And sometimes they simply sat beside the pool, listening to music while Maya practiced drawing pictures of the house.
Andre also began organizing occasional water-safety afternoons for relatives and neighbors.
They were small, carefully supervised gatherings where qualified swimming instructors demonstrated basic safety practices and answered parents' questions.
The events weren't a commercial swim school.
Andre didn't sell memberships.
Didn't advertise public lessons.
And didn't charge families for attending.
He simply believed children should learn how to behave safely around swimming pools.
Tanya supported the idea.
So did several neighbors.
Then Cynthia Vale heard about it.
At first, she seemed friendly.
She arrived at the Walker home carrying a white gift basket filled with expensive cookies, locally roasted coffee, and a printed copy of the Magnolia Ridge community handbook.
She wore a pale-pink designer blouse, white trousers, pearl earrings, and a smile that seemed almost professionally rehearsed.
“Welcome to Magnolia Ridge!”
Andre shook her hand.
“Thank you. We're happy to be here.”
She looked past him toward the entrance hall.
Her eyes moved across the marble floor.
The curved staircase.
The contemporary artwork.
And the large windows overlooking the backyard.
Then she smiled.
“What a beautiful property.”
Tanya appeared beside Andre.
“Would you like to come in?”
Cynthia hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Just for a moment.”
She walked through the foyer as though inspecting a hotel.
Her gaze lingered on the furniture.
The kitchen.
And eventually, the pool.
“Ah.”
She stopped beside the patio doors.
“So you've kept the swimming pool.”
Andre frowned slightly.
“Yes.”
Cynthia looked toward him.
“I see.”
For a moment, her smile became strangely tight.
Then she turned toward Tanya.
“You'll discover that we're a very particular community.”
Tanya smiled politely.
“In what way?”
“Oh, we take property presentation seriously.”
Cynthia gestured toward the garden.
“Landscaping. Architectural consistency. Recreational activities. Drainage.”
Andre nodded.
“Of course.”
She looked toward him.
“What do you do for a living, Mr. Walker?”
“Civil engineering.”
Her expression changed.
“Really?”
He smiled.
“Mostly infrastructure and site development.”
For a fraction of a second, Cynthia seemed uncomfortable.
Then she recovered.
“How interesting.”
She placed her coffee cup on the counter.
“Well, I'm sure you'll appreciate that the association must maintain strict oversight of all water-related activities.”
Andre nodded.
“Within its governing authority, certainly.”
Cynthia's smile faded.
For a moment, she stared.
Then she laughed politely.
“Of course.”
She stayed another five minutes.
Then left.
Tanya closed the front door.
For several seconds, she remained quiet.
Then she looked toward Andre.
“What was that?”
He laughed.
“What?”
“She looked at our backyard like it personally offended her.”
Andre smiled.
“Maybe she doesn't like swimming.”
Tanya raised one eyebrow.