20 In 400 Feet Turn Left onto Ontario Road “Actually, can you drop me off here?” Mart says. She’s chipper, her kind eyes seem to have returned. She points to the row of shops to our left. “It’s really no trouble, we only have ten minutes until we’re there.” She raises her phone to her ear. She’s not even listening to me. “No. You will drop me off on the corner. There’s a flower shop I need to stop at—” There it is. That voice again. That voice won’t get you nowhere Mart. “How will you get to the service then—I’ll just take you there.” “No, you will not.” I will. You can’t just miss the service Mart. She screams at me. It’s incoherent. I reckon it’s best I turn left, and drive down the row of shops. Make a U-Turn and Return to Ontario Road I hate parallel parking. But Mart wants to visit this flower shop, so I’ll do it. There’s an opening between a red pickup—Who drives a pickup in the city?—and a police car. It’s tight, but I can do it. I focus my eyes on the trunk of the pickup. A Chiefs fan. I pull forward until my side door aligns with his. I shift the car into reverse, squeezing it into the spot, keeping a close eye on the fender of the cop car. Bonnie makes a screeching sound as I brake. I park. “Hold on, let me get that door for you.” I say, hopping out of the car. She grunts, unbuckling her seatbelt slowly. I watch her scoot towards the passenger side door rather than the one in front of me. Oh! You’re right Mart, I should have known you wouldn’t want to step out into the road. I scramble towards the passenger side. My shoe unties—no bother—I grab the door handle. I pull on the handle. It’s stuck. I try again. It’s locked? Make a U-Turn and Return to Ontario Road Mart and I lock eyes through my tinted backseat window. She’s on the phone still. She’s talking quietly but I can hear muffled words. “I’m outside… yes… scared…” Mart don’t be scared, it’s because you locked yourself in dear. Silly girl, just open the door, I’ve got you. “I’m locked in.. no no… he’s not in here” I tug on the handle again. Mart screams. “No, no no. Listen to me,” I say. I’m calm. She knows that. “All you have to do is unlock the door.” I place my face on the glass so I can be close to hers. I take my hand to the glass and point down. She shrieks. “Mart look at me,” She shakes her head, tears starting to glide down her powdered face.
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