One Night in December

Honorable Mention----12/4/08

ID: 896794   (Rated: 13+) Daily Flash Fiction Challenge  Enter your story of 300 words or less. Note new starting time! by arakun the twisted raccoon

                                       ONE NIGHT IN DECEMBER

         The office was decorated for Christmas, with a tree and streamers.  Everybody, except Myra, was looking forward to quitting time.  She wasn’t looking forward to going home to an empty house.

         Three years since Gary’s death she was still not used to the emptiness and now with her son Mark in Afghanistan, all she wanted to do was pull the covers over her head until January.

         As she reached the driveway she froze in alarm.  She was sure she had not left lights on that morning.  They were on now.

         A shadow passed the window as someone walked by.  What do I do?  I shouldn’t go in; people get killed if they surprise a burglar.  She got out her phone and punched in 911.

         A voice answered “This is 911.  What is your emergency?”

         “I just got home I’m sitting in the driveway!  310 Elm Street. Somebody is in my house!” 

         “The police are on their way.  Stay outside.  There is a unit in the neighborhood.”

         With a sigh if relief she saw the police car turn the corner.  It pulled in behind her car and two cops got out.  She started to get out of her car but one of the cops said “Stay where you are, Ma’am.”          They went up on the porch and took their places on either side of the door, guns drawn.  Terrified Myra watched as one of them opened the door.  “Police!  Freeze!”

         They entered the house guns pointing at the ceiling.  A moment later they came back out bringing a man with them.

          The cop tapped on the car window.  “Do you know this man? He was in there trimming a tree.”

         With a big smile the suspect said, “Merry Christmas, Mom!”
         
289 words