Call The Police

Fuck. You watch the dark figure run out and away, until they disappear into the silhouette of the morning. You grind your teeth, and keep grinding as you pick up your phone and call the local police office.

The Receptionist answers, “County Sheriff's Office, how can I help you?” She sounds like she barely has the energy for pleasantries.

You explained what happened, but without evidence or unlawful harm she can only assure you that an officer will come by later. Shit.

About an hour later, after the sunrise, an officer rolls onto your driveway and knocks on your door. “Hello?” He says before the door is opened. “I’m here about a disturbance.”

You open the door, and there stands a small statured officer. He looks young, but a badge pinned to his lapel says ‘sheriff’ with experience. “Hi.” He says when he sees you. “Hey.” You say back. You keep him in the doorway as you explain to him the peeping tom. He looks up to you, and to tell you he’s listening he nods his head slowly. “May I have a look around?” He asks when you finish. “Yeah go ahead.” You say, “Just be careful ‘round the back.” There's a pile of old rusted tools and metals that you’ve been meaning to get rid of.

You don’t follow the officer. You don’t have anything lying around that you have to worry about, and there’s a trust system between neighbors here. Instead you go into your garage, where you keep a weight lifter, and a tarp with scattered pieces of some farm equipment. You opt to work out a little bit, just until the officer returns.

You open the garage door so he can see you in there, and almost 20 minutes later he finds you. “Sc’use me,” He comes into the garage. You rest the weights. “I'm sorry but I couldn't find anything.” His face is shy. “I think they’re gone, and chances are we won’t find them.”

You give a heavy sigh. “Thanks Buddy.” you say. You stand up. You are maybe just above average height, but you easily stand over the officer, whose head only reaches your shoulder. The officer looks up to you and says, “We can have you file a report down at the station.”