Having a super on the premises, is quite new to me. In my old place tenants were more or less on their own. Something utterly catastrophic needed to occur before help was on the way.
But now I have Frank who has become like a relative you see daily. If he’s not engaged with a sink or toilet, he’s hanging out front like an armed guard with tools instead of a gun.
All that’s missing is a stoop.
We’ve already had a few skirmishes since Frank, at 5 feet 3, 250 pounds is very sensitive. Takes one to know one, and the guilt over upsetting him has cost me many gallons of Ben and Jerry’s, as my frozen flag of truce.
Who knew ice cream could heal the world, or at least a hurt super.
Well, yesterday he came to check my heat because it’s like Miami in my apartment. We both could have been in bikinis it was so hot. Okay, a Speedo for Frank which, if you ask me, is the more disturbing image.
I had just scrubbed my floors, no favorite task of Thingirl’s, so I asked Frank if he could kindly take off his shoes. Well, at once, I saw how uncomfortable he became, because unbeknownst to me, Frank doesn’t wear socks.
Hmm. “Frank, don’t your feet get cold?” I said, trying to lighten the moment.
“I’m never cold,” he said, flexing his forearms like a prizefighter.
So the big question was, did I want dirty work boots on my nice, clean wood floors, or sweaty feet?
“Frank, how bout some snappy, Brooks Brothers argyles? It just so happens I have a brand new pair that are just your size.”
Sorry Ed, but there goes your Christmas present.
SB
You need to keep a pair of those slip over booties that repairman wear. Scrap the speedo. That was a disturbing thought.
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I will get a box of those…booties, not Speedos. 🙂
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That was very kind of you…:)
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Well, it was a quick solution. I even think he liked them. they’re the Hope Diamond of socks. AYE…Ed, who has a vast collection could lecture on their superiority. 🙂
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I would rather have dirty shoes. Kate’s suggestion is great. Frank in a speedo leaves me speechless.
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I love that last line. Forgive me, but it’s too funny. Yes, if I hadn’t the socks, I would have just let him come in. It’s so cold her, I even wear them to bed.
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Good save.
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They looked cute, like his feet had a date 🙂
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A small price to pay to ensure domestic tranquillity. Any chance Brooks Brothers has an argyle Speedo?
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If only, and be sure to know, you’d be first in line. A nice tweed perhaps?
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One pair isn’t going to solve anything. Eventually they will become indistinguishable from the skin underneath. Will you want socks on your floors that have never been changed?
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I was hoping he’d catch on to the sock thing and buy a few more. We must Mick be sartorially optimistic at all times.
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“Sartorially optimistic” is wonderful. You’ve made my day: thank you!
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After our recent elections, we need to be optimistic about everything, even socks. 🙂
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Susannah, I have any guys with work boots use plastic grocery bags. The handles tie around their ankles and the bags are disposable afterward. It’s a real pain to put work boots on and off, but those cleats hold dirt and other nasties just waiting to drop all over the floor.
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Wow, I’m haulin out bags. Great tip Skinny. 🙂
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hahahaha!!! This is great.
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And you just never quite know what that “thing” might be that could flip people into depression or anger mode.
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That would make me cringe too, someone walking around in bare feet. I think you need to just clean the floor afterwards, no matter what.
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In Asia everyone without fanfare takes off their shoes when they enter someone’s home. Here it’s like requesting a kidney.
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