Babyface by Norma Fox Mazer

Author:Norma Fox Mazer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

“Fourteen dollars,” the cabdriver said, turning off the meter and stopping in front of the house.

Toni pawed through her pocketbook. “Fourteen?” All she had was a ten-dollar bill and a handful of change. The driver put her arm over the back of the cracked vinyl seat and turned to watch her. Flustered, Toni said, “I don’t have enough money.”

“I knew this was going to happen,” the cabbie said gloomily. She had straight blond hair, a pockmarked face. “I had a feeling in my gut all the way out here.”

“I can give you my name. I can get the money tomorrow. I’ll pay you, I promise.”

“Isn’t there anybody home you can get money from now?”

Toni shook her head. Her parents wouldn’t be home until later this evening, around nine o’clock.

The cabbie pushed some buttons, and the radio crackled with static and incomprehensible words. “Fifty-two. I’ve got a stiff on Oak Street,” the driver said into the speaker. “Roger. Over.”

Toni felt stupid and slightly frightened. What was going to happen now? Was this a crime? Would they call the police? Slow down, she told herself. You can go across the street and borrow from Mrs. Abish, or down the block to Mrs. Frankowitz.

“Bleeegh somebody bleeegh bleeegh … in the bleegh?” the radio voice growled.

“Negative. What do I do?”

More growling, sounding even more menacing. Meanwhile, with a surge of relief, Toni remembered that her mother always kept emergency money in the desk in the living room. She tapped the driver on the shoulder. “Wait, wait, I can get it. I just remembered—” She opened the door. “I’ll only be a minute. I’ll be right back.”

“I ain’t moving,” the driver said.

Toni ran up the walk to the house. Their lawn was dry and yellow. She glanced over at the Jensens’. Everything was quiet, the whole street was quiet, eerily quiet, and empty. She unlocked the front door. The cabbie was leaning out the window on her arm, watching. Toni waved reassuringly and went in.

The house was dim, the shades drawn. “Hello …?” she breathed into the emptiness. Nothing moved. Nothing responded. What had she expected?

The desk drawer was stuck and didn’t want to open. “Open!” Toni ordered, and gave it a sharp tug. The drawer flew open. Inside was an envelope with three twenties.

When she paid the cabbie, Toni remembered to give her a tip. And the cabbie remembered to give Toni a smile. “I knew you were going to come through,” she said.

“I have an honest face,” Toni joked.

“Yeah, I can tell these things,” the cabbie said seriously. She pushed in the clutch. “I know things about people.”

“Do you?” Toni held on to the window for a moment. Did this woman know things other people didn’t? Was she wise? Toni leaned toward her. There was so much she needed to know. Tell me about my parents.… Tell me how they could have done the things Martine said and yet be the people I think they are.… Tell me how I can keep on loving them.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.