I think I’m a little old to be a pool boy.” He laughed and slapped his muscular bare thigh. As Ian approached him he stuck out his hand, “I’m your neighbor.”

“Oh.” Ian said embarrassed as the man took his hand and gave it a confident shake.

“My name’s Colton. I live over there.” He pointed with the other hand to the row shrubs and trees to the left of the pool.

“Ian”, he returned. It was nice to meet a neighbor but his mind was full of questions. “Uh, nice to meet you, but if your not the pool boy, what are you doing?”

“Oh, I wasn’t sure if you’d moved in yet, Miss Elizabeth left so quickly. She just stopped by long enough to say so long and that she’d sold the place to a nice young man she was sure we would like.”

“How nice. But that still doesn’t explain…” Ian motioned to the strainer.

“Oh sorry, Miss Elizabeth was always kind enough to let our boys use her pool. In return they always kept it clean for her. Did ever since they were old enough to get wet.”

There was something very familiar about Colton’s speech patterns, but Ian couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“They’re grown now, me and Tippy, that’s my wife, spent most of the time just the two of us, a long second honeymoon, if you catch my drift.” Colton nudged him, with that wink wink man bonding nudge. “My youngest just graduated college and will probably show up here in a day or two, so I thought I’d clean it up in case you hadn’t moved in yet.”

“Well, uh…. thanks…” Ian said, but it was beginning to dawn on him. It was almost there.

“I reckon since you’re here, I’ll tell the boys that they need to come and talk to you before they just hop right in. Hope Jesse bothers to come in the house first. When he comes home he usually just stops here first and jumps in clothes and all.” Colton laughed a deep, suddenly recognizable, laugh.

Ian’s eyes got big and the memories just flooded back. “I know you…you’re….you’re Johnny Sayles, Small Town Private Eye!”

“Yes, sir, I used to be.” The man actually blushed. “That was a long time ago, but it bought me a good life for me, Tippy and the boys.”

Ian shook the man’s hand again, “Man, Mr. Colton Shores, it is so good to meet you. When I was a kid you were my hero.”

“Well, that’s nice Ian. Every once and a while someone still remembers.” He blushed again.

“Don’t you act any more?”

“Aw, I made enough from that show that I don’t have to if I don’t want to. Once and a while something comes along that interests me. It wasn’t a great show, but ran long enough to where I could have the privilege of being a little choosey about the rest of my life.” Colton went back to skimming the pool.

“Man oh man, my neighbor is the Colton Shores. I wish I could call my Uncle and tell him. He’d finally be impressed.”

“Well give him a call, I’ll even talk to him and tell what good buddies we are.” He offered.

“Thank you sir,