Glad you could her car back to her. I can imagine my mom in this situation. she's 92. But she wouldn't be reading anything more than a religious work of some kind most likely.
She's been a bit cranky ever since first coming in my shop, VL. I just have to be careful not to overestimate my repair speed. :)
I have customers who read scripture while waiting in my office for an oil change to be finished, Charles. I said a little prayer not to be late completing this lady's job as a matter of fact. :)
My dear friend Lilian has been my next door neighbour since I was twelve. She never fails to give my two teens birthday cards with five dollars tucked inside.
She's in her eighties now, and she golfs and lawn bowls and goes to Florida every winter.
She bought my first book and loved it.
Oh, and she drives a late model Ford and she's just as picky about its upkeep.
Staying active is the key, Sandra. When people stop challenging themselves mentally and physically, we deteriorate at an alarming speed.
Good on her!
She's kept that old car going, stays young in her reading, and keeps you on your toes Bernard, lol.
Hope I'll be as active and vital if I get to that age.
Wonderful lady. I hope to get there one day. And what a book to read!
I’m not thrilled at the prospect of reaching ninety, Raine. It all hinges on mobility and mental acuity of course. Every day becomes an adventure at that age. Think of a day at ninety-one: open eyes – miracle… get upright – thank you, Lord… step, step, step – so far, so good… yikes! Project the number of moments to the time of day when you get into a car to drive. You know, now that I think of it, this having an imagination is not all it’s cracked up to be. :)
I don't know why exactly, MD, but her reading 'Cop On Loan' was the high point for me too. :)
Next time she may be reading one of yours - wouldn't that be interesting? LOL
May the good Lord grant her the years necessary for that to be a possibility, Miladysa. :)
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