Move your van

Finally the carpenter was here fitting the new wardrobe. We had waited months. With much effort we had convinced Chris, an electrician we had used a couple of times previous, to do some wiring to accommodate the wardrobe. At first, Chris was unavailable but when I explained to him that I needed to coordinate with the carpenter, he understood and was quite accommodating. He arrived at about 7:00pm that evening after his normal day’s work. He had about maybe two hours’ work to do for us. He was happy to do it and was chatting away while setting up.

Now up on a ladder, saw in hand, cutting round holes into the ceiling for recessed lighting… “can you move your van?” I nearly died ( #control #belligerent ) . It wasn’t an apologetic awkward request, it was a scornful demand with chin up and arms crossed ( #vitriol #entitlement ) . She repeated it getting more impatient with every awkward second that passed. “Susan” I said, “can you maybe wait?”. “No, I need the van moved now.” ( #entitlement #grandiosity #belligerent ) .

Chris the electrician was flabbergasted and gave me a look of ‘phew, WTF is that about!’. He climbed down the ladder, set his tools aside, went out to the van, moved the equipment he had unloaded from behind the van, then moved the van to let her out. She made a rapid exit. He pulled the van back in to where she had been parked.

Work resumed.

Fifteen minutes later, she pulled in behind him, blocking him ( #control #passive-aggressive ) .

I died a little that evening. It was bizarre.