Burgled #1and Denial

It was in 1986, I think, and I had substituted at HVC that day in the high school. I left in the morning, taking Marilyn and Danny with me. David was still home, not yet ready, but Dave was to drop him off at school on his way to work. At the end of the subbing day, I picked Danny up at the Elementary School and drove him home. Marilyn and David would take the bus, both probably staying later, Marilyn for field hockey, and David maybe for computer or maybe going home. I parked in the driveway, and walking into the house noticed coins in the driveway. I figured Dave must have a hole in his pocket--car keys did that to suit pants. Then I saw that the front door was open. I thought Davis had probably been the last one out the door, late as usual, and had neglected to close the door. When I stepped inside, I saw the TV in the living room was gone, and the cords were dangling off the shelf. I told myself the TV must have conked out and Dave had brought it to Albany with him for repairs, and carrying it out the door, had left the front door ajar. Then I saw that the stereo speakers were also missing, as was our computer. I told Danny to go out and lock himself in the car. I guess I knew it may not have been smart to go inside, but I had to find out where David was. I was almost certain Marilyn was staying late at school, but I didn't know about David. He was about in 8th grade and quite a small kid at the time, and once I realized someone had broken into the house, I was afraid David might have taken the regular bus home, and been there and who knows, taken away or worse. I called the school, (Remember-no cell phones as yet) and after Sandy Malone told me both Marilyn and David were at school. I called the police, and went out and waited in the car with Danny. He didn't say much as I recall, but he was only about 8 or 9, and must have been scared, at least a little. I remember when the State Trooper arrived, I said I thought I'd heard noises inside. Later I realized that my ears were ringing from the stress. Also, he'd asked if anything, dog or such, was inside, and I told him our dog was tied outside. After he went in, with gun drawn, I remembered I'd forgotten to tell him our cat was inside and I thought he might shoot it if it jumped out at him. Nike was that kind if cat. I thought of going in to save my cat, but having seen the gun in shooting mode, I stayed outside.