A Maintenance Shop Christmas
It was a maintenance shop, like any other. There was grease, dirt and tools. There were men who worked with their hands. Sometimes their words were coarse. Usually they didn't care. It was the twenty-third day of the month. The holiday was two days away. One of the men was single and would spend the holiday at home with his parents. Two would be with their spouses. One would visit his brother and sister-in-law, and their two young children. Rob had brought two unfinished gifts, for his niece and nephew, into the shop. The other three came and gathered around, cups of coffee in hand, to offer their opinions and suggestions. "Gonna take some cleaning up," Rick said. "And I have paint," Rob added. "You plan to paint them in here?" Rick queried. "The paint smell will go right up the hallway. Pete will have a fit." The verbal response to Rick's words was colorful. All four decided they would deal with Pete's wrath ...