Need some advice for a delicate situation
Posted by
ceregon
Feb 16 '10, 12:13
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Right after I closed escrow on my house, I talked to a few construction guys about making a few minor repairs before my tenants started moving in. One guy (we�ll call him D.) came highly recommended, but he showed up in a large van with 3 kids. I was able to read between the lines that he and the kids were living in the van, and I suggested that he could stay in the house for two weeks while he was doing the work. D. told me more about the family situation (which I won�t go into here, but it was pretty messed up). The kids� grandparents were going to pick up the kids in a week or two and take them up to Montana where they�d have a better chance at a normal life than in Las Vegas. He remained and kept working. He ended up doing a whole lot more than the original plan (he didn�t find new problems as much as come up with good improvements). I figured he just needed to stay in the house a little longer because of some other things going on in his life and I didn�t mind. I found out what city in Montana the kids were in and called a buddy who lived nearby and asked for names of businesses that could use a flood repair guy or general handyman. I made a few calls and then gave D. the names of a few businesses that were interested in talking to him once he moved to Montana.
This week I flew down to Las Vegas to check out D�s handiwork, settle up the rent owed vs work fees, and talk to some prospective tenants. I was extremely happy with the quality of the work and how he took care of the place as if he would be living there for 20 years. Even though the math showed that he owed me a small amount of money, I told him not to worry about it because gas was expensive and it would take a lot of gas to get that huge van to Montana. As I was leaving, we shook hands and then he surprised me by hugging me and then he started to sob. He kept thanking me for everything and for helping him. When he calmed down a bit he told me that things were so bad for him that once his kids were gone he was planning on going out into the desert and killing himself. But I kept being nice to him (and apparently there aren�t many nice people in Las Vegas) and helping him and so he thought that he would give his life another try. I didn�t say too much, but tried to keep him positive and told him how much he�d like Montana.
I�m back in Cali now, and he�ll be leaving in a few days. I figure I�ll send him a card thanking him for all his hard work and make sure he knows to use me as a reference for future jobs. I know I should probably say more but I�m not sure how to refer to the mention of suicide. Any ideas/suggestions?
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Responses:
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I think if you do or say more he might get a bit embarrassed..keep it to the card and reference. -- nm
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Remlik
Feb 16, 12:35
2
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a thank you card is very nice. and it's really wonderful you went out on a limb and did this for him. -- nm
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kare
Feb 16, 12:31
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Send him that poster of the kitten... "Hang in There!"
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Dr.Vermin
Feb 16, 12:22
2
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That's a tough one.
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Fuzzy
Feb 16, 12:20
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Just a card - you did all the other stuff already. And yes there are not any nice people in Vegas - except for Pete
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Epiphany
Feb 16, 12:20
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Can you make your own card using the "not dead yet" guy from Monty Python? -- nm
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oblique
Feb 16, 12:20
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I think the card is a good idea, but I would keep it to the thank you and reference -- nm
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Roger More
Feb 16, 12:16
5
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Just a, "So glad you are doing better." should be enough. -- nm
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Spawn
Feb 16, 12:16
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Fuck the doorman. -- nm
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Spawn
Feb 16, 12:14
1
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