Debra Daniel (@debdanthewriter.bsky.social)

'Maisie Loved Her Doorbell Camera' by Debra A Daniel She bought it when burglars were sweeping the subdivision, stealing electronics, tearing big screen televisions right off walls, rummaging through personal intimate belongings nobody was ever supposed to see. Fearing victimhood, our paranoid friend installed protection. There’d be warning if someone sinister approached. Defenseless damsel would have time for double-locking valuables, hiding unmentionables, grabbing baseball bat. At first, Second Sight, aptly named, posted generic messages. Person. Cat. Motion. Then more detailed descriptions followed. Man walking. Woman pushing stroller. Dog peeing. Technology proved its worth. Alarmed single female could rest easier. Robbers undetected. Whew. Soon though, re-dubbed Nosy Neighbor, got smarter. Poodle burying bone. Mail carrier rough-tossing package. Next door bachelor’s loser ex snooping. Teenage yard boy leaning upon rake thinking about losing virginity after prom. Did anyone really need know all that? Certainly not this lady minding only individual business. Still dealing with such particular info remained doable until rechristened Scary Stalker ventured too close. Details coming from inside. Picking your nose? Aren’t you putting on extra pounds? Four glasses of wine? Miss M had enough. Ripping out device, hammer-banging, throwing into garbage. Done. Looters. Pillagers. Thieves. Who cares? http://dlvr.it/TT6K1N