My father started toward him, fast. The man pointed a finger at him without flinching.

“Take another step and I’ll tell the operator you’re attacking me too.”

My father stopped.

The sirens came minutes later. As the paramedics lifted me into the ambulance, I took one last look at the living room window.

Behind the curtain stood an old man I had never seen before in my life. His shaking hand was pressed flat against the glass, as if he were trying to warn me about something.

Then the curtain closed.