Trait Swapper: Plumber (Patreon)

Dennis McCarthy dressed in thick blue overalls carried his tools into the kitchen. He had to fix a clog in the sink. Due to the location of the clog, the usual drain-snake couldn't work. He put down his tool and got onto his knees. He made an audible sigh as he descended.

Nine-year-old Anita Eubank was sitting in her room. She was at her own small table looking over a coloring book. Her crayons, all sixty-four of them, were spread all over the table for easy reach. She opened up the book and found a page that hadn't been colored in yet. It was a picture of a smiling fish. Presumably, the fish was smiling since there weren't any fishermen nearby. That is what Anita imagined.

She spied the 'sun-glow' color. It was a color that was a mix of orange and yellow. It was slightly more orange than yellow. She picked it up and started to color in the body of the fish. She started by outlining the edges and then filling in the inside. She was good at coloring, but sometimes she went outside the lines. She didn't worry about that too much.

It was early in the morning on a day that Anita didn't have school. She didn't see a reason to change out of the clothes she went to bed in. Last night, as with most nights, she wore a cute light blue jumpsuit. The room was warm, and her floor was carpeted so her feet were bare.

Finishing with the body, she found a reddish color (Wild Watermelon) to color in the fish's lips.

She continued to color until she heard a noise. Anita left her room to investigate. She stood in the doorway of the kitchen.

Dennis was bending down trying to get into a comfortable position to loosen the pipe he needed. He had grown older and heavier since he started plumbing years back. Getting under sinks and whatnot were getting harder every year. Anita watched him for a few minutes. She could recognize the problem. A big man trying to fit into that small space was a bit comical.  She tried not to smile.

“Hey Mister,” Anita said. “Do you need some help?”

Dennis turned around and saw the young girl.

“No thank you, sweetheart,” he said kindly. “I can manage.

That is when the Trait Swapper happened by. Instantly, Dennis was standing in the doorway and Anita was under the sink.

“Are you sure?” Dennis asked. “I'm stronger than I look.”

“You are very sweet, but I can do it,” Anita told Dennis. She repositioned herself to find the right leverage to turn the joint. It took a great deal of effort, but Anita finally got the bolt around the pipe to budge.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Eubank tapped Dennis' shoulder. Let the nice man do his work,” she told Dennis.

“I only asked if I could help,” Dennis said innocently.

“It's the man's job. I'm sure he appreciates your help, but you might get hurt.”

“OK.”

“I know what you can do instead. Want to show Mommy your drawings?”

“Yeah.”

“Great, let me see.”

Dennis ran ahead and Mrs. Eubank followed.

He sat awkwardly on the small table, but he didn't mind. He wanted to show 'Mommy' his pictures.

“Hey, I have great news for you.,” Mrs. Eubank said.

“What?”

“I ordered all new furniture for you. It'll be here tomorrow. You won't have to sit all hunched over anymore.”

“Yay!”

“By the time you are home from school, it'll all be here.”

“I can't wait.”

“You'll have a new desk, and a new bed and all sorts of new things. It'll be so nice.”

“Can I see what they will look like?”

“It's a surprise, but you'll love it. I promise.”

Dennis hugged Mrs. Eubank

“I'm also getting you some new pretty clothes. You've grown out of everything else. That will come tomorrow too.”

“I'm done,” Anita announced. “It wasn't any big deal.”

“Thank you. I'll write you a check.”

Anita took the check and lifted the toolbox. It was heavy but manageable. She had to use both hands to carry it to her truck.

Once inside, Anita discovered she had to pull the seat forward all the way. She then adjusted her mirrors to see properly and drove off to her next assignment.

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