Happy is the man who loves his chores! It's not work if you're doing it on purpose.

Nestoras called from the door. "Craig, hey, I can't have you out here spraying, buddy. I appreciate it, but the insurance don't cover you."

Craig was busy spraying the sidewalk and pretended he didn't hear.

"Craig! Craig! You gotta stop, Craig!"

"Oh, hi, Nestoras. Did you want a turn on the AR Blue Clean Pressure Washer? I had nothing to do this morning, I figured I'd come over and help out Aunt Sylvia. I was looking for an excuse to test it out, thought the building might like a nice clean sidewalk. It's really fun to use too."

Nestoras put his hand on Craig's arm. "Buddy, I appreciate the thought, but I gotta do this stuff. Like, what if someone slips, huh? What if you make a puddle?"

"Nobody's gonna slip, Nestoras. The AR Blue Clean Pressure Washer has a safety lock for when it's not in use. They call it the Total Stop System. I use it all the time to clean my deck and my driveway. I know what I'm doin'."

"Yeah, but it's not just you, Craig. I know you'll do a good job, but if you mess up, I'm the one that's gonna get fired, you know?"

Some of the building's residents were starting to walk out the door on their way to work. Brant stepped over the garden hose plugged into the built-in water filter and made a face like the whole world smelled bad. Lesley was with him, and started a little wave at Craig, but then changed her mind and looked away.

"Nestoras, it's cool, really. Tell you what, I'll just plug in the detergent injector and spray off my aunt's window up there. See? That's her flag, and I'm sure this AR Blue Clean Pressure Washer can fire a stream that high. It won't take but a second."

Nestoras shook his head as Pamela came out, a finger in one ear, talking into her cell. She was in her own world, and didn't even notice Craig.

"Craig, I can't, no. I can't let you do any of this. You're a good nephew, but Sylvia needs her windows cleaned, she's gotta talk to me. Somebody leans out one of those windows and you shoot 'em in the face, I'm the one that's gotta talk to the cops, you get me? You go running off-"

"I wouldn't do that, Nestoras, you know I wouldn't." Craig looked over his shoulder as Danielle came out the door. She gave him a smile and started down the sidewalk.

"I know, Craig," the super sighed, "You're an okay guy, but you get what I'm saying, right? Huh? Craig? You listening to me here? You all right? Buddy?"

"Yeah. Yeah, yeah. You know what, Nestoras? I do get exactly what you're saying now. I don't want to get you in trouble."

"That's all I'm askin', man. Just keep me safe, right?"

"I got it, Nestoras. I'll let you handle this stuff from now on. Tell Aunt Sylvia I said hi, okay? I gotta run, I'll see you soon."

Craig grabbed his AR Blue Clean Pressure Washer and started down the sidewalk as well. It only took him three steps before he noticed he'd forgotten to unattach the hose.

Back to top