Suddenlys

So it’s 3:00 a.m. We returned from Baltimore two hours ago, and I’m finishing up some chores that need to be done before morning. Big storm in Baltimore delayed the baseball game – why we arrived home so late. Suddenly, the doorbell rings, pounding on the front door. My heart sinks; it’s never a good sign when someone knocks on your door in the middle of the night. I peek through the peephole. It’s a young man, medium build with muscular arms, dark haired, possibly Latino. He wears a dull green tank top. He yells, “I've been robbed, and I need to call my wife!” He sounds panicky. I want to help, but… It’s 3:00 a.m., and no way, no how, am I opening my door to this stranger. Still, I don’t want to blow someone off who may be hurt and needs help. “I’ll call 911!” A muffled voice: “No, no, don’t do that.” Well, hell, I’ll just throw open my door to a stranger and hope that he’s not here to rob me or worse. Uh, no. I call 911. Apparently, the man flees; I don’t see him through the pe…