The clock struck midnight and I heard the familiar sounds coming from the apartment below. The menacing roar of a chainsaw and the clanging of metal filled the silence. As always, I ventured out into the living room with my cell phone and my heavy duty flashlight to make sure the doors and windows were secure. Then I climbed back into bed, cell phone in hand, and pulled the covers over my head.
It seemed like hours had passed and the noises failed to cease. Then I heard the whimper of a young child. The roar seemed to be getting louder and louder by the second. I decided to get up and call the police. As I peeked from beneath the blanket I saw the knob on the front door begin to turn. I fumbled for my cell phone, but when I finally got it open I was shaking so much that I could not hit the numbers. The door knob rattled more and more with each passing moment. I froze.
The rattling seemed to stop. So, I climbed out of bed. I was still shaking as I grabbed my flashlight and cell phone. I crept out into the living room turning every light on as I went. Just then the door flung open and in walked my husband. I could feel the relief traveling through my whole body. Everything would be fine now. The apartment below became silent just as it seemed to every night when my husband got home.
I felt safe. I felt secure.
06/15/06