Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Heat Wave


We’ve been having a heatwave, three days of temperatures in the 90’s. Tuesday the temperature in the town where the Weebles live reached 100 degrees.

I had called the Weebles on Sunday to make sure they were tolerating the heat. They have central air-conditioning, but Ma doesn’t like it on because she says she’s always cold.

“So, are you guys doing okay?”

“We’re fine.”

“What have you been doing?”

“I was out earlier trimming the bushes?”

“What ah you?! You shouldn’t be doing that kind of work in this heat!”

“I’m fine.”

I could feel that familiar throb behind my left eye.

“Promise me you won’t go out and do more yard work in this heat. And you won’t walk all over town.”

“Don’t worry.”

The famous last words.

Last night, when I came in from teaching, Himself greeted me at the door.

“Your father just called.”

My heart sank. That’s not what you want to hear at 10pm.

“What’s the matter?”

“He was mowing the lawn when the lawn mower died…”

“What is he?!” An example of OPD at its finest.

“Yeah, anyway, I’m going to take your car and stop over there tomorrow to pick up the lawn mower and take it to my brother’s shop.”

“Ok.”

I called the Weebles in the morning to let them know Himself would be stopping by.

“Where’s Dad?”

“I don’t know. He went out.”

“He went out? Did he walk?”

“I don’t know.”

Help me, Lord. I told Ma to expect Himself who would take the lawn mower to see about getting it fixed. She wants Dad to get a rider mower. Maybe when Auntie Rose sends that money that should be arriving any day now.

“Your father was trimming the hedges when I got over there today.”

My eyeballs started spinning in their sockets.

“His ankles were swollen something awful.”

I ran for the Tylenol bottle and swallowed a fistful.

“Anyway, I took the lawnmower and brought it to Pat’s shop. He thinks the oil got mixed with the gasoline. He was going to look at it while I waited. I told him to take his time and not rush. That way, I can take my mower to your folks and mow the lawn for them.”

Good thinking. Now if only Himself had taken the loppers away from Dad too.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pa is as stubborn as Ma...
But heck, my dad would be doing the same thing.
Frustration! Glad you all are finally getting some relief!

Alesia said...

Sorry it's been so hot, if only we could have averaged our temperatures, it's barely breaking 60 here.
Maybe Himself could take the loppers to be sharpened...

Erica Vetsch said...

Himself's a Prince. And my dad would be out there too.