Yesterday evening, a knock came at the door. I was sipping my (cheap ass) wine, reading FARK, listening to the ruckus that three kids, two dogs, and a cat can make.

My wife opens the door, then turns to me and says, “You negotiate.”

“About, what, exactly?” (Ok, I’m a little slow)

“Mowing the lawn.” Behind her I see a boy from across the street is waiting on the porch.

“Um, did you ask him to come mow the lawn?”

“No, but he brought his mower.”

Sure enough, out by the street was a lawn mower. And it had been over a week since we mowed (two weeks out back). So we quickly settled on $25.

I was allowed to finish my wine, the young man had a nice bit of exercise in the 100 degree heat, and also earned some money for those cool shoes he has his eye on.

It all kinda works out in the end.