Up on the Roof

One day, the boss told the staff to be on the look-out for someone who was going up on the roof. "We found cigarette butts up there. We don't know who has been going up there but keep an eye open for it."

Henry was finished with dinner and I was walking with him in the hallway. "Come on. We're going for a walk" I said.

Henry said "But I don't have a coat."

"It ain't that cold; come on." I steered him toward an door.

"But I already went for a walk this morning" he complained.

"And another won't hurt. A short one." I had gotten us outside and on the sidewalk. We went around the corner.

"Now, Henry: no more going on the roof." I tried to sound gruff but the laughing sort of ruined the effect.

"Who ratted me out?" Henry wanted to know.

"Nobody ratted you out. You're the only one crazy enough to go up on the roof--and spry enough to make it." I threw an arm around him. "No more going up on the roof, OK?"

"OK. But I'm chiciken; I never went closer than ten feet to the edge."

"Maybe so, but no more roof walking. You might get blown off. I would miss you if you went and died."

We got back inside. You got to love the guy. I'm still not sure how he got up on the roof. And I am not sure he won't go back up. But I am sure I would miss him if he died.