There were delays.
Contractor schedules.
Additional checks.
And several occasions when Andre hoped the work was nearly finished, only to learn that another issue needed attention.
But he refused to rush it.
Not with Maya involved.
Not after what happened.
The afternoon the final clearance arrived, Andre was sitting in his home office reviewing construction plans.
His phone rang.
He answered.
Listened for several seconds.
Then leaned backward in his chair.
For a moment, he couldn't speak.
Finally, he smiled.
“Thank you.”
He ended the call.
Then looked through the window toward the backyard.
The swimming pool was beautiful again.
The water was clear.
The ivory-colored tiles had been restored.
And the landscaping along the eastern boundary was healthy.
No unexplained moisture.
No odor.
No gray hose.
Just the peaceful backyard he'd wanted when they purchased the house.
He stood.
Walked downstairs.
And found Tanya preparing dinner.
She looked up.
“Everything okay?”
Andre smiled.
“It's ready.”
She stared.
“What?”
He nodded toward the patio.
“The pool.”
For a moment, Tanya remained motionless.
Then her face changed.
Relief.
Disbelief.
And tears.
She placed the spoon on the counter.
“Really?”
Andre nodded.
“Really.”
She covered her mouth.
Then laughed.
For several seconds, she seemed unable to speak.
Finally, she stepped forward and hugged him.
Andre wrapped his arms around her.
They stood together in the kitchen.
For a moment, he remembered the day Cynthia contaminated the water.
Tanya rushing home.
Maya crying.
The police cruiser outside.
The entire family standing beside something they loved, unable to understand why another person would deliberately destroy it.
Now the pool was safe again.
But Andre knew that wasn't the only thing that needed rebuilding.
Maya hadn't asked to swim at home since the incident.
She'd continued lessons elsewhere.
She still loved water.
Still enjoyed practicing.
But whenever Andre mentioned the backyard pool, she became quiet.
He hadn't pushed.
He understood that feeling comfortable somewhere again could take more than a professional clearance document.
That evening, he and Tanya told her the news.
Maya was sitting at the kitchen island drawing a picture of a mermaid.
She looked up.
“What's happening?”
Andre smiled.
“Your pool is ready.”
For a moment, she stared.
Then her eyes widened.
“Our pool?”
He nodded.
“It's been professionally checked and cleared for use.”
Maya looked toward the patio.
For several seconds, she didn't speak.
Then she asked.
“Is the bad water gone?”
Andre crouched beside her.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
She looked toward Tanya.
Her mother smiled.
“The professionals finished everything that needed to be done.”
Maya considered.
Then turned back toward her father.
“Can Mrs. Vale come back?”