5 Days Earlier

A red cardinal proudly perched itself on the ledge of the birdhouse that hung outside of my kitchen window. It’s color so brilliant, it’s feathers in the perfect place.

I stood at the sink, my hands frozen in the soapy water – my eyes focused on the cardinal.  It’s little voice so beautiful. I shook my head, “snap out of it, Sarah,” I said to myself.

As I spoke the bird flew off. I placed the last clean dish in the rack to dry, dried my hands with the kitchen towel and walked to the couch. The house felt so lonely today. Something about the still of the silence that made my soul feel empty.

I had so much to do, but with so much on my mind I couldn’t muster up enough energy to be productive. Before I could convince myself otherwise, I planted myself on the couch, wrapped up in my favorite blanket, and turned on the tv.

Time ticked by. I slept some, my body and mind were exhausted from the stressful week prior. I looked at my watch as the sun began to set. How was it 8:30 p.m. already?

The guilt started to set in as I realized how useless I had been all day. I stood up and began to close the blinds that covered the large floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the front of my house. As I did so, I looked out toward my driveway.

I gasped and stepped back, startled. I squinted my eyes trying to focus them. A man was standing in my driveway. His clothing ragged, his hair disheveled. His dark features accented the anger on his face. He was tall, but very thin – malnourished almost.

“What the hell,” I said loudly. My chest began to tighten as I turned to find my phone. My hands shook as I picked it up to dial 911. I turned back toward the window and the man had left – making his way down the street.

I dialed 9…1…and stopped. He left, so what could the police do now? I held the phone tight in my hand as I watched his figure disappear into what was left of the daylight. I dialed the last 1 and let it ring.

The operator answered, “911, what is your emergency?”

“Um,” I hesitated. “My name is Sarah, I, um, I was just closing my blinds and a man was standing in the driveway, um, watching me. I’m not really sure, um, what to do – but can you send an officer to my house?”

“Yes ma’am,” the woman said. “Can you tell me what he looked like?”

“Um, yes,” I said. “He was tall, but thin. He looked like he was in disarray, messy clothing, messy hair.”

“Do you know the man?” she asked?

“No ma’am,” I said. “I’ve never seen him before.”

“Ok, an officer is on the way,” she said. “Would you like to stay on the phone with me?”

“No, ma’am,” I said. “I think I’m ok for now, thank you.”

As I ended the call, I looked back out the window, and quickly shut the last blind. Who in the hell was that and why was he looking through my window? I had never experienced anything like that before, but it left me entirely creeped out.

A few minutes later, I heard a knock on the door. My heart dropped into my stomach. “Relax, it’s the officer,” I said to myself aloud. I stood up, separated the blind and peered outside. Two officers were standing on my porch. I took a large deep breath and made my way to the door.

“Good evening ma’am,” one of the officers said. He was the older of the two. “My name is Officer Hadley and this is Officer Kemper. We received a call regarding a suspicious man that you saw on your property?”

“Yes,” I said. “Come in please.”

They both stepped into my small foyer, littered with shoes and mail. I suddenly felt embarrassed about the shape my house was in.

I repeated the story that I shared with the dispatcher. The older officer appeared more concerned than the other.

“Have there been similar experiences by others in the area?” I asked, hopeful. I didn’t want to think that I was the only one being targeted…watched.”

“No ma’am,” he said. “This is the first report of an incident like this.”

I felt my shoulders shake. I crossed my arms and sighed. “Ok,” I said quietly.

I watched the officer as he took notes in his small spiral bound notebook. He finished writing, looked up at me and said “Ok, if you have any other incidents give us a call.”

“Any other incidents?” I said worried. “Aren’t you going to do anything? What if he has other motives other than just being a creep and looking in my window?”

“We will increase patrol on your street,” he said.”Don’t worry, we will keep an eye on you.”

Suddenly I felt worse, nauseous. “Thank you,” I said as I ushered them out the door. I watched the police cruiser drive off. This wasn’t over, I thought. This was just the beginning. Whoever that was, he wants something. I haven’t seen the last of him.

I triple checked all of the doors and windows to make sure everything was secure. I laid down, curled up in a ball and tried to close my eyes. But I didn’t sleep. I heard every noise and every creak of my old home.