McGee: Only a matter of time before we found Gene

The grass was growing higher and higher in the yard of The Stucco Hacienda. The weeds leered at me. I hadn't seen a goat-head yet, but I was sure it was only a matter of time.

Here it was not even the first of May and the yard was in need of mowing.

What was I to do? I didn't have time for mowing, there were too many things to do, too many responsibilities: My day job, the bicycle shop, cleaning the kitty litter box, putting away the dishes. There was no way to properly care for the yard.

Where was Gene?

Gene is this great guy The Lady of the House discovered a couple of years ago who does all the yard work for us. He does such a great job. He's on my cell phone directory as "Gene Gene the Lawnmowing Machine."

But when I called his number I got a recording, "The customer either has the unit turned off or is out of the service area."

Where was Gene?

Meanwhile the dandelions taunted me, the grasses went to seed and I was sure the code-enforcement dude would pop around the corner at any minute.

"Did you get in touch with Gene yet?" asked The Lady of the House.

"No," I said.

"Maybe he's charging his phone," she said.

"Maybe he's moved away," I said.

"Maybe he has a night job and he sleeps during the day," she said.

Finally, one day as I walked into the house after work The Lady of the House proclaimed, "I HAVE FOUND GENE." He had a little ad in the paper with a new phone number. I didn't hesitate, I called him. I got his voice mail. I left a message.

A few hours later Gene called back.

Tears of joy coursed down my cheeks.

Well, no, not really. And if they did I wouldn't tell anyone anyway.

Grant McGee is a long-time broadcaster and former truck driver who rides bicycles and likes to talk about his many adventures on the road of life. Contact him at: [email protected]