Explosion under the sink:

A four story flood errupts.

At about 2:15 Sunday afternoon last, I heard an explosion under the kitchen sink. Rushing to look, I saw water pouring, erupting from the pipes beneath the sink. A valve had blown off and the water was escaping far faster than anyone could soak it up, even with a wet dry vac, I am guessing. I called the fire department, then emergency maintenance, then the fire department again, then emergency maintenance. Emergency maintenance was an hour away, my cat was nowhere to be found, and I will be eternally grateful for the presence of Christina, my personal care provider and in this instance, my personal hero and angel. Finally, the fire department came, and eventually, by diving headfirst into the explosion of water, a firefighter was able to cap the valve. This took about thirty minutes, but it seemed like forever. Christina was soaking up towels full of water and wringing them out into my emptied trash can. Then she would empty the full can into the bathtub and start again.

The apartment below me belongs to my buddy, Eddie. Eddie told me, “I was in the gulf war and can handle a little water.” Well, there was enough water to flood the apartment of the man below Eddie and the fitness center below the man below Eddie. I couldn’t believe how much water flushed through my floor. Above, you’ll see the towels that were left on the ground after we had wrung out as much as possible.

The water mitigation (I think that’s the correct word) brought in two huge dehumidifying fans and tore up some of my carpet to remove the soaked padding beneath it. It was incredibly loud that night and I don’t think I slept more than five minutes. I couldn’t soothe my cat, the noise bothering both of us, and I kept worrying that the cap would shoot off again.

The next morning, my girlfriend called to see how I was. I told her I needed a hug or three. Without hesitation, she offered to bring me to her house for a week, if I could place my cat with my cat’s other mother. I was so grateful that I almost collapsed on the bed behind me. I immediately called the Cat’s other mother and plans were made. By four pm, we were headed to Northglenn with kitty and then I was headed south to Castle Rock. I have bequeathed upon the head of my girlfriend the status of Knight in Shining Armor.

Today is the 31st and my girlfriend’s 49th birthday. (No cougar jokes please—although I have been mistaken for her mother in the last week.) Her mother and she have been delightful and compassionate hosts. This is even more noticeable because her father died two weeks ago. Her mother and father were married for 59 years before his death and to take in a guest at this time is a sure sign of generous hearts.

The water mitigation people are returning this morning and taking away the fans if possible. They will determine after a fashion if the drywall was soaked enough to need replacing. Drywall is like a sponge, so I hope they do. I don’t want Luna and myself there when the mold begins to grow.

I am supposed to be going home Friday late morning. I don’t know when Luna kitty will get to come home. It depends on the repairs. I don’t want to be there without her but I don't want her there if repairmen are coming in and out. Such a sad situation.

Thank you all for the good wishes and offers of help. I am truly blessed in this horrible situation. I hate the fact that it was my apartment that flooded down four floors and yet I am glad I Live on the top floor and didn’t lose much. Sorry I have been late with the substacks. I will try to get back in a rhythm, but it won’t be this Friday.