Caitlyn's Honda had maxed out of its extended warranty and according to the Honda website it needed to have some major servicing done around 105k miles. This included replacing the timing belt, belt tensioner and water pump. Pat, Caste's husband, had suggested some other services to be performed while it was in the shop.
Caitlyn "Honey, would you come with me to get the car in for what you think should get done, please."
Pat didn't have a driver's license because of medical reasons. He did manage the maintenance on Caitlyn's car. He had always managed that as well as house maintenance such as roof repair or replacement, service on the HVAC system and hot water heater. He cut the grass, trimmed shrubs, shoveled snow and did all of the cleaning. Even when he was able to teach he'd come home and do most of the housework because Caitlyn really hated all that. Well hate might be a bit strong a word, she detested doing laundry, vacuuming, dusting; she didn't mind cooking though. So when medical issues forced him to stay home the only thing he lost was the stress of his job.
Pat had also replaced both toilets in this house as well as 2 of the 3 in the previous house. He had done a bunch of woodworking projects for her as well as both the kids in their houses or apartments.
So after talking to Caitlyn about her schedule they decided the Honda would go in on a Wednesday morning, and get picked up on Thursday morning. Service had said they could have it done within the day but Cate was working Wednesday night so she'd rent a car for the day.
They went to the Honda dealer and found a long line of vehicles for service. A few people sat in their cars waiting for someone to attend to them. Pat and then Cate got out of the car and walked toward the service office. Cate locked the car as they walked away.
A handsome guy in his late 30s maybe early 40s said, "Hi, head into the office and take the desk on the right. I'll be right with you." He was lean and had dark eyes and hair. His smile was cordial and his voice a pleasant baritone. Caitlyn liked what she saw and heard.
Cate "Okay, thank you." They went in and Cate sat in front of the desk with Pat standing to the side of her chair. He came in a couple minutes later, sat and smiled directly at Cate, "Okay how can I help you?"
"I have an appointment for my car, Kramer, Caitlyn Kramer."
"Ah yes, here you are. I'm Brian by the way." He started reading the list of things to be done and Cate looked up at Pat who nodded his head and as the guy said a few things Pat agreed or asked a question.
Brian reviewed the contact info with the home phone number, address and then asked, "Is there an alternate phone number on the chance that the house line isn't answered and we need an acceptance or declination on some work?"
Cate didn't hesitate, "My cell is..." and she looked at Pat who rattled off her number because Cate didn't know it.
Once Pat said okay to everything Cate signed the form and then asked, "I'm renting a car for the day could you direct us to the rental office?"
"Certainly, I'll walk you over there."
"That's not necessary if you'll just give us some quick directions."
Pat watched Cate stand and Brian looked her over, again because he had scanned her as he had approached them earlier and then he stood and followed Cate out the door with Pat trailing them.
After going out the man-door Brian pointed to their left and said, "Down a flight of steps and then turn right. That's the building but you need to go to the front and in the second door for the rental office. I'll see you tomorrow when your car is finished. Have a good day." He had been looking directly at Cate the whole time.
Cate and Pat walked to the rental office and waited for the woman to process the rental form then go over everything with them. Cate had questions since it was a hybrid and she had never driven one before. It had some interesting features such as a twist knob for the transmission and the push button start/stop of a 2017. It being a Ford it also had the 5-button, 10-digit access panel in the door frame.
When they got home Caitlyn said, "The service guy seemed nice. He explained everything so clearly."
"Yeah and he really liked you since I saw him scoping you out on the way in and then at the desk."
"Oh, you're imagining things. He isn't interested in me. I'm probably his mother's age."
"Well, I guess he likes older women then."
"Don't be silly. With his looks he could definitely get women younger than himself I'm sure of that."
"Oh so you were looking him over as well?" Pat had that wide smile when he was teasing her and she played along with it.
"Well, he was walking toward me and I couldn't help but notice..."
"I'm sure he could say the same thing."
"Don't be silly honey." Cate changed and went to work. She came home at the usual time and then went to bed. Pat spent a bit of time on the computer and watched the 11 o'clock news then went to sleep.
Cate and Pat were up again at 4 and Cate went into the store for 5:30. Pat called Brian at 7:45 and left a message. Brian called back at 8:10 saying the car wouldn't be ready until 10:30. Pat told him Cate would probably pick it up around 1 in that case and could he arrange with the rental that we not get charged for a second day. He said he'd take care of that.
Pat called Caitlyn at the store and told her the situation. Her response did not get a pleasant reception from Pat. "Pat, call back and tell Brian I'll be there for 10:30. I want to make sure I have it and not get charged for a second day."
"If that's what you want then you call Brian back" in a testy rather loud voice. Then Pat disconnected. He called back a couple minutes later and she asked,"Did you call Brian?"
"No, I called to give you the phone number so you can call."
