“I thought she was reminding me that she believed your job gave her leverage.”
“Are you going to confront Richard?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Richard is smart.”
Dad looked toward the house.
“He’ll figure out what his wife said.”
Then he gave me the answer that sounded so ordinary it almost made me laugh.
“My job was to fix the pool.”
He pointed toward the clear water.
“I fixed it.”
“My job now is to get paid.”
He paused.
“I’m getting paid.”
Later that afternoon, Dad returned for the check.
Richard stood near the pool.
Garrett handed Dad an envelope.
Dad counted the money.
$7,800.
Exactly.
“This is correct,” he said.
Richard looked uncomfortable.
Dad didn’t demand an apology.
Instead, he reached into his jacket and handed Richard a laminated card.
“The system should run well for years if it’s maintained properly.”
Richard looked surprised.
“You prepared a maintenance schedule?”
