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

The $286 that changed everything between us.

Marla fixed her gaze on him.

“Is that really what you believe he used?”

“Yes, it’s our cautious guess from this week’s meter readings and the period when our bills surged.”

Ray spun around.

“Marla.”

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