A Dial In The Dark

This is a true story that I only really possess the 5 W's of, w

 

"9-1-1, Police, Fire or Medical?" asked the ten-year veteran.

"Police," Emily stated, trying to remain calm and sound sane.

"Ma’am this is the police department what’s your emergency?" The woman’s voice clear and calm, it held a promise of help.

"I know it’s late, and I want you to know I’m blind and seventy-six years old." This statement was followed with a polite pause.

"Yes ma’am go ahead" As she shook her head. Thinking great: two out of the three; old, blind or pregnant. A fact that callers are always compelled to reveal to the police.

"I live alone, no one or nothing lives here with me." With the next statement, she began to speak softer almost in a whisper. "But when I went to set on my sofa I found it warm, someone or something is in my house with me. Please send me some help".

Now Sara, looked at the 9-1-1 screen, "Ms. Davis is your address thirteen-twenty East Circle Drive?"

"Yes"

"Ms. Davis there is no pets in your house or in your yard? Is That right?

"Yes"

"I’m going to have you hold the line, while I send the police officers to you. You are going to hear a click as I mute the receiver, so I can broadcast this to the officer. Emily stay on the line with me, I can hear you at all times. Do you understand?" With that said she sent Baker 1-0-1 and Baker 1-0-2, as a backer.

The call was dispatched as a possible home invasion. She gave them Emily’s exact statement to shed an unstated fact that this call might be, a check on the well being. The police arrived at exactly 0210, the morning of December the 10th. They cleared the call at exactly 0216.

Emily’s eyes flooded with fear and anger, as they drove away. She had lived a long full life. She was a graduate of OSU, a mother of four, and even ran a business, back in the day.

 "For Pete’s sake, how dare they talk to me like a five-year-old. Like I was a silly old woman afraid of the dark! Damn it, didn’t they hear me say, I’ve been blind for two years?"

 She was afraid to leave the living room. Even more afraid that maybe she didn’t know what was really so. She staked herself in the recliner and waited. For no real reason, she turned the lamp on, if only to appear to be in control. Emily sipped her hot green tea. Listening for a hint of a sound, from the darkness of her house.

A faint drip of water could be heard from the bathroom. A low hum from the heater soon chimed in. The familiar sound relaxed her. Only if my Charles was here. In her mind she could still picture him, from the tone of his skin to his baby blues. Thinking of him always put her at ease. Heaviness swept over her as she drifted into a mild sleep............................................................

 Honeybee’s floating in place over a mountain of honeysuckle. Charles, lying on his side telling her how great of a start the Air Force will give them and what a lovely June bride she’ll make. She gazed deep into his eyes, eyes that seemed to bare his soul. The peace she found with him made her eyes water,............

 water that she could hear, water from the kitchen. Now fully awake she wanted to fling open her eyes but fear made her leave them closed. She felt stupid for leaving the light on. For the light put her at a disadvantage. The faucet stopped. As cautiously as she could she turned off the lamp. With her phone tucked in her apron pocket she slowly walked to the bathroom. Locking the door she dialed 9-1-1.

"9-1-1- , Po- , Hello Ms. Davis how can we help you?" stated the same woman from before.

"Please, someone is in my house. I can hear them in my kitchen." Her voice broke down she couldn’t remain calm a moment longer. "I am not senile! I hear them! They flush my toilet, they eat my toast, sometimes my sofa’s warm, and I know they have been sitting there! I’m not a crazy old woman!"

"Emily," the dispatcher's voice was calm and low as she stated Emily's name with authority and compassion. "Quiet down, so they can’t hear you, help is on the way." Sara wasn’t sure what was going on. No matter what it was for the first time since this started back in October she believed Emily was lucid.

"Bad things happen on cold rainy nights." Emily stated this in a much quieter voice, "Please help me". She pleaded.

Baker 1-0-1 and Baker 1-0-2 were just moments away. Baker 1-0-1 took the alleyway and Baker 1-0-2 took the north side door leading to the kitchen as a H.A.B. (Homeless Habitual Drunk) came bolting out the back door. The subject was cornered, subdued and secured in seconds flat. Getting Emily out of the bathroom took a little more doing.

Exactly one week later Sara swung by Emily’s with a gift. A donation was made and Cupcake was given to Emily. Corporal Cupcake, a retired police dog, and Emily, living together still to this day.

 Her story is now taught to every police class. Teaching the rookies; that if one thread of the story could be true, look for that thread.

To you, I say, if on a cold rainy night you are missing a piece of toast or cup of coffee, check your spare bedroom closet. Just in case a homeless man is residing there, to get in, out of the weather.

Reviews

[Dominik D. Rites]

Beautifully written. There are a few spelling errors here in there (which is important professionally but still doesn't affect the actual story so don't stress too much over that) I like how you really tried to capture the old lady's emotion.

Being spoken to like a little kid is really annoying and you can see her frustration and hopelessness in the story. My only recommendation is to add more detail to your stories. If you're going for a short story, maybe try to add just one or two descriptive words in your context. Otherwise this looks well done! I applaud you

fc

[Cherrie Palmer]

FC, this is one of my favorite events in my past. That I loved setting to paper.

[Shep]

Very well written it really held my attention as I was glued to the screen wondering what was going to happen next. I felt for the old lady. the imagery was superb and can't wait to see what more you have written.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you, this is one of my favorites. Partly because it really happened and I feel connected to it and partly because I like how it turned out.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'A Dial in The Dark'
Cherrie Palmer,
Your 'Emily' is a character-person which I would like to meet. She is real as there are many like her who live alone and remember family and love now gone or transitoning into a time different from what they knew. I could see this one becoming a story ongoing as you mention her husband, Charles. I loved your fifth chapter giving the core of who she was in a lovely moment which brings her comfort during her ordeal. Homelessness does bring desperation in cold and wet. A story which made sense to me. Inspiring.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Cherrie Palmer]

When i worked at the police department i filled a journal with this story. With her dreaming about her youth and life with her family. I never could bring myself to transfer it to the computer so I opted for a shorter version. But I still think of turning this back into the long version.

[Chris Shaw]

A great read Cherrie. Thoroughly enjoyed. Written so well. Loved how you narrated your lines.

Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you Chris. I'm happy you enjoyed this one. It is one of my favorite stories. It's funny how attached to a story we can become.

[Chris Shaw]

It's wonderful having a few really interesting stories up our sleeves. Most entertaining Cherrie. All the best.

Chris

[Neville]

It was a real pleasure to stumble upon and dive into this little cracker of a tale.. containing some very important messages and providing many insights into the US police services ... a great write an fantastic read... N:)

[Cherrie Palmer]

Years ago when this happened I wrote a book with this story. I had written it into a notebook and never had the gumption to type it into the computer. So I stripped it down and this short story is what I ended up with.

[Neville]

tis brilliant, end it off or find the originals and do something with it...

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes I always think I might. Maybe one day. I always liked this story.

[Neville]

go for it, you just got to give it a try.. I'm right behind you.. N

[Craig2591]

This was a very cool story. I'm glad the police didn't just blow her off as a kook.

[Ron]

Cherrie, Think about it! This could only be a true story and look how dramatic it is with the Police Speak and routines woven into it. It is electric, alive and drives the reader to want more. What is more, Cherrie dear, is a vast scripting ability pulsing through it. Give it a funny or dramatic slant, what you wish, but there is a script writer here and these make money. Just send one off to a TV company like the BBC. They crave and pay for them. New series await "Tusla Blocks" writer? Cherrie Palmer!

[Crowley]

I so hate when people talk to people with disabilities, sick people or elderly like they are idiots, it is a pet peeve of mine. this is a fantastic story, well written, very vivid and an all around joy to have read. Nice work.

[Ed Hart]

you told the tale very well, it really puts an old lady's face on the feeling of helplessness...most excellent...

[Anastasia Starlena]

Wow! I found this piece very riveting but inspirational as well. I am sure that poor woman was terrified and to be blind the added fear to that as well. I like the fact that they brought her that retired police dog to help her. This was an amazing story. One of the best I have read in a long time.