A Dream Come True
When Greg and Jeanne moved into their Old Sacramento neighborhood, their home needed a few renovations.
But the one thing they had always wanted was a pool.
After years of saving, they finally had enough to break ground.
It was an investment in their happiness, a place to unwind after long workdays. They had no idea it would come at a much bigger cost.
The Unexpected Request
The couple didn’t have children of their own, but they adored their nieces and nephews.
So, when their neighbor Sandra approached them one afternoon, they weren’t surprised.
“Would you mind if my kids—and a few of the neighborhood children—used your pool?”
Sandra explained that with school out for the summer, she wanted a safe place for the kids to play.
At first, Greg hesitated.
Would this be opening the floodgates to chaos?
Setting Boundaries
After discussing it with Jeanne, Greg agreed—with one important rule.
“No dogs in the pool.”
The pool liner was fragile, and sharp claws could easily damage it.
The neighborhood kids excitedly agreed.
For a while, it seemed like everything was going well.
A Broken Promise
The pool became the center of the neighborhood.
The sound of laughter and splashing filled the air as Greg and Jeanne watched from the patio.
But one afternoon, a different noise caught Greg’s attention.
He turned toward the window and his stomach dropped.
A large German Shepherd was leaping into the pool—its paws scratching at the delicate liner.
Someone had broken the rule.
Confrontation
Greg stormed outside, his voice firm.
“Whose dog is this?”
One of the boys sheepishly admitted it was his family’s pet.
Greg sighed, frustration bubbling inside him. “I was clear about the rule. You can’t bring dogs in here.”
The kids apologized, but the damage had already been done.
Greg saw tears in the pool liner—just as he had feared.
It was going to cost him.
Confrontation
Greg stormed outside, his voice firm.
“Whose dog is this?”
One of the boys sheepishly admitted it was his family’s pet.
Greg sighed, frustration bubbling inside him. “I was clear about the rule. You can’t bring dogs in here.”
The kids apologized, but the damage had already been done.
Greg saw tears in the pool liner—just as he had feared.
It was going to cost him.
A Shocking Delivery
A few days later, a large truck pulled up in front of the house.
Neighbors watched curiously as workers unloaded tall fence panels.
The whispers began.
What was Greg up to?
It wasn’t long before the truth was revealed.
Drastic Measures
Greg had a new fence installed—a tall, solid structure surrounding their backyard.
A new sign hung near the gate:
“Private Pool – No Trespassing.”
It was clear: the pool was now off-limits.
Greg knew this wouldn’t make him popular, but he had no choice.
Neighborhood Backlash
Some parents weren’t happy.
A few even confronted Greg.
“You’re being selfish.”
“They’re just kids!”
“You’re ruining their summer.”
But Greg stood his ground.
“I welcomed them in. They broke my trust. That’s on them.”
A Hard Lesson Learned
Over time, the neighbors came to respect Greg’s decision.
Some even apologized, acknowledging they had overstepped.
The pool remained a private retreat for Greg and Jeanne—just as they had originally planned.
But Greg couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the end of the story.
And he was right.
That scratch in the pool liner was only the beginning of a much bigger problem.
One that would test his patience like never before.
The neighbors had unfortunately taken advantage of their kindness for far too long, and he was going to put an end to it. He didn’t care if this caused a rift between them.
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.
Greg understood that it might not make him popular with his neighbors, but he was determined to protect his property and his investment.
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.
Greg had a few unpleasant confrontations with his neighbors, who accused him of being unwelcoming and selfish. However, he stood firm in his decision, knowing that he had to protect his property and his family’s enjoyment of the pool.
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.
Some of the kids and their parents even apologized for not following the rules earlier and thanked Greg for allowing them to use the pool in the past. They promised to respect his property going forward.
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.
And he was right. That scratch was just the beginning of the horrors the pool would bring. It was a lesson Greg would learn soon enough.
