Show Me The Way To Go Home 

By Jeff Baker

“I really appreciate this,” I said as we sped down the city street. “I didn’t expect to get a cab this time of night, especially so near Christmas, but then I remembered that app my brother sent me.”

“Well, I have the vehicle and I have to make extra money too you know,” the driver said.

“Yeah, I know,” I said. “I was working two jobs until last week. Then I broke up with my fiancée and the one job went blooey on me.”

“Look, life can be rough,” the driver said, maneuvering in and out of traffic, “and I know about jobs. People think I make a lot of money but it all goes back into the business.”

“Yeah, thanks,” I said. “Hey, the street’s closed up here, better take a left.”

“Got it,” the driver said. “Oh, and I’d turn the radio on but all I get is Christmas music.”

“Yeah, I’ll be so glad when Christmas is over.”

“Me too,” the driver said. “Your building’s up there, right?”

“Yeah, right,” I said. “Oh, and thanks for letting me unload like that.”

“Anytime,” the driver said with a smile.

“Uh, oh…” I said “I don’t know how to say this, but I think I left my keys in the apartment again! The super’s not gonna be happy when I call him up and ask…”

“The door to the roof is always unlocked, as I remember,” the driver said.

“Yeah, but…” I started to say.

“Hang on,” the driver said, gripping the reins determinedly. In another moment we were rushing over the row of cars and swirling upward around my building until we made a landing on top of the roof, between the door and an unused clothesline.

“Well, thanks,” I said as we climbed out onto the roof. “I guess I owe you a big tip.”

“It’s already charged,” the driver said holding up his I-Phone. “You be careful going down those stairs.”

“I will,” I said, thankful that the door inside was, in fact, unlocked.

He sprang back into his seat, whistled and they flew away like, well, like a big drone. But I saw him turn and wave. He shouted something. I couldn’t make it out but I was pretty sure what he said. I smiled and headed inside.

—end—

Wishing all my loyal readers safe travels, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and the best for the New Year!   ———jsb