literature

Cleaning a house for a friend

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Literature Text

Bob, a tabby cat working the white collar, was walking home from work when he first saw Nathan, a German Shepherd. He had taken a new route from the Elevated rail station, and enjoyed it. But the boy sweeping the sidewalks of the main street caught his eye. He stopped, glanced back, and moved on. “Interesting to see someone actually cleaning these dirty streets,” he said under his own breath.

The next day, Bob took the same route to and from the EL. On the way there he saw nothing unusual (even seeing a “hoover home” in an alley was normal for him). But on the way back from the terminal, he saw the same dog cleaning the streets wearing his rags, though they were neat. As he walked by him, he made a kind remark “Glad to see you’re cleaning the streets”

“It makes me feel great to clean” Nate responded. And the two parted ways yet again, as Bob strolled back to his home.

However, the third day was different. As he walked home through the City streets, He saw Nathan a third time, though this time, the German Shepherd was holding a cup and rattling the few pennies and quarters that were inside it. Bob stopped “Aren’t you the man that cleans the streets?”

“Yes. My broom broke, and I need a new one.”

“Well don’t you have cash to purchase a new one?”

He shook his head

“Do you have parents to give you the money?”

He shook his head

Bob paused “Do” he was nervous to ask the next question “Do you have a home to go to for the night?”

Not to his surprise, Nathan shook his head. A tear came from Nathans eye as well. “My home is the alley. The most beautiful alley in the entire damn city,”

Bob felt sad for the poor fellow, but also saw opportunity. “Eh…look kid,” He talked cautiously “I’ve…I’ve got a spare room. If you can clean my house…you can occupy the room,”

“Really?” His tail wagged as a grin fell upon his face.

“Be warned it’s a-“ But before he finished his sentence, Nathan Tackled him.

“OH THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!” He said with pure joy. Bob cracked a small smile and the two walked home together.
Upon entering Bobs apartment, He uttered something “Now be warned. I have a very messy house, and my job keeps me from cleaning it.” Nathan just nodded, and turned the handle.

What was beyond the door was more than disgusting. Piles of random stuff were everywhere. The large amount of trash made the place smell bad. Nathan just stood at the door and spoke, “This is going to be one hell of a project.”

“It sure will be” Bob said as he set down his suitcase by the door and went into the living room, covered in pizza boxes and stains in the carpet, among other things. “You can start as soon as possible. Just don’t overwork yourself, kiddo”

“Good night,” He said in response and went to find the guest room.

The morning was young, and Bob had to get out of the apartment by six. But as he was making breakfast, he saw a list.


Cleaner
Broom
Dust pan
Mop
Windex
Trash bags
Stain remover
Gloves

Nathan had created the list for Bob so he could get the items on the way home. He picked up the list, placed it in his pocket, and left.

When he got home, he was surprised. The living room was much cleaner than he had thought Nathan could do. The pizza boxes were gone and it looked cleaner than he had ever imagined. “Did you get what’s on the list, Master?”

“Master? Just call me Boss, or Bob.” He responded. He dropped down two filled bags on the counter in the kitchen. “I’ll get the broom and dustpan tomorrow. Nathan responded with a big hug to the feline. “Thanks a bunch…Boss” He then walked away and went back to cleaning the living room.

A week has gone by now, and Nathan had done so much more than expected. The dog woke up, ready to clean on the Friday of that week. When he walked out of his room and into the kitchen (his current project) he noticed something on the counter.

Nathan,

I am in utter shock at the work you have done to my house. I never thought it would come to this, but it has. It’s time you get rewarded for your hard work. Keep it up

Bob.

A twenty-dollar bill was underneath the message. Nate hugged the bank note with pride and began to clean the kitchen. He scrubbed the floors with a sponge and mop. He got the surface of the cabinets. Hell, Nathan organized the interiors too, ensuring there was space for more.

When bob got home, Nathan pounced on him  and licked his face. “You are a great Boss”

“And you are a great housekeeper” Bob said with a little bit of disgust. “Let’s go out to dinner tonight. You earned it”

The next few weeks were good for Bob and Nate. The German Shepherd continued to clean the house, and in return, the cat payed him for his hard work. Bob loved the companionship of a room mate, and Nate loved to clean his apartment.

At last, after a month of cleaning, Nathan was satisfied with the cleanliness. Bob put another twenty in his hand and got an affectionate hug in return.

“Let me tell you something, Nate.”

He nodded.

“When I first took you in, I thought you would leave in disgust and never clean my house up. But you did the exact opposite. You have impressed me to the highest extent possible, and I thank you for cleaning the place up,”

“I did great?”

“So good in fact” He took out his wallet “that I want to give you this” He handed the boy a business card.

Bob Wilde
Business Planner
We’ll make you a success

“Is this your work, Bob?”


“Yes, Nate, it is. And I want to help you make your cleaning job a money  maker. You’ve done so good on my house, I bet you can do it for a good fee for other people,”


“You mean-”

“You can make a ton of money with this,”

Nathan didn’t know what to do. On one hand he could make money doing what he loved. On the other hand he couldn’t clean the city streets up.

After giving it some thought, he put the card in his pocket. “Take me to work tomorrow and help a brother out!”

The next few months were all planning. Bob and Nathan worked together to start a company. Nate chose the logo, and Bob did the paperwork. In time, Nates House Cleaning was in business, and Nathan couldn’t have been happier. Bob was also happy too as he still housed his canine companion. In the end, Nate was able to get his own apartment, but he’d always have Bob as his feline friend, as well as some professional help when he needed it.
A cat befriends a really good clean freak. But is Nathan up to par as bob hopes he is?
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