Carrying a set of brand-new, gleaming pipes out of the basement, Nick bumped shoulder-to-shoulder with his supervisor. The man's commentary wasn't far behind.
"Well, hey there, Nick... Hawking company materials on the side again? Watch out, or the director's gonna catch you, and he definitely won't be giving you a pat on the back for that."
Looking around, Nick scratched the back of his head as if trying to recall something.
"Good afternoon to you too, Mr. Miller. You've got it all wrong. I'm taking these for a project. Besides, you'll be coming over to my cabin yourself this winter—I'm sure you haven't forgotten the way or the smell of those steaks on the grill."
The supervisor waved a hand dismissively and grumbled, "Just get moving. I want you out of here in ten minutes. Actually, glad you reminded me. Set up the sauna for me this weekend; I'm bringing a new girlfriend I just met."
In response, Nick gave a comical roll of his eyes and teased with a smirk, "And what happened to the old lady? Geez, Mr. Miller... you're a sucker for women, not a serious bone in your body. One of these days, a girl's gonna rope you in for good. Then we'll see how much running around you do."
Squinting his left eye, the boss replied, "Oh sure, like you're Saint Nick. I bet you've never even thought about cheating on your wife."
"I wouldn't even know where to start," the plumber replied with a firm nod. "That's right, Mr. Miller. I love and respect my wife, but you wouldn't understand that. You're a lifelong bachelor. Anyway, I don't have time to chew the fat with you. I've got to get these pipes to the truck. And listen, if you're coming for the sauna, you're chopping the wood yourself. I've got enough chores without playing butler. You're the one the ladies want, so let them wait on you."
Nick could only afford to talk to his boss this way because the man had skeletons in his closet—skeletons of such a scale that no plumber could ever dream of.
As it happened, Mr. Miller had his own place in the country, but his mother visited so often that, to avoid drama, he met his flings on neutral territory. It wasn't always a private apartment; more often than not, it was Nick's cabin. It was convenient and lacked any witnesses who might tarnish his reputation.
***
After unloading the pipes, Nick arrived home an hour later. Seeing her husband's sour expression, his wife, Laura, quickly deduced who was responsible for his foul mood.
"Is that scoundrel asking for the keys again? Honestly, Nick, how much longer? Is our place a motel now?"
Nick lowered his head guiltily. "You know my paycheck depends on him. If the boss isn't happy, the money isn't good."
Shrugging, Laura said slyly, "Fine... I'll figure out how to put him in his place. You'll see, he'll stop coming to the cabin soon. I'll pray to God he forgets the way there entirely."
Nick didn't press for details on her plan, but that very weekend, Mr. Miller did indeed change his mind about using the cabin for his escapades. They ran into each other as usual at the office exit.
"Oh, Nick, Nick... and you told me you were a devoted family man. I knew you were hiding something, but I believed you anyway. I guess I'll have to find another spot, or I won't see any action for a long time."
Nick didn't quite catch why the boss said that, and at first, he didn't want to dig into the details, fearing some unpleasantness might surface. On the other hand, if Mr. Miller was bringing up his personal life, it was worth wondering where the wind was blowing from. It finally clicked that Laura had been busy. She said she'd find a way to handle the ladies' man, and it seemed she had moved things along to keep him away from their property.
The following Saturday, he went to the cabin with his wife. There's nothing better than relaxing in nature with the person you love—total silence, a complete escape from the city hustle. The roar of traffic gets so tiring that sometimes you just want to scream. Looking over the garden, Nick thought about moving to the country house for good. He was tired of the apartment—the dust flying in the windows, the noise of restless neighbors, or some other nuisance. It was a different world out here: birds singing, and the scent of grass and flowers so thick it felt like being in a greenhouse.
Noticing Nick daydreaming in the gazebo, Laura walked up and put her arms around his shoulders.
"It really is nice that we put your boss in his place. Such peace... nobody bothering us, and most importantly, no one to be embarrassed by."
The mention of Miller piqued Nick's interest, and he asked seriously, "Wait, how did you actually solve the problem? Did my boss really just give up on the cabin like that?"
Laura gave a cunning smile. "Not exactly 'just like that.' I had to use a little deception. I told him that you were secretly seeing his girlfriends behind his back and added that I'd caught you at it a few times. Sorry, Nick, but I had to sacrifice your reputation."
The news hit him like a ton of bricks.
"Well, I'll be. That's a lovely bit of info to have floating around," Nick said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "You're something else. And you say you love me! Well, alright. If it was for the cause, I can live with it. By the way, those pipes I brought will be enough for your mother's plumbing, too. She's been saying she wants them replaced for a long time. I'll do it myself so she doesn't have to hire someone else. Just don't forget to remind me; the director is planning a main line repair next week. I'll try to carve out some time in the evening to stop by your mom's."
***
A couple of days later, the boss approached him again and asked quietly, "Nick, were you seriously seeing my girls? Now, don't think I've got a grudge. I just want to understand what they saw in a simple plumber. I mean, okay, your wife is a catch, but I only date beautiful, wealthy women. What did they find in you? Come on, spill. You must have some gift of persuasion. Or maybe you're just in better shape than me."
Burning with shame, Nick had to invent an answer on the fly.
"Soul, Mr. Miller. That's what they saw. You think women only care about looks? No, they have hearts that feel sincerity and kindness. Take you, for example. If you invited one of your girls out and told her you were broke but wanted to have fun, how would she react?"
The boss craned his neck like a goose and replied huffily, "She'd say goodbye and never call me again."
"I don't see any other outcome," Nick agreed.
"You thought she'd stay for my pretty eyes?" Miller grumbled.
Pointing a finger to the sky, Nick said enthusiastically, "There you go. In your case, money does all the work. Without it, nobody needs you. It's a different story when you meet for love. Feelings and responsibility are what matter. If you're ready to be responsible for yourself and your woman, your relationship will be strong. Remember that, Mr. Miller—write it on your forehead if you have to. Though, why am I teaching you? It's probably pearls before swine. You don't understand the nuance of romance, where a single kind word can change everything."
The simple plumber had really stung his boss. But as he'd said, if the man didn't want to change, nothing would.
***
A few more days passed, and Laura suddenly remembered she'd promised to send Nick to her mother's. But as luck would have it, he was buried in the main line repairs. The city council was rushing the job, so he was getting home after his wife was already asleep.
Unhappy with his long absence, Laura stayed up for him one night and gave him a piece of her mind.
"Alright, Nick, enough living at work. You have an apartment, a cabin, and me! My opinion needs to be respected too. Tomorrow, go to Mom's and see what's going on with her pipes. And please, don't get distracted by her homemade wine, or I'll have to call an Uber to haul you home again."
His mother-in-law, Mrs. Gable, truly loved her son-in-law. She always set the table and fed him like it was his birthday. Going up the stairs, Nick nearly brushed shoulders with an old woman coming down. She carried an old bag, and her eyes looked so hollow, as if any sign of life had long since flickered out. Shaking his head, he thought to himself, *That's how it goes. Old age sneaks up on you before you even notice.*
He knocked on the door, heard shuffling footsteps, and then the familiar voice of Mrs. Gable.
"Coming! Give me a second. I'm not a jet engine, you know."
The older woman beamed when she saw him.
"Nick, come in, don't stand in the doorway! I just baked some berry pies—they're to die for. Just don't tell Laura, or she'll get jealous of my cooking."
Grateful for the attention, Nick had no intention of tattling. He knew his wife would spend hours dissecting her mother's menu. Sitting at the table, he grabbed two pies and started inhaling them; he loved his mother-in-law's cooking and would have visited every day if he could.
After a quick snack, Nick went to inspect the job and was dismayed to find it was at least several days' worth of work. He dialed his wife.
"Laura, this isn't a one-day fix. So listen: either I take this on as a full project, or she needs to hire a contractor."
Hearing that money might have to leave the family, Laura replied sternly, "Don't you start. You'll do it yourself. We aren't throwing money away, and don't try to be clever. I don't like being played."
The dial tone announced the conversation was over. Mrs. Gable echoed her daughter's sentiment.
"Really, Nick, you're a jack-of-all-trades. And even if it costs money, I'd much rather give it to you, dear."
Nick perked up at the praise.
"Alright... you don't have to ask twice. I'll bring the pipes in a couple of hours. Clear out the cabinets under the sinks. We'll start with the bathroom and move to the kitchen. We've got time, so we'll do it right."
***
Towards evening, Nick returned with the materials. Passing the bench outside, he noticed that same old woman. She was sitting there feeding cats, paying him no mind. Once inside, Nick called out to his mother-in-law.
"Say, is your neighbor mute or something?"
Looking at him with a puzzled expression, Mrs. Gable asked, "The one in number 20? She rarely talks to anyone unless she absolutely has to. Her kids never visit. Her grandson comes by sometimes, but I think it's only for money."
Nick threw his hands up. "Got it. None of my business then. I just thought maybe she wasn't all there."
Starting in the bathroom, he began carefully removing the old pipes. Mrs. Gable joined in the process.
"Let me at least take out the trash, Nick. If you want to rest or eat, everything's in the kitchen."
With a nod of approval, Nick kept working. However, his mother-in-law's words about the neighbor wouldn't leave his head. He felt a chill run down his spine.
*How strange,* he thought. *Usually, old folks have family who look after them.*
At least, that's what he'd always assumed. He realized he didn't quite understand what old age was. Even as a plumber who had seen many families, it was the first time he truly grasped how lonely one could be despite having children and grandchildren. It felt like being trapped in a locked room with no one around.
Finishing part of the job, he had dinner and mentioned he needed to swing by his place to grab a few tools. Just as Mrs. Gable saw him out, the doorbell rang again.
"Coming! Did you forget something, Nick?" But on the threshold stood the old woman from number 20. "Oh, sorry, I thought my son-in-law came back. How are you feeling, Mrs. Thompson? Is everything okay?"
It was clear the question was asked out of polite curiosity rather than genuine concern. The old woman nodded slowly.
"I'm alright, Val. Still moving, and that's enough. I noticed you have a plumber here. I need someone to look at the pipes in my bathroom; I'm constantly laying out rags. My hands don't work like they used to, and I'm afraid I'll flood the neighbors below."
Shrugging, Mrs. Gable replied, "That's my son-in-law. He's a professional. I can call him and tell him to stop by."
Frowning, the old woman said, "Never mind. I'll just put in a request with the city. Maybe the maintenance crew will get to me. If not, I'll just keep my feet wet."
***
Nick returned shortly after and was a bit irritated.
"Wouldn't you know it, someone called the city for a plumber. The dispatcher just called me and gave me the address. It's right here in your building. I told her I was working at my mother-in-law's, so she asked me to just handle the call while I'm here."
Glancing at the apartment number, Mrs. Gable said regretfully, "That's my neighbor. She just mentioned she was having trouble."
Looking at the elderly woman, Nick grumbled almost into her ear, "You really know how to keep me busy, don't you?"
Wagging a finger at him, his mother-in-law whispered, "Don't be grumpy. As an apology, I'll bake that fish pie you love."
At the mention of the pie, Nick softened immediately.
"Alright, you win. You know exactly how to get to me. I'll go see what's going on with the lady."
Stepping over the threshold of the apartment, Nick immediately felt an aura of loneliness. His mother-in-law had been right; the place felt abandoned, save for the grandson who only showed up when he needed something. Pointing to the bathroom, the woman said, "Look for yourself, son. The pipes are rotted through. They need replacing, don't they?"
Shaking his head, Nick replied, "Definitely. Unless you want to spend the rest of your life mopping the floor."
It took a few minutes to estimate the cost. "Ma'am, this is going to be at least forty or fifty dollars for parts and labor."
In response, he watched as she pulled a handful of change out of her pocket and poured it onto the side table.
"I'm sorry I can't pay you right now. My social security doesn't come for another week."
Nick went numb when she offered him her last few coins for the work.
Sitting down on a chair, the old woman covered her face with her hands and whispered, "My grandson takes all my money. I can't say no to him. I don't know where it goes; he's supposed to be some kind of manager."
Nick felt sick to his stomach knowing the family was bleeding this poor woman dry.
"You tell me where he works, and I'll go talk to him myself. You'll see, he'll realize what he's doing and apologize."
The woman hesitated, then said, "I think it's some local utility company. I don't know for sure, I wouldn't want to lie."
Leaning against the wall, Nick asked another question. "What's his name, this grandson of yours?"
With a heavy sigh, she replied, "His name is Anthony, though I always called him Tony. If only he'd ask how my health was just once."
The old woman went silent, and a realization suddenly struck Nick.
"Wait a minute... Tony? Is his last name Miller? Anthony P. Miller?"
The grandmother nodded immediately. "That's right. Do you know him?"
Nick knelt down, his voice heavy with sadness. "You could say that. I know just about everything there is to know about him. But I never imagined he'd treat his own family this way. Don't you worry, ma'am. I'm going to fix everything right now, and you don't owe me a dime."
What the woman told him next horrified him. The details of her lonely life weren't just sad; they were heartbreaking. It turned out Mr. Miller had even brought his girlfriends to his own grandmother's house. Not only that, he'd been partying on her pension money.
They say "audacity is the second soul," but in this case, it was pure poison.
Different thoughts raced through Nick's head—he considered blackmailing the boss or forcing him to repent. But he knew men like Miller usually only change when they have no other choice.
He replaced the pipes for the old woman, and the very next day at work, he shamed his boss in front of the entire crew. Miller stood there in silence, looking like he'd been slapped, before bolting outside.
Hearing the commotion, the director came out and asked, "What's going on? Why isn't anyone working?"
Nick didn't back down; he told him everything. Without a second thought, the director organized a full renovation of the old woman's apartment—paid for entirely out of her grandson's salary and bonuses. Perhaps after that, the man would think twice about his behavior and stop demeaning those closest to him.
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