“She always looks at our house like we're not supposed to be here.”
For several seconds, Andre couldn't speak.
He'd noticed Cynthia's hostility.
Her constant complaints.
The subtle way she treated him as though owning a beautiful home required special explanation.
He'd chosen not to interpret every disagreement through the worst possible lens.
But now his daughter was describing something she'd felt long before the sewage incident.
Andre looked at Tanya.
Her eyes were wet.
Then he turned back toward Maya.
“Sweetheart, this is our home.”
Maya stared.
He continued.
“We belong here because we live here. We don't need Mrs. Vale to approve of our family.”
The girl looked toward him.
Then asked.
“Even if she doesn't like us?”
Andre nodded.
“Even then.”
Maya considered.
Then whispered.
“I don't like her either.”
Tanya almost laughed through tears.
Andre smiled faintly.
“You don't have to like everybody.”
He paused.
“But you also don't have to carry her anger around with you.”
Maya looked toward her birthday invitations.
For a moment, she seemed thoughtful.
Then she asked.
“Can Grandma still come?”
Andre smiled.
“Absolutely.”
“And my swimming teacher?”
“We'll ask.”
Maya nodded.
Then picked up her purple marker.
For several seconds, she stared at the paper.
Finally, she began drawing another star.
Andre watched.
His eyes filled.
For the first time since seeing the wastewater enter the pool, he felt some of the tension leave his body.
The damage was real.
The consequences would be expensive.
And his daughter was frightened.
But Cynthia hadn't taken away the people who loved Maya.
She hadn't taken away their home.
And she wasn't going to decide what the family did next.
The professional assessment of the pool began the following week.
The family worked with qualified specialists and the relevant authorities to evaluate the contamination, affected surfaces, circulation equipment, and appropriate remediation.
The process was more complicated than Andre expected.
The pool couldn't simply be treated as dirty water that needed a quick cleaning.
The introduction of wastewater raised concerns about biological contamination and the possible impact on equipment and materials.
The professionals evaluated what needed to be removed, treated, cleaned, replaced, or otherwise addressed before the pool could safely return to service.
They also considered the manufacturer's guidance and the structural implications of any necessary water removal.
Andre documented the expenses carefully.
The initial estimates were substantial.
They included professional assessment, specialized remediation, testing, and potential replacement of affected components.
The final amount would depend on what the work revealed.
Andre didn't immediately know whether his insurance would cover the loss or which parties would ultimately be responsible for paying.