Home Invasion

The whole world was holding its breath. The most Goggled word this year was austerity. Political insanity had hardened hearts; blinded even softhearted people, in a desperate desire to survive the harsh economic collapse, like drowning people, some had lost all sense of kindness, climbing over the others to save themselves. Bankers were bailed out. Debtors were unforgiven; families had lost everything. Pets and family photographs were abandoned in the panic when the sheriff knocked on the door. 

Along the grey and silver coast, the late afternoon light is tinged with violet. Cruel wind is slicing through substantial wool coats, not even fur coats are protection. Huge pale grey clouds covering the sky and stretching out to sea, like a great armada.

Every leaf had been stripped from the abundant oak and maple trees; their bare branches holding leafy nests of squirrels. Squirrels understand how to survive the strong ripping freeze, dressed in ball-like nests of brittle brown leaves. 

Every living thing knew it would snow. A great silence that clouds create absorbing all the activity below is the warning. 

The wind rattled the strings of cheerful colored lights, against the gray cedar shingles; threatening to rip them down. The dark holly wreath banged against the red door, it’s sharp thorn like leaves like raked claws etching long scratches in the paint; a spirit of nature demanding admittance. 

Inhabitants of the coast were running about, in a frenzy of last-minute trips to stores. It was the afternoon before Christmas; a big weather system was moving relentlessly down the seaboard. It was heading right for the grey-shingled cottage, overlooking the bay. 

The family, who lives here, had run out early in the day. They were hoping to beat the traffic at the market, as they stocked up on the necessities. They also stopped to pick up the last few things on the list; the colorful wrapping paper, and ribbons. They all knew these gifts would be a message to those they cared for; that they were loved and comforted. The dark cold nights of deep winter, close to the savage sea, created a need to support one another. There was no memory of the summer playground on sand it had been transformed as to another world. 

Some thought all this gifting, shallow, and mercantile, even un-Christian; but this family believed that it was Christian. It was also Jewish, and Pagan, and anything else, that one calls being kind and generous.

The wind, using the heavy evergreen wreath, Joanne had made, must have, forced the hastily shut door, open.

She saw the door ajar; the opportunity was just too tempting. Her slim athletic body moved through the empty house. She walked like a shadow. She was silent and sensual. She didn’t know what she had expected to discover here. She would know what it was when she found it. She went from room to room examining anything that caught her eye. She had searched half of the house freely with the family out. Her right to search was not questioned, she had no compunction, she had no values she had been orphaned early and had been taught only by hardship; she would take what ever she needed. 

Suddenly, she jumped. She heard the loud garage door slide open. Where could she go; she raced to the front door? Before she could slip through the front door, the back door opened. The loud exciting energy of the family, fresh from their successful hunt filled the house. This energy panicked her.

She was guilty and she knew it. She popped into the huge closet close to the door. She hid behind the old coat and boxes. She was unable to pray but her little heart hoped they would go away. “You didn’t leave the front door unlocked Edward; you left the front door open… not just unlocked, but open!” “Take off your boots, before you track all that mess in here you guys!” 

Her heart was racing; her mouth dry, the woman was just outside of the closet, inches away from her dark corner. Panic raced around her brain she would get out of this fix. She held her breath not daring to breathe. Her heart was pounding. She trembled with fear of discovery. She was so frightened; she nearly forgot how hungry she was. 

“Well everything looks fine. I’m glad there were no intruders.” Joanne pulled the front door tight, and snapped the lock into place. The bright-multicolored tree lights were winking through the dense decorated tree in the living room as a reminder of nature tamed and entertaining.

“Ed, have you heard on the news that there has been a rash of thieves, coming in to houses; Grinch like, and stealing all the gifts under the tree? How mean is that?” 

She curled her body into the corner. Shivering she closed her eyes waiting until she could escape; she took a deep, silent breath. She just wished they would go, find something else to do. People, why did they take so long to make up their minds? Hunger pangs raced through her thin little body. At least in here she was warm; her light summer coat just didn’t protect her from the ravages of winter. She dozed off. She didn’t know or care how long she was asleep. She heard footsteps growing near. The closet door opened. Light from the electric chandelier spilled into her cave.

Like a miracle the crystal chandelier was dark. All the lights were out. ”Ed-Ed, ”Ed, the electricity is out! Do you have that flashlight? Have you seen my old down coat, you know, that big brown ugly one, you hate? I was going to shovel; I thought this would be the day for it. Oh, never mind, here it is. Oh dear, it’s even worse than I remember; there’s cat hair all over it!” 

The door of the closet was pushed shut. There was no convenient gap for an escape. There was no way out; she was trapped. She fell into a compassionate gift, of deep, deep, sleep. Starvation, dehydration, and exhaustion, were acting as anesthesia. 

She awoke to realization; she had given birth. She began to cry softly. The door opened there was a lady holding an oil lamp “ Ed, Oh my God, Ed. Come quickly, Ed, you have to see this; look.“ the door opened wide, a man appeared. 

Her pupils were enormous from the darkness. She couldn’t just jump up; there were the babies…the woman bent over and squatted down ”Now how did you get in here? You poor little thing.“ The woman stroked her head and the man fetched a bowl of milk ”Kids! Kids come on down here be careful on the stairs. Use the flashlight-you’ve got to see this.“ 

“Look Emma, see those tiny pink kittens. Taylor, have you ever seen anything like this; ‘Three little kittens’? “Mom they look like big pussy willows.” “Well honey, I guess Santa brought us kittens for Christmas!” 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!