Christmas Change

Our friends Nila and Greg are the reason we are apart of this wonderful neighborhood. We transferred five years ago and there are no regrets. These tree-lined streets with houses of all types: mid-century modern, Victorian, farm house, makes it whimsical and beautiful. We also have a tree house just off the cul-de-sac. It's quiet and safe. We have block parties, cookout, watch ballgames together. We couldn't ask for a better place.

But, lately we are all on edge. There has been a string of robberies in our perfect neck of the world. Most of us travel to see family and friends during the holidays. We're young, single or newly married and successful.

Ten neighbors have already left and all were robbed. The police have no leads and none of us have seen any strangers. It's December 23rd. I am in my home office finishing up a column I write for a popular magazine. My husband Tony is in his office issuing last minute instructions to his staff at the local newspaper office. He's the editor.

Despite the thieves, those remaining in the neighborhood are getting together tonight for some Christmas cheer. I'm excited we're hosting this year. I tap the send button and immediately look over my shopping list. Everything looks in order, I get up, grab my coat and purse and head across the hall.

"I'm heading out. Is there anything you need?" Tony puts the phone on mute as I make apologetic gestures. "Sorry". He smiles, "If you wait a few minutes, I'll go with you." Ten minutes later we're heading uptown.

Our conversation as we sit in last minute shoppers traffic varies from work, tonight's festivities and wether our house will be safe until be get back.

Shopping went quicker than we thought and soon we hit the outskirts of our neighborhood. Its now early evening. The first thing we notice is blue lights. Two police cars are blocking the entrance to High St. which is our street. They ask for our id and inform us that our house along with three others was robbed.

We drove slowly, looking around with dread and anger was coming to the surface. We saw Greg and Nila standing in their front yard looking upset as the spoke to two officers. Our house was next to theirs, two cops waited for us and two were talking to our neighbors on the other side of us.

When we got out of the car, Officer Morgan greeted us. He explained that our patio door had been shattered. There was damage in our living room, bedrooms and offices. Tony hugged me tightly as we listened. Officer Morgan didn't take us inside, instead he led us to one of the police cruisers further down the street.

It took me a moment to realize there was already someone in the back seat. "Sir, Ma'am, do you know this person?" I could barely see them through my tears and the tinted window. Tony looked inside and said no. I concurred. "We caught this guy running from your neighbors. Unfortunately, you guys were hit the hardest. Your alarm possibly saved the others from the same fate. I have two more suspects for you to look at. The techs are collecting evidence. It will be a while before you can go into your house."

He ushered us to the next two cruisers. We didn't recognize the lady or the teen. I must say the sight of the teen disturbed me more than the robbery. He looked defeated, malnourished and his eyes said he had seen too much in his short years. He couldn't be older than 13. "Are they a family?" I asked Officer Morgan as we walked away. "It looks that way. We will know more once we get them down to the station. We will need you and the others to come to the station and press charges."

He tapped the top of each cruiser and one by one they rode away with the suspects. Tony and me walked hand-in-hand down the sidewalk towards our house each in our private thoughts. It was dark now, the street lights glowed and even though there was lots of chatter it also seemed eerily quiet. Nila and Greg walked to meet us. We all hugged each other and talked quietly amongst ourselves. It was clear that the child haunted us all.

Soon our neighbors the Andersons joined us. We were all weary and tired; one other couple that lived down the street came to comfort us. Their house had been spared. Officer Morgan asked if we would come to the station. We piled up in Greg's SUV and made the twenty minute ride.

The station was chaotic. It seemed every desk was occupied. We weren't the only ones dealing with troubles this night. When it came time to file our complaint, Tony and I again asked about the teen. It was still too soon for any information.

We were anxious to get back to our home. We needed to see the damage for ourselves. The techs were just finishing up and gave us permission to enter our own house. How strange it was to see things tossed, torn and broken. The broken sliding doors allowed a chilly breeze to enter the house. Broken glass and the fingerprint powder needed to be cleaned. Torn items needed to go in the trash. We were overwhelmed.

Suddenly, Nila's hand was on my shoulder. Standing with her was Judy Anderson,Megan Patterson and four other ladies I didn't know. "Why don't we start in the back and let them handle this." I looked around and there was Greg along with at least 7 other men. Turns out they lived in the subdivision a few blocks over, friends of our friends and Good Samaritans.

They came with plywood to cover the broken sliding doors. They had trash bags and cleaner. We worked for hours. Pizza was ordered. Our home barely showed any signs of the trauma it had been through.

We all made it through that night. Weeks later it was verified that the suspects were father, mother and son. We plead for the teen to not be held accountable. His prints did not match any at the crime scene. During the court proceedings it was revealed that he had been abused all his life.

His name is Robbie and he is now our foster son. Robbie is in therapy to help with his past. He had his first real Christmas with us and all our friends; they look after him too. He's our neighborhood teen.

Twas the Christmas of change for Tony and me, adoption came through and now we are three.