“What exactly are you doing?”
“Charging my car.”
She said it like I’d asked why the moon was in the sky.
“You’re charging it using my electricity.”
She rolled her eyes.
Home & Garden
“Eleanor, come on.”
“My electric bill nearly doubled.”
“You live alone. How much electricity do you even use?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“That isn’t the point.”
“It kind of is. I’ve got three kids. I’m driving everywhere all day. You’re retired.”
“So?”
She shrugged.
Electricity
“You mostly sit inside.”
For years, I had been the woman who avoided scenes.
That night, something shifted.
“Unplug your car.”
Monica sighed dramatically.
“I’m almost done.”
“Now.”
Autos & Vehicles
“I’ll give you ten dollars if it’s such a huge deal.”
Then she smiled.
“Don’t be greedy.”
Greedy.
I stared at the woman who had taken my garden decoration, used my lawn mower, and quietly helped herself to my electricity.
“Unplug it.”
Gardening
Something in my voice finally reached her.
She yanked the cable out.
“This is why I didn’t ask,” she muttered. “I knew you’d make a whole thing out of it.”
I went inside without answering.
The electric bill was still sitting beneath the fruit bowl.
I looked at the number again.
Then I texted Diane.
Language Resources
“Mystery solved. I know why the bill doubled.”
She immediately called.
I didn’t answer.
Instead, I added:
“And I have a plan.”
The following morning, I walked directly into Monica’s yard.
Nobody stopped me.
Electricity
I picked up my garden gnome and carried him home.
The blue paint Monica had slapped over him couldn’t hide the chipped nose or traces of the old red hat underneath.
I placed him beside the outdoor outlet.
Then I made a few preparations.
Nothing dangerous.
Nothing that could hurt anyone.
Just enough to make it very difficult for Monica to pretend she wasn’t trespassing again.
Around lunchtime, Diane called.
“Mom, you sound suspiciously cheerful.”
“I’m gardening.”
“You’re plotting something.”
“Only if Monica gives me a reason.”
