Lita enjoyed tapping the pipe with her wrench. Its high-pitched clank was her comfort food. “Yep, a clogged U-bend,” she said, peering at the texting teenager in the kitchen.

“Can you fix it?” He mumbled.

Ignoring his disinterest, she replied, “No problem!” then opened her toolbox, whistling as she worked. 

“I could teach you how to do this, y’know.”

Engrossed in a TikTok, he scoffed before sneaking a peek as a string of filthy hair in rank muck fell onto her hands.

He gagged.

“Please! It’s not that bad.”

Cupping his mouth, “It’s awful!”

“It’s all you…and your roommate, that is.”

His face contorted at the woman’s dirty nails and the thought of what they hid.

“I can’t believe you like doing this.”

“It’s a blessing to find what you love. I keep the digestive system of a home working,” she said with pride.

“A blessing to smell like shit and clean people’s piss?” He mocked.

Her jaw clenched and she paused, uncharacteristically irritated. It made the boy smile, pleased he’d hit a mark. 

A few minutes with her wire scrubber and she noted, “Done.”

Coupling it together, she reached inside, opened the water valve and with a flat tone instructed, “Try it now.”

With over-exaggerated caution he stepped across her and turned the taps. They drained with ease. “It works!” He exclaimed.

Lita pulled back and began collecting her tools while he childishly played with the dials. It made her nostalgic.

“No charge,” she effused, then noticed his eyes track to a splash of sludge on her leg. Another revolted expression. It successfully sucked her last bit of pleasure.

She tossed her tool belt, monogrammed P.S. in crayon, over her shoulder, wiped down the sink and watched him retreat to the security of his cellphone. 

A hug would be out of the question so she passed him and said at the door, “I’m sorry I’m a disappointment. I love you, Phillip.”

The latch clicked and the clomp of her boots began fading. Shame exploded within him. He raced to the door, flung it open and before he could yell, “I love you too, Mom,” the exterior door shut. The boy sank. He was too late.