Poolside

My friend Michael unpacks the plastic kiddie pool and begins the lengthy process of filling it with water.

Well, he announces as it begins to take shape, It's official.

What's that? I ask, fending off the old pit bull who suspects I have treats in my pocket and soothing the little chihuahua as he gets too close.

Michael looks around at the uncut grass and the half finished flower beds and back to the plastic pool with the colorful array of sea creatures painted on the sides. It really is one of the tackiest things I've seen in a long while and even though I'd made the original suggestion that a pool would help the dogs cool off, I hadn't been serious, had never dreamed he would actually spend money on one, never mind set it up in the side yard for all the world to see.

We're officially poor white trash, he sighs, Lord help us all when Mama sees this.

It isn't as bad as all that, I tell him, though of course it is. The grand old house has seen better days. The roof needs repair, the paint is peeling, some of the shutters are hanging on by a thread. There's an upstairs door that would be carried away in a strong wind and a downstairs one that's hanging on by broken hinges and the grace of God. The once elegant interior with it's antique furniture and oriental rugs has fallen prey to neglect – and of course, dogs – the floor buckles in several places, the wall to wall is torn up clear to the matting, the pristine crown molding is badly chipped and flaking. The old air conditioning units are operating on a wing and a prayer, the stove hasn't worked in years, the windows are painted shut and none of the doors close properly. The financial crisis of several years ago was not kind and the business has never fully recovered. The glory days are gone and the old Michael with them.

The pool fills and fulls out and the puppy inspects it briefly then climbs over the side and dives in headfirst. Michael, in his ancient madras shorts and blue button down shirt, unshaven and looking like an unmade bed, steps in after him.

In many ways, I like this new Michael better.