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

Marla’s farewell lingered as her gaze pierced the gap in the fence.

“I’ll cover the cost for this as well.”

Ben’s head moved from side to side.

“I can swap out the board.”

“No.”

Her eyes drifted toward her home.

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