2020-12-03 — A Bit Flustered

Well… it’s been an interesting end to the day, and I’m late to bed… and I’m flustered.

I have a customer who basically threatened my life. Something like, “I’ll find you, and you’ll be done.”

Lovely.

So… the story… no… I’m not gonna write it beautifully, just the guts…Sorry… I’m… flustered.

Anyway, a lady called me and asked for help, wanting spark plugs put in their GMC Terrain. I asked if they had had it diagnosed, and she said, no, and suggested they have it diagnosed first, so they don’t waste their money. She texted back a message that was a little unclear as to whether or not she wanted the diagnosis, but seemed to say she wanted to have it diagnosed first, so I responded by saying something like, “ok, we’ll do the diagnosis before putting the spark plugs in,” to which she replied. “Ok.” That seemed to clear it up.

Well, David went out there, and she was at work, but her boyfriend was home. David waited for him for 15 minutes, and the guy didn’t come down from the apartment, so I sent David to the next job and texted the lady to let her know. During my conversation with David to send him on his way, He warned me not to do the job, bad vibe from the guy.

I should have listened.

She texted me this morning and asked if I’d still come out, and I had another job I was going to do in Fayetteville, so I was like, ok. So I went out there. I diagnosed the misfire, taking a little while to do it because it wasn’t just a quick diag this time, and I found that cylinder 3 had 0 compression.

Bad engine.

I let her know (She was actually there the whole time and witnessed the zero compression). I told her what her options were, let her know she could have the company she bought the car from call me with any questions, gave her my card, and I left.

I went and did three more jobs after that, and came home to a phone call from the boyfriend saying that I’d forced her to do a diagnosis. The guy threatened me, saying that I didn’t do the job they’d asked, but I did, since she confirmed she wanted the diagnosis. And not only that, but by suggesting the diagnosis first, I actually saved her $150+. Had I put the plugs in first she’d have wasted $150, and she still would need a diagnosis to figure out what was going with the car.

Anyway… I’m still flustered. I sold all my guns years ago. I don’t want to own a gun, but days like today… I feel a little naked without a way to defend myself, my mom, etc., from psychotic people. I don’t ever want to hurt someone. But… to defend others… I would. I’ve thought to myself that I would just let myself die, rather than take a life and have to live with it, but… you know what… I have a lot to offer this world, and I’d like to be here to do the good I want to do.

I’m not sure what to do right now. It’s a bit eye opening. I don’t like feeling naked and unable to protect myself or those I care about. It wouldn’t be that hard for them to figure out where I live.

Anyway… flustered.

#1. I’m grateful the house isn’t blown up.

#2. I’m grateful to be able to be there for friends.

#3. I’m grateful to have David be a good guy. Should have listened to him. Didn’t think much of it since it was the lady, but… with a boyfriend like that, maybe she’s just terrified to admit what really happened.

#4. I’m grateful for warm clothes on cold days like today.

#5. I’m grateful the heater works in the car.

Hopefully, these people are all talk and no action. I’m glad they live 45 minutes away. Believe it or not, I’m actually a little concerned tonight. Yup. I’m a bit flustered. I also just realized that my Facebook business profile somehow has my home address. Lovely. Trying to remove that now…

Positive thoughts/prayers appreciated.

Lift the World.

~ stephen