Speak Up reading - 146

Article #146 Home Alone
I remember the first time that my parents left me home alone. I was very grown up,
and I thought that I would be just fine. I was fine for a while. I watched television
and had something to eat.
I called my friend on the phone, and we talked for a while. Then, I sat down to read
a book. The house was quiet, very quiet. I found myself listening very carefully.
I heard a tap, tap tapping noise. I wondered where it was coming from. It seemed
to be coming from the window. I turned out the lights so that nobody would see me,
and I peeked out the window carefully. I was expecting to see a robber tapping at
my window. There was nobody there. It was just a tree branch swaying in the
breeze and tapping at my window. I felt silly. I turned on the lights and sat back
down to read my book. A few minutes later, I heard some creaking noises. I
listened carefully. Then, I heard a clunking noise. I think it might have been the
furnace. Then there was a whirring noise. My imagination began to play tricks on
me. I was imagining that there were all kinds of creatures in the house. I told myself
to grow up. I wouldn't let my imagination run away with me. I was glad when my
parents got home. I told them about all the noises that I had heard. My parents
laughed and said that all houses make noises. We're usually just so busy that we
don't hear all the noises that go on. I have stayed home alone many times now. I
just ignore all the little creaks and noises that I hear. I am still alert and listen for
anything suspicious, but I know that there are lots of noises that are harmless. That
tree that taps on my window still frightens me sometimes, but I'm a lot braver now
than I was the first time that I stayed home alone.