Its brakes squeaked as it halted at the fringe of a vast park.

Jolene Peller gazed toward the woods then paid the driver.

"This is where you want to be dropped off?" he asked.

"Yes. Can you kill the meter and wait for me, please?"

"I can't, you're my last fare. Gotta get the cab back."

"Please, I just have to find my friend."

The driver handed her a five in change, nodding to the pathway that twisted into darkness beyond the reach of his headlights.

"You're sure your friend's down there?"

"Yes, I need to get her home. She's going through a rough time."

"It's a beautiful park, but you know what some people do down there at night?"

Jolene knew.

But she was living another life then. If you could call it living.

"Can't you wait a bit?" Jolene asked.

"Not on my time. Gotta get the cab back then start my vacation."

"Please."

"Look, miss, you seem nice. I'll take you back now. I'll give you a break on the fare because it's on my way. But I ain't waitin' while you wander around looking for your problem. Stay or go? What's it going to be?"

Tonight was all Jolene had to do the right thing.

"I have to stay," she said.

The driver gave her a suit-yourself shrug and Jolene got out. The taxi lumbered off, its red taillights disappearing, leaving her alone.

She had to do this.

As she walked along the path, she looked at the familiar twinkle of lights from the big suburban homes on the ridge that ringed the parkland half a mile off. When she found Bernice, they'd walk to a corner store then get a cab to Bernice's apartment. Then Jolene could take another one to the terminal, claim her bags and catch a later bus