I know. His voice held no anger, which made the truth harder to avoid. Clare turned her phone over, then turned it face down again. People make assumptions about me, too. I imagine they do.
They think everything is easy because I have a good job and a nice house. Marcus looked toward the dark window. Is it? Clare almost answered too quickly. The word yes reached the edge of her mouth and stopped there.
Her house had three bedrooms she never used. A kitchen designed for entertaining people she never invited. A marble island covered with unopened mail and charging cables. "Easy was not the word. " "No, " she said. Marcus gave a small nod as if she had confirmed something he had never needed, explained.
A faint clicking sound came from outside, then another. Marcus stood and walked to the front window. Across the street, porch lights flickered. One went dark, then a second. "That is not good, " he murmured.
Clare rose from the couch. What is happening? The grid is strained. He watched the transformer at the end of the block, his expression sharpening. Too many old systems running too hard.
Can that affect my house? It is already affecting the neighborhood. Marcus picked up his phone and called the electric utility. His tone changed as he spoke. Still calm but precise.
He described the overheated wiring in Clare's unit, the flickering lights, and the load across the block. He gave model numbers for memory. He explained the risk without exaggerating it. Clare stood near the couch watching a man she had mistaken for ordinary speak with the quiet authority of someone who understood exactly what was happening. When the call ended, Marcus reached for his tool bag again.
They are sending a crew, but it may take a while. Where are you going now? Mrs. Alvarez lives across the street. She is 78 and her son is out of town. I want to make sure her unit is not overheating.
Clare glanced at the clock. It was 12:18 in the morning. You are going to check on her now. Marcus slipped the old rag into his back pocket. Heat does not wait for business hours.
Clare looked at the cool glass in her hand, then at the dark house across the street. I will come with you. You need to rest. I have rested for 12 minutes. Then I have rested for 12 minutes.
Marcus studied her face. Some color had returned, but the exhaustion remained around her eyes. "Stay close, " he said. Clare followed him onto the porch. The heat met them like a wall.
Halfway down the steps, the street lights flickered once, twice. Then the entire block went dark. For one second, the neighborhood held its breath. Then the darkness settled over every roof, every parked car, every porch. The hum of air conditioners vanished at once, leaving only cicas, distant traffic, and the soft rustle of leaves that carried no relief.