This actually happened! Just last night! Holy cheese on toast it was so scary. We're fine, we were in no danger - although we did not know that. But it took an entire episode of watching the most charming British home bakers make frangipane tarts and vol-au-vents to calm us down. And also a quick google search to figure out what vol-au-vents are.
When I heard the door open I assumed it was Lindsay, even though we weren't expecting her. But she's the only person who would just walk in. The way the house is situated if you're in the family room you can't see who it is until they're inside the kitchen so it wasn't until the door was closed that I realized it was a man. He walked right into the family room, totally casual, and said hi. So I said, "Get out of my house!" I suppose I could have asked him who he was and what he wanted but friendliness did not cross my mind at the time. And he wasn't leaving. He just kept talking. He would say things like, "Oh, do you you want me to leave? How much are you going to pay me to leave?" and "Are you asking me to leave because I'm Mexican." Are you kidding me?! You're a strange man who just walked into a home that is not yours talking to two women you don't know who are clearly shocked and alarmed that you're there and this is what you say?! It would not have mattered if he were dressed like a priest carrying a puppy, I still would have hit him over the head with a cast iron skillet for strolling into my home. He wasn't threatening in that he didn't pull a gun or make a move that he was going to hurt us but like that matters. He didn't make a move to leave either- even after we told him to many, many times - until after Katie called 911. That is threatening.
While Katie was on the phone I told him, "We're going to go to the door right now and you're going to leave," and he did. He walked out and on his way out said, "You girls should really keep this door locked."
Yes. Right you are, sir. Tomorrow we'll have steel doors installed.
It was as I was walking him out that I noticed all the cars out front and assumed that our neighbors were having a party and guessed that he had walked into the wrong home. And this was exactly the case. The police came (quickly, I might add. Thanks, Chino PD!) and found him outside and talked with him and our neighbors confirmed that they knew him. And then our neighbors came over and apologized all over themselves. They are the best neighbors and have lived next door for decades. Funny aside: twice in the next half hour the kids at the party kicked a ball over into our yard that they had to come and get and you could just tell from the mom's face that she was dying on the inside. I think I should make them a loaf of no-hard-feelings zucchini bread. They said he was a relative of a relative and that he was a little kooky. Which explains, slightly, why he was acting kind of weird. Except that it doesn't. Because this was clearly not a party and he didn't know us. I mean, yes, watching the Great British Baking Show is my idea of a night well spent, but there wasn't a streamer to be found.
I wonder if he thinks we overreacted by screaming at him and calling the police. Like I care. He knew he was harmless but we did not and he didn't give us any indication that he was. All he had to say at any time was that he was there for a party, that he knew the neighbors, that he had made a mistake and then we would have nervously laughed and walked him to the door. But he didn't. He acted like he was settling in for a long night. And my only assumption was that we were in danger. All I could think about as he was standing there was how was I going to fight him off. Should I go for his eyes or his knee cap. What item of value could we offer him to get him out. We have the world's smallest TV, would that be enough? What if I threw in the $15 from my wallet? Does he just want to rob us? Rape? Kill? Is he mentally unstable? He doesn't seem mentally unstable. Or drunk. Should I try reasoning with him? What will he do to us? How quickly could I make it to the knife block if he went for Katie.
Ugh.
We're safe. We're fine. We were in no danger. Except for a heart attack.
3 comments:
I would have DIED!!! A Million deaths. Remember we always tell you how I always think someone is planning to murder us, or has plotted to break in, etc. So that would have just put me over the edge. I cannot even believe this. I am SO glad you are alive to tell the tale!
Oh my goodness, Oh my goodness!!!! I would have totally freaked. This kind of stuff is on my list of biggest fears! I am so glad it worked out and you guys are o.k.
I feel like if I wrote what I really wanted to write, you might have to delete it for it's profane nature, but, seriously, HOLY CRAP. How, how, how in this world as a man do you not GET that your very presence has the potential to menace women. Like, just you, walking behind someone on a public street. But WALKING UNINVITED INTO SOMEONE'S HOME AND ACTING LIKE A PSYCHOPATH? It's insane.
I wonder if he thought is was funny, you know, the way people with extreme personality disorders think it's funny to control people around them. The thing that really burns me is that if a man was there, any man, he would have left. It would have been that "oops, sorry, wrong house"-nervous laughter scenario. But, it was two women, and HE didn't feel threatened, so, why not just exert control over others.
I admire your ability to even consider a "no hard feelings" baked good. I don't know if I would have it in me. I hope your neighbors are more selective at their next rager.
Seriously, READING this gave me a heart attack.
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