“Probably.”
“The pool.”
“Yes.”
“Is there anything I should know?”
“Don’t connect hoses to my property.”
He laughed.
Then realized I wasn’t.
“I promise.”
“Then we’ll get along.”
He nodded toward the children running across the yard.
“We’re actually thinking of removing the pool.”
“Really?”
“My wife doesn’t want it.”
“Can’t imagine why.”
This time both of us laughed.
They eventually kept it.
Had the system professionally restored and independently tested before anybody used it.
The first time I heard their kids splashing in the water, I expected the sound to bother me.
It didn’t.
A pool was just a pool again.
That surprised me too.
Patricia Langford stopped attending HOA meetings after Denise left.
Shelley Voss attended every one.
According to Curtis, she had developed a sudden passion for financial transparency.
Tom Kincaid eventually cleaned out half his garage.
Not because of the HOA.
Because he was ready.
One Saturday, I helped him move boxes.
His wife’s Christmas decorations.
Kitchenware.
Old photographs.
Three containers of clothes.
He stood holding one of her sweaters for a long time.
Nobody measured his grass that afternoon.
Dolores received reimbursement through the settlement of her claim.
When the check came, she brought me empanadas.
“Too many,” I said.
“That is not a real problem.”
“I live alone.”
“Then freeze them.”
I took the container.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She pointed at me.
“And no more strange plumbing.”
I laughed.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Miguel eventually stopped working in Silver Creek.
Several months later I saw him at a hardware store.
He approached me before I could decide whether to approach him.
“Mr. Harden.”
“Miguel.”
He looked uncomfortable.
“I should have stopped.”
“Yes.”
“She told me you agreed.”
“At first?”
He nodded.
“Then you told me.”
“I did.”
“I should have stopped then.”
“Yes.”
He swallowed.
“I needed the account.”
“I figured.”
“My daughter was starting college.”
I looked at him.
“That explains it.”
He waited.
“But it doesn’t excuse it.”
“I know.”
We stood in the plumbing aisle surrounded by valves and fittings.
Finally he extended his hand.
“I’m sorry.”