I was 27 at the time, in decent shape, 6 foot, 180, brown hair, blue eyes, decent enough when I was clean. A few weeks into the job, I called to repair a broken window. The man on the phone was gruff, demanding that he be my first job, "...because I have a tee time at 9:48!" Like I cared. I said I'd be there, but I'd have to measure the glass, not knowing the size.
The Senior 55+ had its' own Maintenance Department, and I was responsible for such a task.
The next morning, at exactly 8:17, I rang is front door bell.
A big man with white hair and a red face opened the door. He wore your typical Florida golfer's outfit, with plaid pants, a cotton collared shirt pulled across his beer belly and the mandatory white belt. "It's about time!"
"Sir," I replied calmly, "my shift begins at 8:30, I can wait in the car if you like..."
"Harumph! No, no, I have an important appointment I really must keep!" Playing golf, I smiled.
The place was in a nicer section, and the furniture reflected the man's wealth, along with the two late-model cars in the driveway. In the bedroom, the window in question was taped over with cardboard.
It was your standard double-hung window, and I knew I could snap it out and bring a replacement from the shop to pop back in, but he didn't know it.
They hadn't even picked up the broken glass, leaving it for the flunky, me. I would take my time on this.
When I told him he'd never make his tee time, he exploded. "Then you'll have to come back another day! Just clean up the glass for now!"
I was about to explain that was not my job. If he had a housekeeper, which most of them did, he could have her clean it up. Then I heard a voice.
"It's okay, Ben, I'll miss my aerobics class today." At the door stood a red-headed beauty with bedroom eyes and a Cat-with-the-canary smile that totally beguiled me.
She moved up beside him, grasping his arm. "You go ahead and play with the boys. I'll watch the young man carefully, so he doesn't steal any of our treasures!" Her green eyes flashed at me, and I felt myself smile as she showed pearly white teeth.
"Joy, are you sure? He can always come back again."
Still staring into my eyes, she said, "Nonsense, Baby, he has other jobs to do. We can't expect preferential treatment just because you're the President of the Community Board, can we? What would people think?"
All I could think was she had saved me. Had I mouthed off to him, I would have been packing my bags by now, and I thought she knew exactly what she was doing.
He grumbled something, and she led him away while I got to picking up the glass. I heard the door close and a car start, and Joy was back.
She was tall, maybe 5'9, and a super figure, well-curved in all the right places. I guessed 36D. Knowing the age limits, I still would have bet she wasn't even fifty yet, probably high forties.
"I have fresh coffee on, can I interest you?"
I thought, yeah, you sure do interest me, but said, "That'd be great, thanks." I checked the measurements to be sure and to look efficient, then joined Joy in the kitchen.
She smiled as she poured. "I think if you check, the window will snap out and you can just snap in the replacement."
I looked at her, smiling again. "Very good. Most people don't know that, so I like to give them their money's worth."
"But it's included in the Maintenance Fees. If you check the records, you'll find this isn't our window. Sometimes, I just have to throw something," shrugging her shoulders. "Sorry!"
It was my turn to smile. "I'm glad you missed him."
"Oh, George, I always miss! By just a bit! It gets his attention, though."
