Our water bill soared to $214, and I discovered my neighbor secretly siphoning from our outdoor faucet, prompting unexpected advice from my husband.

As Ben captured our world outside, I desperately recorded the evidence.

Ray continued watering right up until 7:36.

He returned to the task on Thursday.

The pattern unchanged.

The same trusty hose.

The same precise follow-up with the board.

Last month, the weight of $214 shook our world.