PLUMBING PROBLEMS: PART V

                     PLUMBING PROBLEMS: PART V

The house had been on the market a long time, with the downturn of the economy not helping, but the realtor could not understand why there was so little interest in the property.  So, when Laura and I came along, the family of Marcus Worthy was happy to sell, and I sometimes wonder if I could have gotten the price a little lower.

We sold our old house and the three of us moved into our new farmhouse along with our cat Molly.  It wasn’t long before I discovered the first problem with our house, and it turned out to be the only real problem I could find.  The sinks, especially the one in the master bedroom, would clog up periodically.   It was weird though, because sometimes I didn’t treat the sink and it would unclog by itself.  Other than the plumbing, the house was perfect.

Situated on the southeastern edge of the property, our back and western windows look out on our land.  Not far from the eastern edge of our property stood a split rail fence and it is over this fence while out walking, that I met my neighbor Jack Small.  Jack was in his late seventies and sat perched on an ancient tractor; he gave me a wave and shut her down, walked my way with hands in the pockets of his bib overalls, his work boots kicked at the newly turned earth.

“So, you’re my new neighbor,” he shouted as I noticed a hearing aide in each ear.

  I introduced myself and told him about my family.  He then told me about his.  Jack was a widower and had grown children in New Jersey and Virginia.  They visited and brought their children, but for the most part he was on his own.

“Sorry you moved in here,” he continued.   This comment startled me.  He saw my expression and hurriedly said, “Let me explain.  I guess I didn’t hear you coming up the road when you came to look at the house.” 

I focused on his hearing aids.