It was 10:30 p.m., and I was sitting at my sewing machine wrapping up the night’s work on the wedding dress. The kids were in bed. The Narrator was out of town for the night for work. Just as I was finishing a seam, I heard a really loud bump. I mean a REALLY LOUD BUMP! It rattled the closed door that was next to me and sounded like it shook the house. I grabbed my cell phone and the most dangerous thing I could think of that I knew how to wield – my gingher sewing scissors with really sharp points. I tiptoed through the house checking on the kids and looking in every closet and corner of the house. My heart was still racing. It was very dark outside, and I don’t ever remember being that scared before. So I did the most logical thing I could think of next. I called my Dad. He was 1,200 miles away. He was in bed.
He answered, “Hello?” With a shaky voice I said, “Um, Hi. Are you in bed?” As if that mattered. He said, “Yes, what’s wrong?” So I proceeded to tell him about the Really Loud Bump. He said, “Why don’t you call a neighbor and have them check the outside of the house? Or the cops if you really think you need to.” Oh a neighbor! What a great idea! Someone close who can actually do something.
I hung up quickly and called the neighbors across the street who I was sure would still be up. Voicemail. I peeked out the window, both their cars were in the driveway. I was still scared. I was still carrying the scissors. I opened my computer and did the next logical thing I could think of. I started instant messaging my father-in-law. He was also over 1,200 miles away. I told him about the Really Loud Bump.
I was still scared and still carrying the scissors, I did the third most logical thing I could think of. I called The Narrator who I was 100% positive was asleep in bed, 1,000 miles away. He answered and I told him about the Really Loud Bump. I’m not sure he heard a word I said since I woke him from a deep sleep, but I told him I’d try calling the neighbors again and he said that was a good idea.
I peeked out the window and called the neighbor again and this time she answered. She obviously hadn’t heard my voicemail yet, so I told her about the Really Loud Bump, and I added, “It was on the side of the house with the mystery neighbors!” She replied, “ooooh. I’ll send hubby over right now to walk around the outside of your house.”
Mystery neighbors. The house next door was sold to a “We Buy Houses” sign, or the people behind the sign. A group came in and replaced carpet and the front door and put a For Sale sign in the yard. Then we saw people moving in mattresses and the sign came down. But the realtor’s lock stayed on the front door. And the realty signs are in the back yard. And we never see anyone coming or going or getting their mail. Just lights on at night. We got a package for them this week by mistake and I made The Narrator take it over. No one answered. He left it on the doorstep. It’s the mystery that everyone on our street is talking about.
Neighbor’s husband checked the house while I chatted with her on the phone, peeking out my front window the whole time. He didn’t see anything and said Mystery House was quiet. They told me to call if I needed anything. I promised I would. I checked the kids 15 more times and then decided to sleep on the couch with my cell phone and scissors within my reach. I tossed and turned all night long.
First thing in the morning I texted my Dad to tell him I survived the night. My father-in-law had emailed and instant messaged and I told him too that I survived the night. I went outside and the neighbor asked if everything was ok. I told her we were fine but it was still a mystery as to what made the Really Loud Bump. I did see a palm tree branch by the side of the house. That might have been it.
The Narrator made it home that night and I proceeded to tell him that I thought maybe a palm branch had made the Really Loud Bump. He looked at me funny, and I asked, “Do you remember that I called you at 10:30 last night really freaked out about a Really Loud Bump?” He said, “Oh yeah!” He was obviously out of it when I called, so I laughed and proceeded to re-count for him my logical steps and scissor-carrying night.
My brother called me two days later, “So I heard a Really Loud Bump and I don’t know what to do!” I told him to shut it. Little brothers.
I’m getting ready to go out to a movie. It’s dark and night time. I think I’m going to put a pair of scissors in my purse for safety. That is the funniest–yet not so funny at the time, I’m sure–story!
Ah, yes, I can TOTALLY empathize since Jason travels a lot. I used to sleep with a hammer beside me which he though was ridiculous, but now I make do with my cell phone by my side! Glad everything was ok.
My heart did a bit of racing last night,too. My husband was out of town and it was late. All of a sudden I hear some rattling, like someone was trying to get into my house. I was scared for a moment and then I noticed that the cat was playing with something under a table. It’s always tough though when you don’t know what made the sound. I’m glad everything seemed to be ok.
Jenna – I hope you didn’t need your scissors when you went out for your movie. As I was writing this post, I heard a little bump and it made me jump. I had to laugh at myself. It’s all a good story after the fact I guess!
Lora – Oh my, a hammer! I’ll have to add that one to my arsenal! LOL! I can totally see that!!
Jennifer – crazy cats, that is great! When we had one, she was to blame for many unusual sounds! Glad you were ok too!
I totally can relate with hubby traveling a lot. My first inclination is often to call people way too far away to do anything but pray. At least everyone you called could pray for you! That’s actually the main reason we have a dog. (For when hubby travels – not to pray) I figure if it is really something to worry about, she’ll let me know. She has too when it was a neighbor’s dog on the porch or someone strange walking in the neighborhood. She also lets me know about bunnies, squirels, coyotes (yes, one or two have wondered into our subdivision before). 🙂 She is a TON of work, but since he travels a decent bit, she’s our security system.
A dog would definitely be a good alarm system! I think it will be awhile before I’m ready for the ton of work of a dog, maybe if I’d had one BEFORE I had kids I would be used to it, but they do make a great security system and protection! I can’t believe you had a coyote in the hood! Scary!!