Last winter after John and I returned from about three weeks in the US, we found ice all over our kitchen countertop. A water valve in the cabinet above had cracked, resulting in a slow leak. Fortunately, it was a small drip AND it was wintertime so the water just froze. The valve was replaced and that was that. Or so I thought.

Well today, while I was in the study obsessing over the LifeLine Shanghai webpage, I heard what sounded like water pitter pattering. I wasn’t running the laundry, but for some odd reason, my brain convinced myself that I was. An hour or so later, I decided to get the rice cooker going and whatdya know, the kitchen floor was flooded about half an inch. And water was spurting out of that damn valve cabinet. Water was all over the countertops, in all the drinking glasses; it was a frickin’ mess. I turned the only valve I saw and nothing happened (I think it was for the gas– to heat the tap water). I frantically called maintenance and the lady told me to just turn off the water: the maintenance guy was busy. How to turn off the water? I ran out into the hall and searched like a madwoman for the utility closet. No labels on the valves. Turned off one. Ran back into the kitchen. Water was still gushing. Tried the other valve in the hall. Finally, the water stopped. Jesus Christ! Fearing the water would seep downstairs, I dropped to the floor soaking, mopping, wringing. Damn dogs. Didn’t notify me of anything. They were lucky I was home– they could’ve drown. That water was really coming out fast. Ugh. Why do I always have pipe bursting issues? (flashblack Gainesville). Well, guess I won’t go on complaining. The maintenance guy put in a stainless steel valve– that oughta protect us for eternity, or so he claims. I guess next time I leave for a trip, I oughta turn off all the valves–gas and water. Geez, now who do I sound like? That’s right. Paranoid parents. It’s no good.