\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_7662-300x200.jpeg\")
\nI gave a gasp. \u201cBut didn\u2019t they pick everything out themselves?\u201d<\/p>\n
When an entitled couple refused to pay my hardworking plumber father, they assumed they were clever. Little did they know that their arrogance would backfire, leaving them with a bathroom full of remorse. Here\u2019s how my father squandered their entitlement.<\/p>\n
Hey there, everyone! Phoebe here, but you can call me Pippi because my father does. Speaking of which, let me introduce you to Pete: 55 years old, ruggedly gorgeous, with a white beard and hands that carry the marks of a lifetime of hard work. He\u2019s your nice neighborhood plumber and my superhero sans cape.<\/p>\n
Dad is the type of guy who takes on every task as if it were his own, replacing entire bathrooms if a single tile is amiss. However, some people notice that determination and believe they can take advantage. That is just what a pair of entitled homeowners attempted to accomplish. Oh, but they had no idea who they were dealing with.<\/p>\n
It all started a few months ago when I stopped by Dad\u2019s house. I found him on the terrace, puffing away on his cigar and smiling as if he had just heard the world\u2019s best joke.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s got you in such a good mood, old man?\u201d I inquired, settling down close to him.<\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s eyes twinkled as he continued, \u201cOh, Pippi, you\u2019re not gonna believe what just happened. It\u2019s a doozy!\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad leaned in, still chuckling. \u201cRemember that bathroom remodel I was working on? Well, let me tell you about the Carlyles, or as I like to call \u2019em, the Pinchpennies.\u201d<\/p>\n
I settled in, thinking this was going to be good. Dad\u2019s stories have always been.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese folks, they wanted the works. New tiles, fancy fixtures, you name it. They picked out every little detail themselves\u2026 even down to where they wanted the toilet paper holder.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSounds like a dream job,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
Dad snorted. \u201cOh, it started that way alright. But then\u2026\u201d His countenance darkened, and I knew we\u2019d reached the good part. \u201cWhat happened, Dad?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Pippi, on the last day, just as I\u2019m finishing up the grouting, they\u2019re sitting on this couch, ready to pull a real fast one on me.\u201d Dad\u2019s voice became sarcastic as he imitated Mrs. Carlyle. \u201c\u2018Oh, Pete, this isn\u2019t what we wanted at all! These tiles are all wrong!\u2019\u201d
\n
\nI gave a gasp. \u201cBut didn\u2019t they pick everything out themselves?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly!\u201d Dad exclaimed, putting his hands up. \u201cAnd get this \u2014 they had the nerve to tell me they were only gonna pay half of what they owed me. HALF!\u201d<\/p>\n
My jaw fell. \u201cHALF?? After two weeks of working tirelessly to complete their dream bathroom. No way! \u201cWhat did you do?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s eyes gleamed mischievously. \u201cWell, I tried to reason with \u2019em at first. But they weren\u2019t having any of it. Mr. Carlyle, he gets all puffed up and says, \u2018Just finish the job and GET LOST, Pete. We\u2019re not paying a penny more.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
I could feel my blood boiling. \u201cThat\u2019s not fair! You worked so hard!\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad patted my hand. \u201cNow, now, Pippi. Don\u2019t you worry! Your old man had a trick up his sleeve.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d I leaned in, eager to learn more.<\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s grin broadened. \u201cOh, I finished the job alright. But instead of using water for the grout\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI mixed it with sugar and honey,\u201d Dad added, his eyes flashing with malice.<\/p>\n
I blinked, attempting to understand what I had just heard. \u201cSugar and honey?\u201d In the grout? \u201cBut why?\u201d
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_7663-300x200.jpeg\")
\nDad leaned back and took a deep drag from his cigar. \u201cJust wait and see, Pippi. \u201cJust wait and see.\u201d He went on to explain how he packed up his equipment, grabbed half the pay, and smiled as he departed, knowing exactly what was going to happen next.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Dad,\u201d I said, \u201cwouldn\u2019t they notice something was off with the grout?\u201d<\/p>\n
He shook his head and chuckled. \u201cNah, not right away. It looked just fine when it dried. But a few weeks later\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
I leaned closer, listening intently to his every word. \u201cWhat happened a few weeks later?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s grin widened. \u201cThat\u2019s when the real fun began.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPicture this,\u201d Dad said, gesturing with his cigar. \u201cThe Pinchpennies are sitting pretty, thinking they\u2019ve pulled a fast one on old Pete. Then one day, Mrs. Carlyle goes to take a shower, and what does she see?\u201d<\/p>\n
I shrugged, completely engaged in the story.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnts!\u201d Dad exclaimed. \u201cDozens of \u2019em, marching along the grout lines like it\u2019s their own personal highway!\u201d
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_7664-300x200.jpeg\")
\nI couldn\u2019t help laughing. \u201cNo way!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, it gets better,\u201d Dad continued. \u201cNext day, it\u2019s cockroaches. Then every creepy-crawly within spittin\u2019 distance shows up for the party.\u201d<\/p>\n
I shook my head in astonishment. \u201cThat\u2019s crazy! But how do you know all this?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad winked. \u201cRemember Johnny? My old pal? He\u2019s their next-door neighbor and has been keeping me updated.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the Carlyles?\u201d I asked. \u201cWhat did they do?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s eyes shone with delight. \u201cOh, Pippi, they tried everything. Spent a fortune on pest control, but nothing worked. You wanna know the best part?\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded enthusiastically.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey blamed the pest control sprays for ruining the grout! Can you believe it?\u201d Dad broke out laughing.<\/p>\n
As Dad\u2019s laughing subsided, I couldn\u2019t help but feel sorrow for the Carlyles. \u201cBut Dad, don\u2019t you think that was a bit\u2026 harsh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s expression relaxed. \u201cPippi, you gotta understand. These people tried to cheat me out of my hard-earned money. Two weeks of backbreaking work, and they wanted to pay me half?\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded slowly. \u201cI get it, but still\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLook,\u201d Dad stated, leaning forward. \u201cIn this line of work, reputation is everything. If word spread that I let clients walk all over me, I\u2019d be out of business faster than you can say \u2018leaky faucet.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
I had to concede that he had a point. \u201cSo what happened next?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad grins. \u201cWell, according to Johnny, they ended up redoing the whole bathroom about a year later.\u201d<\/p>\n
My eyes expanded. \u201cDid that solve the problem?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad shook his head and chuckled. \u201cNope. The sugar residue was still there, lurking beneath the surface. The bugs just kept on coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the Carlyles?\u201d I asked. \u201cDid they ever figure it out?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s eyes twinkled. \u201cNot a clue. Last I heard, they were planning to redo the entire bathroom\u2026 again.\u201d
\nDad sighed and his expression became grim. \u201cPippi, let me tell you something. In all my years of plumbing, I\u2019ve never done anything like this before. And I hope I never have to again. But these Carlyles, they weren\u2019t just trying to cheat me. They were insulting my work, my pride.\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded, understanding dawning. \u201cThey thought they could walk all over you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly,\u201d Dad replied, pointing his cigar at me. \u201cAnd in this business, word gets around. If I let them get away with it, who knows how many other folks might try the same thing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess I see your point,\u201d I confessed. \u201cBut still, bugs in the bathroom? That\u2019s pretty gross, Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
He chuckled. \u201cWell, I never said it was a pretty revenge. But it was effective.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, what happened after that?\u201d I inquired, curious. \u201cDid you ever hear from them again?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad shakes his head. \u201cNope. But Johnny keeps me updated. You should hear some of the stories he\u2019s told me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike what?\u201d I leaned in, ready for more.<\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s eyes sparkled with malice. Mrs. Carlyle once hosted a nice dinner party. Johnny claimed he could hear her screaming all the way from his house when she discovered a cockroach in the guest toilet!\u201d<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t help laughing. \u201cOh man, that must\u2019ve been embarrassing!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou bet it was,\u201d Dad laughed. \u201cAnd then there was the time Mr. Carlyle tried to fix the problem himself. Bought every bug spray in the store and went to town on that bathroom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid it work?\u201d I inquired, already anticipating the answer.<\/p>\n
Dad shook his head and grinned. \u201cNope. Just made the whole house smell like a chemical factory for weeks. And the bugs? They came right back as soon as the smell faded.\u201d<\/p>\n
I shook my head in astonishment. \u201cUnbelievable. How long has this been going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnbelievable. How long has this been going on?\u201d Dad remarked, chewing on his cigar. \u201cJohnny says they\u2019re at their wits\u2019 end. Talking about selling the house and moving.\u201d<\/p>\n
I whistled softly. \u201cWow, Dad. That\u2019s some long-lasting revenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded, a look of regret in his eyes. \u201cMaybe it went on a bit longer than I intended. But you know what they say about karma.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d I agreed. \u201cIt\u2019s a real\u2026 well, you know.\u201d We shared a hearty laugh at that.<\/p>\n
As the sun began to set, sending a warm warmth across the patio, I sat back and processed what Dad had told me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, Dad,\u201d I said slowly, \u201cI gotta admit, that\u2019s pretty genius. Diabolical, but genius.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. \u201cSometimes, Pippi, you gotta teach people a lesson they won\u2019t forget.\u201d
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_7665-300x200.jpeg\")
\nI couldn\u2019t help but laugh. \u201cWell, I bet the Carlyles won\u2019t be trying to stiff anyone on their bill anytime soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got that right,\u201d Dad chuckled. \u201cAnd every time Johnny gives me an update, I get a good laugh out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the sky turn pink and orange.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Dad?\u201d I said finally.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Pippi?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPromise me one thing?\u201d<\/p>\n
He raised an eyebrow. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n
I grinned. \u201cIf I ever need my bathroom redone, I\u2019m paying you in full upfront.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dad burst out laughing and pulled me into a big bear embrace. \u201cThat\u2019s my girl!\u201d<\/p>\n
As we sat there, laughing and admiring the sunset, I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about the Carlyles and their bug-infested bathroom. It served as a reminder that karma can come with six legs and a sweet tooth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When an entitled couple refused to pay my hardworking plumber father, they assumed they were clever. Little did they know that their arrogance would backfire, leaving them… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17193,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17192"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17197,"href":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17192\/revisions\/17197"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17193"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}