The snow was piled high and it was night. I was walking back from the public library on Gerrard Street East.
A payphone rang in front of a darkened house. I was the only one around.
I answered the ringing phone. "Hello?"
"Could you go up the walkway and tap at the window? She'll know what's going on."
I looked up and glanced at the lightless house. "Um, what would you like me to do?"
"Tap at the window. Or door. Just don't let the Old Lady hear you."
"Um — " Somebody touched my shoulder. I whirled around.
It was a teenage girl wearing plaid flannel PJs and a fella's parka. "It's okay." She gestured. "You can give me the phone now."
I did so and excused myself. I beat it for my basement home, figuring things out, or trying to. Near as I could tell she thought this guy was her ticket outta here. And who was I to argue? I had not seen the Old Lady.
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