Last week, when I stepped into my backyard, something unusual stopped me in my tracks: an extension cord running from my neighbor’s garage straight into the outlet on the back of my house. For a moment, I assumed it had to be temporary or accidental. But following the cord confirmed otherwise—he had plugged into my power without asking.
We’d always been friendly, so more than anger, I felt surprised.
Later that day, I approached him gently and said, “That electricity runs through my meter.”
He laughed it off. “It’s only pennies.”
His casual tone made me uncomfortable—not because of the money, but because of the assumption. I didn’t want a conflict, so I simply installed a small lockable cover over the outlet. Problem solved, I thought.
The next morning, a folded note appeared in my letterbox. My stomach tightened as I opened it, unsure of what I’d find. Instead of defensiveness, the note held an apology. He admitted he was embarrassed, said he hadn’t realized it mattered, and apologized for not asking. He hoped we could move past it.
His honesty softened everything.
That afternoon, I walked over to thank him. We talked for a while—no tension, no blame, just clarity. He explained he’d been doing some repairs and acted without thinking.
By the end, the misunderstanding had turned into something better: a reminder that communication, even over something small, can strengthen trust instead of break it.
Sometimes it just takes one honest conversation—and a locked outlet cover.
