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
