A Dial In The Dark

"9-1-1, Police, Fire or Medical?" asked the ten-year veteran.

"Police." Emily stated, trying to remain calm and sound sane.

"Ma’am this is the police department what’s your emergency?" The woman’s voice was clear and calm, it held a promise of help.

"I know it’s late, and I want you to know I’m blind and seventy-six years old." This statement was followed with a polite pause.

"Yes ma’am go ahead" As she shook her head. Thinking great: two out of the three; old, blind or pregnant. A fact that callers are compelled to reveal to the police.

"I live alone, no one or nothing lives here with me." With the next statement she began to speak softer almost in a whisper. "But when I went to set on my sofa it was warm, someone or something is in my house with me. Please send me some help".

Now Sara looked at the 9-1-1 screen "Ms. Davis is your address thirteen-twenty East Circle Drive?"

"Yes"

"Ms. Davis there is no pets in your house or in your yard? Is That right?

"Yes"

"I’m going to have you hold the line while I send the police officers to you. You are going to her a click as I mute the receiver so I can broadcast this to the officer, Emily stay on the line with me, I can hear you at all times. Do you understand?" With that said she sent Baker 1-0-1 and Baker 1-0-2, too back.

The call was made as a possible home invasion; She gave them Emily’s exact statement to shed an unstated fact that this call might be, a check on the well being. The police arrived at exactly 0210, the morning of December the 10th. They cleared from the call at exactly 0216.

Emily’s eyes flooded with fear and anger,as they drove away. She had  lived a long full life. She was a graduate of OSU, a mother of four, and even ran a business, back in the day. "For Pete’s sake, how dare they talk to me like a five-year-old. Like I was a silly old woman afraid of the dark! Damn it, didn’t they hear me say, I’ve been blind for two years?" She was afraid to leave the living room. Even more afraid that maybe she didn’t know what was really so. She staked herself in the recliner, and waited. For no real reason she turned the lamp on, if only to appear to be in control. Emily sipped her hot green tea. Listening for a hint of a sound, from the darkness of her house.

A faint drip of water could be heard from the bathroom. A low hum from the heater soon chimed in. The familiar sound relaxed her. Only if my Charles was here. In her mind she could still picture him, from the tone of his skin to his baby blues. Thinking of him always put her at ease. Heaviness swept over her as she drifted into a mild sleep. Honeybee’s floating in place over a mountain of honeysuckle. Charles lying on his side telling her how great of a start the Air Force will give them and what a lovely June bride she’ll make. She gazed deep into his eyes, eyes that seemed to bare his very soul. The peace she found in them made her eyes water, water that she could hear, water from the kitchen. Now fully awake she wanted to fling open her eyes but fear made her leave them closed. She felt stupid for leaving the light on. For the light put her at a disadvantage. The faucet stopped. As cautiously as she could she turned off the lamp. With her phone tucked in her apron pocket she slowly walked to the bathroom. Locking the door she dialed 9-1-1.

"9-1-1- , Po- , Hello Ms. Davis how can we help you?" stated the same woman from before.

"Please, someone is in my house I can hear them in my kitchen" Her voice broke down she couldn’t remain calm a moment longer. "I am not senile! I hear them;, they flush my toilet, they eat my toast, sometimes my sofa’s warm, and I know they have been sitting there! I’m not a crazy old woman!"

"Emily" her voice was calm and low as the dispatcher stated her name with authority and compassion. " Quiet down, so they can’t hear you, help is on the way." Sara wasn’t sure what was going on. No mater what it was for the first time since this started back in October she believed Emily was lucid.

"Bad things happen on cold rainy nights." Emily stated this in a much quieter voice,  "Please help me". She pleaded.

Baker 1-0-1 and Baker 1-0-2 were just moments away. Baker 1-0-1 took the alleyway and Baker 1-0-2 took the north side door leading to the kitchen as a H.A.B. (Homeless Habitual Drunk) came bolting out the back door. The subject was cornered, subdued and secured in seconds flat. Getting Emily out of the bathroom took a little more doing.

Exactly one week later Sara swung by Emily’s with a gift. A donation was made and Cupcake was given to Emily. Corporal Cupcake, a retired police dog, and Emily, living together still to this day. Her story is taught to every police class teaching the rookies; That if one thread of the story could be true, look for that thread. To you I say, if on a cold rainy night you are missing a piece of toast or cup of coffee check your spare bedroom closet, in case a homeless man is residing there, to get in out of the weather.