Cranking up the A/C
Geez, it was hotter than a jalapeño in July when I decided to crank up the A/C. But when I hit the switch, I heard this big thump and then a hiss. I rushed over to the component and it looked like the pipes were frozen solid. I was totally freaking out, so I called up the heating and cooling guys and they sent over a heating and air conditioning professional. This dude was a tall, skinny fella with a big mustache that looked like it was about to freeze over too. He took one look at the air conditioner and shook his head like it was gonna be a total disaster. I watched as he started fiddling with it and muttering under his breath. He pulled out the air filter and gave me this disgusted look. “When’s the last time you changed this thing?” he asked me. I was like, “I dunno, a few months ago maybe?” He repeated my answer like I was the dumbest person he had ever met. “A few months ago? This thing is jammed up with dirt and dust, no wonder the pipes froze.” I felt like a total idiot for not changing the dang air filter more often. The professional kept tinkering with the heating and air conditioning component and cursing under his breath. It was obvious he was having a rough day. After a couple of hours, he finally got the air conditioner working again. As he was getting ready to leave, I asked him how much I owed him. He just grinned and said, “Twenty bucks and a promise to change your air filter more often.” I was also pretty relieved to be getting out of the city soon where the temperatures outside won’t be an issue. I might even have to stop by Aunt Lucy’s place for some of her famous warm cocoa.