It was getting late.  She said eight o’clock.  She was always so punctual.  I checked the phone but there was no text message. My feet were stuck to the spot with the cold.  A few more busses went past, and I decided to get on.

Maybe she couldn’t get a babysitter.  Maybe she ran out of credit.  I was starting to worry now.  Things at home had been turbulent for her these past months.

Sitting on the bus, my mind spun from one scenario to another.  It was too late and too far to call to her house.  I had a very bad feeling this time.