k_macfarlane

So what if I’m taking the coward’s way out? It’s not like I’m getting away with anything. Sitting in this taxi with a driver who hasn’t had a shower any time recently wasn’t easy. In fact, between his body odor and cologne, this situation couldn’t get much worse. 

The house looked inviting, but I knew what was behind door number one. My parents.  I’d rather be anywhere than here.  But my grandmother, Sadie, would never leave me alone if I left.  

The taxi driver flipped his hand back to me with the palm facing up. “That’ll be twelve-fifty.”

“Give the nice man a tip, Jackie.”

“I will, Grandma,” I said, pulling my arm away from the cold chill of her hand.

“What’d you say?” asked the driver. 

“Nothing.  Sorry. I’m trying to collect my thoughts before I go inside.” I started to hand him the money but stopped and crumpled the bills. “Could you leave the meter running for a few more minutes? I need time to think.”

“Kid, I’ve got a pick-up waiting for me.”

“Get out of the cab and go tell your mother.” Sadie pushed at my shoulder, and I wobbled but didn’t move to get out of the car.

“I will.” I pushed her hand off my shoulder and turned to face the bug-eyed driver. He pushed his back against the steering wheel, and his neck bunched, giving him multiple double chins. “My grandmother passed away last night. I have to go in and tell my parents the news. I’d really like to sit in here a little longer, if that’s okay?”

“Yeah.” He nodded.

“Jackie Burton, don’t you dare make me twist your ear. I have enough to deal with right now.” Sadie’s fingertips were ice against my skin.

“You and me both,” I said, slapping her hand away and ducking at the same time.

“I need you to tell her about the roast in the refrigerator, too. I bought it for Sunday’s dinner, and I don’t want it to go bad.”

“Grandma,” I grumbled, “first, I have to figure out how to tell her that you’ve passed away. The roast is the last thing I want to worry about.”

“Don’t you use that tone with me, young man.”

“Would you just give me a minute of peace?” I yelled.

“Dispatch, I have a situation at 750 Apple Street.” Saucer-shaped eyes gawked at me over the top of the radio’s mouthpiece.

“Here?” I asked, looking around the quiet neighborhood, then back to the driver. The look on his face hadn’t changed, and he sat so still that I wondered if he was breathing. An epiphany hit me and blood rushed to my face. “You mean me?”

“Driver, do you need immediate assistance? Copy?”  A static-filled voice boomed from the speaker.

“He looks scared to death,” Sadie whispered.

“Yes, he does.” I nodded.

“Affirmative dispatch.”

“Probably because you were yelling. Most people don’t like that.”

“I was yelling because you weren’t giving me any time to think.”

“So it’s my fault?” She crossed her arms and turned to look out at the street.

“No.”  Sighing heavily, I put my head on her shoulder. The cold radiating from her made my head start to ache, but I left it there. “Mom is going to be crushed. I can’t stand the thought of seeing her cry.”

“Me either, but the sooner we get it done, the sooner she can get the roast.”

A disgusted snort escaped me before I could stop it, and I was immediately rewarded by a slap to the back of my head.

“Stop hitting me.” I rubbed the tender spot while looking up at the house. “And stop talking to me, I can’t think straight.”

“Driver, assistance will be arriving shortly.”

“I’ll stop as soon as you get your butt out of this car. Twenty-four-years-old and you’re still trying to shirk your responsibilities.”

“I am not.” Dumbfounded, I stared into her grey-blue eyes. “How can you say that? I jumped out of bed and have been running ever since you woke me up – at four o’clock this morning, I might add.”

A knock on the window made me cringe. Scrunching my eyes closed tightly, I turned slowly and peeked.  There they were, my parents, smiling at me. My stomach rolled. Working hard to put a fake smile on my face, I opened the door.

“Grandma has a roast she wants you to take out of her refrigerator.”

“What?” Mom’s smile faltered.

“Oh boy.”