A 91-year-old widow was home alone when she heard two burglars trying to break in. With a trap, the older woman outwitted the thieves.
Howard promised Evelyn that they would live together forever and, if fate allowed, die together.
But fate had other ideas. Howard died of a heart attack one afternoon, leaving Evelyn to face life alone.
Howard ran a small, successful antique shop in town and kept some of his finest treasures at home. Neighbors whispered about his valuables, leading to several break-ins at the shop and their home.
Evelyn felt unsafe alone. She was too reluctant to accept help from the neighborhood, which knew she was alone.
Evelyn saw her 31-year-old neighbor Rick suspiciously peeping through her front fence one evening after shopping. When she approached, he turned and left, pretending not to see her.
Neighborhood rumors about Rick circulated. He was alleged to drink all day, had lost his job, and had taken their child to live with her parents. Evelyn avoided him always.
She saw him again the next day, peering at her from his bedroom window while she read on the balcony. His chilly glare unnerved. She closed her book, entered, and locked the balcony. When she looked back, Rick was gone.
Evelyn became more uneasy after that. She vigilantly checked the locks and windows every night.
She heard rustling in the backyard while pouring tea one evening. She crept to the rear door with a pan. She watched Rick and another man scrambling over the wooden fence, and her heart raced.
She exclaimed, “What on earth are you doing here?” “I’m calling the police if you don’t leave!” The two men fled, startled. Evelyn found empty beer bottles in the bushes.
She couldn’t sleep that night. Suppose they broke in? What if they meant to hurt her? She realized she had to act.
She had a handyman install new locks and security cameras the next morning. She watched live footage all day without seeing anything remarkable.
Now relieved, she went to bed. She woke up to a loud smash outside about midnight.
Her heart beating, she raced to the living room and checked the monitor—only to discover the backyard cameras muted.
She crept to the kitchen window, pulled the curtain slightly, and saw two dark figures stalking her land. They concealed their faces but carried unmistakable intents.
She heard one mention breaking into the house from the shadows.
Evelyn acted rapidly. She quietly reported the break-in to 911. The dispatcher ordered her to stay put and that officers were coming.
But Evelyn wouldn’t wait.
She stood in the kitchen with Howard’s photo and spoke like her late husband.
She said, “Oh, Howard,” loud enough for the intruders. The antiques you stored in the garage, such as your grandfather’s gold watch and your great-grandfather’s silver flute, remain in the cabinet, waiting for you.
She watched the garage door shadows lighten and disappear out of the corner of her eye. She noticed one of the males messing with the garage camera on the indoor monitor.
The end.
Evelyn took Howard’s old baseball bat, pepper spray, and locks. She sneaked to the garage through the back entrance.
Spraying their faces, she slammed the metal shutter as the men fled. Evelyn clutched firmly, struggling to latch the lock while one tried to lift it.
Suddenly, red and blue lights flashed in the yard. Police quickly helped her lock the door and arrest the males inside.
Carter, the cop, removed their masks, revealing Rick.
“I knew it,” Evelyn mumbled.
“You know him, ma’am?” Officer Carter inquired.
“Yes,” she answered. His address is two doors down. He was lurking in my backyard days ago.”
“Well, you don’t need to worry anymore,” the officer said. “We’ll prevent their return. You live alone?”
“I do. My husband died two months ago. Son resides in Arizona. He works hard and rarely visits.”
“I’d suggest being extra cautious,” Officer Carter advised. “You were smart and brave tonight. You entrapped.”
A shy Evelyn smiled. I fabricated the antiques narrative. I thought listening could draw them into the garage.”
“That was genius,” Carter said. You should be proud.”
Evelyn called her son Mark the next day to tell him everything. Mark warned her to move to Arizona, but Evelyn couldn’t bear to leave Howard’s treasured home.
Mark acted instead. He moved to the neighborhood with his wife and children after changing jobs.
Together, Evelyn and Mark’s wife Lily run Howard’s antique store. New name: “Howard & Evelyn’s Treasure House.”
The warm little sign hides a story of courage, remembrance, and a savvy widow who outwitted the evil guys alone.
