Earthquake in a burglar's disguise

After months of telling my fiancee that a burglar would be wasting his time trying to break into our third-floor condominium, it seemed my words were being proven wrong.

With my soon-to-be-wife -- and her runny nose, coughing, achy head, fever and other flu-like symptoms -- banished to the guest room for the night, I awoke about 4:37 a.m. Friday to the shaking of what seemed like someone trying to pry open a window or sliding glass door.

It all happened so quickly: a haunting, unfamiliar motion like I was being shaken from my bed, while the television, dressers and blinds rattled loudly. Still half asleep, and before I could fully comprehend what was going on, it all stopped, and the tranquility of the early morning returned as though nothing had ever happened.

Staggering into the hall to investigate, I literally ran into my fiancee -- who'd apparently gone into the living room to confront the supposed burglar herself.

She let out a shriek and clutched her chest, stumbling toward the couch amid cries of, "What was that? What was that?"

A quick scan of our balcony told us this wasn't a robbery in progress, and we may well survive.

But what could it be?

"My bed was shaking," she said, "like someone was grabbing it with both hands."

The thoughts raced through my mind. Was it that annoying garbage man rolling through our alley, getting an early start on the day? A sonic boom, from a military jet overhead?

An … earthquake? Could it be?

My fiancee quickly dismissed the idea and continued on about how terrifying the whole ordeal was.

Now fully awake, I turned on the television. Sure enough, the earthquake was already the top story.

I quickly ran to tell my frightened fiancee she could rest easy now.

Apparently her panic had subsided. She was already fast asleep.

I marched back to bed myself, basking in the glow of knowing I was right.