"My what?"
"Your church home--your home away from home."
I should've answered in the affirmative because what ensued when I shook my head was a list of suggestions, many of which were fundamentalist establishments.
Repeatedly, he told me he bought the highest quality materials. Repeatedly, he said, "You can trust me." Repeatedly, he remarked, "I'd never cheat you. I'm a Christian." I believed him.
At some point when I mentioned needing some kitchen renovation, he said he could do it all. "You want a bay window?" he asked.
"Who wouldn't?" I said. I wrote a large check and he was off to Home Depot to place the order.
Within a few days, I decided I really didn't need to spend the money nor could I endure the ordeal of a kitchen makeover. Instead, I talked my husband into downsizing. He agreed we should look for a house that was more manageable.
I called my 'handyman' and told him to cancel the order for the window. He said it was too late.
I hung up and, then, a few minutes later, phoned Home Depot. I gave them his name, explained that I'd changed my mind, and they pulled the information on their computer. "No problem," the salesman told me. He'd just refund the $200. check to my 'handyman.'
"There must be some mistake." I said. He told me he paid $1,300. for it."
I'd been snookered--by a born-again.
When we moved into the house that required less maintenance, we decided a fresh coat of paint was all that was needed in some of the rooms. I got several estimates. One man handed me a card that read, 'Praise the lord Painting Company.' I turned him down flat and trashed the card.
I cringed when George Bush said Jesus was his favorite philosopher during the campaign for his party's nomination in the 2000 presidential race. I could just picture a 'Praise the Lord Presidency.'
Just as my 'handyman' was my employee, Bush now is. I pay his salary and I maintain his house.
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