Cathy Lane (CL) and Eddie Estes (EE)

CL: When I was in the first grade. I said that, my father was a plumber, and this little boy said,  ’your father sticks his hands in people’s toilets ah ha ha and he told the whole class.’ And I came back with this catch. ’If your daddy made as much as my daddy, he’d stick his whole head in the toilet.’ After that, no one teased me and I never was ashamed that my father was a plumber.

EE I remember when I was six years old and I was out for the summer break. And dad told me I had to go to work [laugh] and I told him, ’Can mama go with me?’ [laugh]

 I’d run and get parts. I was like a plumber’s helper.

CL: What I remembered is this little seat that would fit on a toilet no matter where you and daddy was so that you can use the bathroom. So you had that in one hand and daddy’s hand in another hand. [laugh]

I didn’t start working until I was eight. It was my job to troubleshoot over the phone. ‘Good afternoon, ‘Estes Plumbing. May I help you?’ 

And if I took too long of a lunch break I would get fired, I think I’ve been fired at least four times … 

EE Mm-hmm

CL … by Mommy. She was more serious than any boss I’ve ever had. 

But Mom and Dad made me feel like there was nothing I couldn’t get if you work hard for it.

I remember Daddy started getting those recognitions from the city. We just seen him rise. I just remember everyone knew him. 

EE: ‘Cause he gave a lot. 

CL: He gave a lot.

EE: When I was a kid, I used to watch him and how he does. So when I was growing up, I wanted to be like him.

I’m used to him being my only boss, all my life. To this day he tells me what to and I do just like a little kid [laughs].

CL And he’s still bossy. 

EE yeah