To Laugh or Cry - Part 3

Yesterday was a 7 hour marathon of laundry. Their bed linens fell apart when I removed them. The washer’s spin cycle doesn’t work, requiring each sopping load to go through the dryer 3 times. I saw certain things that may scar me for life. Since my mother cleaned up my shit 55 years ago, I returned the favor. Enough said about that.

Today was a series of trips going back and forth, including a doctor visit to find out that my mother has a bad eye infection, but isn’t really going blind - yet. She complained loudly in the waiting room about health care and Republicans, and when there was no response, she complained about apathetic voters.

I took advantage of my father’s woozy state on pain drugs to strike a deal. If he would let me take away his ancient, heavy vacuum cleaner, I would drive him to Costco to get a decent one, and then I would return the flimsy one my brother bought last week, He held out for Fry’s Electronics, his former sanctuary. I tried to throw in 2 of 3 plugged up electric brooms. He offered up a broken sponge mop. As a skilled negotiator, I knew when to fold. Sort of.

Those who have already seen the photo know what happened next. I frantically stuffed every broken appliance I could find into the rental car while he was in the bathroom. Plus an assortment of crumpled hoses. It was like that old TV show where people grabbed as many items as possible in their shopping carts. I was so excited that I forgot to close the car door and things started falling out as I drove down the street. I found the neighborhood electronics recycling center, and quickly unloaded everything onto a dock while his head was down.

Then, in a sudden rainstorm, off we went 20 miles away to Fry’s. As we pondered the array of choices, a friendly shopper said, “hey, you know you can get these 2 models for half price at a local discount store in Santee – plus I have a 25% off coupon you can use.” This guy told me he lived in Arizona, was visiting his elderly mother in Santee, and was running around trying to make her happy. If I had time, I would have taken him out for a drink. Anyway, Dad immediately insisted we drive back all the way to Santee in rush hour traffic, where he gleefully bought a vacuum that was a DEAL. It’s unlikely he will ever take it out of the box.

P.S. My rental car is full of clumps of dirt; ironically I have no way to clean it.