In retrospect, it must have looked as though no one was home. Both cars were gone from the driveway. It was mid-afternoon and I was taking a nap. I awoke to the sound of something dropping the basement and then a shuffling noise. I got up quietly and looked out at the drive. There was a car parked at the end, but no occupants. I heard more from the basement. I grabbed a knife from the kitchen and went to investigate. As I got to the bottom of the stairs, the door in the hallway opened. A young Latina woman appeared. She saw me. Her eyes widened as she said, "Oh shit!"
I held up the knife and said, "Don't move."
She held her hands up slightly and said, "Wait, I can explain."
I took one of her hands and twisted it behind her back, replying, "I'm sure you can."
I guided her back into the room she had entered, which fortunately for me, was lined with toys. I took a pair of handcuffs and slapped them on the hand behind her back. I reached up and grabbed her other hand, pulled it back and slipped the other cuff over it.
"Hey! What are you doing?" she yelled.
I jerked her arms up and secured the handcuffs to a hook in the ceiling, then settled back to have a look at her. She was young, nineteen at the most, five and half feet tall, long dark hair, caramel colored skin and full lips. She had nice curves, hidden beneath denim clothes. "Well, as I see it, you just broke into my house and I am pondering whether to call the police."