I have just gotten off my first day of my new job and spent the first half of the day filling out paperwork like W2 tax forms etc. and than going out with another guy to repair an air conditioning unit at an office complex. As I pulled into the drive-way and got out of my pickup one of the ladies, Lisa, I met ran up to me.
She asked," John, I understand you repair air conditioners?"
I said," Yes, I do."
She said," My air conditioner all of a sudden is blowing out warm air."
I said," Sounds like your air conditioner has run out of freon or CO2."
She asked," Can you look at it?"
I said," Yes, I can, I have my tools in my truck why don't you climb in?"
My company truck was 2 wheel drive so she was able to get in easily.
I said," When we came back I didn't feel like going to the very back for my pickup so I drove this one home."
Within 2 minutes we pulled into her drive-way and brought out my tool belt and my freon pressure gauge. I looked and took my screw driver and took off the panel. I found the valve and I hooked up my pressure Gage. Just as I thought her unit was out of freon.
I asked," Do you have any freon?"
She just shook her head.
I took out my note pad wrote down the model and serial number.
I said," I need a phone book and need to use your phone."
After 3 attempts I got an air conditioning supply store that was still open. I told him the model and serial number and he said he had some refrigerant for that model. I asked directions for his store and he told me.
After I hung up I asked," Do you want to go with me?"
Linda said," Sure that sounds good especially since I will be paying for it."
We drove down to the air conditioning supply store talking and she seemed impressed with our conversation.
We walked in and I said," Hi, coming in for that refrigerant."
He said," Hi yes I am Dan and co-owner of this store."
I extended my hand and I said," Hi I am John and nice to meet you."
He said," Wait a minute we have done alot of business with where you work. I thought I knew just about every employee that works there but I don't remember you."
I laughed and said," Oh I just started working there in fact today was my first day."
He said," Oh OK well that Dan Fielding is a nice guy to work for. We have done business now for 15 years."
I said," Yeah I like him from what I know of him."
He asked," So are you and that young lady an item?"
I said," No not yet not that I would mind us being an item. I have just moved from Wyoming."
He said," So you are a new by here in Joliet. Well, I think you will find this town still has a small town feel and the people are still nice and courteous here. You do sound like you know what you are doing. I hope you come back here."
I said," Well if Dan sends me here you will see me.."
We left and we got back in the truck.
She said," John, I really appreciate this."
I said," It really is nothing I just have to make sure the can is up high so it flows down to the compressor."
We got to her house and I punctured the top and I took the bracket and screwed it to the window sill above her unit and told her to turn on the air conditioner,
I said," That way the refrigerant can circulate into the compressor."
We went inside and she got us a couple of Cokes.
She asked," So John how did you get into the profession?"
I said,'' Well, Dad did it and had a business and I guess you can say I gained an interest from working with him."
She asked," Did have a business?"
I said," Yeah he retired last year. I went to a technical school and got certified two years ago."
She said," Oh I see and you miss home?"
I said," Yes I do but this is a great opportunity for me."
I went outside and saw the can was empty and went back in and saw it was cold air.
She said," This is so much better and thank you."
I said," You are very welcome and I am just trying to be neighborly."
She asked," You meant what you said you wouldn't mind us being an item?"
I said," Yeah I meant it but let's not really seriously think about it I am still a newby."
She said," OK I am flattered though."
I got in my truck and pulled into my drive-way and as I stopped Janette walked up to the driver's side door.
Janette said," I saw you at Lisa's house I hope she wasn't making any passes at you."
I laughed and said," No, I went down to her house to look at her air conditioner and it was out of refrigerant so I recharged it. We had to go to the heating and air conditioning supply store to get some."
She said," Well, I must admit having a man who works on heating and air conditioning is handy."
She said," I noticed your head has only a little more than a stubble on it."
I said," Yeah, I have had my hair cut like this since I was just a kid and well quiet frankly it is easier and very low maintenance."
She said," Well, OK I just got off work and was hoping that Lisa wasn't harassing you."
I laughed and said," No, it is kind of cool having you ladies around me as neighbors after being around with guys during the workday."
She asked," What are you doing this weekend?"
I said," To be honest I don't know now if a business has an emergency breakdown I might take off for that. Sunday, I am planning to sit back and watch the Broncos game the season has just started."
She laughed and said," So I see you don't plan that far ahead. OK, fair enough so you just going to play it by ear?"
I said," Yes, I am just playing it by ear,"
She asked," You aren't saying this because what you have learned about us?"
I said," No I would say that even if you were born female."
She said," Fair enough I am just making sure."
Than she and I said bye and she walked down the street.
Than I thought about it decided to head to the grocery store and get some hamburger buns lettuce and what not.
I went inside the store and went to the bread section and got some hamburger buns than got some lettuce and a tomato. I went to the line of the cashier.
As I was standing in line one lady turned and smiled.
She said," John what a surprise to see you."
I said," Becky it is nice seeing you."
She asked," So how are you adjusting since as you might say we exposing ourselves to you."
I laughed and said," I do have to admit it was quiet a shock for me. I am adjusting rather well after the shock wore off."
She said," I see you have some hamburger buns and lettuce and a tomato. Looks like you are going to have a good supper."
I said," Yeah, I have a charcoal grill on the back patio I decided grilled hamburgers sounds good and the buns taste really good when you toast them on the grill for a few seconds."
She said," Ummm, sounds delicious."
I said," Why don't you come over there is a picnic table on the back patio and my landlord said I could use it whenever I want. I have plenty of hamburger. You can even invite Janette if you want."
She said," Well, the thought of not having to prepare dinner sounds great and sure I think I will. Well, would I have time to change clothes?"
I said," Yes you will it takes about 30 minutes for the coals to get ready to cook."
She said," Great, than I will see you than."
She paid for her purchases and she made her way out of the store.
I paid for my purchases and made my way back to my company pickup and put the groceries in the middle of the seat.
I made my way back to the house and 5 minutes later I pulled into the drive-way.
I got out of the pickup and took my groceries inside.
I looked in the freezer and saw half a bag of fries and took them out of the freezer.
I got out the deep fryer and poured some oil in and turned it on to heat up the oil and put the lid on. I loved this fryer it was a large capacity fryer.
As I was stepping out I saw Janette and man was she a knockout.
She was wearing cutoff shorts with a white blouse that was tied and exposing her flat toned stomach.
She smiled and said," I understand I am invited to a cookout."
I said," Yeah I am craving grilled hamburgers and it is easier preparing for multi-people than just for one."
She said," Ummmm that does sound delicious."
All of a sudden the fryer alarm went off.
She asked,"What is that?"
I said," That is my deep fryer it is saying the oil is now preheated."
As I went by her she kissed me on the back of the neck.
She said," I couldn't resist and may I say you do have a nice butt."
I smiled and went into the kitchen and took out the basket and poured the fries into the basket.
I went outside and poured the charcoal into the grill and poured the lighter fluid on the coals and lit them.
I went in the house and got me a beer and poured a glass of wine and came back out and gave it to Janette.
We were sitting at the picnic table when we heard Becky yell.
She asked," John, where are you at?"
I yelled," Janette and I are back on the patio."
Two minutes later Becky came back and she also looked sensational.
She was wearing a white tennis outfit with great looking white shorts. She leaned over and gave me a hug.
I said," Careful girls you will actually have me thinking I am Mr. Universe."
Becky said," Well, you are a hunk."
I asked," You want wine?"
Becky said," Yes that sounds good.."
I went into the kitchen and poured her a glass of wine and came back out and gave her the glass.
I went over and checked the coals and they were just about ready.
Went inside and got the pre-fab burgers and than set them on the table and put the grate on,
I put on 5 burgers on and put the lid on.
The alarm went off on the fryer and I went in and lifted the basket out of the oil and put the lid back on and the fryer was now on warm.
I went back out and flipped the burgers and put the cheese slices on the burgers. I than put the lid back on the grill.
Janette said," Those burgers smell so good I can't wait to try one."
I smiled and said," They will be ready in a couple of minutes."
I let them cook for a couple of minutes and put them on a clean plate. I got the fries and the tomato slices and also the lettuce and brought them out.
Becky and Janette looked them and oooed and awed over them.
Janette said," Wow, this is one delicious looking supper."
I put some buns on the grill and 5 seconds later took them off the grill.
Becky and Janette grabbed their buns off the plate put on the burgers and lettuce and tomatos on their burgers with the mayo,
After we got our plates filled we started eating our supper.
Becky said," I never thought about toasting the hamburger buns."
I said," That is what my dad did brbacuing is his specialty."
Janette said," Well, this is delicious and the fries are heavenly."
I went back in and brought out the bottle of wine and refilled their glasses. I also brought out another beer for myself since I polished off the can.
Janette asked," What do you call the pants you wear?"
I said," Oh these they are carpenter pants I did carpentry work one summer and I love them for work pants."
She said," Well, they do look good on you."
I said," Thank you well I do wear them alot."
We ate and chatted and laughed and when we were done Janette and Becky stayed and helped me to clean up and we washed the dishes and also cleaned the kitchen.
Janette said," I have to go now so I can go to bed early to go to work in the morning."
Becky said," Oh so do I."
They both kissed me on the cheek and left and the three of us waved goodbye as they walked and laughed to both of their houses.
I closed the door and shook my head in amazement at how fast everything was going with my adjustment in this neighborhood.
I looked at the clock and was shocked at how fast the time went by this evening.
I got ready for and climbed into bed thinking about how things went today and slowly went to sleep.