Okay, so I don’t actually say “Heya” on the phone, but that’s the tone of my voice, when I say, “Hello, Bobby.” And while I don’t actually say, “And, I’m going to call you every single day until you finally figure this thing out…” I’m thinking and planning on it. I don’t make the threat in the phone call, though. I’m too nice a person for that.

I have called him enough times now that he no longer needs the make, model or serial number of the hot water heater in the studio. I tell him my name and where I’m from and he pauses with just a second to remember exactly who I am. He should. I have spoken to him no less than five times since December when our brand new miniature hot water heater was installed in Bill’s pottery studio. It stopped working immediately, and the fix should be simple.

The first people who came out flipped a reset button and left. The next day it wasn’t working again, so I called right away. Then no one came. So I called again when I remembered a few weeks later. And again. Then Again. I’m a pretty easy going person, and I think it takes quite a bit to get me riled up. But, it’s the middle of APRIL. The thing was installed in DECEMBER, and my husband’s poor hands deserve some warm water to get the clay off. Seriously, people, how hard is it to replace a thermostat or do whatever it is that needs doing?

I talked to Bobby again today, and he remembers me rather well at this point. He promised me that he’ll get someone out there soon. I love that word. Soon. Do you think it means soon as in today? Or tomorrow? Or is it a relative soon as in next week sometime? I’ve got Bobby’s cell number on a yellow sticky attached to my computer monitor for quick and easy reference. I told him that I really needed to see the hot water working…soon…and that I was going to remember to stay on top of it until it was done. That’s as close to a threat as I get.

And the fact it’s a hot water heater is not lost on me. Water has always been a bit of a bugaboo for us, and I’ve written about water issues more than once. I’m guessing this is a theme in our life at this particular house.