When I stepped into my backyard last week, I noticed something strange: an extension cord running from my neighbor’s garage into the outlet on the back of my house. At first, I assumed it was a mistake. But when I followed it, I realized he had plugged into my power without asking. I wasn’t angry—just surprised, since we’d always been on good terms.
Later that day, I approached him and calmly said, “That electricity runs through my meter.” He laughed and brushed it off, saying it was “only pennies,” as if that made it harmless. I didn’t want to argue, but I also needed to set a boundary. So I added a small lockable cover over the outlet, thinking that would quietly solve the issue.
The next morning, a folded note appeared in my letterbox. My stomach tightened as I opened it. To my surprise, my neighbor apologized. He said he was embarrassed, admitted he hadn’t thought it through, and hoped we could move past it. His honesty actually made me feel relieved.
That afternoon, I walked over to thank him. We talked, cleared the air, and learned he’d been doing quick home repairs and acted without thinking. By the end, we understood each other better. A small misunderstanding ended up reminding both of us how far a simple conversation—and a little humility—can go toward keeping the peace.
