I don’t know what you’re talking about.

I’m telling you.

Okay.

I’m more sensitive to these things.

He made to rebut but swallowed and closed his eyes. I know, he said.

You didn’t believe me before about the gas leak.

That was a smell.

Which I smelled and you didn’t and could’ve blown us up. I’ve felt earthquakes you haven’t felt. Twice I’ve heard when the radiator in the car was broken before you.

Those things exist, Claire. This isn’t a thing.

The shadows from the streetlight fell harsh on Paul’s face and made him look haggard. Old. He was standing an arm’s length away, but I felt very far from him. I told him I was sorry about the power. I didn’t mean to keep it off for long, I said, I just flipped the breaker for a moment to check.

Wait, what? You cut the power?

I told him I hadn’t intended to leave it off, I just needed to know, I needed the silence.

You cut the power? Paul repeated, his disbelief giving way to anger.

I just had to know it wasn’t in my head, and now I know it’s not, it’s—I gestured down the street—it’s out there.

Where? Over there? The Campaneles’ yard? he said, pivoting around and pointing at our neighbours’ house. I knew he was being facetious, but the thought had actually occurred to me that the sound might be coming from the Campaneles’ pool pump, and I told him as much. He said no, there was nothing coming from their yard, stop being ridiculous, and I informed him that their new pool was, in fact, absolutely huge, as in practically a lake, and that I bet they needed a massive pump for it that probably ran throughout the night. I was always shocked, when I flew out of the city, just how many people had pools. In the desert! This landscape was never meant to sustain cities, let alone personal swimming amenities.

Paul put the head of the golf club down on the asphalt and leaned against it like a jaunty cane. And what, are you going to pole-vault over their fence to investigate? he asked. I suggested walking over to their yard and at least seeing if I could hear it getting louder. I knew I was pushing it. Paul had a long fuse, but it wasn’t endless.

And what if they see someone snooping around their backyard? he asked. They’ll call the police.

Then when else am I going to?

Leave it.

I could just go over to their gate.

No.

I can’t afford to lose sleep over this.

Paul looked astounded and replied that neither could he. The truth was the sound could have been coming from any of the houses or yards around us. I turned on the spot, taking in the street.