Air. Cold air.
So often I have taken you for granted. It seems that over the much needed holiday weekend something really terrible happened to both of the air-conditioning units at my office, and neither one of them are currently working.
Mrs. Sharon came in on Monday to “tidy up” as she often does while the staff is away, and it was a scorching 88 degrees in the office. She then texted me, and I, in a panic, texted Bobby because it seemed logical that a man who only walks outside to get in and out of a car would know a little about heating and cooling systems.
While I waited on his reply, I ran up to my office to find both units actually running, just not blowing out any cold air. I cut them both off. And then I said a little prayer and told Mrs. Sharon to go on home and enjoy the day in the air.
Bobby then called me, and we had what I am sure was an extremely witty conversation about the office being hot. He was actually on his way there to edit some pictures, and I suggested for him to open all the windows for the night to see if that helped any.
As I am, literally, currently sitting in the heat at 230 E. Boyce St. - writing this just two days before you’re reading it - I am still not sure that the windows, and at this point the doors, being open are helping at all.
I am in a colorful sun dress, and the sweat is dripping off my body, and seriously just rolling down my legs.
Mr. Robert Joseph Baker is across the hall in the same building, mind you, just about eight feet away in a trench coat loving life and while simultaneously hating his kidneys. He has confirmed multiple times that he finds the temperature in here “quite pleasant,” since he is always complaining of freezing.
Holly, my sales Wonder Woman, has brought us a fan, and so has Bobby’s sister, Cindy.
For these two fans, I am certainly grateful.
I called for help early Tuesday and was sure by the time we would go to press that night, the office would be back to its normal 72 degrees, and Wednesday would be pleasant.
I was mistaken.
I found out later Tuesday that we needed a part for one of the two units, and that it wouldn’t be here until Thursday, the day you’re now reading this. And seeing as Bobby’s office is on that unit, he should be ecstatic for the next few days.
Kedrick let me know that his unit is working fine, however, but that it will still take a while to cool the office back down.
I’ve certainly learned a lesson: As I count my blessings, I will remember to count the little ones as well as the big ones, even if the little ones are something as simple as air-conditioning.
Leigh Ann Maynard is the publisher of The Manning Times.
