Vignette: The Handyman

He had to be 6'5" tall and his lanky frame made him appear taller.  As he climbed the ladder leaning against the house, I couldn't help but wonder what he was about to do.  What was in the bag hanging from his shoulder?  He stepped very tentatively off the ladder and onto the roof.  Was that look on his face a sign of fear or caution?  With his next two steps I could clearly see fear.  As the shingles crumbled under his work boots he quickly leaned forward, placing his hands on the roof for support.  His bag pitched forward and hit the roof with a thud.  It was almost comical watching him crawl across the roof to the chimney, dragging the bag along.  Holding onto the chimney, he raised himself up to his full height and I thought his head would disappear in the clouds.  Reaching into his bag he pulled out a screen and some tools and, for the next 20 minutes, worked intently installing the screen over the chimney top.  When he was done, he gathered up his tools and his bag and moved slowly toward the ladder.  His climb down was so swift I almost missed it.  When he reached the gound I heard him say, "Praise God.  I'll never do that again."