Scratching

Babysitting on Field Crescent

Walkway shortcut, dark, fence on either side

Basement, watching TV, heard the sound of someone trying to break in, traced it to a window, sounded like scratching

Went outside, there was wind, a window screen, and a shrub, it’s branches scratching the screem

Even though I knew the sound was NOT danger trying to break in, I still grew more and more unnerved. More and more of a frenzy

I rode my bike there, and when it was time to ride home, in the dark.

The cross walk went between houses, and cut short an otherwise very long way around. But it looked more like a gauntlet to me. On either side of the cement walk, was a low chain link fence, a space of a about 2 feet, and then the taller, wooden fences of the home owners.

I rode straight up the centre. Pretty quick paced. At about the middle somebody jumped up out of the shadows between the chain link fence on and wooden fence on my left. All the nervous energy from the whole evening focused on that single second, and I had a huge adrenaline rush, and rose to my feet in the saddle, peddling like mad. As I dashed away I heard my older brother, Andrew, yellow out my name.

Just like the shrub, I now knew the danger was in my mind, but I didn’t relax my stride. I kept up my pace, and made it home well before my brother. His speed unable to match my own.

Later he told me he chiefly feared the punishment that would be his after I me told my parents.