The 15 year old is helping my dad get his house ready to move into, and they were in the kitchen, looking at the work to be done. The sink is gross but salvageable, and the 15 year old mused about how to get it clean enough to use.
My dad: You can get that clean. Just use a little elbow grease.
The 15 year old nods in agreement, and then starts going through the cleaning supplies on hand.
15yo: You don’t have any.
Dad: Any what?
15yo: Elbow grease.
To his credit, my dad did not laugh or mock; no, he drove the boy to the nearest big-box hardware store, and had him peruse the aisles for the needed elbow grease. When he couldn’t find it, he didn’t even say anything to my dad, but marched up to the first person in a vest and asked with all seriousness where the elbow grease was.
At this point Dad is almost wetting himself trying to not laugh, but guy in the vest simply asked the boy what he needed it for, and then asked what type of sink he needed to clean, porcelain or stainless, and then guided him to an aisle of cleaning products and picked a strong cleaner off the shelf.
Guy in the vest: This works better than elbow grease, and takes less effort.
Cut to later, we’re having dinner and the 15yo mentioned off-handedly that elbow grease is hard to find, and related the entire story to his siblings. No one can keep from laughing now, and the 19yo explains to him exactly what elbow grease really is.
15yo turned around, looked at his grandfather, and said simply, “Laugh now, old man. I know where you live and I am very patient.”
I think war was just declared, and I can’t wait to see who wins.
This totally sounds like something my dad would have done...maybe not the trip to the store, but I guarantee he would have had me scouring the house for a can of elbow grease. The difference is, I would have probably been bitching about it, because who wants to get grease all over them, and besides, it's not my sink and I didn't even want to move here.
Yeah, I was that kid.
Still might be.
3 comments:
Absolutely hilarious! I can see in my mind her dad about to burst when that young man asked for help. I am not so sure I would not have been dying of laughter on the floor. Please keep us updated on the "battles" to come. This story made my day!
*channeling Bugs Bunny*
"You realize, of course, this means war!"
~V
Love it!!!!
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