"Excuse me, can you reach that for me?"
"Oh, sure!" I turned, and she smiled. "That faucet, number B24, up on top. I don't see any down below."
Easy for me to grab at 6 foot, no way for her at just over five, I handed it to her, and she opened it to make sure the contents matched the one mounted on the wall. "Yes, that's it, thank you, it's so hard to find sales help here."
"No problem. Glad I could help," and I turned to go.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I know I'm being a bother, but do you know anything about plumbing?"
Being a jack of all trades, including handyman, I said, "Some, what do you need to know?"
She stood next to me, and I smelled her perfume, not what you'd expect from a woman in her sixties. A light scent, like younger girls wear, fresh, not overwhelming. I was also aware of her cleavage, just below the list she had.
"Well, do I need any special tools, or anything to put it in? I just have a few screw drivers and maybe pliers."
"You're doing this yourself? No offense, but pipes and nuts tend to stick after so many years, and can be hard to get off."
She smiled. "Well, I have a friend, Jeffrey, who volunteered, but truthfully, I'm afraid he may hurt himself, the poor dear!"
I smiled back, not knowing why. She was petite but with an ample bust, wearing a full length dress, what I think they called a tutu, like a thin gown, just hanging but showing her curves. Jet black hair, green eyes, with eye shadow, red lips, hoop earrings, and a pearl necklace. All dressed up for the hardware store, and I imagined she never saw the light of day without making sure everything was just so.
"If you don't mind me asking, why are you replacing it?" I asked.
"Oh, the old one is leaking, And I'd hate for it to go in the middle of the night, or winter!"
"Well, it may just be a gasket. You should have that checked first. It costs maybe a buck instead of what... $150 for this thing."
"Oh, really? Oh, I'm so lucky for your help. The clerk would have run my card before I caught my breath! A gasket, you said?"
"Yes, it's... How far do you live from here?"
"Not far, maybe a mile, why?"
I smiled. "Look, I know you don't know me, but if you like, I can take a look at it. I'm done for the day, anyway. But, it's up to you, I know you don't know me. Or else, at least call a handyman. Use the PennySaver. He'll just charge you a reasonable fee."
She looked up at me, through those green eyes, sizing me up. "No, you have a good face. I trust you. If you're offering, I'm taking." She stuck out her hand. "I'm Betty, and you are...?"
"Jake, Jake Butler."
"Like Rhett! 'Oh, Rhett! Tara is burning!' Gone with the Wind? Oh, you're too young to remember that!"
I smiled. "I've seen it. You do a wonderful Scarlett!"
She laughed, gaily. "But my heart belongs to Ashley!"
She bought the faucet, just in case, but held the receipt to return it. I was pretty sure that a new gasket would do it, and I had some in my tool box. Out in the parking lot, I saw a 1965 Chrysler New Yorker covering 2 spots. It was huge! Black, with white interior. People stopping to look would check the sticker to see the year, speaking in whispers as if in church. Sure enough, it was Betty's.
"You will follow me?"
"Anywhere, to get a better look at that!" I replied.
"Why are boys attracted to cars more than women?"