"Damn! Not Again!"
My second house sitting job in a month and another power outage due to a crazy storm! At least this time the animals were with me, on the couch. This was a tough one; two German Shepherds and a mutt on my lap. They were such sissy dogs, unless they were angry and then, well, I never wanted them angry with me.
I talked soothingly as I texted the owners. "The generator didn't kick in. Power outage from the storm. Any ideas?"
They were quick with an answer, but it was the answer I hadn't wanted. I stayed on the couch while the thunder rolled and had each dog whimpering. More soothing talk helped and promises of treats helped too. They were not going to like going to the basement, in the dark, in a storm with me. I needed them though!
I called Carl, but he was working and couldn't get off to reset a generator. I called or texted everyone I knew, but no joy.
The dogs jumped off as I stood and I used the flashlight to head to the stairs that went down into the dark tomb of a basement. Much to my surprise, they wagged their tails and woofed with excitement.
Shining a light down the stairs, I saw carpeted steps and floor and a comfortable sectional sofa. I headed down feeling much better. They rough-housed with pillows and each other. This was their playroom. Excellent. To the right was a wet bar with a fridge, so I grabbed a Diet Pepsi and kept shining my light around. The large screen TV was of no use, but a cupboard full of dog treats and people snacks made me happy. I grabbed a treat for each of us and sat with them on the sectional as I tried to figure out where the generator room was.
There were three doors to the left, so it had to be one of those. First was a full bath, second was a small bedroom and third was locked. I kicked the door and cursed. The dogs woofed and ran to me, always ready for a skirmish.
Jerry, the largest Shepherd, stood full height and pawed above the door. The key was above the door. I grabbed it and opened the door. The dogs didn't run in this door. It was as black as a moonless night in the dead of Winter.
I shined the light around and all looked well. I saw the generator, new and large and even a large red reset button. We went in together, them close to me, or was I close to them? Anyway, I pushed the button and nothing happened. I looked for instructions, but didn't have my glasses so I couldn't read them. I cursed again. The dogs loved to hear me curse and woofed again.
Jerry tapped the button, so I pushed it again and it started right up. Whew!
"Come on boys! Let's cook!" We ran back up the stairs and into the kitchen. I was in the mood for steak and I knew they would be too. I would cook two and divvy up one for them. I started the stove top gas grill and then threw a potato in the microwave. There was salad in the fridge, so we were set.
Everything smelled so good and the dogs were drooling. Hell, I was drooling too! I decided rare was fine and we sat to eat. It was delicious and we even had leftover Tiramisu in the fridge. We were set for the night.
I wanted to sleep near the fireplace, so we bunked in the formal living room, but I protected the silk with piles of blankets. My phone was charged and my flashlight was in my hand. The dogs took turns snuggling and we fell asleep to Jay Leno.
***
Jerry was growling and looking at the basement staircase; I had left the door open. What could get in from under ground though? I silenced my thoughts on that question and waited to see what the others would do. They slept on and soon Jerry and I were back asleep as well.
The storm raged all night and our house was the only one lit on the block. How did I know? People started coming to the door to charge their phones and get a hot cup of coffee. I found out my multimillionaire clients entertained during storms since they had the big generator.
I looked at the clock and it was only 10PM, so I stifled my yawns and let in the neighbors. I texted my clients again and they said it was fine and to feed and care for anyone who came over. Oh great!
We all congregated in the kitchen and overflowed into the family room. Coffee with brandy seemed to be the main request, so I fixed pot after pot and then the food requests began. There were so many requests, I told everyone to help themselves. They did.
One way old money people stay rich, is that they eat very meager things at home, but at someones party, or the like, they will gorge themselves. I ignored the things going into pockets and purses and the gluttony. It was disgusting.
The dogs and I went into the sheltered courtyard so they could potty and I saw a door I had noticed before waving in the wind. I wondered if it was the basement door. We headed that way and I looked inside and saw it was the generator room door. Oh damn! Everything looked fine, so I secured it and went back to the kitchen.
Folks were packing up their goodies and beginning to leave. I nodded unceremoniously to the crowd and started cleaning. What pigs!
The last one left by midnight and I finished the cleaning and the dogs helped by licking every counter or floor spot and even helped pre-wash the dishes. Great dogs!
I started the dishwasher and we went back to the couch. Sleep took us quickly.
***
The dogs were going crazy and the clock said 4AM. Damn, now what? The lights were out again, and the fireplace cast strange shadows around the room.
"Jerry! What is it?" He was growling and snapping at something. The others just barked. I cast the flashlight beam in the direction of insult and saw a figure crawling toward us.
"Move another inch and Jerry will rip you to shreds!" I screamed at the figure.
"No, no, no, no, no... " The figure collapsed. I walked over with Jerry and it was one of the neighbors, drunk on the floor. Damn! I needed a larger salary!
"Get up! Now!" Jerry growled, but he obviously knew the guy, so chose not to attack.
"Get up!" I kicked gently and the guy responded by glaring at me.
"Wait until I tell Howard and May how I was treated!"
"I will tell them first and you are being recorded anyway, so get out!" I was glad I had remembered to turn on the "Nanny" cams all over the house. I didn't want to be blamed for anything I didn't do.
He stumbled to his feet, but then fell against the couch. "I will sleep here!"
"You will not! Get out!" I nudged Jerry forward and then his sister Jasmine followed suit.
They got real close to the drunks face and growled. The power suddenly flashed back on and the drunk looked at me with abject hatred.
"Call them off! I'm going!" He made it out the door and I watched as he would walk, fall, walk and fall until he got to his house. I laughed and then went to the kitchen for fresh coffee and an early breakfast. This job was ridiculous. I fed the dogs and let them out, but left the door open, for the house fell scary after drunk man.
I ate and drank coffee. The news said power was being restored and blah, blah blah. The dogs and I went back to sleep on the couch, fireplace warm and soothing. I hoped we could get a few more hours before we began our two week stint while their people were away.
Little did I know, but their people would not be returning...
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