PLUMBING PROBLEMS: PART VIII

                    PLUMBING PROBLEMS VIII

 While Robin was involved with her various activities, I busied myself with some errands.  After a few hours we returned home and as we approached the house, I was surprised to see Dave’s truck still in my driveway.  I got Robin settled with a snack and a video we had rented, then proceeded upstairs to see how things are coming along.  I thought Dave would be long gone by now.  The fact that he was still here was not a good sign; a big bill was heading my way.  Halfway up the stairs, I was greeted by a horrible stench that started me gagging.  I made it up the stairs and opened some of the windows.  The house smelled like Porto-John on a hot summer day.  I was not really prepared for what I found in the master bathroom.  Dave’s tools were scattered over the floor, but Dave wasn’t there.  Yellowish goo, inches deep in some places, covered the bathroom floor.  The smell in the bathroom was horrible, smelling as if the septic system had backed up and that smell was combined with another smell that defied description.  I hurried from the bathroom and started calling for Dave.  I went outside for some fresh air and took a short walk around the property.  Jack was working in his field, so I asked if he had seen anyone walking around my place.  Jack just shook his head and went back to his work.  Finally, I phoned Dave’s office and was greeted by the voice of a young woman who introduced herself as Debbie Watson and asked how she could help me.  I told her who I was and that Dave’s truck was still at my house but I couldn’t find Dave and my plumbing problems were getting worse.  Debbie’s voice changed from that of a professional secretary to a worried wife and then to something else.  She suddenly sounded furious.