Chapter 10

Waking up to banging on the door and waking up to an alarm are two different feelings for people like us. I looked at the security camera thinking it was the screamer but it was the police officer. He wanted to ask some questions. I let him in and showed him the telescope. He saw the place had notes of constellations and dismissed the thought that I scouted everybody. He looked through it and wrote down a few things. I told him I am agoraphobic so I can't go out. I am still in therapy. He accepted my excuses as Marcus came in. It turns out they know each other. So he talked to the detective and the matter was resolved.

I wasn't bothered about the incident till the court date. The defense attorney asked the court to send another therapist to make sure I was genuinely Agoraphobic. When that was confirmed I gave my testimony via the Cisco web chat.

The screamer wanted to know who the lady was. I told him to go lay an egg. He gave me a sad face in the hopes of winning me over but I slammed the door in his face. He seemed determined to get in. I moved to the kitchen and made Thai food. Tom Yam Goong and Vegetable Spring rolls. I sat on the lazy boy and enjoyed my meal. I watched a documentary on taboos and washed my dishes.

Dad called to update the panic room. He wanted to install a separate landline. Also a working bathroom and a small kitchen. I asked for a medicine cabinet to be installed. He agreed that it might be useful. He wanted to know which floor should have the new panic room. I told him to install it in my bedroom. He talked to Aunt Valeria and she sent experts to handle it. It took them a week to finish but they did it diligently. I thanked them for their services. Old man Buchanan showed up asking if I had some butter, yeast and sugar. I happily got it for him. He asked if they updated my house because the screamer has been acting like his house was robbed. I laughed, "He seems to think he got the wrong house" He shook his head, "You are a young girl living alone. As a parent I don't condone the security. If anything I would do the same." I asked him what he was making. He said Chicago style deep dish pizza. I asked him if he is homesick and he said he was. I asked for a slice and he brought me half of it. We ate the slices on the porch. He talked about the days he used to teach high school kids and spend the nights in libraries. How he met his wife and why he moved here. She was suffering from leukemia and the donor was from New York. After the transplant they settled here and had kids. They never felt like leaving. They liked little Italy. He promised to bring his wife and bring pictures of his kids next time. I wished him a happy life and went back indoors.

The next day the screamer shows up with Pizza. I told him I ate enough pizzas to hate it. He looked at his pizza and asked me what type I liked. I made it clear this ain't his grandma's house. He asked again I gave him the same reply. Mrs. Finch showed up wanting some cooking chocolate. She asked what no good business he was up to and he left. I explained he will show up regardless no matter what anyone says. He thinks this is his grandma's house. She laughed, "One of those is it?" She asked if he tried anything with me. He quickly came back to defend himself. He made it clear he wanted to use my TV and my gaming console which I won't allow him to touch. She shook her head, "I thought the military men were disciplined but you are a hooligan." She hit him with her baguette and he left without making a further scene. I got her what she needed and she gave me a bag of Chouquettes. She gave me a wink and left.