Last week, I went into my backyard for some fresh air and immediately noticed something strange: an orange extension cord running from my neighbor’s garage into my outdoor outlet.
At first, I tried to shrug it off, but the setup was clearly intentional. We’ve always gotten along, so the discovery felt more confusing than upsetting—still, it bothered me that he hadn’t asked.
When I mentioned it casually, he brushed it off, saying it was “just a little power.” It wasn’t about the electricity; it was about courtesy. I didn’t push the issue—I simply installed a lockable cover on the outlet.
The next morning, I found a handwritten apology in my mailbox. He admitted he hadn’t thought it through and didn’t want any tension. I thanked him, and what started as a quick chat turned into an honest conversation. We laughed about the whole awkward situation, shared our perspectives, and ended up understanding each other better.
In the end, the cord wasn’t the real issue. It was a reminder that small assumptions can create unnecessary friction—and that clear boundaries and simple conversations can resolve more than we expect.
