I've always hated summertime. They say it's for resting. I disagree. During the summer I work more hours than a slave. I'm in charge of a restaurant located in a tourist area.

Usually my shift ends with me bathed in sweat and wishing to throw myself into the shower when I get home. Home sweet home. It's always been my consolation for the world's worries, my refuge. Until that day when the most incredible thing happened to me. I still sometimes suspect that the heat made me hallucinate.

That day, when I got into my house and passed by the kitchen, I noticed something strange. There was a sandwich on the countertop. I examined it. It was a sandwich that I had left over a few days before, and that I had kept in the fridge. It had a bite that wasn't mine. Who had taken it out of the fridge and bitten it, if I live alone and nobody else has my key, not even my parents? I noticed that there was also one of my beer cans open. I lifted it; it seemed kinda full according to its weigh, they had only taken a sip.

I put myself on guard. It was likely that there was someone in the house. Had they entered to steal? What kind of thief takes time to eat? Only one who was about to faint. Maybe he suffered a black-out when entering the house and had no choice but to do so. But was beer necessary too?

I grabbed a meat knife and crept out of the kitchen in order to inspect every corner of my house. Only then did I realize that when I entered I had not felt that the lock was forced. Maybe they had broken in through the back door.

When I passed the bathroom, I got a sense of humidity. That means someone had just taken a shower, I knew the feeling. I entered and corroborated my impression. There were clothes lying on the floor. Women's clothes: underwear, a top, short jeans and open shoes. What the hell? If the thief was still at home (or whatever she was), she was naked. Or she was wearing some of my clothes. I went to my room.

I couldn't believe my eyes. There, face down on my bed, there was a naked woman; and deeply asleep judging by her slow breathing. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing her. I rubbed my eyes with my knuckles, giving credit to the possibility of hallucination. But no, there was the woman. She was young and (at least on her back) attractive. About thirty years old and blonde. What should I do? Wake her up or call the police? I chose the first thing. I didn't feel threatened by a naked woman... unless she didn't come alone. At that thought, I hurried to examine the rest of the house to make sure there was no one else. In effect, we were both alone. I went back to the room. I noticed her posture, curiously open and relaxed, as if she felt at home. Too open... Some misplaced instincts claimed my conscience. A kind of sense of karma worked to justify them. No, I wasn't going to take advantage of the situation. I didn't know what kind of life she had or problems she could drag. Even mental problems. I was also unaware of any damage she could have caused, except for biting my sandwich and opening one of my beer cans.

I shook her gently on the shoulder. I realized that she had the freshness of someone who just had a shower.

-Hello -I said.

She made a dull noise of someone who wishes to continue sleeping without being disturbed. I insisted.

-Hey, wake up!

She reacted and looked at me with narrowed eyes as she got up and left the bed. With agility she walked towards the corridor and I followed her. She went to the bathroom, where she dressed calmly, as if there was nothing out of the ordinary in the situation. I couldn't believe it.

-What are you doing in my house?

She kept ignoring me. She headed for the main entrance and took my packet of cigarettes in the hall furniture and put it in her pocket. Then she opened the door and left. I ran after her but was going at good pace. I couldn't believe she was gonna escape from me. I reached her in the street and held her by the arm.

-You, where do you think you're going?

Then she became hysterical. She began to move and shout:

-Let me go! Don't touch me! Please help! -this last she said turning to the passers-by.

People looked at me badly. The thief was creating a situation in her favor. If the police came, they would be on her side, since the witnesses would believe to have seen a man mistreating a woman. And I didn't have proof of her break-in... How the hell had she got into my house? I looked towards the facade and saw the window open. That was the answer. On the other hand, I could accuse that woman of stealing a packet of cigarettes... which is quite pathetic as loot. And if I told the police everything I'd seen they wouldn't believe me.

I didn't even believe it myself.

With the most stupid face I've ever had, I saw the woman quietly walking down the street, while lighting one of my cigarettes.