Mowing the Lawn
Solitary mowing was an arduous task even if gratifying. But, selecting a suitable assistant was like playing Russian Roulette. Only as the feverish abet manipulated the first needle of grass did Rose comprehend if the job would be done favorably. For this reason, she’d skirted any outside aide for the past months. However, at the moment, working the yard alone seemed trite so, she decided to leave nothing to chance and procure the talent of a past mower.
“Hmmm.” With a delicate finger poised under a poignant chin, Rose mused. Maybe she’d call John. No, holy matrimony constrained his schedule, so the lawn might not get cut until after sunset. O-o-h, what about Peter. No, although original, he used a small English scythe that rarely got the job done right. Wait, she’d call Dick. Always available, Dick used his cutter with precision. So far, he’d never disappointed her. Without haste, Rose pecked at the phone with a free finger and rocked impatiently as it rang.
“Hello.”
“Hey Dick, what’s up?”
“Nothing. Who’s this?”
Damn, it been so long he couldn’t even remember who she was. Rose decided to play it cool. “It’s me, Rose.”
“Rose?” Silence fell on the other end. “O-h-h, Rose with the long hair. What’s up? I haven’t heard from you in a long time.”
“Yeah, I’ve been pretty busy.” She took a deep breath. “I was wondering. When’s the last time you had a good meal.”
“Uh…it’s been a while.”
“Good! Why don’t you come over. I’m making an early lunch.”
“Alright, I’ll be there in 45 minutes.”
Rose hung up the phone. Once again, she peered down at the lawn. Already, sensing the return of Dick, it was glistening. Refocusing, she scrambled towards the kitchen and prepared a seafood salad; it was Dick’s favorite dish.
Just as she sprinkled a little oil over a mound of fresh crab and shrimp, the doorbell rang. She pranced over and opened it wide. For a moment, they just stared at each other. Dick looked the same – tall, muscular and hairy. Every time Rose saw him, her beliefs about the Theory of Evolution deepened.
“Come on in.”
“Thanks.”
Dick strolled over to the kitchen table and dished out a large helping of salad. He sat down at the table munching away. Rose watched from a distance. He was awfully hungry. Afterwards, he stood up and rearranged his pants. Then, with authority, he belted, “your lawn needs cutting. I can do it.”
Rose grinned and whispered, “okay.” Afterwards, she watched with awe as Dick went to work.
Approaching the grassy terrace with dignity, he kneeled down to caress and fondle the stiffened needles until he surmised their temperament. Next, with a waging tongue, he circled the entire area deciding the method of attack. Then, like a champ, he pulled out a large, extravagant mower. Up, down and around, he deeply penetrated the grass until each blade lay motionless and still.
Delighted, Rose exclaimed, “O-o-h Dick! O-o-h Dick.” So moved by the first-rate cut, she was at a lost for words. However, soon, she turned to her aide with a look of gratitude. “Dick, I am speechless.”
While blushing, he stated, “no need for thanks. Call me anytime you need your lawn mowed. You know I’m always ready and available.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, gotta go.”
A little sad, Rose watched as Dick loaded up his equipment and left. Why hadn’t she asked him more often for help? Oh well, in the future, she’d keep him in mind. Most likely, in a week or so, they’d meet up again because the lawn would always need a good cut.
