One week ago...

Our house got broken into.

I was meeting some friends for dinner and got a text from Adam stating he thought our house was broken into. You think? You don't know? I always thought getting robbed is something you notice immediately. You come home and your whole house is ransacked with drawers open and turned over. But not for us. It was subtle. He came in through our air conditioner in the back of the house, grabbed some things and left. How do I know it was a he? Both of our neighbors saw him. One before he robbed us as he went knocking door to door asking if anyone needed landscaping work. And the other after as he walked away from our house with a red bag. Not a backpack, but a red bag. My custom color red and strawberry Timbuk2 messenger bag to be exact. Not only have my neighbors seen him, I've seen him. We were robbed on Friday in the afternoon, then we CAME BACK on Tuesday around 5:30. I was home sick, so I was sitting on the couch watching TV when I heard a knock on the door. I widened the blinds just slightly so I could peak out and see who it was without them seeing me. I saw a black teenager wearing red shorts and a white t-shirt.

THE SAME CLOTHES HE WAS WEARING ON FRIDAY.

My heart started racing and I quickly changed out of my pajamas to answer the door. He was walking away from the door when I finally answered it. I asked if I could help him. He asked if we needed with any landscaping. I couldn't believe it. He not only came back wearing the same clothes, but he's asking the same question about landscaping. My mind was racing and I didn't know what to do. As he walked away after I said we didn't need any help, I snapped a photo on my phone and watched him walk to the next house. I ran over to our neighbors house to see if it was the same boy that he saw last week. I wanted to call the cops if it was him, but I didn't want to call if it wasn't. But what are the odds of the same guy, wearing the same thing, asking the same questions coming back to a house he already robbed? It just didn't make sense, I couldn't wrap my foggy head around it all.

The neighbor wasn't home and couldn't verify my suspicion. The neighbor at the next house was home and outside when he was approached about landscaping needs. He had the same thought I did and headed toward the neighbors house that I was already at. We looked at each other in shock of the coincidence. He had heard the description of the suspect, as I had, and we both were beyond suspicious, but neither of us could verify it. At this point, the teenager had turned his attention to us and was watching us as much as we were watching him.

He asked if everything was alright. My thought, why are you asking me that? Am I not allowed to talk to my neighbors? I didn't know what to say, my head was still spinning so fast and I couldn't make sense of what was going on. I told him everything was fine, but I'm sure the look of panic on my face said otherwise. He watched me walk back to my house and again asked if everything was fine. I said yes, again, everything was fine. I told him there had been some suspicious activity in the neighborhood and asked how often he asks for landscaping. He lied and said it was his first time out. I questioned him and asked if he was out on Friday. He claimed he wasn't. I told him there had been some burglaries in the area. Why I told him that, I don't know. How often do you have conversations with your robber?! His response was, "how many." I said I didn't know, but a few. I was trying to be as vague as possible. He asked "what did they take?" Who asks that? I told him I didn't know, again trying to be vague. His last question, "do they have a suspect?" I wanted to shout loudly, "YOU, you're the suspect!!!" But I didn't. I just told him I didn't know and I turned to go back into my house as I watched him walk back behind the apartment building where our other neighbors also saw him go. On Wednesday, we confirmed with both neighbors that it was him. I'm kicking myself for not calling the police on Tuesday, but I was so shocked that he came back I just couldn't think straight. At least the next time I encounter the man who robbed me, I'll have a better idea of what to say.

As for the things he took, we're thankful that it's all replaceable and not of major sentimental value. Portable electronics mostly, and 3 bags/backpacks of mine. The most annoying thing for me is that he stole my soccer bag with my expensive, custom knee brace inside. He stole a smelly, sweaty bag of used soccer gear. I hope he was pleased with himself on that find. I was feeling OK about the whole break-in situation, but once he came back, it's left me with a nervous, anxious feeling. I keep wondering if he'll come back again, and when.

I can buy new stuff, but can I buy some peace of mind?