For the last two weeks, something odd kept happening whenever I got home from work. A bright neon-orange extension cord—so vivid it looked like it belonged on a construction site—was running from my neighbor’s garage straight into the outdoor outlet at the back of my house.
At first, I thought it might be a mistake. Maybe he’d plugged into the wrong socket or was just in a rush. Trying to be reasonable, I simply unplugged it without saying anything.
But then it happened again—and this time I caught him in the act. He was crouched in my yard, plugging the cord in like it was completely normal.
“Hey,” I said, confused more than angry. “That’s my electricity. It’s on my meter.” He didn’t apologize or look embarrassed. Instead, he just smirked and said, “Relax, it’s only a few cents.”
That should’ve been the end of it, but I tried to avoid conflict and let it go. I told myself it must be a misunderstanding.
Two days later, I came home early and saw the same orange cord stretched across my lawn again. That’s when it became clear he wasn’t confused—he just didn’t care.
So I installed a lockable cover on the outdoor socket.
This morning, I found a note shoved through my door. I expected an apology, but instead it was a complaint accusing me of blocking a “community socket.” He even claimed that since I’d “cut him off,” he should be allowed to charge his e-bike inside my house when it rains—and told me to leave my back gate unlocked so he could come in on Saturday.
I honestly thought it had to be a joke.
I tried offering a compromise, suggesting we split the cost of an electrician to install an outdoor outlet on his side. He dismissed it immediately, saying there was “no need” because mine was closer.
Now he’s been telling neighbors I’m being unreasonable over “a few cents,” but this doesn’t feel like a money issue. It feels like a boundary issue—like he believes my property is just there for his convenience.
And now I’m left wondering whether I’m overreacting… or if he’s just being completely out of line.
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