Don’t Be On the Nightly News

 “That could have been me!” I shuttered as I watched the victimized senior citizen’s story unfold on the nightly news. A week ago, my doorbell rang at 10:15 p.m., shattering my last tranquil hour before retiring. The chimes startled Mikey, my Shih Tzu dog, and me. I jumped out of my recliner just as Mikey streaked through the room barking. I headed straight to the dining room window and peeked out through the blinds at the street. No familiar car. In fact, no vehicle at all sat anywhere near my house. Chills ran through me.
When the bell rang a second time, my little companion burst into action, darting to the door and barking non-stop. So I headed to the living room, switched on the porch light, and nervously lifted one of the wooden slats on the front window. From there I eyed the door.
I saw a tall, dark man wearing jeans and a white t-shirt. I dropped the blind, shushed my pup, and wondered how I’d get rid of this intrusion. So, in a low gruff voice, I bellowed, “Who’s there?” Finally, after hearing no more sounds, I slowly lifted a slat on the blind again. In the darkness I saw a figure stomping away from the house and hot-footing it up the street. I wondered if my rough-sounding voice scared him off, but doubted that. Still shaking, I also wondered if I should call the police.
He had already disappeared into the darkness, so I decided he’d be long gone before help could arrive. Instead, I left the living room and porch lights on all night, while I tossed and turned in bed worrying he might return.
Thankfully, he never did. I am also grateful I didn’t open the door to a stranger. There’s a news blip on TV nearly every week like the one tonight about a trusting, unsuspecting victim letting in a stranger. This time the elderly lady was robbed, but other stories describe people being beaten, even killed.
I remain overly cautious, especially living on a busy street where strangers often knock or ring the bell. The only time I answer is when I’m expecting, perhaps, a repair man, someone I don’t actually know, but whom I’ve set up an appointment with and whose truck is parked in front. Even then, I keep the screened in security door double bolted. And, if the work is to be done outdoors, I send the person around back and meet the worker outside.
After the stranger knocked on my door that night, I learned that he had also stopped at other homes in the neighborhood. Two, I know of, opened the door. One sent the stranger on his way and the other gave him thirty dollars! Both neighbors had spouses to back them up, but still, why take a chance?
Next time, heaven forbid there is a next time, I will dial 9-1-1. So if a stranger knocks or rings the bell, don’t open the door. Instead, shout out, “Who is it?” Just knowing that someone is home may very well deter a burglar. Even if the person declares he or she is a census taker, how can you be sure? Be safe. Don’t be that victim reported on the nightly news.