I Love to Write
Capricorn in Aquarius - Part Two
I had completely forgotten I was still in the beige chenille robe and nothing else. As I realized this, the third policeman took notice of me.
"Who are you?" he demanded curtly. "Where do you belong?" I stuttered as he turned to his partner. "Kelly, what was that call we received before we went on patrol about that kidnapped teenager? The mother was hysterical and - "
All four fixed their attention on me. I wanted to die. Then the senior patrolman took the lead. "That weather out there is no place for anyone. It's a mean old lady out there. I told the mother that, if we found her, and she was safe and warm, we'd get her a bed and bring her back in the morning. Weatherman says this should blow itself out over Lake Erie, anyway."
Kathleen looked relieved that the attention was focused on me. She spoke up again. "We have an extra twin bed in my room. She can stay the night - "
The patrolman looked like he didn't think that was such a good idea. Good God, I hoped he wasn't going to suggest taking me to the station and putting me up in a cell! I had been in one only once, when I played hooky, and I didn't want to go near one again.
Murphy apparently recalled something else. "And, if I may ask, Mrs. Nolan, how many orphans do you have sleepin' in your parlor on the floor?"
I looked to Kathleen. This, then, was a common occurrence? The police KNEW about the overflow in the next room?
Kathleen was equal to the demand. "Only about a dozen tonight. You expect me to leave them by their lonesome? Out in that gale wind - " The whistle in effect had increased to a scream almost like a human wail. " And their poor parents, struggling to make enough for rent money -"
"We're wasting time here," the youngest of the four spoke up. "The two kids aren't here, and if they were, I doubt she'd let us look. I'm for goin' back to the station and reporting to that woman we found her daughter..."
The senior patrolman decided. "We'll be back in the morning," His gaze rested on me. "For both of you."
He led the way out to the two unmarked squadrols, bending against the wind. I slammed the door behind them as Kathleen cleaned up the floor.
It was a wild and woolly night.
(To Be Continued.)
I had completely forgotten I was still in the beige chenille robe and nothing else. As I realized this, the third policeman took notice of me.
"Who are you?" he demanded curtly. "Where do you belong?" I stuttered as he turned to his partner. "Kelly, what was that call we received before we went on patrol about that kidnapped teenager? The mother was hysterical and - "
All four fixed their attention on me. I wanted to die. Then the senior patrolman took the lead. "That weather out there is no place for anyone. It's a mean old lady out there. I told the mother that, if we found her, and she was safe and warm, we'd get her a bed and bring her back in the morning. Weatherman says this should blow itself out over Lake Erie, anyway."
Kathleen looked relieved that the attention was focused on me. She spoke up again. "We have an extra twin bed in my room. She can stay the night - "
The patrolman looked like he didn't think that was such a good idea. Good God, I hoped he wasn't going to suggest taking me to the station and putting me up in a cell! I had been in one only once, when I played hooky, and I didn't want to go near one again.
Murphy apparently recalled something else. "And, if I may ask, Mrs. Nolan, how many orphans do you have sleepin' in your parlor on the floor?"
I looked to Kathleen. This, then, was a common occurrence? The police KNEW about the overflow in the next room?
Kathleen was equal to the demand. "Only about a dozen tonight. You expect me to leave them by their lonesome? Out in that gale wind - " The whistle in effect had increased to a scream almost like a human wail. " And their poor parents, struggling to make enough for rent money -"
"We're wasting time here," the youngest of the four spoke up. "The two kids aren't here, and if they were, I doubt she'd let us look. I'm for goin' back to the station and reporting to that woman we found her daughter..."
The senior patrolman decided. "We'll be back in the morning," His gaze rested on me. "For both of you."
He led the way out to the two unmarked squadrols, bending against the wind. I slammed the door behind them as Kathleen cleaned up the floor.
It was a wild and woolly night.
(To Be Continued.)
61-69, F
