Something He Always Wanted
When Greg built a new pool, he had no idea how popular it would become. It was something he always wanted for himself and his family.
A Dream Come True
When Greg and Jeanne Miller moved into the Old Sacramento neighborhood, their house needed some renovations.
The Neighbors
While the couple didn’t have any children of their own, they loved all kids and were fantastic with their nieces and nephews.
A Mother’s Plea
She pleaded with the couple to let her kids and some of the other neighborhood children use their brand-new pool.
Greg Wasn’t Convinced
After having a talk and much convincing on Jeanne’s part, Greg finally agreed. Besides, they loved kids, and nothing would make them happier to see children having fun.
Although they agreed, Greg called everyone to the pool to set some ground rules. He needed them to know that following the rules was important if they wanted to use someone else’s property.
The Rules
Greg let the children and their parents know that they were happy to have them use the pool anytime, but they had to abide by one rule.
Sounds Of Laughter And Something Else
The sounds of laughter and happiness filled the air as Greg and Jeanne listened to how much fun the children were having in their pool.
Frustration Sets In
Greg watched as one of the neighborhood kids sneaked into the backyard with his dog, a large and energetic German Shepherd. He could see the dog jumping into the pool, scratching the pool liner with its sharp claws, and playing rough with the other kids in the water.
Confrontation
Greg stormed out of the house and marched towards the pool where the kids were playing with the dog. He asked the kids whose dog it was, and one of the boys admitted that it belonged to his family.
Repercussions
The kids reluctantly called the dog out of the pool, and it left with a disappointed whimper. Greg watched as the kids left his property, feeling frustrated and upset.
Time To Reclaim What Was Theirs
He knew what he needed to do. Although Greg and Jeanne enjoyed having the children over, they couldn’t allow something so expensive to go to ruin.
Secret Plans
He made a few phone calls and began to set his plan in motion. It wasn’t long before a huge truck was parked in front of Greg and Jeanne’s house.
The neighbors whispered about what was happening at number 23 Maple Lane. Everything seemed hush-hush. But Greg would soon make the big reveal, and it would leave more than a few neighbors unhappy.
Drastic Measures
After much contemplation, Greg decided to install a tall fence around his backyard to keep the neighborhood kids out. He also put up a sign that clearly stated that the pool was for private use only and that trespassers would be prosecuted.
Backlash from Neighbors
As expected, Greg’s decision to put up a fence and restrict access to his pool didn’t sit well with some of his neighbors. Some of the kids and their parents were disappointed and angry, and there was some tension in the neighborhood.
Respecting Boundaries
Over time, Greg’s neighbors began to understand and respect his boundaries. They realized that Greg was not being unreasonable but simply wanted to enjoy his pool without any disruptions.
Disclaimer: In order to protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.
Thinking It Through
That night, Greg thought about everything that had happened. He warned his neighbor and her children to stay away from his pool. But Greg had a nagging feeling that this was far from the end.
