Nights when he looked toward Cynthia's house and wondered whether buying the property had been a terrible mistake.
He remembered the rumors.
The fines.
The threats.
And the afternoon he watched his daughter become frightened of the swimming pool she'd worked so hard to enjoy.
For a while, leaving had seemed easier.
But now he looked toward the water.
The plaque.
The deck chairs.
And the house where Maya had spent the afternoon laughing with her friends.
He took a breath.
“Sometimes.”
Tanya nodded.
“Me too.”
For several seconds, they remained quiet.
Then Andre smiled faintly.
“But I don't think I want to.”
She looked toward him.
“Why?”
He considered.
Then answered.
“Because this is our home.”
Tanya smiled.
He continued.
“We picked it. We worked for it. Maya loves it.”
He looked toward the pool.
“And I don't want somebody else's misconduct deciding where our family is allowed to be happy.”
Tanya reached for his hand.
For a moment, they sat together.
Then the patio door opened.
Maya appeared wearing pink pajamas and fuzzy slippers.
“Mommy?”
Tanya turned.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Can I ask something?”
Andre smiled.
“Always.”
The little girl walked toward them.
She stopped beside her father's chair.
Then looked toward the beautiful pool.
“Are we having swimming lessons here again?”
Andre considered.
He glanced toward Tanya.
She smiled gently.
He turned back toward Maya.
“We can plan some appropriate gatherings with your instructor and make sure everything is arranged safely.”
Maya nodded.
For a moment, she seemed thoughtful.
Then she grinned.
“Can my friends come?”
Andre laughed.
“That's usually how a gathering works.”
She giggled.
Then looked toward the eastern hedge.
“Even if somebody complains?”
For a moment, Andre's expression softened.
He knelt beside her.
“Sweetheart, if somebody has a real concern, we listen and take it seriously.”
She nodded.
“But nobody gets to make up rules just to frighten us.”
Maya considered.
Then smiled.
“Okay.”
She hugged him.
Andre held her tightly.
Then Tanya reminded her it was bedtime.
Maya groaned.
“Already?”
Her mother raised one eyebrow.
“Already.”
The little girl turned toward the pool one final time.
Then waved.
“Goodnight, Blue Water Club!”
Andre laughed.
Tanya shook her head affectionately.
Maya hurried inside.
For several seconds, the parents listened to her footsteps disappearing down the hallway.
Then Andre leaned backward.
He looked toward the entrance gate.
The tall white columns.
The black ironwork.
And the driveway where a police cruiser had stopped on the worst afternoon of their lives.
He remembered Cynthia standing beside the pool in her bright-pink floral dress.
Her pearls.
Her sunglasses.
And the expression of absolute confidence she wore while directing wastewater into his family's swimming pool.