In the Neighborhood of Normal by Cindy Maddox

Author:Cindy Maddox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Regal House Publishing
Published: 2021-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

11.

Juliann was still a little worried about Mish. Mish had only lost her balance for a few seconds, but she was still awfully pale. But she insisted on sightseeing, so Juliann stopped arguing. Thirty minutes later they were checked out of the hotel, had stored their belongings in the car, and were now debating the best way to get around town. Mish had decided a taxi was easiest, and when Juliann had expressed concern about the cost, Mish had told her to shush. “You start telling me how to spend my money, and I’m gonna start calling you ‘Floyd.’ And that ain’t no compliment,” she said with a wink. “Besides, Mr. Waffle Man got us a free night’s stay!”

“Then at least let me call a Lyft driver instead of a taxi,” Juliann replied. Before leaving home she had downloaded the app and signed up with a visa debit card she had gotten for her birthday. She typed in where they were and where they wanted to go, and by the time she finished explaining to Mish how it worked and why people who aren’t taxi drivers would want to just drive people all over the city, their ride had arrived.

“Good morning. I am Ziena,” the man announced after lowering the window of his silver sedan. He had an accent that sounded Middle Eastern, and Juliann thought maybe he was Muslim, based on his short, round hat. “I am here to take you to the Lincoln Memorial, yes?”

Juliann simply nodded, but clearly that was not enough for Mish. “Oh, yes, please,” Mish gushed. “I’ve always wanted to see it, and I’ve never gotten the chance. And would it be possible to get a glimpse of the White House too? Not a tour or anything—I just want to see it.”

“Yes, ma’am, I can do that. Would you like to ride up front with me, so you get a better view?”

Mish nodded eagerly, literally bouncing on the balls of her feet. She’s so cute, Juliann found herself thinking—which was odd, given their ages. Maybe it was because Mish hadn’t left the farm much, but she got so excited about the little things. Sometimes Juliann felt like she was the older one of the duo. Or maybe she was just the more jaded, which she admitted to herself was pretty sad.

Mish chatted with the driver and soon knew where he was from, how long he’d been in the U.S., and what he’d done for a living before he came here. Juliann had expected the driver to resist what many would describe as nosiness, especially in today’s anti-immigrant environment, but somehow people always responded openly to Mish. There was just something about her that made people feel safe about opening up.

As they drove through the city, Juliann was glad for the distractions of sightseeing. She had dreaded the idea of sitting in the hotel room until time for her appointment, and she wondered how much of the morning’s itinerary was because Mish really wanted to sightsee and how much was just to keep Juliann’s mind occupied.

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