Richard asked for his number.

Dad inspected the property a few days later.

The pool was large—a forty-foot gunite installation with an attached spa and waterfall.

It was also in terrible condition.

The pump had failed.

Sections of pipe were damaged.

The filtration system needed replacement.

The water had turned dark green after months of poor circulation.

Dad prepared an estimate.

$7,800.

Everything was itemized.

Equipment.

Labor.

Replacement parts.

Chemical treatment.

Richard read the estimate and signed it.

“When can you start?”

“Monday.”

Dad began Monday morning.

The job took nine days.

Every evening, he called me.

We had spoken almost every night since my mother passed away six years earlier.

During those calls, he told me about the pump.

The damaged pipework.

The filtration system.

The calcium buildup around one particular section of underground plumbing.

On the ninth afternoon, he called.

“It’s finished.”

“You sound proud.”

“It’s good work.”