Stupid Boy

NTB is no longer on my "good" list.

When I went in to get my battery replaced (I KNEW it was the battery!) the poor, unfortunate soul (PUS-haha, that makes me laugh) behind the counter tried to tell me I needed about eleventy other things.  Our conversation went like this:

PUS: Okay, so you need a new engine air filter, a new battery, a new ac belt, a new serpentine belt, and wiper blades.
ME: I think you might've forgotten to include the kitchen sink in that list.
PUS: Huh? (Already he loses points for not having a sense of humor)
ME: Okay, write up an estimate, and I'll tell you what I choose to do.
PUS (Eyes rolling): Okay, I'll get on that right away, Ma'am.
ME: Thank you.
Meanwhile, I step outside to call my dad to report my findings, and we agree that replacing battery and belt(s) are the way to go.
PUS: Here's the estimate.  For the air filter, the battery, the battery install, the two belts, and the labor, it's $430.
ME: What about the wiper blades?  And the kitchen sink?
PUS: Huh?
ME: I'm going to call my dad and discuss.  Please excuse me.

Now, when I say that, I expect him to give me some personal space because he was all up in my hula hoop, and I was NOT looking adorable, so I know it wasn't because he thought I was something.  I called my dad and repeated the list.  He got irritated as did I and when I said:

ME: Yeah, the labor for the belt install is $153.
PUS: No, that's for the 2 belts.

I looked at that PUS (who was still very much inside my hula hoop while I was sitting at a table) and I stared.  B looked at that PUS and HE stared.  I put my hand in the air in "talk to the hand" fashion and pinched my fingers closed like they were a mouth.  And then I glared.  And when I hung up the phone, I said:

ME: Just the battery, please.
PUS: Ooookaaaaaay. (walks into the back yelling) SHE JUST WANTS THE BATTERY!

I stared, dumbfounded, and when the manager came in, I complained.  And this is where it gets REAL good, y'all.  The PUS gets called into the manager's office for a meeting and when he comes out, he gets all up in my hula hoop again and this happens:

PUS: Um, I'm sorry for whatever you think I might've done.

SAY WHAT?!  Is that supposed to be an apology?  So, I did what any other person would do...I ripped him a new one like he'd never seen before:

ME: Was that supposed to be an apology?  Whatever I think you might've done?  How about invading my personal space?  How about correcting me while I was on a personal phone call on MY phone? How about yelling in a way that was entirely unprofessional?  How about offering a half-assed apology, because let me just say...even my children know better than to interrupt an adult on a phone call.  Even my children know better than to stay out of someone's personal space (this is only half true, but how would he know?) and even my children know how to offer up a heartfelt apology or at least make it seem heartfelt.  You could learn a thing or two from this 8 year-old right here.
B (bless him): Yeah, that's pathetic! (I have never loved my sarcastic streaked children so much)
PUS: Yeah. Well. Whatever.
ME: No, not whatever.  Take your "apology" elsewhere.  You've lost my respect and my business.

Meanwhile, the assistant manager is biting every single part of her mouth in an attempt to not laugh.  But, to be fair, this dude had it coming.  He was SO rude to everyone and I'd had it.  So, I had my battery replaced "because it's the one thing I need to get out of this place" and I went home and made an appointment at Pepboys.  For less.  And an oil change.  Still for less.  And the guy on the phone laughed his ass off when I told him about PUS at NTB.

After that, N had a ballgame, which ended up being quite the spectacle.  They won (surprisingly) 14-6.  N hit a line drive to the center field wall and scored on the same hit.  He thought something should be a strike and the ump disagreed.  Loudly.  Then N got a dressing down from the ump which was well-deserved and apologized to him.  Then, when the other team's catcher was behind the plate (I think he was new to the position) the same ump said, "Look, son...you're gonna have to start trying to catch these at some point..."  The kid was trying, and I snorted.  Not long after that, a pitch hit him right in the knuckle and he hopped around the field yelling some pretty choice words.  I couldn't help it.  I laughed so hard, right then and there.  Karma, friends.  It's real.

We stayed to watch the second game because we have friends on both teams and made a pact to get our team back together even if it meant bribes.  Okay, maybe not...but maybe so...I've already put some feelers out.  I'm not above that if it gets our team back together.  I can't even begin to tell you how amazing Spring Ball was to our family.  Seriously.  It's little league...and it's rec ball...but it's so much more than that.  It's a family.

Aubs